Page 25 of The Ruthless Note

“Are you kidding? That’s, like, the lane right next to my house.”

“Man, I remember there was this hot dog stand that used to sell cheese-stuffed corn dogs on the corner.”

“Manny’s.”

“Best I’ve ever tasted.”

“He never changed that oil. Every hot dog was high in salt and sodium and it was the best thing ever.” Cadence smiles so hard her eyes twinkle. “I was crushed when he died.”

“He died?” Sol looks distressed. “What about the hot dogs?”

Cadence laughs.

I raise my head a little off the table and glare at them. What the hell? Are they laughing about hot dogs?

I'm glad when the bell chimes and cuts them off.

“We should exchange numbers so we can meet up and discuss our music project,” Sol says to Cadence.

I grab his arm before he can take out his phone. “She has my number.”

All the smiles and starry eyes Cadence had been aiming at Sol turn to sulfur and brimstone when she looks at me. I smell the depths of hell and have to look outside to make sure there aren’t flames.

“I’ll DM you,” Cadence promises Sol. Without another word to me, she packs up her books, gives me a chilly glare and stomps outside.

Zane smirks. “What was that? I thought you were gonna leave her alone now that you got what you wanted.”

“It's not over for me,” I state dryly.

Finn arches a brow.

I take off after Cadence. She peers over her shoulder, sees me coming and speeds up.

It’s funny the way she thinks she can escape me. I corner her halfway to her locker. My fingers land just beneath the hem of her uniform shirt and grip her waist. The feel of her soft flesh nearly drives me out of my mind.

I spin her quickly so she’s looking at me and trap her between my body and the lockers.

Flashbacks of the moment I cornered her yesterday singes my brain with heat. But I know better than to think I can slide my hand up her thigh in front of everyone. The way Cadence is looking at me, she’s seconds away from smacking me in the mouth and I doubt I’ll be able to stop her this time.

“What do you want, Dutch?”

“I don’t want you getting close to Sol.” I lean down and whisper against her ear. “Stay away from him.”

“Are you serious?” Her eyes flash with anger. “We’re in a group project together. Even if I wanted to, how the hell am I supposed to do that?”

Kids are starting to take notice of us. I couldn’t care less, but Cadence’s eyes are darting around like it matters.

I close in on her. “You get into people’s heads.” My voice is low and forceful. I need her to understand that I’m serious. “Don't mess with his. He’s under my protection.”

“You think a guy like Sol needs your protection?”

“From your toxic lies? Yeah.”

I feel a twinge of guilt when I see the hurt snap through her eyes, but I don't take it back. She's the reason I've been going crazy thinking I was falling for two girls at once. I won't allow her to play me for a fool anymore, and I sure as hell won’t let her fool around with Sol.

“I hate you,” she hisses through gritted teeth.

I smile. “By the time I’m finished with you, Brahms, you’re going toabhorme.”