Page 6 of Cruel Elite (Princes of Ravenlake Academy 3)

We haven’t been this close in a long time, but her body remembers.

God knows mine does, too.

Shoving my face right in hers, I hiss, “For two years, I’ve been content to leave you alone. As long as you did the same for me. But you violated that truce. So I’m done keeping my distance. I’m going to be a part of your life again, Penny. But not in a good way. Not in a nice way. I’m going to make you hurt. Make you suffer. And I won’t quit until I’ve ruined you completely.”

Silence. The longest silence of her life, I’m sure.

I don’t blink. Don’t look away.

I want her to see how much I mean what I’m saying.

“Why are you doing this?” she whispers in a tight, choked voice. “What did I do?”

I sigh. My answer is a single word: “Haley.”

Caleb had come to me a few weeks ago when Penny’s campaign of bullying against Haley was at its worst. He wanted me to try and do something to help her.

“You know Penny,”he said.“Tell her to back off.”

Iusedto know Penny. I sure as fuck don’t anymore. I shut that door and locked it a long time ago.

I told him he was on his own.

But tonight, I’ve changed my mind. Caleb is my brother-in-arms, and Haley is his woman. That means protecting her is my responsibility, too.

That’s why I’m here.

To tell Penny to stay in her fucking lane.

Or else I’ll be forced to intervene in more damaging ways.

Penny’s jaw shifts to one side and she clicks her teeth in annoyance. Her breath huffs out, making her chest heave.

When she speaks again, she uses her usual sassy bitch tone. Her Queen Bee voice.

“Why do you care about her? I thought she belonged to Caleb. Is he sharing? Based on the stupid grin he has been wearing and your perpetual frown, I’d guess not. Then again, you’ve never really been one for smiles.”

She’s trying to assert control of the situation.

But she’s not in charge here. I’m not one of the stupid bimbos she calls friends.

I’m the one calling the shots now.

I ignore her question, mostly because I know it will bother her.

“When shit hit the fan between us, I told you to stay out of my life. Haley’s part of my life.” Her eyes narrow, but I continue. “Leave her the fuck alone.”

I let go of her arm, and Penny spins away from me, brushing her hands down the front of her jeans as though she can erase the memory of our bodies touching.

When she stands tall again, her legs are spread and her arms are crossed, making her cleavage even more noticeable.

But I refuse to be distracted. I keep my eyes locked on hers.

“Is that why I don’t hear any rumors about who you’re with, Noah? Because you’re slumming?”

Her voice sounds desperate, nasally and a bit higher pitched. The same way mothers have atelephone voice, Penny seems to have anI’m being a bitch voice.

“I knew you Golden Boys did everything together, but I didn’t know you did everyonetogether, too.”

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