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“Becca, don’t give her the satisfaction,” someone called from behind me, but it was too late. I was already moving.
“You.” I jabbed my finger in her direction. “We need to talk.”
“I have nothing to say to you.” She looked at me with indifference, as if she was bored.
Her two friends stepped closer, amusement sparkling in their eyes, but I wasn’t intimidated.
“Well, I have something to say to you.”
Kendall nibbled her thumb, widening her eyes. Waiting.
“How did you get them?”
“Am I supposed to know what you’re talking about?”
My gaze hardened. “You know exactly what I’m talking about.”
“You see, Becca”—she inched forward—“you think because you rolled into town and went shopping at the thrift store and got your nose pierced that you’ve escaped who you really are?” Her voice was low, meant only for me, and I caught the flash of confusion in her friends’ eyes.
“How. Did. You. Get. The. Photos?” I ground out in a hushed voice, rage rippling out of me like a wave.
If my question surprised her, Kendall didn’t let on as her lip quirked up. As if the whole thing amused her. “The internet is a big place, Becca.” She tsked. “Nothing stays hidden for long.”
Why did that sound like another threat?
What was her endgame?
I was aware of people behind me. Lilly and Scarlett and probably the guys too. But this wasn’t a conversation I wanted everyone to hear. Maybe they thought I was referring to the other photos, the ones anyone could have discovered on the internet if they Googled me. I might have deactivated my Facebook profile long before moving here, but I couldn’t get rid of the digital footprint charting my life at Montecito Prep.
“Why can’t you just leave me alone? I haven’t done anything to you.” My voice was desperate, and I hated it, but deep down, underneath all the hostility and mega-bitch, she was still a person.
Kendall leaned in, her proximity disarming me. “I will destroy you. Play the game, Becca. Play the game, or I’ll make sure everyone in this town knows just what a dirty little bitch you really are.”
“What game? What are you talking about?”
Her expression turned smug. “Those photos are just a taste of what I’ll do to you if you don’t follow my instructions. I own you now, Becca. And you will fall into line.”
My face paled, the color draining away until I felt naked before her. She knew; the sincerity in her voice told me as much. And even though she couldn’t know all the details, somehow, someway, Kendall knew enough to leverage me into her game.
Realization slapped me in the face. Kane had taken the photos. There was a film too. All of which were handed over as part of the deal made to silence his father. To protect me. My reputation… my future.
“Thought so. You want to keep Evan and your friends and any hopes of surviving the year, then be ready. Things are about to get interesting.”
With that, she swished away, her friends hurrying after her.
“Becca?” A hand landed on my shoulder, and I flinched. “What was all that about?”
“Nothing.” I turned slowly to Lilly, schooling my features and forcing down the tears. “It was nothing. Everything’s fine.”
But everything was not fine.
Not by a long shot.
CHAPTER24
EVAN
“How are things with Malibu Barbie?”
