Princess: Ridgeview Prep Book 2

by Quinn, Londyn

  Before Charlotte, I used to think it was the best kind of release since no pussy ever came close to making me feel the way I do when I slice off extremities.

  Now it's a far second.

  Still good, though.

  “Tell me,” Jase yells, stomping toward Joey and grabbing a fistful of his hair. “Where’s the money?”

  “I don’t have it!” Joey yelps. “I swear!”

  “Then who does?”

  “I wasn’t here! I don’t know who took it!”

  “You’re fucking lying to me,” Jase says in an eerily calm voice, tugging Joey’s head backward and motioning for me to step closer. “Xander, show Joey what we will do to him if he doesn’t give us our answers.”

  I smirk, holding out the box cutter in front of his face. I dangle it in front of his eyes for a few seconds, then with one sharp motion, I slice at his cheek.

  And then again.

  X marks the spot.

  Joey shrieks like a bitch, his hand flying up to his face. Blood dribbles from the cuts, spilling over his fingertips. “Please, stop!”

  “Stop?” Jase says with a snicker. “We’ve only started. I told you what’s gonna happen to your tongue if you don’t start talking. Do you need some more proof? Because I’m sure my brother would be happy to show you how skilled he is with that thing.”

  “I didn’t take your money!”

  “Then who did?” I slide the blade against his other cheek, puncturing the skin with the bloody tip. Tears spill from Joey’s eyes, panicked sobs making his chest heave.

  Jase rolls his eyes. “Enough with the bullshit, Joey. Where’s my goddamn money?”

  Joey sputters and chokes a little as Jase clutches his head and slams it face-first on the top of the desk. He forces Joey to his knees. “Stick out your tongue,” he says.

  Joey’s mouth shuts and Jase cups his chin, forcing his mouth open. “If you don’t stick it out,” he hisses. “I’ll have to poke your fucking eyes out first so you can’t see the box cutter coming.”

  Another bloodcurdling scream shakes the walls. Jase smirks at me. “Good thing the music is so loud.”

  “Better that the place is soundproofed,” I say with a dry chuckle. I position the tip of the blade right at the center of Joey’s eye. “I am going to impale you with this, Joey. On three.” I kneel so we’re face to face. “One...two…”

  “Okay!” He screams. I pull the blade away.

  Yeah, he definitely shit his pants.

  “We had the money. We’ve had it every week, Jase, I swear.”

  “Then why am I making up the difference, Joey? Who’s shorting us?”

  “There’s another crew…” He looks from Jase to me and then back to Jase. “They started coming around about a month ago, offering protection to the girls. Said if we didn’t pay them, there would be trouble and they couldn’t guarantee their safety.”

  “What the fuck are you talking about?” Jase yells. “What crew?”

  “New guys. Guys I haven’t seen before. One of them had a big scar down the side of his face.”

  “Why didn’t you come to me?” Jase grabs him by the sides of his jacket. “You gave these guys our money for protection? What the shit is that? We are the protection, you asshole!”

  “They said they’d kill me if I didn’t pay,” Joey says in a small voice. “And that they’d kill me if I said anything to you before now.”

  “Wait, why now?” I demand. “What happens now?”

  Joey wrings his hands together. “They take over.”

  “What? The club?” Jase screams.

  Joey’s head falls into his hands, his shoulders quaking. “No, everything!”

  “You’re a fucking liar!” Jase pulls Joey off the floor and throws him backward into a wall as I replay what I just heard.

  Another crew is taking over.

  A guy with a scar.

  Fuck me.

  Moretti is here and he’s moving faster than we could have imagined.

  * * *

  I throw open the office door, my eyes searching the club. I don’t know who I’m even looking for, who would be stupid enough to be spotted here, knowing that we—

  And then I see him.

  Dressed head to toe in BOSS Black.

  Slicked-back black hair.

  Pompous, elitist scum.

  Carl Montrose.

  His beady eyes scour the body of the dancer writhing against his cock, his hands grasping her ass, rotating her hips faster and faster. She grins at him and dips her head to his ear, whispering something. Then she slides off of him and pulls him off of the chair, leading him down a darkened hallway. He follows her, his dick poking through his pants.

  I don’t think. I just move.

  “Xan! Where the fuck are you going?” Jase yells.

  Without a look back, I pick up speed until I’m right on the heels of Carl’s fancy shoes.

  Once the door to the private room opens and the dancer pulls Carl inside, I stick out a foot to prevent the door from closing.

  Within seconds, she’s on her stomach and he’s behind her, sliding his dick into her ass.

  Dumbass never bothered to check that the door was closed.

  I sidestep the door, snap a couple of pictures using the flash and smile when Carl looks up at me.

  “Pick your jaw up off the floor,” I say with a shit-eating grin, holding up my phone. “Too hot and bothered to make sure you weren’t being watched, huh? Or maybe you like that kinky shit. I never pegged you as the type, Carl. You always seemed like a missionary kind of guy to me, not the type who likes ass play.” I clap a few times. “Good for you, trying new things. Hey, speaking of new things,” I say, walking farther into the room. “Is this research?”

  “Research for what?” Carl snarls, his cock still ramming the dancer’s ass. Good for him. I wonder how much longer he’ll be hard for when he hears what I’m about to say next.

  “You’re little investment into the entertainment business, of course,” I reply. “Are you trying to get a feel for what it’s like to own a club like this?” I snicker. “You get it? Feel?”

  “What the fuck are you talking about?” he says, his cheeks getting redder by the second. His eyes dart left and right, and I wonder if he’s stupid enough to be searching for a weapon.

  “You’re big into real estate around here, right? You do a lot of buying and selling...commercial property, yeah?”

  “So?” he says, breathing heavily. His dick finally gives up and the dancer slides off the couch, running past me in her big heels.

  I let her go, giving her an appraising look as she darts past. “That’s a hot ass right there, Carl. Are you not getting that at home? Is that why you come here? To buy what you can’t have for free?”

  “What the fuck do you want, Xander?” he huffs, pulling up his pants and buttoning them. “What I do is none of your goddamn business.”

  “It is when it impacts my business.”

  “Xander, what the hell are you—?” Jase stops when he sees the subject of my interrogation.

  “Hang on, Jase. This is getting good.” I look back at Carl. “Does your wife know that you slum it at clubs like this, bringing that diseased cock home and then fucking her with it? What would everyone at the Ridgeview Country Club say if they knew you bought pussy and ass from the Iazetti family?” I step closer and pull out the box cutter. “Oh, wait, but you want to change that, don’t you? You don’t want to buy it anymore. You want it for free.”

  Jase walks into the room. “Put that fucking thing away, Xander!”

  I hold up a hand to him. “And how do you get it for free? Well, you’d buy the cow, right? Or the club, as the case may be,” I say, sneering at Carl.

  If Carl’s dick hadn’t shriveled up before, it sure is now.

  I slide the box cutter blade up and hold it to the side of Carl’s face. “I could disfigure that pretty face so easily,” I hiss. “If you don’t tell me what you’re planning.”
/>   “P-planning with what?” he asks, his voice quivering.

  “Not with what. With who,” I say. “Spoiler alert. We already know who. We just want you to confirm it.”

  A visible shudder goes through Carl. I press the tip into his skin, a dot of blood springing to the surface.

  “Fuck!” he shouts.

  “Yeah, that’s just a little prick of a warning,” I say. “Now, speak or I slice.”

  “Screw you, you little bastard!” Carl spits.

  “Not nice to call people names, Carl. Show a little respect or I’ll cut off your fucking ear!” I shout.

  Jase stalks over to me and yanks my hand away. “Cut this shit out,” he orders.

  “Screw that! It’s time to make some moves, Jase! I want answers!” I shake him off. Enough is enough. How much longer are we gonna let ourselves be ass-rammed by Moretti? “Nobody is coming to save you, Carl. Give us what we want and you get to live. I’ll even throw in the pictures I took as a parting gift.” I shove him backward when I really want to cut this throat. “If you don’t talk, I’ll fucking ruin you.”

  He jumps away from me, stumbling backward onto the couch and collapsing onto it. He glares up at me.

  “It’s Tony Moretti, okay? He wants to buy into this area and he’s in the market for partners. He told me to check some things out, to see if I think there is any potential in the area. That we might be able to work together.”

  “And that was why you were plugging the dancer? To see if there’s potential? In her ass?”

  “I did what he asked!” Carl yells. “That’s all I know!”

  “Do you know if he’s working with anyone else?” I ask, holding the box cutter in front of his eyes.

  “No! I haven’t told anyone. He told me to keep it quiet.”

  “And you crumbled like a fucking stale cookie.” Jase shakes his head. “Big bad ass in the boardroom. Total pussy everywhere else.” Jase grabs my shoulder and shoves me toward the door. “Let’s give Carl a little me time. I’m sure he has a lot to think about.” His voice drops to a venomous hiss. “Just like we do. Do you even know what you just did?” He shakes his head. “Jesus Christ, Xander. Why the fuck don’t you ever think?”

  My pulse throbs against my neck. Shit is crashing and burning around us, enemies conspiring in all directions.

  We’ve done enough thinking.

  It’s time for some fucking action.

  Chapter 18

  Charlotte

  Walking to my second class, I see The Judge whip into its typical parking spot. Rushing over, I greet Xander as he jumps out of the driver’s seat.

  His eyes are tired with something else lingering in the background, but I can’t place it.

  Pulling his hand to my hip, I kiss his cleanly shaven cheek. “Good morning, handsome. TGIF!” I sing out, letting my hand collapse onto his.

  “Morning, babe.” He forces a smile before hooking his arm around my waist to pull me more into him.

  “Everything all right?” I ask as we start to make our way toward a horde of students rushing to get to their next classes.

  His lips brush the top of my head as he breathes out. “It is now. You’re always a sight for sore eyes, Char.”

  Stopping in front of my French classroom, I turn into Xander. “So, I have a question. You have every right to say no, but I would really like it if you agreed.”

  “Sounds ominous.” Xander’s eyebrow quirks up at me as I chew on my bottom lip.

  “My father is hosting some function party thing tomorrow night and he asked if you would be my date.” I spit the words out as quickly as I can before losing my nerve to ask Xander to suffer for a night with the snobbiest and more pretentious people in New York.

  “Your dad actually asked that?”

  I nod, diverting my gaze a little.

  “Of course, I will go with you. Isn’t that what boyfriends do for their girlfriends? Spend awkward nights in an oppressive tux kissing ass to impress her folks?” Xander lets out a little chuckle before kissing me quickly.

  “Really? You don’t mind?” I stand up straighter, feeling as if the weight holding me down has finally been lifted off my shoulders. I really could get used to this boyfriend thing. And Xander is falling into his new role perfectly.

  “Anything to keep that incredible smile on your face, babe.” He glances over his shoulder, and I follow his eyes as they land on Chase and Asher waiting for him on the other side of the hall. “We’ll talk about this more later. Don’t want to make you late for your next class.”

  * * *

  Xander

  I square my shoulders, taking my time walking over to my friends. At least, I think they’re still my friends. Kind of remains to be seen since I stormed off like a classic dick last time we shot hoops in the park. The fact that they’re snarling as I close the distance between us is enough of a reason to slow my gait and wonder if my gut is right and they want to body-slam me, not talk.

  I can feel plenty of pairs of eyes bore into me as I navigate the crowded hallway, but my hard gaze never strays. It stays on Chase and Asher. Unwavering. Unaffected.

  “Mr. Iazetti.”

  I silence a groan. That voice splashes over me like a goddamn bucket of cold water. Like, dick-shriveling cold. Mr. Davis, the pompous new American history teacher who still doesn’t get how shit works here at Ridgeview Prep, is on me again.

  Maybe it’s because I park in his spot every chance I get and he’s pissed off because nobody will discipline me.

  Like anyone could.

  My eyes tangle with the guys’ angry ones and I tear away my gaze long enough to turn toward Mr. Davis. “Yep.”

  Mr. Davis closes the space between us, his blue eyes spitting flames. Stupid ass. Doesn’t he get it by now? I’m untouchable.

  “I noticed you parked in my spot today. Again.” He folds his arms over his chest. Several girls strut past, licking their lips. Mr. Davis is definitely a fan favorite among the female co-eds, and me? I’ve got the brooding, bad-boy charm working in my favor. Plus, I could crush Mr. Davis with one hand. He’s pretty, but no match for me.

  But the girls just watch and drool.

  They don’t need to pick.

  They have us both, head to head.

  A dry chuckle escapes my lips at that unintentional pun.

  “Something funny?” he seethes.

  I clear my throat. “Actually, yeah. See, I have a sticker that gives me my choice of parking spots. Is it my fault that you roll in here late?”

  “I roll in here when I’m supposed to,” he says with clenched teeth. “And I go right to the spot I was designated. It is very clearly marked.”

  “Yes. And it’s also closest to my entrance.” I shrug and flash him a toothy grin. “Hey, you snooze...well, you know the rest.” I edge past him, heading back toward my original direction, when my arm is yanked backward.

  I flip around, my eyes wide. “Tell me you didn’t just lay a finger on me, Mr. Davis.” I creep toward him, my lips stretched into a sinister smile. “Or rather, please tell me you did lay a finger on me, Mr. Davis. Because I’m gonna fuck your shit up so badly, you won’t have to worry about where my car is parked. You won’t have to worry about driving period since you’ll be sucking your meals through a straw while lying on your goddamn back!”

  I launch my fist toward his face amid the gasps surrounding me. It screeches to a halt right next to his eye...an eye that is open wide and filled with panic and fear.

  “Please don’t hit me,” Mr. Davis pants as I grab his collar and throw him backward against the lockers.

  “If I was gonna hit you, you’d be laid out on the floor right now,” I growl. “Don’t ever touch me again, you understand?”

  He nods. “Yes,” he says in a shaky voice. “I promise.”

  “You obviously don’t understand how things work here yet.”

  I look up, startled to see Chase give me a quick nod. “We handle things at this school our way. Stop resis
ting it, Mr. Davis. You’ll be a lot happier if you just accept your place.” His eyes never stray from my face as he utters those words.

  I let go of Mr. Davis and he backs down the hallway without another word.

  “You think he shit his pants right when Xan was about to clock him?” Asher snickers.

  “I think there’s a damn good chance of that,” Chase says without a smile.

  I smooth down my shirt and nod toward the cafeteria. “You wanna get something?”

  We walk through the dark wood doors, fill our trays with the dishes of the day, and take our corner table. For a few seconds, we shove forkfuls of chicken francaise, julienned vegetables, and freshly baked ciabatta into our mouths.

  Speaking for myself, it's partly because I'm starving, but partly because I don’t know how to navigate this area too well. I’m not a people person, I don’t trust easily, and I don’t want to relinquish a sliver of the perceived control I have left.

  All of that makes for a no-win situation, especially when it’s me who needs to apologize for being such an asshole in the first place.

  I chew my food slowly, taking a long gulp of water before deciding to speak.

  They did back me up with Mr. Davis.

  Maybe it’s safe to assume we all recognize that we have a lot to lose if our alliance crumbles.

  Something that Melina had to learn the hard way.

  “Listen, we need to talk,” I say. “About what happened the other day.”

  “It’s not just the other day,” Chase mutters. “It’s everything, or didn’t I make that clear?”

  I point my fork at him. “Watch it. You don’t get to talk to me like that.”

  “Who the fuck are you, Xander?” Chase’s green eyes narrow. “I think we already established that you’re all bark and no bite. You may have scared the shit out of Mr. Davis, but you’re not fooling us.”

  I rake a hand through my hair. “Listen, you were right, Chase. We do need each other. I know I’ve dangled shit in front of you and never delivered, but something is going on. Something big and I need your help. For real, this time.”