Page 36 of Cruel (Brutal Academy)

"Messing around with Dane is always fun." I leaned over and pressed my ear to the door. Just as I suspected, it sounded like Dane was speaking to someone, his tone demanding. I couldn't make out the words, but the gist was clear enough. I almost felt sorry for Asher on the other end of the call. Almost, because if he got the chance, the drummer would probably kill us. And besides, he could have told Dane the truth ages ago. That was definitely not my problem or fault.

"She's what?" Dane roared.

"Come on, Park, our work here is done. This bit of it anyway. Now it's time to have even more fun."

I grinned. As much fun as it was to screw with Dane, there were other people it was more fun to screw around with. Figuratively speaking, of course.

CHAPTER14

LILA

"Do I want to know what's going on?" I eyed my drink carefully, even though I'd watched Hunter open the can and check my glass carefully before pouring the contents in. He did the same with his beer. So did Parker and Slade.

"You'll know soon enough." Hunter toasted me with his glass and took a sip.

"I'm sure you'll be interested to know Gavin, who worked behind the bar, quit yesterday," Slade said. "He was also a barista."

"He had his fingers in a lot of drinks," Parker remarked. "Literally."

"I presume his income was supplemented by Chloe," I said.

"That's our suspicion," Hunter agreed. "We have some people looking for him. When we find him, we'll get some answers out of him." He sipped again and smiled.

"He's going to regret his life choices." I took a sip of my vodka, lemon and lime.

"He really is," Parker agreed.

Slade jerked his head towards the entrance. “Here we go.”

Chloe and Zachary.

They both hesitated when they saw us. Flashes of surprise and confusion laced their exchanged glance.

Chloe set her lips in a firm, pale line and tossed her hair before stalking to the bar to get drinks.

Zachary hurried after her, speaking low in her ear.

"Interesting," Hunter drawled. "Either they weren't working with Hades, or he wasn't forthcoming about us all getting away alive."

"Not gonna lie, if I was him, I wouldn't have told them anything," Parker said. "That would lead to a one way trip to, you know, Hades."

He and Hunter high-fived.

Slade shook his head at them but smiled. "I agree, I wouldn't have told them either. Let Brutus take the blame. There's no reason for Hades to step forward and take it. He's an asshole, but he's not stupid."

"It would be a lot easier if he was," Parker pointed out. His gaze was on Chloe and Zachary, clearly expecting something to go down.

"You're making me nervous," I told him.

He turned his face and gave me an apologetic grin. "You have no reason to be nervous. We have the situation well in hand. Right, Hunt, Slade?"

"Definitely," Hunter agreed.

Slade sat back and nodded. "Let's just say I'm glad I'm not on the opposite side to these two." He jerked his head towards the twins. "They don't get called evil for nothing."

Both of the twins grinned.

"Exactly, but this will top off all of that," Hunter said.

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