Chapter Seven
Amelie
It’s late when I get back to Knox Academy, having had to call the incubator to ask for a car.
There’s no way I was getting a lift back with the guys, and Baxter was long gone.
I thought I could ask Taco, but when he saw me with the Knox brothers, he made a hasty retreat.
Great, something else to be pissed about: those fuckers are cock blocking me now too.
Maybe I didn’t think this plan through so well. I should really speak to Monty about being able to use the god-awful car they bought for me. Anything has to be better than the limo she keeps sending.
Once on campus I sneak up to my room, aware that it’s well after curfew and not sure where I stand with how much trouble I’m in for my exposé and running away stunt.
When I get to my room the door is unlocked, and the space completely stripped. Okay, the furniture is still in there, but all of my possessions are gone and the bed is unmade. I pull out my phone and rattle off a quick text to the first person I think of.
Amelie
Where the hell’s my stuff?
Kalen
I’d love to tell you, but apparently you don’t need my help.
I throw my phone down, seething. All I’ve got with me is my backpack from the flight and the clothes I’m in. I’m too tired to shower, so I simply crawl onto the mattress and fall asleep as I am.
I’m woken up what feels like minutes later by my phone ringing, only when I glance at the time, it’s actually late afternoon then next day. Jet lag is a bitch.
“Hello?” My voice is raw and scratchy. I sound awful.
“Amelie, it’s Monty. I need you to come to the house, we have things to sort out. The car will be there in an hour.” He hangs up before I can answer. Okay, I guess Daddy dearest isn’t too pleased with me either.
I climb off the bed and stumble into my bathroom.
Holy fuck! Someone installed a bathtub. I wish I had time to take advantage of that right now, but I don’t, so it’ll have to be a shower for now.
I sigh and grab my small travel toiletries bag from my backpack so that I can shower and freshen up, but there’s no towel.
When I’m done, I dry off with a spare T-shirt, wringing my hair out as best I can, and change into the only clean clothes I have left; leggings, a tank top and one of Aadi’s hoodies. The incubator will hate it, but what else can I do?
My phone beeps to tell me the car’s here, and I head downstairs to greet it.
It’s not the ostentatious black limo that I’m expecting.
Instead, Sawyer sits behind the seat of his beat up old classic, though it’s looking a lot less shabby than the last time I saw it.
I know I’m pissed at him, but I can’t help but grin at the ride. I can’t wait to try it.
I jump in the passenger seat and Sawyer starts driving.
He doesn’t try and talk to me like he did on the flight.
Truth be told, I don’t know what to say to him.
Yes, I’m angry, but maybe my anger with him is misplaced.
He wasn’t in the room with his brothers that night, and I feel guilty now that I know he lost his job because of me.
The radio plays lightly in the background as we drive, but the silence between us finally gets the better of me.
“How much shit am I in?” I ask. He doesn’t turn to look at me but he holds his fingers up with a small gap between them to indicate a little bit. “Ugh, why couldn’t you have left me in Australia? I’m not ready to face that bitch yet.”
“She’s the least of your worries.”
“You think? You clearly have no idea how much hatred I have for that woman, being forced to see her is punishment enough for my crimes.”
“Why did you do it?” he asks, changing the subject.
“You need to be more specific, I did a lot of things.”
“To me Amelie. Was I that bad to you?”
I look out of the window, not making eye contact.
Was he that bad? He ran hot and cold. Picked me up and used me when it suited him, then dumped me once he had what he wanted and moved on.
I get that it was taboo, but when he rubbed his dates with that bitch Jessica in my face, it stung.
Was that enough of an excuse for what I did to him though? I sigh.
“It wasn’t about you, I needed an out. Your brothers…”
“Stop with the bullshit excuses, you could have taken them down, but me...posting those photos of us...” he shakes his head. He looks devastated.
“I’m sorry you lost your job.” And I am. I feel like absolute shit.
“You think I give a fuck about my job?” he explodes, shaking his head. “They were private! And I stupidly thought that meant something, but clearly I made a mistake when I started falling for a child.”
“Child,” I scoff. “Is that what you really think?”
“No,” he whispers.
“Do you hate me?” Because I would hate me, if I were him. I really had no reason to put Sawyer in the blast like I did. It was petty and childish. Stupid hurt pride and jealousy. Like a child. He’s right.
Sawyer pulls the car over to the side of the road.
“I could never hate you. I’m annoyed, yes, but only because in my head I was trying to justify being with a student. Being let go was a huge...relief. But then you left and it was like it was all for nothing.”
Tears well in my eyes.
“Sawyer...I’m so sorry. I was stupid and selfish. I was hurt because this pull we have was killing me. I hated seeing you everyday and not being able to touch you. Except when it suited you.”
His smile is genuine, but a huge pang of guilt hits me.
I couldn’t be with Sawyer, his brothers wouldn’t allow it, not when I know they also have feelings for me.
Which, if I’m honest, I reciprocate. I can’t forgive them though.
What would that say about me, that I’m willing to just let a man walk all over me?
Sawyer unclicks my seatbelt and pulls me onto his lap.
“You know we’re not over. None of us,” he tells me.
“Your brothers can eat a dick. I won’t forgive them,” I insist. Yeah, maybe stubborn should be my middle name. His arms pull me tighter.
“They can atone for their own sins, all I care about is that you’re with me. It’s killing me. The others can fight for you, or not. I don’t give a fuck. You’re mine.”
“How could you be happy with sharing?”
“Honestly, I don’t know...but I do know that they all care about you. But I’m a selfish man, Amelie, and right now I’m fucking ecstatic that they’re in the doghouse, because I can have you all to myself… If you’ll have me.”
We stop on the side of the road for a while, just sitting and enjoying each other. Until Sawyer's phone cuts through the silence.
I shuffle back to my seat. When Sawyer ends the call we are back on the road. He says it was his dad asking how far away we were.
As we pull into the obnoxious driveway, ironically with AC-DC’s Highway to Hell playing in the background, anxiety hits.
Laura is standing at the door. Sawyer gives my hand a quick squeeze for comfort and I try not to show him how affected I am by her.
It was different before, with the guys on my side – or so I thought – but now, alone, I don’t want to go up against this woman. She terrifies me. Still.
Exiting the car, I head straight towards Laura though, because there’s no point showing her any fear. It makes everything worse.
“I hope you’re happy with yourself,” she screeches in her annoying high pitched voice.
“Well, I was, until I was dragged back here.”
“You’re such an ungrateful bitch, Amelie. Your father should have raised you better.”
I see red; she didn’t just bring up my father.
“He did the best he could, after you dumped him with two kids! Does he even know what you did to me? Because I never told him. Aadi knows. Be lucky it’s me you dragged here, because if it was him, you wouldn’t be living.”
“That place breeds scum,” she spits, and I launch myself at her.
Sadly, I’m caught mid-launch, as two strong arms pull me back to his body and his lips place a soothing kiss to my neck. Laura starts shrieking on about something, but Monty finally makes an appearance.
“Laura, what on earth is going on?” I look at her and the crocodile tears start falling.
“She tried to attack me and then your son kissed her.”
“I think you need to go lie down for a while,” he says to her. I frown. What?
“But they kissed, Monty.”
“Dear, they are both adults, what they do isn’t our business. Now go upstairs, I’ll be up after I talk to Amelie.”
She huffs and stomps off. Monty walks inside, and we follow him to his office where we all sit.
“So…” Monty says.
“So...” I mimic.
“Nice try at getting yourself thrown out,” he says, slight amusement in his tone. Maybe I’m not in that much trouble after all.
“I tried,” is all I say with a nonchalant shrug. “Maybe I’ll give it another shot.”
“You have made some enemies though. I think it might be best if you stay here and get escorted to school each day.”
“I think you’re out of your mind if you think I’ll stay here with that woman.”
“I had a feeling you would say that when Laura had me bring your things here.”
He’s a smart man, I’ll give him that. Sawyer's hand rests on my leg, hidden by the massive desk Monty sits behind.
“Do I get my things back?”
“They are being taken back as we speak, but there will be consequences for what you have done. The board meets this week to decide on your punishment. Just watch your back and stick close to the boys, they will keep you safe.” I don’t tell him that I don’t plan to go anywhere near the guys.
“I’m also letting you keep your phone, for safety.
I know you had it the entire time anyway, but I would feel more comfortable if I knew you could contact me or even Sawyer if you need us. ”
“Thank you, Monty.”
“Sawyer will take you back to school. Please be safe, and don’t go anywhere alone at night.”
I nod. “Is there any way I can have my car back? I really hate the limos sent to pick me up all the time.”
He nods and tells me he’ll have it sent over soon.
Sawyer drives me back to school, and when he parks, he offers to walk me up to my room.
Monty, true to his word, had all my things moved back to my room, but everything is in boxes. Sawyer sits on my bed while I rip the tops of the boxes open to make sure Laura didn’t steal all my comfy clothes and replace them with her idea of fashion. Thankfully, they’re all there.
“Dad wants me to up your training,” Sawyer says as his eyes follow me around the room.
“Why? How?” I mean yes, things will probably get nasty. The usual bullying most definitely, since I did put everyone’s secrets out there for all to see.
“Because it’s serious, Amelie, you breached everyone’s privacy.”
“Besides a handful, most crimes weren’t really that bad. Baxter, myself and Elsie all have deaths on our hands. A few kids are here for some other sketchy shit, but most of the crimes are just in that grey area because they were minors.”
“Not the point.” Sawyer snorts. “And your little speech just proves that you didn’t even read most of the files because you couldn’t be further from the truth.”
“I know, but somehow I don’t think sorry will cut it.” I shrug.
“I wish you would consider letting my brothers protect you.”
“Not happening.” I can’t. I won’t.
“I know,” he says, taking my hand and pulling me to straddle his lap. “The upside to not working here anymore is that I can do this.”
His lips press to mine, moving slow and soft.
“What was that for?” I whisper.
“No reason, I want to be with you, Amelie.”
“Can we just take it slow? Everything went so fast before, and then I went home...I have things to work through.”
“We can go as slow or as fast as you want.”
I smile at his words and lean forward to thank him with a soft kiss in return. Desire stirs within me, but I push it down. I’m not about to start making out with him after I’ve just asked for time to slow things down.
I move away to put some distance between us, and a large yellow padded envelope on my desk catches my eye. I open it to find Susan tucked away and a new timetable. All my classes are the same, except I’m now in music. I sigh.
“What’s wrong?” Sawyer asks.
“Your pain in the ass brother, that’s what. I’m now in his music class.” Electives here at Knox are mixed year levels. I keep scanning and find I’m also in a new self-defence class taught by Onyx. Are you shitting me? “Also in a class run by Onyx. Since when did that happen?”
“Since I’m no longer teaching.” Guilt crashes over me like a cresting wave.
“I’m sorry,” I say walking back over towards him. He grabs my hips and pulls me in closer.
“Don’t be, everyone has always walked on eggshells to make sure I keep busy, so it’s a relief actually. To not have them fussing over me like I’m a small child. Though Dad has already found new ways to keep me occupied.”
“At least we can do this,” I say, feathering kisses on his face. “And not get in trouble.”
“I think we may still be breaking rules, having a boy in your room.”
“Didn’t you know the headmaster is my stepdaddy? I’m sure he’ll go easy on me.” Sawyer laughs and pulls me on top of him, both of us falling onto my bed.
My necklace drops from under my shirt, and Sawyer eyes it, placing the small metal pendant between his fingers.
“Where did you get this?” he asks, and I shrug, I really can’t remember.
“I’m not sure, it’s something I’ve just always had. Doesn’t it look so much like your tattoos…what do they mean anyway?”
He looks like he is debating what he is going to say to me. “Brotherhood. We got it because for us it represents the three edges being three families and this circle here,” he says, tracing it with his finger, “is family.”
I’m positive he is lying, because how does Baxter fit into this? He has the same tattoo and he’s not family. Now I’m positive I need to ask Baxter because he is less likely to lie to me. He also has no reason to.
Sawyer's phone rings, and Slate's name flashes across the screen, so I sit up so that he can answer.
“Hello.”
“I’m with Amelie, can this wait?... Not my fault you guys fucked up… Tell Onyx that I don’t give a shit if she is why I lost my job, she’s worth it. I’ll be there soon. Uh...she is mad about that. Okay, bye.”
He looks at me and smiles. “I have to go. Are you sure you’ll be okay?”
“I’ll be fine. I have to go and see Elsie.”
“Okay, I’ll call you later,” he says, placing a light kiss on my lips. It’s sweet, and yet it still makes me tingle from head to toe, like any heavy makeout session would. Yep, I’ve got it bad. Still.