“This doesn’t have to be a bloodbath,” Caz adds. “Just concede to our rule, and we’ll show you respect.”
“Over my dead fucking body,” Finn barks, cracking his knuckles and baring his teeth.
“That can be easily arranged.” Galen drills Finn with a look most men would cower from.
A yawn slips out of my mouth, and several pairs of eyes dart to mine.
“Bored, princess?” Saint asks, fighting a smirk.
“Watching fucktard A face off against fucktard B? You betcha.” I slam my locker shut and then slip the strap of my bag over my shoulder as the bell chimes.
“Watch your dirty mouth.” Parker nudges past Finn, putting herself all up in my space.
“Free country. I’ll say what I want and do what I want.”
Her blue eyes flare with wicked intent. “Liar.” She prods my chest with one bony finger. “We’ve all heard you obeyingtheircommands.” Her gaze jumps between all four guys, and she does little to disguise her interest. If her boyfriend wasn’t behind her, unable to witness her unsophisticated flirtation, I doubt she’d be so brave. She makes little quote marks in the air with her fingers as she attempts to emulate a masculine tone. “Take my cock out. Open wide.”
Laughter rings out around us from the lingering crowd who is too invested in this stare down to worry about tardy slips.
I flick her finger away, smirking. “I owned and enjoyed every part of that night.Everythingthat happened was on my terms, or it never would’ve happened at all. Ichoseto obey, and last time I checked, that counted as free will. Not that I expect a dimwit like you to understand. Careful there, Parker.” I push her back out of my private space. “Let your GPA slip any lower and even McDonald’s won’t hire you to scrub their toilets.”
Her fist juts out, but I’ve quick reflexes, and I duck in time, swinging my leg around and taking her down. She falls back on her heels, arms flailing as she squeals like a pig. Gasps and giggles surround us, and it’s not surprising some are enjoying this.
Finn narrows his eyes at me as he catches his girlfriend just before she cracks her skull off the ground.
Pity.
“Football field. Tomorrow after school. Your crew against mine,” Finn says, raising his eyes to Saint.
Saint cracks his knuckles, grinning like all his birthdays have come at once. “Your funeral.”
“Keep your whore on a leash,” Finn adds, slinging his arm around a furious Parker as he helps her straighten up. If she wanted to rip me limb from limb before, now, she wants to bury me six feet under, pour gasoline on my broken bones, and piss on me before setting me alight, judging by that look on her face.
“I’m nobody’s whore or fuck toy.” I step up to Finn. “And if you don’t keepthat bitchon a leash, she’ll be sorry.”
“You stupid cunt of a—”
Finn clamps his hand over his girlfriend’s mouth, muffling her threat. “Watch it, Westbrook.” Finn’s eyes veer between a warning and an invitation.
I roll my eyes, so over this pathetic shit.
With one final venomous look, slanted in Saint’s direction, they walk off.
Sariah finally breaks free of Sean’s arms, racing to my side. Her wild, animalistic rage has been rescinded, and she’s more in control. “C’mon. You’re going to get a tardy.” She glowers at The Sainthood as she threads her arm through mine. Sean strides to her other side, casting a protective gaze over the proceedings. I can tell from his face he’s unhappy at this latest turn of events, and I don’t blame him.
I’m not exactly thrilled myself even if I’ve been waiting for them to make their next move.
“We’re not done here,” Saint says, crossing his arms.
“You’re right. We’re not.” I eye each of them one at a time. “I still owe you payback.”
“We weren’t the ones who shared the video online or distributed it to the entire student body,” Theo says, speaking up for the first time.
“He speaks,” I drawl in my best sarcastic tone. “And don’t pretend to be innocent. You recorded it without my permission. Then you sent it to Darrow to rile him up. And I know you have the skills to configure the file so it’s not shareable, but you didn’t do that because you wanted him to distribute it.”
He doesn’t even attempt to protest, which is how I know I’m right.
I think Theo needs a little history lesson. A reminder of exactly who’s in charge here.
