Page 71 of The Darkest Note

Screw him.

And screw his gorgeous brothers too.

“What about our peach muffins?” He arches a brow.

“I’m allergic, you bastard,” I hiss. “Like deadly.”

He tuts. “You could have used gloves.”

I glare at him and then turn around.

“Where are you going, Brahms?” Dutch growls.

“Away from you, obviously.”

“We need our coffee delivered to the practice room.”

I give him a one-fingered salute. My backpack bounces as I stride away from him.

“Okay then.” He grunts and, a moment later, I’m airborne. A moment after that, I’m practically kissing Dutch’s firm and sexy buttcheck while my legs are spiraling down his chest.

“Dutch, you put me down thisinstant!” I screech. I can feel the blood draining to my face, but that’s not the reason I’m getting red. No, it’s from white-hot fury. “Dutch!”

He smacks my behind and I yelp.

There’s smugness in his tone when he says, “Simmer down, Brahms. If you keep thrashing like that, everyone’s going to get a view of your plump little backside.”

I dig my teeth into my bottom lip, sure that today’s the day it’s all going to end.

Today’s the day ImurderDutch Cross.

CHAPTERSEVENTEEN

CADENCE

It feels like all of Redwood Prep watches in silence while Dutch basicallykidnapsme. I hang like a limp rag doll, my arms and hair pointing to the ground and my butt hiked at the ceiling.

My body’s tense and my fingers are closed into fist. I’m waiting impatiently for a chance to be put down so I can unleash my fury.

Finn stops in front of the practice room and swipes his card over the scanner. It lights up neon. There’s an audible click as the locks slide apart.

Zane gestures to Dutch. “Ladies first.”

“What a gentleman,” I grouse. My words hit Dutch’s rear end, but it’s aimed at his obnoxious twin.

Zane laughs, looking handsome and mischievous. Today, his Redwood Prep uniform is a plain white button-down and khakis. The simple look fits him like a tuxedo. It really is no secret why he’s got so many followers on social media. His dashing good looks, even from upside down, are lethal.

Dutch takes me inside the practice room. Zane and Finn follow.

The nerve of these jerks. Do they think they can steal an entirepersonand get away with it? Or do they, wrongfully, assume that I’ve been putting up with their crap because I’m a weak person? Hell no.

I’ve managed to survive in Redwood Prep this long because I go down swinging. And that’s exactly what I plan to do when my feet hit the carpeted floor.

“Now, Brahms,” Dutch’s muscular arms constrict around my back, “I’m going to put you on your feet now. And I need you to promise me that you’re not going to aim for my face.”

“That’s the money-maker,” Zane says.

I stay silent.