TRENT'S POVI walked down the hall, mentally replaying that look on Ella's face when she saw Lucinda hugging me that day. There was definitely a spark of something in her eyes, maybe even a hint of...jealousy?I smirked to myself. That little firecracker had been giving me the cold shoulder ever since that day in the hallway. Was she really refusing to talk to me just because I made a few cheeky comments alluding to our near-kiss? As if that night hadn't been on both our minds.No, she was definitely steamed about seeing me with my ex. And who could blame her? I did make sure that little vixen knew every word I threw out in class was meant for her. Riling her up never failed to amuse me.I chuckled under my breath. If Ella had her way right now, she'd probably bury me ten feet underground. The thought only fueled my mischievous flames.As I entered the cafeteria, my gaze landed on the two girls immediately. Ella was sitting across from Susan, as usual attached at the hip with her best
ELLA'S POVI had just finished getting dressed for school when my phone beeped with an incoming message. I picked it up from the bed to see it was from Susan.Yay, I've gotten all the money together now!Shee was referring to the funds for paying off her blackmailer. He could try contacting Susan again any day now seeking his payment.I quickly typed back: That's great news! Though I still haven't been able to reach Trent...Susan's response came through: See, I knew we shouldn't trust him.I sighed, tapping back: Don't panic yet, let me try tracking him down today.I slipped the phone into my bag and headed downstairs. My mom was sitting at the dining table sipping coffee. I breezed past her without a word, still bothered by her lies."Ella?" She called out, making me pause. I reluctantly turned to face her."You've barely spoken two words to me since yesterday. Did I do something wrong?"I turned to leave, but she grasped my wrist, pulling me back around."Talk to me, Ella," she ple
TRENT'S POV"Did you mention anything to Daddy about the money I took from him?" I asked in a low voice, kneeling down to my little sister Stacy's eye level. I'd found myself reluctantly crawling back home, cause really I have nowhere else to go. Stacy's eyes went wide and remorseful as she sensed my serious tone. "I didn't mean to," she insisted quickly. "It just...came out when I was talking to him and Mommy at dinner."I pinched the bridge of my nose, exhaling a sigh. "Okay, tell me exactly what you said to them."Stacy twisted her hands together, her small face scrunching up. "Well, when Mommy asked what I wanted from the toy store, I said I wanted a new teddy bear. But she told me we had to wait until my birthday."Stacy paused, visibly bracing herself."And...and then I said that you already got the money for my bear from Dad's wallet." "Stace, you weren't supposed to tell Mom and Dad about that," I said carefully, opening my eyes to meet her crestfallen gaze. "It was our littl
ELLA'S POVI scanned the rows of cars in the school parking lot, hoping in vain to spot Trent's flashy sports car somewhere. But just like yesterday, his usual spot was glaringly empty.Well, I shouldn't be surprised. Trent skipping class was nothing new - even though I'd sent him multiple urgent texts about preparing for the blackmailer's call. Without Trent's help, our plan would never work. But clearly my messages hadn't been enough to tear him away from...whatever he was up to.My steps slowed as I approached the sleek Lamborghini Urus I knew only too well. Damien's car stood out brightly against the faded vehicles around it. Just seeing it made my mind drift back to that awful conversation I'd overheard between him and Amelia.I quickly averted my eyes, trying to halt that train of thought. But why had I allowed myself to break down crying over someone so cruel? Damien had no place left in my heart. But in that shattering moment, I just couldn't stop the tears from pouring out.
ELLA'S POVThe classroom fell into a heavy silence, Damien's loaded words seeming to suck all air from the room as they hung. Every pair of eyes bored into him, waiting with breath for what he would reveal next."I know who really did it," he stated again, letting each word resonate.I studied Damien closely. What was he playing at now? Beside me, Amelia had narrowed her eyes at him. Clearly she was just as taken aback as I was by Damien taking my side instead of hers."And who exactly is this supposed real culprit?" Amelia challenged.Damien paused a moment, as if carefully considering his words. "It was someone who wanted to frame Ella," he finally said.Murmurs rippled through the classroom at this. Then a voice piped up, "And why would anyone want to frame her?" That same question must be on everyone else's mind too.Damien cleared his throat. "I don't know the motive for certain, but can we all take a step back and examine the facts objectively?"He turned to me, holding my gaze
TRENT'S POV I tugged at the crisp uniform shirt, ensuring my fake police badge was straightened on my breast pocket. The navy pants were a bit loose at my waist, but the entire get-up was convincingly official - from the cap down to the sturdy boots. I had my uncle Charlie to thank for this hook-up.The retired cop had been skeptical about lending me his old uniform for misuse at first. But after laying on some carefully crafted lies about needing it for a theatre production, he finally relented and handed it over with a gruff warning not to get into any trouble.I scanned the deserted area with a furrowed brow. The suspected drug exchanger was running late, not that I was complaining tho. I still needed more time to prepare to face him.As I waited, my mind drifted back to the instructions my father had laid out the previous night regarding the suspicious "task" he expected me to complete."You're going to obtain a certain document from the school's records office," he had stated, n
TRENT'S POVEnzo's meet location was less than a mile away, in an abandoned depot on the edge of town. I navigated the deserted streets, searching for the place listed in the crumpled note.Sure enough, there was Enzo's sleek black car, idling in the shadows of the depot. I took a deep breath to steady my nerves before leaving my vehicle.Suddenly my phone rang yet again, I glanced down to see Ella's name flashing on the caller ID. "Have you met with him yet or not?" Ella sounded at the other end."So impatient, At this rate, your constant calling might get us caught, gorgeous.""Just answer me straight for once!" Ella demanded."I'm literally about to walk up to his car as we speak. Make sure that sexy dress is on for the club tonight. We'll be moving to phase two soon..." I trailed off suggestively."Ugh, you're impossible!" Ella said in exasperation. But before I could tease her further, the line went dead.I chuckled under my breath as I slipped the phone away. I strode up and ra
ELLA'S POVI took a deep, steadying breath as I followed Enzo into his apartment. My nerves were frayed to their breaking point, but I had to see this through - for Susan's sake.Bottles and takeout containers littered every surface. The air hung heavy with stale cigarette smoke. Enzo carelessly tossed his jacket onto the back of a worn leather armchair before turning to me, blatant hunger darkening his eyes.He swiftly closed the distance between us, backing me up against the wall and caging me in with his hulking frame. I tensed as his greedy hands freely roamed my body.No, this is going too far... I had to act now before things escalated.Mustering all my courage, I gazed up at him through my lashes. "Why don't you get us some drinks first to set the mood?" I suggested breathily.I trailed a hand along his muscular arm, using that distraction to squirm smoothly out of his embrace.Enzo's dark eyes flashed with undisguised desire, but he shook his head."Already got plenty of drink