Page 28 of The Ruthless Note

Even Finn and Zane look surprised by my response.

Dutch tilts his head, studying me. He knows me too well to think that I don’t have a comeback.

I step closer to the prick until my heels are kissing his sneakers. “I wouldloveto.”

The wicked smirk on my face must make him second-guess his move because he snatches the paper out of my hands. “What are you thinking, Brahms?”

“Nothing.” I blink coquettishly. “I’ll do your homework so well that Miss Jamieson will think you’re absolutely in love with her.”

Dutch recoils.

I grin. Our Lit teacher doesn’t kiss The Kings’ butts the way everyone else does. If anyone crosses her in class, they get punished—no matter who their parents are.

My mind is practically bursting with ideas for inappropriate content to write in the essay. I’m ready to turn in a paper that’s sure to get Dutch sent to detention.

Sol speaks up. “Didn’t you say you had practice? Do you have time for this?”

Dutch considers Sol’s words. Then he points at me. “I’ll deal with you later.”

The Kings turn the corner and disappear into the hallway that leads to their private practice room.

I let out a relieved breath, glad that he and his brothers have a gig to work on. Dutch might be a delinquent in class, but—whether he admits it or not—he takes music seriously. That’s probably the only reason I walked away from that battle unscathed.

“Well damn,” Serena says, her eyes bugging. “What was that? I thought you and Dutch were okay now?”

“He’s as psychotic as always. Right now, he has me doing his part of our group project.”

“What? And you’re going to do it?”

“I don’t want to, but if I let him tank the project, my grades will get messed up too. I refuse to let that bastard ruin my GPA.” I walk outside with her.

The sunshine is warm on my face. I tilt my head to the sun. Dutch is definitely going to get me back for defying him, but it was worth it. I feel like I just climbed a mountain.

“I’m proud of you,” Serena says, dropping an arm over my shoulder. “You’re holding your ground, even if you’re not gaining any. People around here don’t survive an attack from the Cross brothers. But you’re still here. That’s a big deal at Redwood Prep.”

I turn her assessment over in my mind. She has a point. I’ve gone toe-to-toe with Dutch already. He tried to kick me out of Redwood and I survived. Maybe there’s a part of me that’s gained a little confidence from that.

My phone buzzes.

Hunter: I’m in the parking lot.

I bite down on my bottom lip as a surge of nerves crashes into me. I’d almost forgotten that I’d agreed to meet Hunter after school today.

“My ride is here,” I tell Serena.

Her eyes crinkle. “Ooh, you got a hot date?”

“Definitely not. We’re just friends.”

“The lady doth protest too much.” She flashes a smile at me.

I wave. “I’ll see you tomorrow at lunch.”

“Have fun.”

I hustle to the parking lot. Hunter is there behind the wheel of a classic convertible.

My mouth drops. “Sweet ride.”