“We basically own the police, honey,” Bernadette says with an irritating, condescending smile. “So that’s cute.”
“I love self-admitted extortion rings,” I mutter to myself. But for some reason, I believe her. I’m starting to realize there’s much more influence behind their names.
“Now you’re learning,” Trey says with a wink.
“Where’s my phone?” I snap, voice rising.
Emmett, as if he’s just noticed my presence, procurs my phone from his pocket. He dangles it in front of him, his long fingers playing with it. Vivian watches it like it’s some sort of magic trick.
“Ooh,” she says, “Look, it’s her phone.”
I almost expect her to start clapping.
“Give it back to me.”
Emmett’s cool gray eyes follow my outstretched hand up to my boobs. Heat rises in me – he knows what they look like, thanks to that fucking photo. When he finally finds my eyes, I feel violated.
“My,” he says with disapproval, “were you raised in a crackhouse back in Oklahoma? Where are your manners?”
“Where are yours?” I fire back. I extend my hand again. “Phone, please.”
“Not even a full sentence?” Vivian laughs. “Did your crackwhore mama teach you that?”
She’s trying to bait me, and just a couple hours ago it would’ve worked. But this is a new Ophelia. They might try to go for my Mom, but I know she would want me to take care of myself first.
“‘Your Mom’ jabs? Wow, what are we in, sixth grade?” I laugh, and I think I nailed the whole patronizing tone of it because Vivian scowls fiercely. Emmett, on the other hand, gives a small twist of his lips. Almost like approval. “I didn’t realize that’s the level we’re playing at.”
“You’re sassy today,” Emmett remarks.
“Having a very private photo of me leaked to the entire school will do that to you.” I flash him a blinding smile, and I wonder if he can see the cracks in my facade. “But no harm no foul. Give me my phone please.”
“Emmett, don’t give it to her,” Vivian snaps.
It dawns on me that they are under no obligation to give my phone back. They don’t care – phones are like rocks to them: they probably have the latest models. They don’t play by normal rules, but they might recognize that they can use it as a weapon against me.
I certainly don’t have anything as humiliating and degrading as more nude photos.
But I’m sure they could find a way to twist the information on my phone to their advantage.
“Beg him for it,” Vincent says. It’s the first time he’s spoken, but the sinister expression on my face causes my stomach to drop. “Beg him for it like a good pet.”
The moment the words are out of his mouth, my heart pauses. Like a dog. They want me to beg him like a fucking dog.
“I’m not opposed to the idea,” Emmett muses, and his eyes rove over my body.
“She’ll look good on her knees,” Bernadette intervenes, smirking at my open mouth. “I’m sure she’s used to it.”
Heat colors my cheeks. She can’t be serious.
“I’m not getting on my knees,” I say, and I look at Emmett. His handsome face tilts to the side, almost as if studying me and he finds my reaction curious. For once, I just want a speck of decency to shine through him. For once, I want him to do the right thing. “Emmett, please just give me my phone back.”
He licks his lips, and the heat in his eyes warms me in all the wrong places. “On your knees, Ophelia.”
“I’d rather die,” I say ruthlessly. And it’s true. I would rather die than show them that they have one iota of power over me. I will not bow to them. I scoop up my tray and give them a sour smile, and their expressions are hard to decipher. “See you around.”
I walk away from them.
“Let me handle this,” I hear Emmett say, and I increase my pace. He’s following me.