Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 96402 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 482(@200wpm)___ 386(@250wpm)___ 321(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96402 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 482(@200wpm)___ 386(@250wpm)___ 321(@300wpm)
“After you stormed out, I tried to sell her on you having enemies all over the school and any of them could’ve framed you, because the Crows wouldn’t do this. Unsurprisingly, she couldn’t hear me over you calling her a bitch.”
A dozen emotions warred on his face.
“If she and Roan were in this together, did you really think shouting in her face was going to appeal to her? Like you said, her mind was made up. There was nothing either one of us could’ve said.
“You’ve got a real problem with your temper, Jeremy, and you need to get a handle on it. You swing from smart to stupid too fast.”
He growled, tightening on my neck.
“Like right now,” I forced. “I’m the only ally you have, and I might’ve cozied up to the Bedlam Boys, got them to say on a recording that they forced the Crows out and how. Proof it was them would’ve gotten you a lot farther than pissing that woman off. But I don’t think I will now, because your hand is still on my throat.”
Jeremy released me.
“Do it.”
“Why should I?”
He balled his fists, looking like he wanted nothing more than to strangle me again. Proving that he did possess a sliver of self-control, Jeremy shook out his hands and sucked in a deep breath.
“Rainey. Sweet, beautiful Rainey,” he mocked. “I apologize for putting my hands on you. I’m a little heated from, you know, getting framed, expelled, and watching my future go down in flames all in one afternoon. I thank you that in your all-knowing wisdom, you have once again given me great advice. The Bedlam Boys will admit for the world to see that they’re responsible.”
“I can try to record—”
“No,” he said. “I’ve got it from here.”
His smile curdled my blood.
“Jeremy, what are you going to do?”
“Nothing stupid. It’s past time the Crows and Bedlam Boys talked this out. Settled it like gentlemen. And if I record them saying they’re responsible for the stolen midterms, even better.”
Two security guards came out and put their hands on Jeremy.
“Time to go, son.”
“Don’t look so worried,” Jeremy called over his shoulder, that smirk hanging on his mouth. “Everything’s going to be fine. The crows are always the last one standing on the battlefield.”
“YOU HAVE TO BE CAREFUL.”
I snuggled between Roan and Jacques, tracing patterns on Legend’s chest with Roan molded to my back.
“You’re the last two he hasn’t gotten to yet, and he’s said more than once he’s got worse in store for you, Roan.”
“I don’t doubt that he does,” Roan said.
“You’re not worried?”
“They’ve been going after family. My dad took off when I was six. If I can’t find him, they sure as hell won’t. That leaves Josephine. Even if they get through her security, they’ll be the top suspects as the guys she just expelled. Their asses would end up in jail, and that would hardly prove their innocence. There’s no upside, Rainey. That route to revenge will not leave them satisfied.”
“Your mom isn’t the only person you care about,” I reminded.
“You mean me,” Legend said. “Yeah, most likely the Crows are coming for me.”
“Do you have to say that so casually?”
He laughed. “I’m no easy target, Rainey. They can try, and I know they will, but they’re not getting me anywhere alone. A head-on assault’s not going to work either. I can afford twice as many lawyers as Daddy Ellis. Lawyers who’ll see to it that every charge from emotional distress to attempted murder sticks if they so much as spit on my shoe. If I’m honest, I’ve been waiting for them to try.
“That’s the last straw, Rainey. The mistake they can’t come back from. Going up against me,” he said. “It’ll be the last thing they do.”
I rested my head on his chest. “As hot as you are right now, you’re not reassuring me. You didn’t see the look on Jeremy’s face as he was led away. The only word that comes to mind is unhinged.”
“Course he is. Jacques just pulled a trigger on the long con that booted his ass from Bedlam University. I wonder if Foundry hires losers expelled for cheating.”
I shot up. “So it was Jacques. Was that him in the photo coming out of administration?”
“Nah.” Grinning, Roan pushed himself up on his elbows. “The guy is good but not even he can make his beard grow back that fast. Lookalikes, honey lips. Jacques and I hit up HC’s talent agency saying we were testing the school’s security and laying a trap for a cheating ring working out of the school.
“Found six guys with a striking resemblance to Jeremy, Micah, Gael, Bentley, Asher, and Zeke. Then, we told them we had to draw a crow on their necks, so we could tell who was actor, and who were the real thieves. Five hundred bucks each just to walk around handing out cards, we had more volunteers than we knew what to do with.