A Hurt So Sweet Volume Two (Elite of Eden Falls Prep 2)

As I’m heading out of the classroom, Easton catches up with me, grabbing my elbow and sending a jolt of electricity through my body when his fingers touch me. I glance up, fighting off the light blush in my cheeks as my eyes meet his.

“That was impressive.” He grins as he delivers a compliment. “Even for a woman.”

“Glad you approve,” I tell him. “I had to show these people who the fucking boss is.”

“And I’m sure they won’t forget it,” he says appreciatively, giving me a long once-over that makes my cheeks burn. “By the way. I’m competing in the equestrian tournament that is being held this weekend. I’d love it if you came, as my guest.”

“Oh?” My brows shoot up. “You don’t think my husband-to-be will have a problem with that?”

“Well, so what if he does?” Easton challenges me with a mischievous smile. “You’ve proved you can stand your own. The whole school’s going to be talking about what happened here.”

“Okay,” I say, nodding after a moment’s pause. “I’ll be there.”

“Until we meet again, Miss Oakes…” Easton bows as he walks away, a sly smile on his brutally beautiful face. “I’ll be thinking about you.”

Eight

Pandora

“Minnie, can you please come up to my room?”

“Of course, Miss Oakes.”

She’s still calling me the formal way when there’s a chance of someone listening, but I know my friend will switch to the informal greeting once she comes up to my room. I’m still locked in and have been since my father discovered what Dexter did to me. It’s as if he thinks keeping me locked up will keep all the bad stuff away. He couldn’t be more wrong.

A moment later, there’s a knock on my bedroom door, and I call out for Minnie to come in. She appears on my doorstep, looking pretty as ever in her sky-blue and white uniform, with her pale hair pinned up on top of her head.

I’m about to greet my friend when her mother shows up behind her, shoving Minnie out of the way.

“I can take it from here,” she says, giving her daughter a nasty look. “You’re needed in the kitchens.”

“Actually, I wanted to speak to Minnie,” I say defiantly. “I don’t need your help, Belle.”

“Go,” Belle mouths at her daughter, and my anger spikes when Minnie throws me an apologetic look before heading back downstairs without another word.

“I don’t like that one bit, Belle,” I tell the maid. “You’re preventing me from using my personal maid.”

“Oh, about that,” she says. “They’ve made me your maid now. Minnie’s too busy with the rest of her tasks.”

“What?” I hiss. “I didn’t approve that.”

“No,” Belle says sweetly. “But your father did.”

My lips form a thin line as I ponder her words. I can’t go against my father’s wishes, but I’ll make sure to speak to him about this – if I can even manage to look into his eyes after everything that’s happened lately.

“Belle,” I speak up again. “We have to speak about Minnie and my father.”

She instantly straightens her back, her eyes going back to their cool, indifferent stare that gives nothing away as she asks, “What about them?”

“It’s not right,” I say. “What he’s doing to that poor girl, it’s… it’s sick.”

“Don’t worry about that,” Belle says. “I’ve got it under control.”

“No, you don’t,” I argue. “Minnie’s just a pawn in your games, isn’t she? He must be paying you a hefty sum if you’re willing to let him treat your daughter this way.”

She remains stubbornly quiet, which makes me think I’ve hit the nail on the head. My father must be giving her a fortune – although I’m not sure why she’s so intent on sticking around if he’s already paid her so much money.

“You could go somewhere else,” I say next, a last attempt to convince her. “Move out of Eden Falls… find a new job. Something Minnie would enjoy. Or maybe she could at least go to school somewhere.”