Bad, Bad Bluebloods (Rich Boys of Burberry Prep #2)(64)
“We never touched Miranda,” John says, swaggering forward.
Uh-oh.
His brown eyes glimmer with defiance as he tucks his fingers in his front pockets and lifts his chin.
“Although maybe if we had, she wouldn’t be a fucking dyke anymore.” There’s this moment where everything is still, save the crackle of the fire and the wind in the trees. When Creed moves, that insouciant imperviousness of his falls away, and he becomes a machine. He nails John in the throat with a punch that sends the other man falling back into his friend’s arms.
That’s when the cracks start to show, and all of my planning comes together in a glorious moment.
“What the fuck, man?” Greg snarls, blood from his fight with Sai flecking his lips. “You think we didn’t all read about that shitty bet you pulled on our own sister in that whore’s journal? You’re a hypocritical asshole. Lay off.”
Creed grabs John by the shirt, yanks him forward, and throws him to the dirt before he goes for Greg. I don’t even have to film it this time because everybody else already is. Besides, I don’t need anymore damning footage of Creed. As it is, this is not on his list of things I want him to pay for. I don’t condone violence, but it’s almost admirable.
“What the hell is going on?” As soon as I hear that pterodactyl screech, I know who it is. Harper du Pont appears out of the trees dressed in Louboutins and some fancy designer dress that rides up so far on her thighs that I can see the lacy white panties underneath. She storms across the clearing and gets up in Creed’s face, just after he knocks Greg to his knees with a punch to the stomach. “Leave them alone,” she hisses, and there’s a collective intake of breath from the crowd.
Idol versus Idol.
I’d sort of hoped this might happen.
Harper has always had per people; Tristan has always had his.
What was it he said in the limo that day?
“If you keep talking, I’ll toss you right out of this limo, and we’ll find out if the Plebs enjoy their queen better … or their king. Don’t test me, Harper.”
There were cracks in the skin of this court, and they were bleeding blue blood long before I ever set my sights on them.
Tristan appears a moment later, swiping his hand down his face. For a second, I imagine that he and Harper were having sex in the woods, and I feel nauseous. But then I realize they were probably fighting. She’s too worked up; he’s too pissed off.
“Creed gave these assholes an order, and they fucked it up,” Tristan snaps, circling the small group like a caged lion shaking out his mane. “Leave him alone to mete out his own justice.”
“Since when do you care so much about Cabot?” Harper growls back at him, her brunette hair short and fluffy with frizz. It’s a pretty amazing sight to behold; I won’t lie. She hasn’t noticed that me or Windsor is here yet; I imagine when she does, she’ll have another fit. “What? Are you two gay for each other now, too?”
Tristan’s storm gray gaze snaps to life with refined cruelty, a hint of malice balancing on the blade-thin edge of his stare. He looks beautiful in his blue shirt, gray wool coat, and black slacks, like a model on his way to a shoot. His raven-dark hair shines in the bonfire’s light, picking up all the subtle blue highlights.
He circles around and ends up standing near me. Unlike Harper, he doesn’t miss me or the prince standing there in the shadows. His jaw tightens, and he turns away, back toward his fiancée.
“If you undermine Creed’s authority, you undermine mine. You know the rules: you control the girls, and I control the guys. Don’t fuck this all up because you’re pissed about your hair.” Tristan’s words are cold, cruel, and precise, like a blade to the gut.
Harper’s eyes widen, and she looks past him to me and Windsor for the first time before snapping her gaze back to Tristan.
“At least John and Greg are always on my side,” she says as the two boys help each other up, bleeding and groaning. Creed looks unfazed, almost bored.
“Are they?” Tristan asks, moving up to stand in front of Harper. “Are they always on your side? Because last time we hung out, all they did was talk shit about your mom, and lament the fact that we were together so they couldn't sleep with you anymore.”
Someone gasps theatrically, and I glance over to see Becky with a solo cup in one hand, the other lifted to her throat as if in shock. Ever the drama queen. Like Creed to Tristan, it must kill her that she's not the queen of the school. Since I haven't quite started on my revenge with the girls, I make a mental note to exploit that weakness.
“Really?” Harper snaps, tugging her dress down in the front and closing her eyes for a moment. When she opens them, they are blazing with fury. “Because all I hear about from the girls is how you stopped fucking them long before second year started. You stopped fucking them soon after you made that stupid bet with Creed and Zayd. If I didn't know any better, I'd say you had a thing for the Working Girl. Should I call your dad and tell him about it?” She turns away with a huff, and half the Bluebloods go with her, including Greg and John.
Once they've gone, there's a moment of quiet. Nobody moves; nobody speaks. I can't see Tristan's face, but his shoulders are drawn so tight it looks like he's in pain.
Finally, Creed makes the first move by heading over to the drink table and pouring himself straight vodka. He tips it back, scoffs, and swipes his arm over his mouth. The music starts up again, and Windsor moves over to stand beside me. He doesn't seem to care that Zayd is sitting right next to me.