Page 72 of Jerk

Rowen Daughter Spills All— SBU Magazine

“Will you stand with me, Saint Bons?” Krystal roars into the microphone, the crowd cheering in response. “Will you leave the dictatorship that people like Hannah Alfonso enforce?”

My grip tightens on my phone, my heart racing. This is all too much. Overkill.

A clear, direct shot at me.

Something in me breaks as I storm the podium.

How can she stand there and act better than me when she’s doing the same thing? She's bullying me out of my power, just like her brother.

“Hannah, don’t.” Marisol stops me from climbing the stairs to where Krystal stands. Her outfit’s a contrast to mine, her all black McQueen resembling Krystal’s modern gothic getup. Chloe and Zurie wear similar fits. Leather. Black velvet. Dark silk. It’s a far cry from my pastel pink jumpsuit.

“Marisol, if you know what’s good for you, you’ll get out of my way.” My world spins, my gaze sharpening. “I’m not afraid to tell everyone about our Ibiza trip.” Her jaw hangs in response, but she does what I want and moves.

“What was that, Hannah?” Looking up, Krystal glares at me, her grip tight on the podium. “Still threatening others?” Thecrowd boos as I climb the podium, my skin so hot I worry I'll burst into flames.

You know this crowd. You own this crowd.

“Like you’re threatening my position?” I say this loud enough so my words catch the mic, my voice echoing around the field. The crowd boos. “You’re only here for power.”

“No, I’m here for the powerless,” she says, the crowd cheering again. “I’m here for every person you bullied, threatened and manipulated to get where you are. Your time is over, Hannah.” Her words echo her brother’s, my body boiling.

“Just like your father’s time is over?” My eyes go cold. “Where were you that night, Krystal?” She doesn’t get to stand here and act like she’s worthy of what I earned. “Where wereyouthe night your father died?” A resounding gasp sounds from the crowd, murmurs and whispers following. I turn to the crowd, gaining leverage. “Those of you who were there know. Krystal’s brother is a Crown. Don’t let them silence you!”

More hushed whispers fill the air, my eyes still scanning the crowd for Rye. Instead of him, I see Dean Patel coming towards the podium.

“Hannah, why don’t you tell everyone whatyouhad to do with my father’s disappearance?”

The fuck?

“I had nothing to do with your father’s disappearance!” I spit, my heart pounding harder. “Are you insane?”

She pulls up her phone and holds it out. “Then why was the last text message he sent toyou?”

The world shatters beneath me as Dean Patel finally reaches the podium. A small smirk tugs at Krystal’s face before it’s gone, Dean Patel taking the stage.

What. The. Fuck?

“I’ll have to end this assembly here,” Patel says. “But first, let’s all applaud Krystal Rowen for her bravery.”

The crowd’s applause doesn’t help the pain in my chest, the sharp tingle on my skin. Krystal leads my posse away from the podium, each of them nudging me with their shoulders.

My eyes scan the crowd again.

I need to find Rye.

I need to find Ember.

“Miss Alfonso,” Dean Patel appears in front of me. “The police would like to speak with you in my office.”

I need to find a lawyer.

TWENTY-FIVE

HANNAH

My mother is goingto kill me.