Page 166 of Shattered Pieces

“You’re still slightly ahead of your fellow students, which is good. Hopefully it makes settling back in here a little smoother for you. If you have issues with any of the students harassing you, let me know. As you’re also aware, the media aren’t allowed on school grounds, so if they give you any trouble, I’ll handle them immediately. Your teachers are all well aware of the situation, so don’t hesitate to ask them for help if you’re struggling with anything.”

“You could have said that outside. It’s not like the entire school didn’t watch my arrest on TV,” I said dryly as I went to stand, but he put his hand up to stop me.

“I’m not done. I’d like to remind you that violence will not be tolerated here at Ashburn Valley Academy. If you become a problem, you will be removed. Do you understand?”

“Did you get Josie to approve this little speech? You know if you try to throw me out for defending myself, you’ll be the one leaving, not me,” I warned, narrowing my eyes on him.

“If the girls give you trouble, you come to me. That’s all I’m saying,” he said firmly, some of his bravery vanishing when Lukas chuckled.

“If the girls lay a hand on her, you think she’s the only threat to them? We’ll handle it since you’re too chicken shit to do it anyway. You going to throw us out for violence too?”

“Mr. James⁠—”

“You don’t get to fuck with her,” Lukas snapped, putting his hands on the desk as he stood, leaning forward to lean over him. “I’ll be sure to pass this conversation over to Josie since it seems like you’re more worried about everyone else’s safety over Rory’s. You turn a blind eye to violence here every day, but you won’t for her anymore?”

“There’s no need to get hostile. Do you understand that your little group is publicly affiliated with gangs? None of you should be here, but you still are. If I think you’re dragging that gang violence into my school, then I will absolutely remove you.”

“Try it. See what happens.”

I liked when Lukas got pissed like this, it was hot.

“Are you threatening me?” Mr. Ernest sputtered.

“Just remember that we know you’ve been fucking Mandy since freshman year. A headmaster fucking a fourteen-year-old student for four years? And that girl’s now dead? Maybe you got jealous of her new side piece? Didn’t like that she looked like a grown woman now, maybe? Stay in your fucking lane, asshole, or I’ll bring this school down on top of you,” Lukas hissed, taking my hand and tugging me towards the door. I was too stunned to do much else other than follow him.

The headmaster had been sleeping with Mandy for years?

Lukas made sure to slam the door on the way out, and I gave him a grin. “That was very Caden Holloway coded of you. He was hooking up with Mandy?”

He slowed his steps, seeming to calm down a little. “Yeah. Jensen walked in on her bent over the headmaster’s desk freshman year, apparently. It’s the reason Jensen could basically get away with anything over the years.”

“The headmaster’s a predator.”

“Very aware. Most of the teachers are fine, but some are pieces of shit.”

“Miss Valentino?”

“I mean, she did fuck Ty multiple times, but he really worked hard to make it happen. I don’t think she’s ever slept with any of her other students. She was new last year, freshly out of university. She’s only twenty-four,” he shrugged as he stopped walking. “Are you really into Marco?”

I winced, not expecting that change of subject. “I don’t know. There’s an attraction there, like I said, but he still pisses me off and makes me want to stab him at times. Asking you guys to be okay with it was an asshole move, I know.”

“I can’t deny I’m mad about it, but I also can see what you’re referring to about the connection. Although, I’m surprised it’s Marco and not Hunter that crossed a line first. Hunter’s always wanted you,” he muttered, flicking his gaze to mine. “Even if I didn’t hate the guy, you hooking up with Marco is going to cause trouble with the Psychos.”

“They already want me dead anyway. Might as well make it worth it,” I joked, and he tsked at me.

“Just remember you already have the Soldiers gunning for you. Be careful who you piss off.” He stepped closer and ran his fingers through my hair, gently pulling to tilt my mouth up to his for a quick kiss. “You really fucking stress me out.”

“I know something that’s really good for stress relief,” I offered, but he shook his head.

“Health checks first. I mean it. We all get regularly tested, well, we did before just sleeping with you. We have no idea about Marco or even Lexi. Maybe you could get different contraception sorted at the same time so Josie stops nagging. If you were still interested, that is.”

He had a point, I really needed to get on top of that.

“I’ll speak to Marco today.”

“Maybe suggest to him that if he intends on sticking around, he should get freshly tested anyway. Just in case,” he answered casually, and I wasn’t sure if that was permission or not, but it sounded promising.

Homeroom had already started by the time we wandered in, Mrs. Munro sighing when we made our way to our desks.