They shoot the shit for a few minutes while I take the opportunity to text Diesel. Mom just arrived safely at the house in Europe, and it’s a load off my mind. I thank Diesel, telling him we’re still waiting for Bry to confirm details of the meeting time with his DEA agent brother. Diesel insists on being there. He thinks the guy is unhinged, and he doesn’t want me near him unless he’s there too, so he’s already on a plane on his way back to the US.
_______________
“Can’t you hackinto the school system and fix it so we can all graduate already?” I grumble to Theo the next morning as we get ready to leave.
“You think we haven’t tried that before?” Galen says, stuffing his feet into his boots and lacing them up.
“Theo’s too honorable to do anything so underhanded,” Caz says.
“Ask him to blow up our enemy? No problem,” Saint adds. “Ask him to doctor our grades, and it’s like we’ve asked him to assassinate the president of every country in the world.”
Theo flips Saint the bird. “We attend to our responsibilities seriously, and that includes school. You’ll thank me one day.”
I push my body against his. “Just think, if we didn’t have to go to school, we could still be in bed.” I lick a line up the side of his neck. “Think of how much more enjoyable that would be.” I press my mouth to his ear. “You could tag team me and Caz,” I whisper, ensuring only he hears.
Theo’s eyes blaze with warning as he holds me at arm’s length, but I know he’s not mad. While I won’t push him, because I promised, I’ve decided to help nudge him in the right direction, because I think he needs it. And okay, I might be a little more enthusiastic today, because they kissed last night and there was no guilt, no remorse, no second-guessing.
“Your seductive tactics won’t work either,” he says, adopting an affable tone. “Now get your sexy butt in the Lexus. We don’t need any more tardy slips on our records.”
Morning classes drag, but I have one free period I use to catch up on some homework, while ignoring requests from the career guidance counselor to meet in her office. I know she wants to discuss why my attendance has taken a nosedive these past couple months, and I really don’t want to lie to her, because I’ve always respected Mrs. Horkan, and she deserves better. It’s not like I can tell her exactly what’s been going down, and I don’t want to give her vague half-truths either because that would be an insult to our relationship. So, I’ve been dodging her attempts to corner me, feeling like a coward but accepting it’s minor in the grand scheme of things.
The cafeteria buzzes with gossip as news of our wedding has reached the masses. Envious glances follow me as I walk across the room with my tray. “I hear congrats are in order,” Emmett says when I claim the seat across from him.
“I’ll accept your congratulations if you mean it,” I say, popping a piece of bread in my mouth.
“I didn’t say I understood it, but I was sincere because I can tell they make you happy.” He slurps on his Coke, slanting me a lopsided grin. “Guess there’s no accounting for taste,” he quips on purpose as Saint arrives at the table.
Saint slams his tray down, sitting beside me, drumming his fingers on the table. “Careful, ass face. Being friends with my wife doesn’t give you concessions. You’ll treat me with respect like the rest of this fucking school.”
“I see your ego is alive and well and living on its own planet,” Emmett replies, no longer scared of pushing his buttons. He knows I’d never let them do anything to jeopardize Lynn’s treatment at the hospital. “And I don’t answer to you. I’m friends with your wife. You’re nothing to me.” He jabs his fork in the air, making his point clear.
Saint’s lips tug up at the corners in begrudging admiration.
“Be nice, Emmett,” I warn, because he can’t disregard Saint in public like this. I slide my fingers between Saint’s. “Saint is my husband, and I expect you to treat him the same way I’d treat your wife or girlfriend—with respect and like an extension of you.”
“The other Saints are fair game now, right?” a feminine voice says from behind, cutting into our conversation. I twist around in my seat, watching a small dark-haired girl with big boobs and beady eyes drape herself all over Galen.
Galen meets my eyes, urging me to go for it. Saint smirks while Caz chuckles and Theo quietly observes.
I take my time getting out of my chair, my rage expanding every time the bitch paws at my man.
“Who are you?” I ask, towering over her. Menace drips from my tone, but she’s either too dumb or stupidly brave because she doesn’t even flinch, continuing to run her long nails up and down Galen’s arm. His lips twitch in amusement as he waits to see how I’ll handle it.
“I’m Josie.” She juts her chin out, as if I’ve offended her because I haven’t a clue who she is.
“Well, Josie.” I push myself right into her personal space. “It seems you’re laboring under a misconception. Allow me to set you straight.” I grab her arm, yanking her away from Galen. “What part ofwe’re marrieddo you not understand?”
She attempts to wrench from my grip, and that pisses me off, so I tighten my hold on her arm and force her to the ground, pinning my boot on her calves to keep her there. She glares up at me, and her cheeks darken with a mixture of anger and embarrassment. But she gets the message, and she stops fighting. “You’re married to Saint. What’s that got to do with Galen?” she hisses.
Her belligerent tone irritates me, and I’m already getting bored. “I married all of them. Check their hands.” I project my voice across the now silent room, ensuring everyone gets the message. All four guys lift their hands, showcasing their black wedding bands. Low murmurs descend across the cafeteria.
“I…I didn’t know.”
“Clearly.” I narrow my eyes to slits, slicing her with imaginary daggers before letting her go. “Next time you touch what belongs to me, I won’t be so charitable.” She gawks at me, her expression a mix of shocked disbelief and jealous anger. “Now fuck off before I change my mind and decide to make an example of you.”
Her nostrils flare and her eyes darken with pure venom as she scrambles to her feet. She looks two seconds away from lunging at me, so I pull my Strider from its sheath, tracing my finger along the sharp blade. “This isn’t an accessory.” I pin her with a deadly look. “And if you’re still here in three seconds, I’ll happily demonstrate just how skilled I am with a knife.”
Caz howls with laughter when she hightails it out of the cafeteria like she’s got a bee up her butt. Guess she’s not so dumb after all.
