by Ruby Vincent
“Then you don’t need me,” I replied even as I put my arms around his shoulders.
“No.” His voice was soft in my ear. “But you clearly need me. That’s the second time you’ve stepped on my foot.”
“Oops, sorry.” I tried to pull back to give us some distance, but Kai held me firm.
“It’s okay. Just let me lead.”
I lifted my head, gazing over Kai’s shoulder. Our eyes met immediately.
Jaxson’s expression was unreadable as he watched me dance with Kai. I tensed.
His expression is never unreadable. I can always tell what he’s thinking with one look, and that I can’t now...
“Val, you alright?”
“I’m—”
“Excuse me? Can I cut in?”
My breath caught at the sound of his voice. I pulled away from Kai and there he was. Ryder stood before me as effortlessly gorgeous as he always was. His tux was a black as deep as his raven locks, which he swept out of his eyes with a careless flick before reaching for my hand.
“You... want to dance with me?”
He smiled—that beautiful, rare smile that made bubbles erupt and burst in my stomach. “Who else would I be talking to? I’m not dancing with him.”
Despite myself, a laugh escaped my lips. Ryder was still Ryder underneath the handsome exterior. I looked at Kai. “Do you mind?”
“No, it’s cool.” He dropped his hands. “Go ahead.”
Ryder’s arms were around me before he finished. As if on cue, the song changed. The heady thumping beat was replaced by a slow song I had never heard before but it captured me with its tune. We fell into the rhythm so easily; it felt like we had been dancing together for years.
“Ryder?” I raised my chin to look into his eyes.
“Yes?”
“This is weird.”
He barked a laugh. “If you don’t want to dance with me—”
“No, it’s not that,” I said quickly. My grip on his forearms was tight. “I do, but this is strange after the way things have been between us lately. You’ve been distant, and considering the way you were before, that is saying something.”
The corner of his mouth quirked up into a half smile. “You always say exactly what you’re thinking, don’t you?”
I lifted my chin. “I think that’s best. Seriously, Ryder. You said you wanted to show me you were sorry like the other guys, but it’s been weeks and we barely talk. Did you change your mind?”
“Of course not. I owe you more apologies than I can give. I’ve thought about nothing but what I want to do to show you how I feel.”
His words made the bubbles go crazy. My stomach fluttered with a rush of feelings I couldn’t place.
“So what now?”
“What I want to do for you can wait until the guys have done theirs. I think you’d rather spend more time with them anyway.”
Ryder’s expression remained neutral as he delivered that. I picked up the meaning behind his words clearly, but it was impossible to guess how he felt about them.
“I want to spend time with all of you, Ryder. Things are different. The five of us; we’re bound in ways people will never understand. Not to mention you and me.” I stopped dancing and Ryder ground to a halt. It was hard, but I held his gaze as I said, “You know me. You know every deep secret and—”
I placed my hand on his chest. Beneath my palm, his heart raced, beating against me to tell the tale of just how affected he was.
“—I know yours,” I whispered. “We can’t go back to the way it was so let’s move forward. Tell me what you want to do, and we’ll do it.”
Ryder didn’t reply at first. He stared back at me, his gaze unwavering as those silver eyes pulled me in. I couldn’t look away, so I noticed the second something flashed in his eyes. For the barest moment, Ryder Shea’s mask broke and I felt something that had been stirring deep inside since the night of the roof, coming to life every time our eyes met when no one was looking.
I felt connected to him.
Ryder placed his hand over the one on his chest. “Valentina...”
Buzz. Buzz.
The vibrations jarred me out of the moment as realization smacked me over the head.
Oh no. I never checked my phone after the first message. What if it’s—
The music slowed to a reverberating stop. Ryder dropped his hand as someone came on the mic.
“Hello, junior class,” Ezra announced. “Are you ready to find out our homecoming king and queen?”
Cheers went up around me but I didn’t turn around. My hands fumbled on the drawstrings of my purse, pulling it open to reach inside.
Ace: Bald as an egg and the Knights are still all over you. Let’s see if I can get more creative this time.
Ace: Ignoring me? That’s okay because I’ve thought of the perfect thing. This should let them see how much of a worthless slut you really are.
The sides of my phone dug painfully into my palm as I read what they wanted me to do. Why? Why are you doing this to me?
I typed the words before I could stop myself.
Ace: Why shouldn’t I?
“The Evergreen homecoming king is... Kai Thomas!”
The crowd roared as I shot off my message.
Me: I won’t do it!
Ace: You will or I send the video to the police.
Me: What do you want from me?! What’s the point of this?!
Ace: I didn’t start this game. But I’ll finish it.
“—and our homecoming queen.” Ezra’s voice broke through. “Valentina Moon!”
Ace: Do it.
My hands fell to my sides. Slowly, I turned to face the stage. Ezra and Kai looked back at me, beckoning me up with their smiles as around me my class burst into applause.
One, two, three steps I took until a path was made for me to go the rest of the way. Faces on all sides watching me, and I knew for certain in that moment that Ace was one of them.
I placed my foot on the bottom step. Ezra carried my crown on a pillow. It rested on his palm as he reached out for my hand. I took it, clutching it too tightly if the concerned look he gave me was a clue.
I looked away and my eyes fell on them. Maverick, Jaxson, and Ryder stood at the end of the stage, and Maverick’s smile reminded me of what he said that night.
“There are three more Knights dying to dance with the queen.”
I wondered if they had anything to do with this. Four Knights crowning me their queen. It was so sweet. If only Ace wouldn’t see it ruined.
Ezra pressed his lips to my ear as he put the crown on my head. “Congratulations, Valentina. You deserve it. How about we celebrate after? On the roof.”
Equal parts sadness and desire flooded me in a stomach-churning mix. “I’d like that,” I whispered.
He pulled back and smiled—a smile that was just for me.
“Okay, everyone.” Ezra turned his charm on the crowd. “Let’s give it up for our king and queen.”
Beaming, Kai grabbed my hand and held ours up. “I’m never going to let Zane live this down. I told him everyone likes me more.”
I shook my head. Kai really was sweet and funny. He spun me around to face him, pulling me in as he did.
“We’re supposed to dance for our subjects, right.” Kai gave me a lopsided grin. “It’s a good thing we practiced.”
“Yes,” I said softly. “Good thing.”
“The king and queen will have their dance,” Ezra echoed. “Then we’ll announce the rest of the royal...”
His words faded as I gazed at Kai. My arms went around his shoulders as his moved to my waist. The nape of his neck was soft beneath my hand. His brown curls brushed my fingertips as I curled my hand around his neck.
I didn’t stop to think. I leaned in and captured Kai’s lips in a butterfly kiss.
Gasps filled the room, but none as loud as the whoops and catcalls. They sounded all around us, and still I heard Ezra cut himself off with a sharp intake of breath.
Kai didn’t respond at first, then his grip on me tightened. He drew me closer and deepened the kiss.
Screech!
Microphone feedback assaulted my ears. I tore my lips away to see the back of Ezra as he stomped off the stage.
I broke out of Kai’s arms. “Ezra, wait!”
He didn’t look back. Ezra shoved through the other Knights and the looks on their faces stopped me cold. One by one, they turned and followed him until only Ryder was left. When he turned away, the cold perfect mask had returned to his face as though it had never left.
Chapter Eight
“Val? Val, are you in here?”
I glanced up from my phone. Ace’s message shown stark on my screen.
Ace: Ignoring me? That’s okay because I’ve thought of the perfect thing. This should let them see how much of a worthless slut you really are. I want you to kiss your stupid lovesick friend, Kai Thomas, and make sure the Knights see.
“Val, come on.” Sofia knocked on the bathroom stall. “I know you’re in there. Come out.”
“I’m coming.”
Sofia pulled me into a strangling hug the second I stepped out. “Val, you were crying.”
The ache behind my eyes and my stuffed nose told of the tale. I ran to the bathroom after the Knights walked out on me. I cried to the sound of Kai pounding on the door asking if I was okay.
“Yes.”
She pulled back and held me at arm’s length. “What happened up there? I thought you weren’t interested in Kai.”
“I’m not.” My tears began anew. “I only see him as a friend. A good friend. Now I’ve messed everything up with him and... and...”
“The Knights.” Sofia guided me over to the chaise and made me sit down. She pulled my head down onto my shoulder. “I don’t understand, Val. Why did you kiss him if you feel that way?”
My phone was still in my hand. I thought it might crack into parts for how hard I gripped it. “It was... just a mistake.”
“You don’t make mistakes like that.” I blinked at the steel in her voice. “You’d never do anything to hurt your friend. Tell me what’s going on, Val. The truth.”
“Sofia, there’s nothing—”
“Stop. No more of that. Tell me.”
I wanted to keep fighting her. If I hadn’t been so worn out with the vision of the Knights turning their backs on me playing in my mind, I might have kept saying no.
“I’m being blackmailed,” I replied through numb lips. My tears had dried up. I felt nothing but empty.
“Blackmailed? By who?”
“I don’t know who it is, but they forced me to cut my hair and kiss Kai. They want to break me.”
“But why?” Sofia twisted so she could meet my eyes. Hers were round and frightened. “Who would do that? What are they threatening you with?”
My fuzzy mind thought quickly. I couldn’t tell her about Scarlett. That was a secret that would remain between me and the Knights... and Ace.
“They found out about Adam,” I lied. “They know he’s my son and who his father is.”
She sucked in a breath as I tamped down on my guilt. “How could they have found out?”
“I wish I knew.” I dropped my gaze. “I don’t know who or how, but I can’t let them tell anyone what they know. They have me, Sofia, and they know it.”
Sofia grabbed my chin and made me look at her. “We have to find out who this piece of shit is. I can’t believe anyone would be so soulless that they would blackmail you over your son. We’ll find them and stop them.”
I grabbed her and hugged her tight. “I’m trying,” I said into her hair. “I called the hacker again to trace the number. The only thing I’m sure of is that they were at the dance tonight. They saw me with the boys.”
“That narrows them down. We’ll get them, Val, but first, you have to find the guys.”
“Ezra was so mad—”
“Because he doesn’t know the truth. Tell them.”
“I can’t.” I released her and sat back. “Ace told me not to tell anyone about them. If the boys know, they’ll go after them. If Ace finds out then they’ll tell the whole world my secret.”
Sofia didn’t reply. An odd expression came over her face as I spoke. “What did you just say?” she whispered.
“Ace warned me about—”
Sofia’s hand flashed out. I yelped as she seized my hand hard enough to hurt. “That’s the name they’ve been using? They’ve been calling themselves Ace?”
There was an intensity in her voice that freaked me out. “Yes, why?”
“Ace, Val. Ace as in... Ace of Spades.”
“THEY MIGHT BE THERE. I saw Ryder go into the woods when Zane left.”
Twigs snapped beneath our heels as we made our way through the trees. It might have been the most private spot for secret parties, but I hated the way the darkness pressed in on me—silent and absolute. The cliffs were the last place on earth I wanted to be.
“Sofia.” I glanced across at her. Shadows covered her face, but I didn’t need to see her to guess her expression. “Are you sure?”
“No.” Her words traveled through the eerie darkness. “No one is sure. That’s on purpose. But that is what most people think. There is an ‘A’ on the back of the card. An ‘A’ was on the back of your joker card, Val. No one knows for sure but many people think that A is for Ace.”
“Ace of Spades.”
“Exactly. That letter must be on the back for a reason. It could be a signature.”
“You think this Ace person is behind the marks?”
“That’s what a lot of people think, but aren’t stupid enough to say out loud.”
I fell silent. I’ve never thought too hard about what the letter meant, but one thing is certain, I knew exactly who marked me, and they aren’t texting me now.
“It never ends, does it?” I felt her eyes on me. “The secrets, the lies, the fear, the hold the Spades have over this school. It’s never going to stop.”
No more words passed between us as we headed for the light breaking through the trees. The party was in full swing when we stepped out into the clearing. The fire raged, and all around it, smartly dressed rich kids and geniuses danced, drank, and let loose.
Zane burst from the clutches of the party, making his way over to us.
“This is going to stop, Val.” I glanced at my best friend. “We’re going to end this. I promise.”
She gave my hand one last squeeze before Zane claimed her.
I held back. My eyes passed over the sea of faces looking for four in particular.
Please be here. I have to explain. Please—
Blue eyes locked with mine first. Four chairs were placed only a few feet away from the edge, and my Knights sat in them looking over the party—looking at me.
The party blurred around me as my feet carried me over to them. They sat far enough away that the noise fell to a dull roar when I finally stopped in front of Jaxson.
He smiled at me. “What’s up, baby?”
“Jaxson, I—” I looked from him to Maverick, Ezra, and Ryder. “I want to explain what happened.”
“No need.” The smile remained on Jaxson’s lips. “You can kiss whoever you want. We’re not exclusive.”
“Of course, Moon.” My head swung to Ezra. The charming, mannequin-man look that he knew I hated hid his feelings away. “I shouldn’t have gotten upset. If you like Thomas, then that’s fine.”
“Date him.” Maverick got to his feet and the others followed suit. “It doesn’t change how we feel about you.”
Panic filled me as they turned their backs. Despite Maverick’s promise, I could feel something had shifted. I had lost them. Ace had won.
That thought propelled me forward. “No, wait!” I grabbed Maverick’s arm. “Please, just let me explain. I don’t like him. Not like that. It’s— It’s you.” The words tumbled from my mouth and there was no way to stop them. All of the feelings that had been torturing me for the la
st few weeks welled up and tipped over.
“I want you,” I repeated as they finally turned to me. I looked into Maverick’s eyes. “I want you.”
My gaze drifted to Ezra. “I want you.”
Then Jaxson, my sweet goofball. “I want you.”
“And I w-want—” The firelight danced in his silver eyes as ours met. Ryder looked at me steadily and the words stuck in my throat. I couldn’t get them out, but yet I could not stop. “It’s been killing me feeling that I have to choose, but... knowing that I never could. There’s no room in my heart for Kai, because it’s taken up by you.”
Ezra moved first. I didn’t have time to react before he took my face in his hands and kissed me. My pain and uncertainty burned away in the heat of our clashing lips.
“Then why?” he asked when we broke apart. “Why did you kiss him?”
“I didn’t want to.” I took a shuddering breath. “I’m being blackmailed by someone who calls themselves Ace.”
“The fuck?” Jaxson pushed Ezra aside. “Blackmailed? For how long? Why didn’t you say something?”
“Because they were there that day. They have a video of...” My voice trailed off as I looked over their shoulders. Darkness swallowed the rim of the cliff, but I knew what awaited me if I stepped to the edge. I knew who lay at the bottom.
Ryder followed my line of sight. I saw the moment when it hit him. He snapped his head around, nostrils flaring. “We need to go. Now.”
“But—” Ryder pushed through the boys, grabbed my hand, and dragged me off. The boys fell in line beside us. “Where are we going?”
“My room.”
Ryder kept a tight hold of my hand as we stomped through the woods. No one said anything as we went, but I did not question why. We knew now that someone was always listening and watching.
The junior dorm was ghostly quiet when we stepped inside and made our way to Ryder’s room. He set me down on his bed before the questioning began.
“Tell us everything.”
Ryder stood, but Jaxson and Maverick sat down on either side of me, relaxing me with their presence. Ezra claimed the desk chair and scooted close enough to take my hand. My heart pounded as he laced our fingers together. I was with my Knights. Everything would be okay.