Page 23 of Payback

“Good.” Henry strode to the door. “We’re meeting her in her room.”

“Now?”

“She told me to meet her in five minutes. That was ten minutes ago.”

I slid off Blake’s lap and slapped at the hand reaching for my ass.

“One second,” said Edward. “I’ve just downloaded the Stealth app. Fire it up before using Skype and video-call Charlotte. It will record everything that takes place on Skype. As soon as you activate stealth mode, you will become invisible, and she can call Rudolph without him noticing you’re also on the line.” He handed me his laptop. “It will also give you an excuse to be present.”

“Thanks.” I hugged the computer to my chest. Whatever Charlotte had planned would be designed both to entrap Rudolph and seduce Henry.

Henry and I left Edward’s study and ascended the stairs to the girls’ floor. He walked with the gait of a condemned man, a grim expression on his face. “I don’t know what she’s going to want me to do.”

I placed a comforting hand on his arm. “I’ll be there to supervise. Feel free to walk out once she has Rudolph in front of the camera.”

Charlotte’s room was larger than the one I shared with Rita and had a great view of the lawn, main teaching block, and the path of magnolia trees. Rugby posters covered the walls of the left side of the room, depicting blond and ginger-haired players with muscular physiques like Henry’s.

She wore a parody of the Mercia Academy uniform. Under her burgundy blazer, a fitted shirt strained against her curves, and her skirt barely skimmed her crotch. Long, white socks finished off the outfit, making me wonder how many times she had dressed up like that for the camera. With her hair in two bunches, abnormally straight nose and bee-stung lips, she looked like a porno version of a schoolgirl.

Her laptop was balanced on her desk chair and pointed toward the bed. As soon as we stepped into the room, her malevolent glare raked over my form. “What’s she doing here?”

“Someone has to make sure you’re well lit,” I said. “And to record the blackmail material.”

“Fine. Just don’t ogle me.”

I snorted. “As if.”

After opening Edward’s laptop, I fired up the Stealth app and connected to Charlotte on Skype, making sure to silence the speakers to avoid feedback. The screen divided into two segments. Charlotte on the right and me on the left. She positioned herself on the bed for the camera and preened. The glare of the sun coming in from the window affected the quality of the picture, so Henry drew the curtains, and I turned on the desk lamp, creating softer lighting.

She crossed her legs. “How do I look, Henry?”

“Ready,” he muttered.

I clicked the stealth-mode button, and my image disappeared from the screen. “Call Rudolph whenever you like.”

Screen Charlotte leaned forward, fiddled with the mousepad on her laptop, then clicked a button. The Skype app made a dialing sound, and a few seconds later, a close-up of Rudolph’s jowly face appeared on the screen. He blinked a few times before his expressionless face morphed into a wide grin of unnaturally bright teeth.

“Darling,” he purred.

Anger burned in my veins, and acid roiled in my stomach. This bastard was the root of everything that had gone wrong in my life. If he hadn’t coerced Mom into marrying him so he could save face, I would have still been in Park Prep, enjoying a carefree life with Noelle. My heart sank. In all the turmoil, I’d lost touch with my former best friend.

“You’ve been a very naughty girl.” His voice became a low purr that made all the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.

Charlotte leaned into the camera, arms squishing her ample breasts together. She swung her shoulders from side to side, making her cleavage waltz. “Rupee, I had no choice. Those horrible boys gave me Mr. Carbuncle’s map and told me to tell the acting headmaster about the hidden cameras.”

“How do I know you’re telling the truth?” he used a mock-stern tone he probably only reserved for playtime.

“Can’t I prove myself to you?” she said, full pout in her baby voice. “I’m just a young girl who makes mistakes.”

Rudolph’s chuckle sent a shudder down my back. “A young girl who requires a stern punishment.”

I glanced up at Henry, whose gaze was fixed on me. His lips turned down, and one side of his nose wrinkled in a rictus of disgust.

“I wish you were here,” she crooned.

“So do I.” Rudolph’s voice became breathy. “Turn around and show me your panties.”

My brow furrowed. She was supposed to trick him into admitting that he had sent Mr. Carbuncle after me. How the hell did the conversation turn to her underwear?