Page 81 of Crush

I raise my gaze to his, my eyes searing. “If you won’t defend yourself, then defend me as your daughter. This is completely unfair.”

“I’m aware.” Malcolm lifts his chin, regarding Dupris with the pointed accuracy of a knife. “I have a deal with Damion. He is to do whatever he wants with me, but he is not to involve Ember.”

Dupris sighs. In it, I sense the sheer exhaustion of being a Virtue. “Today proves differently, doesn’t it, Malcolm? Damion is spontaneous when he feels he’s been wronged, and any agreements go out the window. I’ve managed to talk him down from worse—”

“What’s worse than almost killing my daughter?”

“She knew the risks,” Dupris snaps. “Digging into his office, reading documents she has no right to access.”

Malcolm hisses in a breath. “Ember, did you—Jesus Christ, did you break into his office?”

“I didn’t find anything,” I lie. Perhaps there’s still a chance I can play dumb. “Thorne caught me, and he’s probably so pissed I got as far as I did that he drugged my sports bottle and is now lying to the school.”

The boy I can’t shake, the one I fall for each time … he betrays me at any chance he gets.

My empty, ragged stomach churns. I was meant to destroy him first, but I was so headstrong and sure in my anger that I didn’t think to consider he’d have both Societies behind him, protecting him at every turn.

It’s not over yet. I’ve connected Savannah to the Briar’s clandestine drug labs. A weapon no one but Aiko knows that I have. With it, I vow to figure out a way to hurt Thorne as much as he’s been a traitor to me. I could be so lucky as to break up his fucking family so he can see how it feels.

“It’s precisely for that reason that you’re not expelled from Winthorpe Academy, dear.” Dupris’s sharp tone brings me back to the present. “I’ve also decided Thorne Briar will no longer be in charge of your challenges.”

I press my lips together, biting down hard before saying, “I’m still a Virtue?”

“By the skin of your teeth,” she answers. “I suggest you heed this warning. From here on out, obey your challenges—I will set you up with one of the marquesses, the senior Virtues at Winthorpe, to be in charge of you from now on. A proper change, as I sense young Briar hasn’t meted out many challenges for you, now has he?”

Unless they’re sex-related… I decide on the truth but admit it carefully. “No.”

“That boy shows you favoritism that will get you killed. You’ve put your reputation on the line while he polishes his. Imagine what the college scouts thought, witnessing him come to your rescue. He will be applauded for his efforts while you are left to pick up the pieces the Briars leave behind.”

Malcolm interjects quietly, “Blanche is right, Ember.”

Dupris nods at Malcolm, the two suddenly feeling like cooperating. She says to me, “Continue to behave in the Virtues, and you might regain a decent future. If you stay on this path…” Dupris deliberately trails off, studying me intently as I shake with fury. “You’ve already lost the Marks scholarship. I can only protect you to a certain extent.” She leans closer. “Stay within the school boundaries. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

As in, don’t search for Savannah, reveal Damion’s criminal tactics at my own risk, and go after Thorne on my own time, not hers. “I understand. Keep my head down.”

“More than that. Stay away from the Briars.” Dupris stands, smoothing her pencil skirt. “I believe I’ve overstayed my welcome. I’m glad you’re all right, Ember, but please, listen to your father when he inevitably explains to you how unforgiving these Societies and especially their king can be. Operate within our rules, and you’ll be fine.”

“Yes, Headmistress.” The agreement comes out easily. Inside, I’m simmering.

Her heels click across the laminate floors until she leaves.

As soon as Dupris is no longer in earshot, Malcolm swivels back to me. “What the hell were you thinking, associating with Thorne Briar when I specifically ordered you not to? Look what he’s done to you!”

I ask instead, “Does Thorne know about what his father does to this town? What he’s distributing?”

Malcolm rears back like I’ve just vomited up toxic waste. “What have you gotten yourself involved in?” he whispers.

“The same thing you have.” I form my lips into a grim line. “Damion’s forcing you to be a part of his business, isn’t he?”

Malcolm shakes his head, his jaw working furiously. “I need you to remove yourself from this. Forget what you know. I’m begging you.”

I can’t do as he says. Not now. “He has your wife as some sort of leverage. She wasn’t just a bet won. She’s essentially been kidnapped.”

Malcolm rubs his eyes. “Ember. Stop.”

“Is it what he’s doing to Senator Merricourt, too? Does Damion have Savannah somewhere so he can continue to force the senator to do his bidding in Congress? Like ignore the incredible amounts of goods he has you importing into a small town, brimming with contraband, and as a bonus, not pay taxes on it, either?”

“You have no idea what you’re talking about.”

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