Bully King - J.A. Huss Page 0,73

Plenty of time for that later if they choose to stay. Now go. And remember—they are Mona as far as you’re concerned.”

I sigh as the meatheads turn away and walk over to the girls. And even though I didn’t assign them to anyone in particular, they all seem to know which girl they are protecting. There is no hesitation.

Cadee ends up with a huge white dude with a round, shaved head, a neck so thick I’m pretty sure his starched white shirt under his suit coat is custom-made, and a look of utter evil pasted on his face.

I cross my arms and hold my breath as he approaches Dante, who is still trying to get all hands-y with Cadee. He doesn’t even look at Dante. Simply talks softly to Cadee. Her eyes dart around until she finds me.

And then… she smiles at me, mouthing the words, Thank you.

I nod at her, then watch Dante for a moment. He’s angry. Trying to argue with big white dude who I am just going to call Meat for now, since I don’t know his name. But Meat simply crosses his arms and slides into an at-ease position, daring Dante to make a move.

Dante doesn’t. His gaze swings over to me and then he’s heading my way.

Ax and Lars slip in next to me and we wait for Dante’s outburst.

“What the fuck, Cooper? This is not how it’s supposed to be! A babysitter? What the fuck did I just pay for?”

“You got what you paid for,” I say calmly.

“She’s mine,” he growls.

“She is,” I agree. “But I’m running this rush. And I say these girls need a moment. They need to take a breath, Dante. So I’m giving them time to come to terms with things. None of the other guys seem to have a problem with it. So if you do, that just makes you an asshole.”

He looks around, wishing my words to be a lie. But I’m right. The other guys are kind of enjoying their new additions. Jamie and Michael both look a little relieved, from what I can tell. Hell, Ivan is pouring his guard a fucking shot of vodka as we watch and Roland is high-fiving his.

Dante looks back at me. Pokes me in the chest with his finger.

Ax makes a move, but I put my arm out and stop him. “Let Dante have his say, Ax.”

“This isn’t over. You might think my father is a nobody, but he has more power than you know.”

“That’s interesting,” I say. “Because I was given a list of people who must make it through this summer, Dante. And your name wasn’t on it. But Mona’s was. So…” I shrug. “Play your game well and maybe she’ll bring you along for the ride. But if you fuck with Cadee, I will cut your ass from this rush so fast, your father’s head will spin.”

Dante glares at me, then at Lars and Ax. “Fuck you guys. We’ll see who’s running things next year.”

Lars laughs. “Well, even if it isn’t us, it sure as hell won’t be you.”

“Walk away, Dante,” Ax says, shooing him with a flip of his hand. “We’re the ruling class whether you like it or not. Better just swallow that fact whole right now so you can digest it over the summer.”

I nod and smile at him. “We’re the bully kings. Accept it. Or don’t. I don’t really give a fuck. But this is your only warning, Dante. I won’t bother with another one.”

And I’m dead fucking serious about this.

I will not be responsible for another Isabella. Ever.

My first night of challenge one was a bloody disaster. And that isn’t a figure of speech.

It will never happen again. Ever.

Dante storms off, clearly unhappy. But I don’t care. I turn to Lars. Because I just got a very bad feeling about Isabella. “Go to my house. Isabella is passed out on the couch. Make sure she doesn’t do anything stupid.”

Lars looks at the woods. “Fuck.” Then he looks back at me. “No problem, Coop. I’ll take care of her.”

And he will too.

Ax and I watch Lars disappear into the woods. Then I turn to him. “You watch that Dante fuck. Hear me? I don’t care that she’s got a bodyguard. You stay with Cadee until Mona comes back.”

“And then what?”

I think about what Cadee told me. How Ax is sleeping in his boathouse because he doesn’t want to go home. “Then you stay with Mona too.”

He lets out a long breath. And