Cruel Prince (Royal Hearts Academy, #1)(39)

He huffs out a breath. “Multiple students reported the fight between them started because of a rumor about…” He flounders like a fish. “Their close relationship.”

This is awkward.

Wayne looks bored. “Really? That’s all?”

Principal Ryan’s flabbergasted. “What do you mean, that’s all? We have a zero-tolerance policy at Royal Hearts Academy when it comes to violence…amongst other things. We pride ourselves on class and dignity.” His face turns red. “Regardless of what goes on in your household, this school will not condone any immoral activities.”

It takes so much self-control not to laugh, I shake a little. Not only are we not having sex, we’re not even blood-related.

Wayne pokes the desk with his finger. “You know, for someone who claims to pride themselves on class and dignity, it’s abhorrent that you would suggest my son and his cousin are involved in some kind of sexual relationship. I should have your perverted ass arrested for slander.”

“Mic drop.” Oakley spanks the air. “D.A. Zelenka is in the motherfucking house.”

I swear my uncle beams.

“Language, Oak,” my aunt hisses before she gives Principal Ryan a tight smile. “My husband has a valid point. There’s no way in the world these two are involved.” Concern flickers in her gaze when she looks at us. “Right?”

“Right,” I assure her.

Oakley nudges me. “Stick to the script.” He places a finger over his lips and mouths, ‘Silence.’

Crystal stands up. “These are good kids, Jim. It’s obvious whatever you heard was nothing more than a rumor, and there’s no need to drag them through the mud.” She gestures to Oakley. “Instead of wasting everyone’s time blaming my niece—who by the way is a straight-A honor student—you should be looking for the real jerk who beat up my stepson.”

Principal Ryan looks sheepish. “You have a point, Crystal.” He blushes. “As always, you’re as intelligent and level-headed as you are beautiful.”

My uncle’s jaw bunches.

Beside me, Oakley makes a gagging sound. “Dude, come on.”

I look around the room. “Does this mean I’m free to go?”

Despite his crush on my aunt, he looks unconvinced. “Not so fast.” He takes a pad out of the drawer of his desk. “I’m issuing you a slip for after-school detention for the next three days. The both of you.”

Shit. “I can’t. I have work.”

“Why are we still getting punished when we didn’t do anything wrong?” Oakley questions.

He looks at my aunt and uncle. “Whether or not your parents want to believe it, it’s obvious something happened this morning based on your injuries.” He looks at me next. “In conjunction with the spray paint found on your locker, I doubt it was merely a coincidence.” Grabbing a pen, he furiously scribbles on his pad. “You might not be the culprit, but you both know who is and you’re covering for them.” He hands us both slips. “It’s the first week of school. If I don’t set an example now, it will only continue and get worse.”

“Hold on,” my aunt says. “Someone spray painted Dylan’s locker? Who would do something like that?”

“That’s precisely what I’m trying to figure out.”

Everyone turns to me.

I never thought I’d see the day where I’d squeal on Jace Covington.

But after what he did today, I don’t want to just sell him down the river, I want to drown the bastard in it.

I square my shoulders. “J—”

Oakley kicks my foot. “Don’t do it.” His mouth pulls tight. “Silence is your friend.”

I want to remind him that silence got us three days’ worth of detention, but he’s right.

There are other ways to get back at Jace.

I’ll strike when he least expects it.

Won’t stop me from pinning his crime on someone else though.

Like his precious girlfriend.

I look Principal Ryan right in the eyes. “Britney Caldwell. Yesterday she tripped me at lunch and today she spray painted the word thief on my locker.”

Oakley throws his hands up. “Are you crazy? Do you have any idea what you’re doing?”

Yup.

I’m destroying the kingdom.

And just like a game of chess.

You have to take down the queen before conquering the king.

Or in this case, the prince.





Chapter 19





Jace





I cut the engine and check my watch.

The bakery closes in five minutes, but Dylan’s already flipping the sign on the door from open to closed.

I click my tongue. Bad girl.

She shivers as she turns the lock, and for a moment, I wonder if she saw me. It’s unlikely though since the spot I parked in offers limited visibility from her angle.

And mine.

After tugging my ski mask over my face, I open my laptop and get to work.

Fortunately, Mrs. Dickinson’s security system only has one video camera inside the store, and it’s a cheap one.

A few keystrokes later, I’ve already hacked into the network and I’m pulling Dylan up on my screen.