Courage_Ita_1386

Jeremy, a nineteen-year-old martial artist from an average family, is forced to transfer to Jefferson High, a school riddled with crime and dominated by gangs. His handsome looks immediately make him the object of both envy from the boys and infatuation from the girls, including Jess, the popular queen bee.  Jess's boyfriend, Tyler, the school jock, sees Jeremy as a threat and tries to bully him. However, Jeremy's martial arts skills prove too much for Tyler and his crew, leading to two decisive defeats for the jock.
Despite the unwanted attention, Jeremy remains cold and detached, uninterested in the affections of the girls.  He forms a reluctant friendship with Alex, the class nerd, who becomes his confidante.  After their second fight, Tyler disappears, and Jess's behavior changes drastically.  She becomes colder, more distant, and reveals she's connected to a powerful, dangerous organization.
Jeremy discovers that Jess had Tyler killed by this organization.  When he confronts her, she offers him a choice: join them or face the consequences.  He refuses and chooses to escape, knowing he's now a target.  With Alex's help, he creates a new identity, Michael Riley, and flees to a small town to start a new life.
While working a menial job and living in fear, Jeremy secretly trains and researches Jess's organization, learning about their illegal activities and dangerous reach. He knows he can't stay hidden forever. He must return to Jefferson High, stronger and more skilled, to confront Jess, avenge Tyler's death, and expose the truth about the organization she's aligned with. He's no longer just Jeremy, the new kid. He's Michael Riley, a ghost preparing to return and become the hunter.  The synopsis sets the stage for a story of revenge, action, and suspense, with a touch of romance woven into the dangerous game Jeremy is now playing.

The Iced Prince

The night of the party arrived, a humid, star-studded affair. Jeremy, as Michael Riley, dressed in simple but stylish clothes, navigated the crowded streets towards Jess's mansion. The music pulsed through the air, a throbbing beat that vibrated in his chest. He could feel the anticipation, the excitement, the undercurrent of something darker lurking beneath the surface.

He arrived at the mansion, a sprawling estate bathed in the warm glow of party lights. Cars lined the driveway, music spilled from the open doors, and the air crackled with energy. He parked his car a distance away, wanting to avoid attention, and walked towards the entrance, blending in with the stream of arriving guests.

Inside, the mansion was a whirlwind of activity. People danced, laughed, talked, and drank, their faces illuminated by the flashing lights. The air was thick with the scent of perfume, cologne, and expensive liquor. Jeremy moved through the crowd, his eyes scanning the room, searching for Jess, searching for her enforcers.

He spotted her almost immediately. She was standing on a raised platform, overlooking the party, a queen surveying her domain. She was stunning, radiant, her green eyes sparkling, her smile confident. She was surrounded by her usual entourage, their faces adoring, their eyes filled with admiration.

Jeremy watched her from a distance, his expression unreadable. He felt a surge of emotions – anger, resentment, a flicker of something else, something he couldn't quite name. He pushed the feelings aside, focusing on his mission.

He noticed the men in the dark suits, Jess's enforcers, circulating through the crowd. They were discreet, but their presence was undeniable. They were watching, observing, ensuring that everything stayed under control.

Jeremy moved through the party, mingling with the guests, listening to their conversations. He was gathering information, learning about Jess's connections, about her plans, about the organization she was working with.

He learned that Jess was planning to expand her influence, to move beyond Jefferson High, to target local businesses, even local politics. She was building an empire, and she was ruthless in her pursuit of power.

He also learned that the police investigation into Tyler's disappearance had been officially closed. No one suspected Jess, no one suspected her organization. They were too powerful, too well-connected.

Jeremy's jaw tightened. He knew he had to act, and he had to act soon. Jess was becoming too powerful, her reach too extensive. If he didn't stop her, she would become unstoppable.

He continued to observe, to listen, to gather information. He was waiting for an opportunity, a chance to get close to Jess, to confront her, to expose her.

He saw her move away from the platform and walk towards a quieter part of the mansion. He followed her, keeping his distance, staying in the shadows.

She entered a private room, a study or library, and closed the door behind her. Jeremy waited outside, listening, trying to hear what was going on inside.

He heard voices, Jess's voice, and another voice, a man's voice. They were talking in hushed tones, their conversation unintelligible.

Jeremy knew this was his chance. He had to get inside, to hear what they were saying, to gather more information.

He tried the door handle, but it was locked. He looked around, searching for another way in. He spotted a window, slightly ajar. He quietly opened it further and slipped inside.

Chapter 25