“I was following orders. Baxter was there to save the day, so what is your problem?”
“My problem is you could have been hurt. You think it was hard considering a life without me? You have no idea the beast that would unleash if I lost you. I would burn the world to the ground and go down with the flames. So fuck you for making me feel like that.”
His fury at me turns to lust. I try to shake it off.
“It was an order. I don’t get to pick and choose which ones I accept,” I yell back at him.
“Yes, you do. Don’t you get that?”
“Then tell your father that.”
Something washes over his face, and it sends chills down my spine.
“Onyx,” I say, reaching out for him but he rips his arm away and storms off.
I turn to watch him walk away and Slate follows after him.
“You’re all overreacting.”
All their eyes turn to me. Jasper and Frost stay quiet. I hate that I could have gotten Jasper into shit with Frost.
Kalen looks lost for words, but Sawyer steps closer and takes my hand.
“Do you realise how dangerous this is for you?” I shake my head because I don’t understand. I’m just in school. Surely I’m safe here, even if there’s bad people out there.
“There are so many dangerous men. Ones who have gone rogue, ones who hate what we do and who could potentially come after you. Our grandfather being one of them. This is why we have Frost and Jasper go everywhere with you. Most of us are happy about the change, but that doesn’t come without a price.”
I really hadn’t thought about the dangers of being in charge, I let my hatred for Laura fuel my decision making process. And with Monty holding the reins until I’m ready, it doesn’t feel real.
“I’m not going to be able to do this, am I?”
No one speaks for a moment and then Baxter steps up.Baxterof all people.
“Of course you can. If that dipshit over there can do it, so can you. They made a huge mistake trying to teach you self-defence. Ask us what weapons we have right now.”
I look at them all. Sawyer opens his jacket and his gun comes into view. Kalen bends down and pulls up his trouser leg where he has a knife strapped. Both Frost and Jasper open their jackets to reveal multiple guns and then pull knives from their boots.
“You all need to stop pussy footing around and teach her how to kill before she gets killed. None of you will like what happens if she gets hurt.”
“Baxter, you wouldn’t get the chance to take us out, we’d do it ourselves,” Kalen mutters. It isn’t often he’s serious, and I feel like shit right now that all of these guys care that much about me.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t realise how serious it is.”
The moment is interrupted by Adrianne.
“Oh thank fuck. I’ve been looking everywhere for you. The principal sent me on some weird goose chase, but thatdickhead…” She points to Kalen. “Stopped me, and when I got there, a guy was out cold but another one came at me.”
She huffs and wipes dirt and twigs from her hair. “And all after I was made to iron my uniform and fix my hair and these goddamn shoes…” She lifts her leg to show the school issued leather shoes with stupid heels. “Are fucking shit to fight in.”
I laugh at how much worse she looks now than she did this morning.
“Do you have a weapon?” I ask her. She looks around at everyone, unsure how to answer. Jasper gives her a nod. She reaches into her blouse and pulls out a switchblade from her bra. “I had it in my boot, but thanks to some jerk, I can’t wear them anymore.”
“As fun as all of this is, I have to go,” Baxter announces.
“And who are you?” Adrianne asks seductively, batting her eyelashes at him.
“Not interested,” he replies in a deadpan tone that makes me smile as he turns to walk away. Kalen laughs and she flips him off.
