you, you’d be laid out on the floor right now,” I growl. “Don’t ever touch me again, you understand?”
He nods. “Yes,” he says in a shaky voice. “I promise.”
“You obviously don’t understand how things work here yet.”
I look up, startled to see Chase give me a quick nod. “We handle things at this school our way. Stop resisting it, Mr. Davis. You’ll be a lot happier if you just accept your place.” His eyes never stray from my face as he utters those words.
I let go of Mr. Davis and he backs down the hallway without another word.
“You think he shit his pants right when Xan was about to clock him?” Asher snickers.
“I think there’s a damn good chance of that,” Chase says without a smile.
I smooth down my shirt and nod toward the cafeteria. “You wanna get something?”
We walk through the dark wood doors, fill our trays with the dishes of the day, and take our corner table. For a few seconds, we shove forkfuls of chicken francaise, julienned vegetables, and freshly baked ciabatta into our mouths.
Speaking for myself, it's partly because I'm starving, but partly because I don’t know how to navigate this area too well. I’m not a people person, I don’t trust easily, and I don’t want to relinquish a sliver of the perceived control I have left.
All of that makes for a no-win situation, especially when it’s me who needs to apologize for being such an asshole in the first place.
I chew my food slowly, taking a long gulp of water before deciding to speak.
They did back me up with Mr. Davis.
Maybe it’s safe to assume we all recognize that we have a lot to lose if our alliance crumbles.
Something that Melina had to learn the hard way.
“Listen, we need to talk,” I say. “About what happened the other day.”
“It’s not just the other day,” Chase mutters. “It’s everything, or didn’t I make that clear?”
I point my fork at him. “Watch it. You don’t get to talk to me like that.”
“Who the fuck are you, Xander?” Chase’s green eyes narrow. “I think we already established that you’re all bark and no bite. You may have scared the shit out of Mr. Davis, but you’re not fooling us.”
I rake a hand through my hair. “Listen, you were right, Chase. We do need each other. I know I’ve dangled shit in front of you and never delivered, but something is going on. Something big and I need your help. For real, this time.”
“Listening,” Chase says in a bored voice.
“Blaine Montrose. Fucking guy has gone off the deep-end. He’s got a thing for Charlotte and he’s made some threats toward me. He’s dangerous, and I need someone to keep an eye on him since I can’t exactly get close.”
“Dangerous how? And why don’t you get your father’s crew to bust his ass up and bury him? Since when do you need us?”
“Since I don’t want him dead. Yet.” I look around me, just to make sure Blaine hasn’t unexpectedly shown up to grab an early lunch. “I just want to know what he’s up to. I don’t like him hanging around Charlotte. And I don’t like the company he keeps.” I pull out my phone and shove the screen in their faces so they can get a good look at Gio Rossi. “Blaine has been seen with this guy. I caught them together in that club we went to. He’s bad news — big into drugs and pussy. I don’t know what Blaine’s gotten himself into, but I’m afraid for Char.”
“Fuck me, how’d he get that scar?” Asher asks.
I roll my eyes. “I did it, asshat.”
“Get the fuck outta here! You fucking did that? With what — a knife? A machete?” Asher breathes, staring at the phone closely.
“With my fucking mind,” I snort. “I didn’t do it. I’m just fucking with you.”
Chase looks at me. “I’m serious, Xander. Why are you telling us? What do you want?”
“Look, if you guys keep an eye out, Blaine doesn’t think twice. If I do it or my family starts breathing down his neck, I become even more of a target. And the last thing I want is for this shit to come down on Charlotte’s head. She needs to be protected, from both of them. This is serious, guys. You always wanted me to let you in, well, here’s your chance. If you catch these guys together, you let me know.” I look from Asher to Chase. “That’s how this works.