The Sinners - Ruby Vincent Page 0,43

before he tried testing their rule on staying out of the cafeteria, and all three of the guys hauled him bellowing out of the seat, dragged him down the stairs, and threw him out.

One of the cafeteria ladies reported it to Hart, and the result was the boys received detention and Leo had to take his meals either in an empty classroom or his dorm. Hart said it was to minimize disruptions.

Julian glanced over my head. “Royal.” That name was chipped out of the block of ice reflecting in those blue-gray pools. Julian normally came off as an affable guy. It was an act, but one he kept to as the headmistress’s son.

Royal called my poisoning the Angels and putting them in the hospital emotional castration. Looking at Julian then, his easy smile gone, and a storm brewing in his eyes, I couldn’t help but think Cassius and Clay gave him the same treatment that day in the cafeteria.

And the self-named king of the Raveners wasn’t happy about it.

Julian looked me up and down. “You and Royal. And Cassius. And Clay. You guys make a nice... whatever you are.”

I reached behind, silently holding Royal back.

“Thank you,” I said brightly. “So early in the morning for compliments, but I’ll take them.”

His smile didn’t reach his eyes. “It makes sense now why I wasn’t enough for you.”

“Don’t try it, Julian. I told you what to do if you wanted to be with me and you blew me off and ran back to your girlfriend. The truth is I wasn’t enough for you to give up your throne.”

“It wasn’t like that,” he gritted out. “I couldn’t just leave Pomona.”

“That’s sweet. I hope you are very happy together.”

My blank reply reddened his cheeks. “Look, I know I messed up after the party.”

“Messed up?” Nolan asked. “Dude, what did you do?”

Julian went on like he hadn’t spoken. “I ditched you and then that shit went down with your brother and the shower video. But seriously, Em, you don’t need them to protect you.”

“I don’t need anyone to protect me,” I corrected. “You and I grew up on separate sides, Julian. It’s where we’re meant to stay—especially while you side with Leo.” I curled my lip at the boy next to him. “And him.”

“We’ve been friends since we were four,” Julian snapped. “Leo says he didn’t do it and I believe him.”

“Then you and I have nothing more to say to each other.”

“You heard the lady.” Royal snaked an arm around my waist. “Move.”

Proving they had more balls than sense, Julian and Nolan came in closer.

“And if I don’t?” Julian taunted. “You think you run this place—”

“I do.”

“I run this place! This is my school! Built by Raveners, for Raveners! Do you know how easy it would be to get my mom to change the admissions back to Raveners only?”

I felt Royal’s shrug. “I’m betting that change won’t happen till long after I’ve graduated, so why should I give a fuck? In the meantime”—Royal shifted me out of the way, bearing down on Julian—“you watch yourself and how you speak to our girl. My boys say you’ve been getting mouthy. Three years and we haven’t had a problem, Hart. Don’t get stupid now.”

“I’m not afraid of you,” he said through clenched teeth.

Is he trying to convince Royal or himself? Either way, I have to put a stop to this.

“Guys, we don’t have to do this. Like Royal said, you got along for three years. We can make it through another semester and a half. As for Leo”—I grabbed Julian’s chin and made him look at me—“ask your best friend what he did to me Casino Night. He’ll tell you a load of bullshit, and then I’ll tell you the truth.”

I shocked Julian enough that he let me through. I kept a firm hold on Royal’s forearm just in case. When we were in the elevator, I blew out a rough breath. “Julian’s got this look like he’s itching for a fight. Cassius and Clay basically pantsed him in front of everyone. Plus, he’s twitching about this lesson they’re going to teach him.”

Royal put his back to the wall, shutting his eyes like he’d drift asleep. “It’s not my fault he’s acting up. The Angels can’t show weakness, princess. You know that better than anyone. They smell blood in the water and you’re torn apart.”

“We can’t have blood. Especially not Julian’s blood. He’s the headmistress’s son. If you guys get into it with him, she’ll side with