Page 125 of The Broken Note

I dip one hand into my pocket, press the alarm on my car and shove her into the backseat. She lands with a thud. I pause long enough to make sure she didn’t hurt her head and then I climb into the front seat and back out of the lot like a patient escaping an asylum.

Everything that happened this weekend—meeting Tina, getting her questionable intel on dad, losing a huge chunk of cash for a dud cell phone—it’s all a mystery that’s begging to be solved. I hate when people toy with me and Tina’s sudden reappearance rings too many bells.

I’m going to get my answers.

But the most important answer is currently scowling at me in the backseat of my truck.

I’m not going anywhere until I find out why the hell Cadence freaking Cooper has it out for me. Again.

CHAPTERTHIRTY-THREE

CADENCE

Dutch slows the car in a grassy lot overlooking the city and the violent surge that takes over my entire being makes it hard to breathe. How does a human kill a monster? Poison? Silver-tipped arrow? Holy water?

“Come to the front, Cadey.” There’s an edge of danger in his voice that says I might not like what happens if I don’t comply.

“If I call the cops, it’s over for you.”

Dutch keeps his attention straight forward, his mouth a cruel slash across his face.

“Call them. Go ahead.”

“Is that a threat?” I bristle.

“No, Cadey.” His jaw clenches. I can see the vein popping on his temple as if he’s trying to restrain himself and failing. “Out of everyone in this world, you’re the only one who can destroy me and I wouldn’t retaliate. Send me to jail if you want. But we’re talking first.”

My brows go up. “You’re such a good liar. Consider acting, Dutch. You’d win awards.”

His shoulders tense.

Silence reigns in the car.

I glare at the back of his head. Full blond hair. Muscles taut against his Redwood Prep sweater. White and gold. Preppy. Except the guy who’s wearing it looks far too dangerous to pull ‘preppy’ off.

“Come. To. The. Front,” he growls. “Or would you rather I go back there instead?”

At the threat, my brows go up.

“I get options?” My voice is thick with mockery. “Aren’t you going to just grab me by the hair and drag me over like your own personal plush toy? Why stop there? Why not order me to take my clothes off so you can have another round of unprotected—”

“Is that what you want?” His jaw ticks, and he looks at me like I’m the most unhinged person he’s ever come across. “Do youwantme to drag you over my lap and screw you against the steering wheel instead of talking this out, Cadey?” He barks, his eyes two burning flames. “Because I can do that, but you’re not going to enjoy it.”

How does he know I won’t enjoy it?

My face flushes. When I close my eyes, I can feel the rough press of his body on mine, the brief pain and then the intense pleasure of him filling me up.

I hate myself for the thought.

Or maybe I just plain hate myself.

I know how dangerous Dutch is. I know he’s only using me. Just like Jinx. Just like Jarod Cross.

I’m their plaything.

I have been since I set foot in Redwood Prep.

But it doesn’t matter.