Cruel Prince (Royal Hearts Academy, #1)(80)

I have no idea what that means, and I don’t have time to wonder because Jace charges out of the living room like a man on a mission.

I slap at his back as he walks out the front door. “Can you put me down?”

“No.”

That’s it. That’s all I get.

“Oakley has my purse.”

“Oh well.”

“It’s my birthday,” I remind him, hoping he’ll concede.

He checks his watch. “Not anymore.”

Bastard.

“Can I at least have another shot before we leave?”

I’m gonna need it to survive another car ride with him.

“You’ve had more than enough already.”

“Then you should probably put me down before I puke on you.”

He chuckles darkly. “Knock yourself out.”

“I’d much rather knock you out,” I mumble as he opens the passenger door of his car and drops me into the seat.

A vulgar smile curves his mouth. “I bet you would.”

Then he slams the door.





I’m grumpy, a little dizzy, and very confused as Jace reverses into his driveway.

“I thought you said I wasn’t allowed in your house?” I chirp in a taunting voice.

His expression is impassive. “You’re not.”

I’m perplexed when he gets out of the car and comes around to my side.

I mock gasp when he opens my door. “Wow, who said chivalry was de—”

I yelp when his hands fasten around my waist, and over his shoulder I go for the second time tonight.

“I can walk, you know,” I tell his lower back.

He grunts.

“Where are you taking me?” I ask when his movements come to a halt and I hear the click of a latch.

Silence.

However, the opening and closing of his gate, along with the grass below us, tells me we’re in his backyard.

“What, did you dig a grave for me or something? Planning on burying me next to Bianca’s rabbit?”

Nerves crawl in my belly, mingling with the alcohol. Oh, shit.

Why else would he be carrying me against my will into his backyard? In the middle of the night no less.

“Holy shit, you freaking psycho. Do not kill me and bury me in your yard.”

He doesn’t say a damn thing to ease my anxiety.

A moment later, the grass turns to cobblestone.

“Jace! I swear to God!” I pound on his back as the pretty teal glow from his inground pool comes into view. “Put me down, asshole—”

I scream when he lets go of me and I plummet into a chasm of cold water.

I sputter and cough as I come up to the surface. “What the fuck?”

Hands in the pockets of his jeans, he shrugs innocently. “You told me to put you down.”

Narrowing my eyes, I prepare to tell him off, but then a horrifying realization hits me.

My heart sinks when I see the black heels with red-soles floating on the other side of the pool.

“You asshole.” I swim over to them. “These are Louboutins!”

“Lou—what?” His face twists. “Who even are you right now?”

One by one, I throw them at him. “These are my aunt’s, you idiot. She lent them to me tonight and now they’re ruined.”

He doesn’t look at all concerned. “They’re shoes. If she’s upset, buy her another pair.”

I want to scream because he doesn’t get it. “They’re eight-hundred-dollar shoes. It will take me at least six weeks to earn the money at Top of the Muffin. I was trying to save for a car.” Frustration jams in my throat and I slap the water. “Not everyone is rich like you.”

Hell, even before my dad landed in the slammer we didn’t come close to having the kind of money Jace’s family does.

For the briefest of moments, sympathy flickers in his eyes, before they harden. “I’ll be in the guest house.” He starts walking down the short pathway leading to the stone and brick cottage. “Feel free to continue your late-night swim.”

“Jace?” I bat my eyelashes as he turns. “Would you mind helping me out?”

He smirks. “So you can pull me in? No thanks.”

Dammit. That’s exactly what I was gonna do.

With a sigh, I swim to the deep end and climb up the ladder.

A glimmer of satisfaction runs through me when his eyelids lower and I see his Adam’s apple bob.

It’s the first week of November so it’s chilly at night. Considering I didn’t wear a bra with my dress, I’m sure he’s getting quite a show.

Straightening my spine, I stick out my chest and walk past him. “Enjoying the view?”

The muscles in his back ripple before he blows out a breath and meets me at the guest house.

He avoids eye contact as he unlocks the door and walks inside.

It still looks the same as I remember, with a few minor upgrades.

“I’ll get you a towel,” Jace mumbles before he disappears into the one and only bedroom.

I wander through the tiny living room until I end up in the kitchen which shares the same open space.

Given Jace ended my party early, he owes me a good time.

Unfortunately, the only thing I find is a half empty bottle of wine and a few beers.