Bully King - J.A. Huss Page 0,44

sex.

And so does Cadee Hunter, I guess. Because she tilts her head up defiantly. Daring me to knock her down a peg.

Oh, I will, sweetie.

Trust me.

I will knock you down so far, you won’t ever get back up.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN - CADEE

I will say this about the stupid challenges. It keeps the royal court occupied. All the pledges are excited and happy and pay absolutely no attention to all us servers. Not even me. And I thought for sure that this t-shirt thing this morning was a sure sign that I was today’s entertainment.

I serve their coffee, then help prepare and serve breakfast, and I play nice. Trying to stay in the background as much as possible. I struggle with this decision internally because it feels like I’m taking Victor’s advice. In fact, he makes a point of nodding and smiling at me all through breakfast, letting me know that this is how you play the game.

To lose, maybe.

But I’m not playing to lose, just biding my time here. I’m not stupid. I don’t want to make myself a target. I just want to be smart. Pick and choose my battles. And there is no point in challenging them without reason.

They linger at the long breakfast table for hours. No rush to do anything today. And for a little while, I figure this is all they’ll do. Just drink and eat like stupid rich people all day because by the time Isabella claps her hands and directs us to clear the table, it’s nearly noon.

But then everyone is in motion. Not just us, the servers, but all the pledges too. They are moving chairs and couches around, the white wooden folding chairs they were sitting in for Ax and Valentina’s performance earlier long since removed.

Two loveseats are pushed into the center of the room and then two overstuffed chairs arranged on either side. The boys take their seats, clearly excited about what is to come. The girls disappear outside with Selina.

I glance over at Valentina. She’s hanging off Ax like they’re a couple.

Are they a couple?

Hmm. I really wouldn’t know. I didn’t spend any time at all over on the college side of campus the past three years. They could be dating, I guess.

Ax definitely kissed Valentina this morning like they do it regularly. And his hands have been all over her body this morning. Fondling her like she’s his property.

This realization makes me glance over at Cooper and Isabella. She’s flirting with him. But that’s very typical, from what I know about Isabella. She flirts with everyone.

But this… maybe goes a little beyond her normal tease routine. She plays with Cooper’s dark hair, twisting those sexy waves up in her fingers as she looks him in the eyes and talks.

Cooper is smiling as she does this, listening attentively and gazing down on her with those electric-blue eyes like she’s the center of his world. Laughing, even. Like they are very good friends.

Hmm. Maybe they are? Maybe they’re dating? They’re definitely doing something.

He glances around the room, checking progress of the new furniture arrangement, and then his eyes land on me and he instantly frowns.

I look away quickly and start removing the white tablecloth so I can take it in the back and start the laundry.

I’m just about to push my way through the kitchen doors when I hear “Cadee Hunter!” bellow through the room.

I stop, take a deep breath, and turn with a bright smile on my face. “How can I serve you, Your Highness?” I even curtsy.

Cooper is glaring at me. Then he beckons me with one curved finger, like I’m not worthy of speech, and leans in to Isabella’s neck to whisper something. She laughs. Loudly. Smacks his shoulder playfully as I slowly cross the room towards them. Then he kisses her on the mouth, holding her face in his hands, and spanks her ass when she turns to go outside.

She squeals and skips a step, looking over her shoulder at him. He grins back at her, enjoying her playful reaction to his swat.

I roll my eyes.

But I shut that down quick when he turns to me and his gaze locks on. He folds his arms across his chest and I hold the tablecloth close to mine because his heated stare is no longer playful. It’s mean and sends a chill up my spine, making my nipples bunch up in response.

“Yes, my king,” I say, trying to sound… subservient.

I’m not sure I pull it off.

“Stand right here.” Cooper