Page 164 of The Ruthless Note

She mulls it over in her mind and then accepts it.

I escort Vi over to Breeze’s house, but I hurry away before talking to my best friend. If Breeze takes one look into my eyes, she’ll know that I’m freaking out and then she’ll try to stay with me.

I can’t have that.

Whatever storm The Kings want to rain on me, I’ll have to face it myself. There can’t be any more innocent casualties.

I keep looking over my shoulder as if Dutch will jump out of the shadows. Even though he probably won’t see what I’ve done until Monday, I’m not taking any chances. It’s why I sent Vi away.

I scramble into my house, lock the door and take a quick shower. When I get into bed, my body’s still alert and I can’t find a quiet place in my mind to rest.

When I finally drift off, I hear a rattling sound.

My heart jumps to my throat.

Darkness presses in on me, holding me down in fear.

Is that Dutch?

I get up and tiptoe into the dark living room.

Nothing.

Throat tight, I settle back into bed, but I don’t actually close my eyes until the sun peeks through the curtains.

Finding courage in the daylight, I jump out of bed and glance around the tiny apartment as if to prove to myself that the sound I heard last night was nothing.

Except it wasn’t.

Because there’s a note slipped under the front door.

Trembling, I slowly approach it and pick the note off the floor.

Why did you change the locks?

My eyes widen and I drop the note like it’s a bomb that’s about to explode.

I recognize that handwriting.

I know who’s been breaking into the house.

CHAPTERFORTY-ONE

DUTCH

“You’re really not going to tell her the truth?” Finn asks.

I drag my hoodie over my head and stare at him in the darkness.

We’re all sweating after the November Bash jam session. The concert is in two weeks, but Bex Dane invited us to play with his band, just for fun.

My brothers were interested so I went along, but my heart wasn’t in it. I spent most of the time listening to the other band members rather than playing.

“Why would I tell her the truth? What good will that do?” I growl, stomping into Redwood Prep.

I want to pick up an amp from the music room. Bex Dane has a tech guy who knows sound systems like a doctor knows the body. We haven’t been able to get anyone to fix that speaker and I figured Bex Dane’s guy was worth a shot.

“You saw the way she was looking at you, right?” Zane smirks at me, an eyebrow raised. “If I were you, I’d watch your back at night.”