Page 18 of Payback

At this time of the evening, when most of the village stores were closed, only a few older students and villagers walked the streets. The occasional car drove past, but the thoroughfare was mostly silent. I glanced up at Henry, trying to think of something to say, but my mind went blank.

My tongue darted out to lick my lips. Since I had rejected him when he tried to kiss me after we visited his parents, I had to make the first move. I stretched out my index finger and brushed his hand.

The touch of his finger on mine sent a surge of heat between my legs. I sucked in a sharp breath through my teeth. What was it about Henry that made my libido race from zero to horny bitch? It had to be that large, athletic body, because right now, I was picturing him naked and pinning me to a mattress. Our fingers intertwined, and he held my hand.

We headed toward the long, straight road that led to the academy. If I didn’t speak now, I might lose my chance. “Henry.”

“Emilia,” he said at the exact same time.

We both exchanged identical smiles. This was such a rom-com cliché, it was ridiculous. Avoiding endless rounds of ‘you first. No, you.’ As we turned the corner, I cleared my throat and said, “Do you think we can—”

“Blake!” screeched a voice in the distance. “Edward!” Charlotte sprinted toward us like a Tasmanian she-devil in her hockey skirt and a low-cut top that offered her ample breasts no support.

My heart sank. If she had abandoned the crutch and sling, then it meant she’d already thought up something more dastardly than faking an injury. I glanced at Henry, the object of her desire, and sighed. Why couldn’t Charlotte take her ostracism like a woman and eat cheese sandwiches in her room?

Charlotte crossed her arms over her chest as she ran. Presumably to pin down her boobs to stop them from thrashing about. I rubbed the back of my neck and wondered if she regretted not wearing a sports bra.

Up ahead, Blake turned back to us and shrugged.

Henry groaned. “What does she want?”

“Nothing good,” I muttered.

Charlotte stopped in front of Blake and Edward, her light auburn hair darkened with sweat. My brows drew together. Had she been run out of Mercia Academy for her transgressions? She doubled over, resting her forearms on her knees.

“Is there a reason why you’re crouching in such an unseemly manner?” Blake tilted his head to the side. “You look like you’re about to give birth.”

Fat tears ran down her cheeks, and she clasped her hands to her chest. “I-it’s Rudolph.”

A jolt of adrenaline shot through my heart. “Rudolph?”

Ignoring me, she turned to Edward. “I lied. He’s my sugar daddy. Philippe and I just slept together a few times before he made the introduction.”

I sucked in a breath through my teeth but kept quiet. Any word from me, and Charlotte would turn belligerent and not want to reveal anything useful.

“Why are you admitting this now?” asked Blake.

She turned to Edward. “Those cameras you had me point out to Mr. Rigley and the police.” She puffed out a breath. “Rudolph called, and he was furious. He says he won’t pay for Father and Peter’s criminal defense.”

I held my breath, waiting for her to reveal more.

“Did you explain that you did it because Philippe left you with the blame for poisoning those girls?” asked Edward.

Her lips formed a thin line, and she didn’t reply. Rudolph was far too wily to instruct his own official PA to put date-rape drugs in the cocktails of underage girls. I’d bet Charlotte did it herself and botched the doses.

Edward and Blake exchanged knowing glances.

“I want revenge.” Charlotte folded her arms across her chest and glanced at Henry. “And you’re going to be the ones to help me.”

Chapter 6

Wiping the sweat off her brow, Charlotte sashayed past Blake and Edward and toward Henry. Her gaze flickered down to our joined hands. Hatred flared across her features for a microsecond, too quick for the eye to process, but it made my stomach drop with trepidation. Acting as though she wasn’t bothered by our closeness, she directed her widest smile at Henry.

I pressed my lips together and tried not to pull a face. Charlotte was telling the truth about Rudolph being her sugar daddy, and I had no reason to doubt her claim. Everything made sense: the tuition fees, the nose job, the liposuction, and lavish gifts. He needed her to hurt me, so he could hurt Mom who he either secretly resented, secretly wanted to control, or both.

Inhaling deep, calming breaths through my nostrils, I stepped closer to Henry. She might be the key to getting our revenge on Mercia, but I wouldn’t let her take advantage.

“Henry.” She stopped in front of him and pouted. “You’re the only one I can speak to on this subject.”