And to think for a moment, I actually thought Knox was the one who beat the crap out of Ken instead of two random muggers like he claims.

I should have known better, though.

Knox is an evil, vindictive killer.

And I will hate him with every piece of my heart and soul until my very last breath.

My phone vibrates with another incoming text and it’s all I can do not to throw the damn thing across the room.

Leo: Is everything okay?

Gritting my teeth, I type out my response.

Aspen: Everything is fine.

I slam my phone on the table.

Well, aside from a certain asshole who deserves to have his balls chopped off with a chainsaw.

Grabbing my fork, I stab my salad again.

I hope Staci and Traci give him warts.

My phone lights up with yet another text.

Leo: Can we see each other later? I bet I can make you feel better.

Aspen: I’m studying with Violet tonight.

Guilt prickles my chest, because I know Leo’s only trying to put a smile on my face and it’s not his fault that his nephew is Satan.

I quickly send another text.

Aspen: I should be free after, though.

Leo: It’s a date. I’ll pick you up after my brother goes to bed.

Aspen: Sounds good.

Leo: Chin up, honey. Whatever has you down will work itself out. I’m sure of it.

Leo’s positive outlook on things is something I usually admire about him, but right now it’s just pissing me off.

And it’s not like I can tell him the truth about what happened at the party. He’ll lose his shit, get my stepfather involved, tell my mother who will blow a gasket like the drama queen she is, and my life will only get worse.

I just want to move on and forget it ever happened.

Something the entire school is unwilling to do because it’s still all everyone is talking about.

“Aspen,” Brie whispers from across the table.

“What?” I snap, but immediately regret it when I see her cower.

Brie doesn’t deserve my wrath. In fact, she and Violet are the only people in this hellhole who don’t treat me like I have leprosy and bring up what happened, which is something I’m grateful for.

She looks down at her half-eaten plate of food. “Nothing. It’s just…you’re doing more stabbing than eating today.”

She’s right. But I just don’t have the appetite.

I open my mouth to apologize for biting her head off, but my phone buzzes with another text.

I’m about to lose my shit on Leo, but then I see everyone else in the cafeteria check their phones, too.

My stomach drops because when the whole school receives a mass text message, it’s never a good thing.

“I really hope it’s not a shooter,” Brie whispers, whipping out her phone.

“Me too—” I start to say, until I see a text from an unknown number.

Or should I say…video.

I’m torn as to whether or not I should press play because it could be some kind of virus.

Then again, Leo purchased the protection plan when he bought me my phone, so I take my chances and click on it.

My mouth drops open when I see Staci and Traci sitting on a bed wearing nothing but their bras and panties.

“If you want this dick,” a deep, familiar voice says, “then touch each other and make out.”

What in the actual fuck?

The girls exchange a nervous glance before giggling and pressing their lips together.

The camera zooms in on them.

“Atta girls,” someone who sounds exactly like my stepbrother says as their tongues tangle in a sloppy kiss. “Now take off her bra and suck on her nipple.”

Traci does exactly as she’s told.

Snickers emit around the cafeteria.

“Holy shit,” someone calls out. “This dude is my fucking hero.”

Poor Brie looks like a tomato, but just like the rest of us, she’s unable to peel her gaze from her phone screen.

Knox’s voice drops. “Now tell her thank you by taking off her panties and giving her cunt a kiss.”

The girls freeze, hesitation flickering in their eyes.

“Seriously?” Staci says after a minute, her bare breasts now on display.

“Come on, ladies,” a guy at the next table yells and everyone chortles. “Don’t stop now.”

“I thought you two wanted to have some fun?” Knox questions.

“We do but…” Staci pauses, looking at her friend. “Even if we agreed, we wouldn’t let you film it.”

“But I thought you liked filming things?” Knox taunts and I can’t help but notice the shadow on the wall. It looks like he’s stroking himself. “Do you want this cock or not?”

“Come on, Staci,” Traci urges. “It’s not like you haven’t done it before. Remember Paris?”

“Oh shit,” someone calls out. “What the hell happened in Paris?”

“Some carpet munching by the sounds of it,” another guy answers and the cafeteria fills with laughter.

“I always knew they were more than friends,” Vivian—a member of the cheerleading squad—jeers from another table.

Rolling her eyes, Staci urges Traci onto her back and takes off her underwear.

A moment later, her head disappears between her friend’s legs and the video cuts off.

“What the hell?” a group of guys yell. “Party foul.”

Brie’s eyes lock with mine from across the table. “It’s safe to say everyone will talk about that video now.”

“Yeah—” my sentence jams in my throat when I see Knox enter the cafeteria.

He folds his arms over his chest, his dark stare zeroing in on me as my phone vibrates with another text. This time from him.

Knox: You’re welcome.

When I look up, he’s already gone.

I have no idea what I’m supposed to say as I trek over to Knox’s jeep after school lets out.

Am I supposed to thank him for being morally twisted and serving them the same dish they served me?

Even though they deserved it, I just can’t bring myself to revel in it.