Chapter Twelve #2
At the end of the hall, a door stands open, light spilling out in a sharp, unforgiving rectangle.
I know exactly who’s waiting inside before I even see him.
Everest is standing by a desk, his arms crossed tight over his chest and jaw locked where there’s a muscle ticking beneath his skin.
His eyes burn into me with a fury so intense, it charges the air between us.
It’s only been a few hours since the Dean’s meeting with Everest, at which point we made some tentative truce, but the man standing before me now is not in the mood for peace. Although, at the sight of hands gripping my upper arms, something flickers in his green eyes.
The jocks shove me forward one last time, and I stumble into the room, barely catching myself before I fall.
A final sliver of embarrassment brings an unwanted heat to my cheeks, and that’s the moment I’m done being thrown around like a ragdoll.
Lunging forward, my hands are primed for Everest’s throat, but he moves far too quickly.
Pivoting into me, he twists my momentum off course and hauls me hard into his side. My breath punches out of my lungs, the world tilting as I brace for a pain that never arrives. Instead, his bicep hangs heavily across my shoulders.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?
” Everest snaps, his voice cracking like a whip above my head, and I flinch.
All of the bravado leaks out of me, the months of telling myself I’ve healed from my recent trauma proving to be a complete lie.
Fortunately, I’m not the only one who becomes frozen in place with what looks like fear.
Opposite me, Danny, Mitchell and Samson share the same dumbfounded, stupid expression.
“You… you asked us to bring her to you,” Danny stammers, his hands lifting in surrender. Everest releases me abruptly, stepping away just enough that I have to fight to keep my balance, his glare not leaving the trio as he stands to his full, imposing height.
“Did I ask you to scare her shitless?” His voice drops, a cold edge carving its way through the study. Amongst the tension radiating through the room, I spare a look around.
I’ve been here before, regrettably, and it’s exactly the same.
Reeking of testosterone and aftershave, dark walls dripping with mahogany paneling, and a desk that dominates the center of the room.
Aside from his highbacked seat, there’s a pattern rug that I have no doubt costs more than my tuition but I still despise and a fireplace that is rarely lit.
No chairs for guests, as those who are beckoned here are expected to stand.
This is Everest’s place of business, whatever business a college student can have.
It’s where he keeps track of his hierarchy system on the most anal spreadsheet I’ve ever seen, where he takes private calls from his father about the way he’s failing in life.
Yeah, I know a lot about Everest, and that’s how I know not to interrupt his stare-off.
Finally, he sheds his leather jacket and rolls his shoulders.
“On your knees.” His words are harsh, instantly bringing my tenacity to the surface. But he’s not looking at me. Before him, Danny, Samson and Mitchell balk, sharing a wide-eyed glance. “All three of you, on your knees, and beg for Meg’s forgiveness.”
There’s a beat of stunned silence before Samson lets out a disbelieving laugh.
“You’re joking—” Everest takes a deliberate step forward and the sound dies in Samson’s throat.
“Do I look like I’m joking?” he asks in a quiet, deadly tone. “This is your new co-captain, and you’ll treat her with the utmost respect, until I say otherwise.”
That tidbit on the end isn’t lost on me. Everest is the master of my reputation, although it seems to mean a great deal more to him than me. He can make his men kidnap me and then beg for my forgiveness because he’s holding all of the cards. He’s always in control.
After another moment of uncertainty, Everest cracks his neck in warning and slowly, unbelievably, the three lower to their knees.
I watch on, my mouth popping open. Satisfied with his show of power, Everest steps aside, leaving me facing the jocks who are staring at the floor, despite their fists clenching.
“We’re sorry, Meg.”
“Total foul on our part.”
“Won’t happen again,” the mumbles sound through tight lips.
Internally, I’m trembling, still shaken by the trip down memory lane I didn’t ask for.
Externally, I breathe through a mask of indifference, determined to pick up the pieces of my shattered resolve and force them to appear whole.
What happened on the front lawn is something I didn’t plan on letting anyone witness.
A warm body steps into my side, my psyche becoming achingly aware of Everest’s presence slipping over me like the devil’s caress.
“Are you satisfied with your apologies?” he asks, his authority being reeled in on a tight leash.
Heated breath tickles my ear, his mouth far too close for comfort.
I step forward, if only to get myself out of the trap he’s attempting to lure me into.
Before me, the jocks glance up, eyes filled with equal measures of uncertainty and fury.
I lick my lips, steadying the thumping of my heart.
“No.” As the word leaves me, a heady rush spins around my skull.
Sliding my foot forward, I place my knee-high biker boot in front of Danny in the center.
“Each of you can kiss my shoe.” Their eyes lower, no doubt tracking the wet grass and mud splattered across the black leather and chrome buckles.
Mud that I kicked up in my efforts to break free of their hold.
A low chuckle echoes behind me, but I ignore Everest for now.
He’s not going to get off lightly for this either, but for now, I’m discovering it’s far too entertaining to humiliate others.
Not a trait I want to become comfortable with, but for tonight, it’s a necessary evil.
Samson and Mitchell turn their hands towards Danny, who is muttering something inaudible beneath his breath.
Whatever it is doesn’t stop him from leaning in, and placing his lips against my boot.
Then, I twist it in Mitchell’s direction.
Once the three of them are sitting back with mud coating their lips, Everest flicks his hand in my peripheral vision, and the jocks scramble to their feet and disappear down the hall. I watch them go with a strange sense of satisfaction before I come to my senses. Now I’m alone with Everest.