Chapter Nineteen
Amelie
Monday morning comes so fast that I’m dragging ass, especially given that we have SELF classes again this semester.
This time it’s all about integrating us back into society.
Writing resumes…I mean it’s a good skill to have, except that it’s not exactly something that I need to learn. Job for life and all that.
Maggie or Miss Davis in this class keeps looking up at me. I know she wants to say something, but she hasn’t gotten up the nerve yet. I can see her fiddling with the card. Maybe she thinks it’s a joke.
“Miss Rossi, a word please.”
I get up from my chair and walk to the front of the class.
“Is everything okay?” I ask her.
“Are you serious about this?” She looks down at the small card, and I nod.
“Why wouldn’t I be? You have an amazing skillset which will blow your sons’ minds when they find out, and you don’t deserve to be stuck here all because your ex has control over your life.”
A tear runs down her cheek. The door opens and she quickly wipes it away and shoves the card in her pocket. We both look at Monty who has just entered the room.
“Headmaster Knox, what can we do for you?” she says to him.
“I actually need to steal Amelie away today.”
I look at Maggie and she gives me a nod, and I smile. I return to my desk and collect my things, then head out with Monty. We walk in silence down the corridor and he opens the door for us. I walk through.
“It’s nice to see you two getting along,” he states.
“I figured I should make an effort, she is the guys’ mother and they love her. So we’ve put our differences aside, and since our differences are actually a common enemy, it’s really not a hard task.”
He clears his throat. “Yes, well, I bet you’re wondering where we’re off to,” he says, changing the subject.
“The thought did cross my mind, but any excuse to skip class is welcome.”
“I wanted to bring you with me. As you know, I got your message about some of your potential recruits, and one of them is actually in jail. We’ve had to use a lot of resources to persuade the judge to allow me to enroll her at the academy, but we still have to show up at the court hearing.”
“I can’t go to a court hearing in my uniform.”
“It’s all taken care of. Sawyer sent over a suit. It’s in the car. We’ll stop along the way and you can freshen up and get changed.”
“Thank you.”
Just as promised, Monty stops off at a petrol station and I get changed in the bathroom and tame my hair. Frost has been given today’s duty of following us around and driving us where we need to go.
Frost is a good man; he managed to stock up on snacks before we got back into the car. Monty sips on his coffee and I pick at a bag of chips. This is my first official duty in charge, not some menial task Monty has set out.
Once we arrive at the courthouse, Frost parks the car and escorts us to the courtroom where the proceedings are about to get started. Frost takes a seat at the back, and I follow Monty to the front of the room. Monty nods at the judge and he nods back.
“Monty, thank you for joining us.”
“Thank you for having us, your honour.”
The girl who isn’t any older than I am makes eye contact with me, obviously wondering who the hell we are interrupting her hearing.
“And you must be Amelie. I’ve heard a lot about you,” the judge says. I look at Monty and he smiles at me.
“All good things I hope.” Damn it, now isn’t a time for jokes but I’m nervous and my pits are sweating profusely.
The judge opens a folder as we take our seats beside Mackenzie’s lawyer.
“Miss Kennedy, your charges are of a very serious matter and come with a lengthy jail sentence. You have been deemed a danger to society and you must have someone watching over you. Mr Knox has sent in a request on your behalf, and I have taken into consideration your motives. You have two options. I can send you to trial with a jury, or you can accept Mr Knox’s offer.
He runs a school for young adults like yourself where you serve four years in their rehabilitation program and you get a full education by the end of it.
When your time is completed, your case will be revisited and on the advice of the headmaster – Mr Knox – we will decide if you will be free to go.
It’s an amazing offer. My only request is that you will have no access to technology. ”
Mackenzie scoffs, leaning back into her chair and crossing her arms. I raise my hand like I’m in damn high school and the judge nods.
“With all due respect, your honour, I’ve read Mackenzie's file and while her crimes are very serious, her motive came from a good place. What if we have our best cyber experts monitor her online activity? All Knox Academy devices are set up by the best.” My heart beats a million miles an hour.
I need her to feel like someone is on her side.
Once she is in The Order she is protected and can do what we ask her, but until then I have to get her on my side.
“Request granted. One other rule that is non-negotiable is that Mackenzie has to wear an ankle bracelet, because she is a flight risk.”
We both nod, and I breathe a sigh of relief.
“Mackenzie, you need to decide,” the judge tells her. She looks at me, and I nod back at her. She sits up in her chair and leans forward.
“I’ll go with them. The food can’t be worse than jail, right?”
“Monty, can I see you in my chambers? Amelie you can go with Mackenzie and get her signed out.”
Frost follows behind me as we’re led through the building where Mackenzie is fitted with an ankle bracelet.
“This is set to the Knox Academy grounds. If she needs to leave for any reason she needs to be close to this device. If you press the red button it will send an electric shock and drop her wherever she is.” He holds up a small box shaped device and hands it to me.
I inspect the small device and tuck it into my pocket.
I’ll need to keep this thing away from Kalen. “Any questions?”
“Can that thing get wet?”
“Yes, it’s one hundred percent waterproof.”
Another guard walks into the room and places a backpack on the table. Mackenzie walks forward and snatches it from the table, opens it and digs through the bag and pulls out a small box, then shoves it straight back in.
“All set, let’s get back to school,” Monty announces from the doorway before turning and walking away.
I gesture for Mackenzie to follow him and I follow behind her, leaving Frost to walk out last. We head back to the car and Monty gets straight in. Mackenzie turns to face me.
“Thanks for springing me. If you give me the device, I’ll be out of your hair.”
“Nice try, get in the car.” I smile at her and Frost opens the door. She huffs and throws herself into the back seat and shuffles over.
“So D didn’t send you to spring me out?” she asks.
“Unfortunately for you, no he didn’t,” I reply and her face screws up in confusion.
“I suppose I should be thankful that I’m not rotting away in a cell. How bad can this school be?”
When we get back to the school I’m starving, so I flick off a text to Adrianne.
Amelie
Can you bring me a sandwich to the office? Wait in the chairs.
Adrianne
Sure can, any requests?
Amelie
Ask the staff, don’t steal it.
Adrianne
Ha ha, I meant fillings.
Amelie
Anything is fine.
“You seriously have someone bring you food whenever you’re hungry? A girl could get used to that.”
“I do, you don’t. You’ll have to wait until lunch just like everyone else. Let’s get this over with so I can show you to your room.”
Mackenzie looks around as we make our way to Monty’s office. He ushers us in in a hurry, clearly having other things to be doing. Mackenzie drops into a chair. Monty gives me a look and gestures to her. Great, I have to explain.
“So Mackenzie,” I start, trying to figure out a way to explain this without giving anything away.
“So...what’s your name again?”
“Amelie. Anyway, let’s cut to the chase, we wanted you here for a reason. You can decline, finish out your time here and move on or…”
“Or what?”
“You initiate and join our club.”
“Your club? What are we, ten?”
“Stop with the smart-ass attitude. We have an elite club, if you will. You join and you’ll have access to resources beyond your wildest dreams. You’ll work for me, and you’ll have access to computers.”
She quirks a brow at me. “So that’s what this is, you want me to do something for you.”
“Will you shut up and listen?” I snap. Walking closer to her, I lean down, placing my hands on the arms of the chair to bring myself face to face with her.
“I run the most exclusive ‘club’ in the world. I wouldn’t cross me right now. If you want in, you will initiate like everyone else. But if you want in and you pass, you can never get out…you catch my drift?”
“Oh, you’re one of those clubs. Like a secret society.” She beams.
“Something like that. Your skillset would be invaluable to us.”
“And what’s in it for me?” she counters.
“Not spending your life in jail, plus the resources to take out that sex ring for good. Is that enough incentive?”
“Can I kill the person who took my sister?”
“I will personally give you our best weapons for hire to help with that.”
Her smile is genuine.
I feel so bad that her sister was involved in something like that. I’m glad The Order doesn’t have anything to do with that. I’m apparently down for killing and can even understand trafficking weapons and drugs, but trading people is a hard line for me.
“Fine, I’m in. Just tell me where and when this initiation is.”
“Now that’s all sorted girls, I have work to do. Amelie, take Mackenzie to get fitted for her uniform and to get her schedule, and then show her to her room please.”
I gesture for Mackenzie to follow me. She grabs her backpack and we head towards the door. She exits first and I turn back to Monty.
“Just a heads up, my father is coming for my inauguration.”
“I’m glad to hear it. Laura is going to a spa while all this is happening, so she won’t be in anyone's way.”
“Thank you.”