Page 3 of Cruel Elite (Princes of Ravenlake Academy 3)

Talented girl.

Caleb shrugs. “She knows all. I’ve learned not to question it.”

“Penny’s Dreadfuls? Like the TV show?” Lily frowns at the group of our friends, waiting for someone to clue her in.

She went to Ravenlake Prep for a year before she and Finn moved to New York, but she somehow managed to avoid the finer points of drama that flow under the stream of everyday bullshit.

“Penelope LaFevre’s friends,” Finn answers.

Lily shakes her head. “I don’t—”

I turn to J.C. “I have no interest in taking a bite out of either of those donuts.”

J.C. groans. “Bro, you’re killing me. The only reason they were interested is because of you.”

“Then I’m doubly uninterested.”

Haley nods. “Those girls are horrible. Even you can do better, J.C.,” she says.

“Listen, whatever beef you have with the Dreadfuls, I’m not a part of it.” J.C. holds up his hands innocently, a joint simmering between his fingers. “Really, I’d love nothing more than to be the bridge that brings you three together. In fact, I’ve heard nothing brings women together like having sex with the same guy. Perhaps—”

“Finish that sentence and you’re dead.” Caleb swivels away from Haley, his feet planted flat on the ground, ready to propel him forward at any moment.

Of all the people at this bonfire party, Caleb is the last one I’d pick a fight with. No one in their right, sober mind would even consider it.

And J.C. is far from sober.

J.C. considers the threat for a minute, takes in Haley, who rolls her eyes and sighs, and then shrugs. “It was just a thought.”

“If you want to keep your dick attached to your body, never have it again.”

Caleb is simmering. Understandably so.

After everything that happened with Bumper and the Hell Princes recently, he’s still a little edgy when it comes to keeping Haley safe.

Haley drags a hand down his back to calm him down. She whispers something in his ear, and his features turn soft.

A second later, they’re tangled in one another again.

J.C. sighs. “Without underground fighting as an outlet, Caleb is far too pent up.”

“Not for long. He’s about to release,” Viktor cackles, making crude gestures.

Caleb returns them in the firm of a middle finger without once breaking his connection to Haley.

“Once you all are back in school, I’m sure Caleb will find someone to beat down,” says Finn. “He always does.”

I shake my head. “Doubtful. Now that the Hell Princes have been properly put in their place, I’m worried the next few months will be boring as hell.”

“Oh yeah, I forgot we haven’t discussed that. Noah pulled a fucking gun!” Viktor throws his head back in a drunken laugh. “I expect that shit from Finn or Caleb, but not you. How long have you been packing?”

“How did I not know you had a gun?” Finn asks, eyebrow raised.

“Youhave a gun,” I point out.

“I know, but I didn’t knowyouhad one.”

I shrug. “There’s a lot you don’t know about me.”

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