Page 7 of Cruel Elite (Princes of Ravenlake Academy 3)

“No one gives a shit what kind of rumors you try to make up, Penny. Trying harder will only make things worse for you.”

Her eyes go molten. “I think you care a lot what people think.”

We are only a few feet apart, the dark of the forest pressing in on all sides, making the distance feel simultaneously shorter and longer.

It feels like we are in a black hole, separate from the rest of the universe, being sucked towards one another.

And, fuck, it pisses me off.

I’ve spent two years purging my life of this bitch and all it takes is one conversation for all that work to be undone.

But what I want from Penny now is different from what I once wanted.

Now, I want to make her suffer.

To make her miserable.

To make her pay.

I want to make her feel the way I feel every time I see her swaying down the hallway, sneering and rude.

The time has come to do unto others as has been done unto me. It may not be the golden rule exactly, but it’s this Golden Boy’s rule.

“You’re right about that, Penny,” I say lightly. “I do care. About you especially.” I lower my chin and move towards her, biting my lower lip. “You have no idea how much I care.”

The cold mask slips. Her eyes are wide, long lashes batting against her flushed cheeks.

“You do?” she asks, confused.

Penny is used to being admired and worshipped. Men bend over backwards for her because she has a body that fits just right in your hands and a mouth that promises unspeakable things without ever saying a word.

So, of course, she thinks I still care about her.

She doesn’t know any different.

But, oh, how she’s about to learn.

“I care that you’re happy,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper. “Especially since you shouldn’t be.”

Her face falls.

“You don’t deserve the grace I’ve extended the last two years by ignoring you,” I spit. “All the pain you’ve caused other people, you deserve to have handed back to you ten-fold.”

“I haven’t done anything,” she stammers. “Noah, you know I didn’t do—”

I wave a hand to dismiss her. “I’ll see you around. That’s a promise.” Then I turn and leave.

“Noah!”

My name on her lips is still enough to make me stop in my tracks.

But it isn’t enough to change my mind.

Penny has had her fun.

Now, it’s time for me to have mine.

3

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