A Hurt So Sweet Volume Three (Elite of Eden Falls Prep 3)

"How dare you show up here," I scream. "Who let you in? How dare you snoop around in my room, you fucking bully, you monster, you... you... rapist!"

"Keep it down," he finally speaks up, grabbing me by the wrists and forcing my arms down. "Do you want me to get tossed out?"

"As a matter of fact, yes," I hiss at him. "How dare you show your face here after what you've done. I never want to see you again."

"Tough luck." His eyes burn against mine, and I still feel the remnants of sparks between us, the ones he put out so readily. We could have been so special if he hadn't fucked everything up. "You're stuck with me for now, Pandora. No one's listening, right?"

"Not that I know of," I mutter. "What the hell do you want, anyway? Just tell me and get the hell out of here."

"This doesn't concern the other night." He stares me down. "What happened had nothing to do with you as a person, Pandora. You were a pawn in Booth's game, and you got used like one."

"Fuck you. I wonder how that excuse would fly with the police."

He smirks, saying, "Good luck convincing any police officer in Eden Falls to arrest a Firstborn. Besides, Pandora, from what I remember, you were a very willing participant in our games."

"Shut up," I hiss.

"It's the truth, isn't it? By the end you were fucking begging for it." He laughs in my face, the prick. "Not that it's important right now. I came here for a different reason."

"What is it?" I demand. "Just spit it out and get the hell out of here."

"I told you, a Brantley always keeps his promise."

I nod, feeling numb as we look at one another. "So? What's that got to do with anything?"

"I promised I'd help you find your mother," he finishes, and my heart skips a beat. My mother. The woman who is as good as dead in Eden Falls, and hasn't even attempted to find me this whole time. "I'm here to make good on that promise."

"You found her?" My voice is barely above a whisper, my hands trembling as I grab hold of his shirt. "Where is she?"

"Calm down." He pries my fingers off him. "I've got her address right here." He pulls out a simple envelope and waves it before my eyes. I try to snatch it up, but he's too fast for me. "Now you have to make me a promise first, before I can let you have it. You understand that?"

"Yeah," I get out through gritted teeth. "What do you want?"

"You don't make any trouble for us, we don't tell anyone how much you secretly loved it," he explains. "It's simple. And I'll give you the address in exchange for your... cooperation."

"You're a piece of work, Brantley."

"As are you, Miss Oakes." He flashes me a brilliant smile and waves the envelope again, once again too fast for me to grab it. "So, we got a deal here?"

"Fine." He lets me snatch the envelope from his fingers and I tear through the paper to get to the address written on the back of Easton's business card.

"So eager," he smirks. "Your mom mean that much to you?"

"No," I mutter. "My real mom does, but she's back in Wildwood. But I need someone on my side. Things aren't going well here."

"What, are you planning on bailing?" I don't answer him. My eyes speak for themselves. Easton knits his brows together with worry. "You sure that's a good idea?"

"All I know is I need to get the hell out of here," I mutter. "As far away from Eden Falls as possible."

"Alright," he draws out. "Well, good luck with everything, Pandora. Remember to keep your word."

"What about school?" I ask when he's got one leg out of the window already. He turns back to face me.

"What about school?"

"I'm going to have a hard time there. You know I lost my Firstborn status?"

"You lost that when you decided to fuck Dexter," he grunts. "Don't act like such a spoiled brat, Pandora, it really doesn't suit you."