Cruel Prince (Royal Hearts Academy, #1)(102)

I hurt Liam.

Everyone at school hurt Liam.

Why’d they all have to laugh and pick on him?

Why couldn’t they just see him for the awesome, genuine person he was?

Why couldn’t I fall for someone like Britney instead of her?

I’m spinning in circles, but I can’t make it stop. I can’t make any of it stop.

All I know is I want my little brother back so bad I’d gladly trade my own life for his without hesitation.

And Tommy has to die, because it’s not fair that he’s allowed to go on breathing when Liam isn’t.

Cole squeezes my shoulder. “I know it hurts.” He pries the bat out of my hands. “But killing Tommy won’t make it better.”

Like hell it won’t.

Tommy begins slinking away, but Cole snatches his t-shirt.

“Just so we’re clear. Me stopping him from killing your sorry ass has nothing to do with you.” He crashes his forehead against Tommy’s. “If I still believed in God or any of that bullshit, I’d personally beg him to send you straight to hell where you belong.” He tightens his grip. “Swear on your family, if you ever say a word about what happened in these woods, I’ll—”

“I won’t.” His frantic eyes dart between us. “If my mom notices anything, I’ll blame it on someone else.”

I get close to his face. “Don’t think for one second this means we’re cool. You see me walking down the street, you better turn the other way and pray to whatever higher power you believe in that I don’t spot you first, motherfucker.”

“Got it.” He sits up and looks around, as though he’s waiting for us to stop him.

“Get the fuck out of here before I change my mind,” I shout so loud I’m positive my vocal cords have snapped.

Peeling himself off the ground, he hobbles out of the woods as fast as his punk-ass legs can carry him.

“What the fuck was that?” Cole grits out after he’s gone. “You were really going to kill him.”

“It hurts.” I sink to my haunches. “It hurts too much.”

He joins me on the ground. “You can’t do that to us, Jace. You still have me and Bianca. We need you.”

He’s right. It would be hard to take care of them from a jail cell.

“I miss him.”

I miss his smiles and his jokes. I miss his compassion for people and his understanding for those who didn’t deserve it.

I don’t know how I’m supposed to just accept that I’m never going to experience any of that again.

He made the world a better place.

Cole nods. “I do too. I…” He squeezes his eyes shut. “I feel different.” He pounds on his chest. “Something in here…it doesn’t feel right anymore.” His voice cracks. “I feel empty and hollow. Like I’m missing a big piece of something.”

“That’s because we are.” I dig the heels of my palms into my eyes to stop the wet shit dripping down my face. “I’m not ready to say goodbye.” Words clog my throat. “I don’t want to say goodbye to him.”

I just want to go numb.





Chapter 42





Dylan





A soft kiss behind my ear makes my eyelids flutter open.

We must have switched positions while we were sleeping because my back is pressed against Jace’s chest and he’s palming my breast.

“Good morning,” he rasps.

My nipples pucker when he rocks his hips and his cock nudges the curve of my ass.

Good morning indeed.

Reaching behind me, I run my hand along the swell of his erection. Just one small movement and he’d be inside me…exactly where I want him.

His teeth graze my shoulder. “Keep doing that and I’ll give you my dick for breakfast instead of eggs.”

The thought of Jace making me breakfast is sweet and all, but his other offer is more appealing.

“Promise?”

His fingers dig into my hips. “I’ve been rock hard for you for the last hour.” My heart kickstarts when he cups me between my legs. “So this will be quick.” I mewl when he spreads me open and teases me with the tip of his finger. “And dirty.”

He runs it back and forth over my clit before sliding down to my opening. “I love how wet your little pussy gets for me.” He dips his finger inside, sending shivers to my core. “It’s gonna feel so fucking good when you ride the cum out of my cock.”

My breathing turns choppy and I reach into the nightstand drawer for a condom.

The minute he’s suited up, he rolls onto his back and fists his dick. The hunger shadowing his eyes when he looks my way is unmistakable.

I want to keep the sight of him like this in my memory bank forever, because it’s honest to God the hottest thing I’ve ever seen.

His gaze is stormy as he pulls me on top of him. “You’re taking too long.” He brushes his knuckle over my nipple. “I’m an impatient motherfucker when it comes to you.”

Teasing him, I ever so slowly lower myself onto his cock.

His hands clasp my waist, and he juts his hips upward, filling me to the hilt. “You’re killing me here.”