Kings of Quarantine: A Dark High School Bully Romance (Brutal Boys of Everlake Prep Book 1)

by Caroline Peckham

  “Good.”

  “Is that all?” she demanded, pushing herself to her feet as she prepared to leave.

  “Almost.”

  She ground her teeth as she was forced to wait for what else I had to say and I let the moment drag as I drank it in. Maybe I was a power junkie, but I didn’t care. I couldn’t help but get off on knocking these rich little assholes down a peg or two.

  “You laughed twice,” I said in a low voice.

  For a moment, confusion warred in her gaze before she realised that I wasn’t going to let her leave without the full story.

  Now that she was on her feet she was eye to eye with me where I perched on my desk and the depths of her blush rose up beneath the freckles which dusted her cheeks. But she fought the embarrassment away with tooth and nail, her gaze hardening as she looked right into my eyes.

  “It was a joke about what it might be like to have you on your knees with your tongue between my thighs. But on second thought, that was a terrible joke. Everyone knows that arrogant assholes like you don’t know a G-spot from their elbow and you wouldn’t be able to find my clit with a map and GPS.”

  My eyes widened at the balls on her and I was left momentarily speechless by her little display. The cocky asshole in me was tempted to grab her by her hips, toss her over my desk, hitch that little skirt up and prove her wrong…but that was definitely crossing the teacher/student barrier and I had zero desire to go to prison for the sake of proving to a girl that I could make her come so hard she forgot her fucking name. No map required.

  “Is that all, sir?” she demanded haughtily and I pushed my tongue into my cheek to stop myself from grinning.

  It was damn nice to find a worthy adversary to go to bat against and if that was the way she wanted it, it was fine by me. Game on, princess.

  “That’s all,” I agreed easily. “I’ll see you in class tomorrow.”

  She whirled toward the door and her long hair flicked around her, but I was ready for it this time and I leaned back before she could slap me in the face with it.

  She stalked towards the door, her posture rigid with rage and I waited until she stepped through it before I called out to halt her.

  “Oh, and, princess?”

  “Yes, sir?” she practically snarled.

  “Don’t forget about your detention.”

  “Can’t wait,” she muttered before striding away and I finally let myself grin.

  I was looking forward to next Monday already. Better bring your A game, princess, because I’ve barely even begun with you.

  ***

  My phone buzzed in my pocket as I ran up the hill towards Maple Lodge where the staff lived on site. We each had our own apartment within the enormous building which was big and lavish enough to be fit for a prince, but there was also a huge rec room where some of the staff liked to hang out together in the evenings. And that was also where Headmaster Brown liked to host the staff meetings. In the evenings. After dinner. Because who didn’t want to spend their free time discussing work matters? Fucking asshat.

  My phone buzzed again and I broke into a sprint. That would be Miss Pontus warning me that I was cutting it fine. But I knew that. I thrived under pressure so I’d set out on my evening run an hour before the meeting was due to begin and I’d taken a route that usually took me an hour and twenty.

  I felt half dead, sweat was pouring off of me and my muscles were burning in that way which promised me all kinds of aches come morning. But I’d done it. Fucking smashed it. Just like every goal I set myself.

  I pounded my way to the front door and fell forwards, bracing my hands on my knees as I fought to catch my breath.

  It was cold out, especially now that the sun was down and my breath rose before me as I started my cool down routine.

  Maple Lodge stood at the top of the hill overlooking the valley which contained the rest of the school grounds. It was set back by the perimeter wall to give us some privacy from the students and there was only one path that led up here so we were pretty well away from them.

  I took a few minutes to catch my breath, admitting to myself that I was a bit late for the meeting now, while not really giving a damn. I was the school P.E. teacher, it was practically in my job description that I stay in shape. And I ran at this time every evening. The Headmaster could bite me if he had a problem with that.

  Music floated to me over the trees which surrounded campus and I huffed out an irritated breath as I realised the students were having a much better night than me already. It was half tempting to sneak down and join in with their initiation party. Aside from the fact that they’d clearly recognise me and either want me to fuck off or socialise with them and I wasn’t sure which of those options were worse.

  I missed my frat house brothers. They knew how to party. And the reality of life as a teacher at this school was so much tamer than I was used to. But that was a sacrifice I was willing to make. Because every day I spent here, moulding the minds and bodies of these pretentious little douchebags, was another day that I drew closer to my goal. And I was getting closer. Inch by delicious inch.

  I turned my back on the grounds and the music which came from the party the Night Keepers were throwing and headed into Maple Lodge.

  The heavy oak door swung open and I walked down the green carpeted entrance hall towards the rec room at the back of the building where I could hear Brown addressing the staff already.

  The double doors stood open so I slipped inside, skirting the huge room and the gathered staff members until I found a spot by the rear wall.

  Miss Pontus offered me a smile as she spotted me and I gave her a nod in return. She could have left it at that but of course she waved too, drawing more eyes to me. I ignored her, fixing my gaze on Brown as I set my jaw to end the interaction.

  She looked away and I gave no shits as her shoulders sagged in disappointment.

  Dammit.

  “So far the government guidance is simple. Minimise trips out and social gatherings, be aware of contact with anyone outside of your family. So, for now, I think it’s pretty simple for us here. We’re in a remote location, all of our supplies are delivered and we’ve only had twelve cases confirmed in the state so far. As it stands, I believe it’s perfectly acceptable for us to carry on with business as usual,” Brown said.

  He was a tall man, ex military and still in the habit of standing ramrod straight like he had a cane shoved right up his ass with his hands clasped at the base of his spine. His hair was non-existent but he had a full, black beard.

  He’d adopted a tough but fair attitude when it came to dealing with the students here. Fair being a loose term as he changed his definition of that depending on financial contributions and donations from parents.

  For example, Saint Memphis had somehow been granted his own personal bachelor pad on the grounds despite the clear rules about students living in dorms, though I guessed it helped that his mom ran the school board too. There were plenty of other examples of the brats having grades re-assigned or punishments reduced though. I was just glad that I was allowed to run my own classes how I saw fit.

  Miss Pontus raised a hand, tucking a lock of mousy brown hair behind her ear self-consciously as all eyes of the faculty fell on her.

  “Yes?” Brown asked.

  “I’m just wondering about the stricter measures they’re talking about putting into place. I know we aren’t at that stage yet, but do we have a plan for enforcing lockdown if it comes into practice? I can’t see some of the students taking kindly to having their parties ended…”

  She had a point there. Saint, Kyan and Blake lived to no man’s rules, especially in their downtime. If they didn’t want to adhere to lockdown regulations then we would have one hell of a problem on our hands when the time came. Plus all of the other students followed their lead, so if they made it clear that they weren’t following the rules then none of them would.

  “I am confident that the staff will be able to enforce any and all sanc
tions which come into place as and when they’re required,” Brown replied with a tight smile. “But for now, the only rule we have to worry about is us isolating ourselves from the outside world. The students aren’t allowed to leave school grounds anyway so it’s no different for them. But now the staff will have to stay on site at all times too. Is that clear?”

  A wave of agreement spilled from the lips of all the staff members, but I remained silent. I rarely left the grounds anyway so it didn’t mean much to me, but I couldn’t say I loved the idea of having to stay here. I don’t know why it even made a difference but somehow, the second he’d given me that order I’d instantly had the urge to leap over the gate and run for the hills. Probably won’t get paid too well out in the hills though.

  It didn’t sound like I was getting much choice in my isolation status so I took a deep breath and sucked it up just like I had with countless other shit this job had thrown my way. And as the meeting finished up, I moved to slip away.

  “Monroe?” Brown called over the crowd, beckoning me close. “A word.”

  I fought the urge to sigh. There was a plate of spaghetti on order from the kitchens waiting for me in the staff dining room and I still needed to shower before I could demolish it. I really didn’t appreciate his sense of timing.

  I moved between the crowd towards him with a tight smile on my face that didn’t exactly do much to mask my feelings on this summons. Not that Brown ever seemed to notice such signs. I just hadn’t figured out if that was because he was thick or just an asshole.

  “Can I count on your assistance if we need to rein in the Night Keepers?” Brown asked as soon as I reached him. Of course this was about those three. They’d be the key to the student body’s cooperation if the time came to put more restrictions on the kids.

  “They don’t respond well to demands,” I warned him. I was being polite. We both knew those boys would do whatever the fuck they wanted whenever the fuck they wanted and if we made ourselves too much of an irritant to them, they’d have their parents onto the school board gunning for our jobs.

  My friendship with Kyan might be enough to buy me some measure of protection from their wrath but I doubted it. He was as ruthless as a starving alley cat with a cornered mouse when he wanted to be.

  “I know. I was hoping you might be able to help me come up with a strategy to manage them,” Brown said, a cunning glint in his eyes. “I’m thinking that if we can present this to them right, offer them the right incentives, then they might just agree to it anyway. Besides, Bowman’s own mother recently died from this damn virus, they know well enough to take it seriously.”

  “Sure,” I agreed because I couldn’t see any point in arguing. “I’ll have a think about the best way to handle them.”

  “Have you eaten yet? We could brainstorm over dinner?” he suggested.

  Oh fuck no. This is my goddamn time.

  “I need to shower first,” I said with a shrug. “How about tomorrow morning? I’ve got a free period-”

  “No need. I’ll head on down to the dining hall and wait for you.” He clapped me on the shoulder and my jaw clenched as I fought against the urge to let my feelings on that fan-fucking-tastic idea show.

  “Perfect,” I replied.

  Brown smiled and headed off towards the dining hall, leaving me to go on up to my apartment and enjoy my shower. It looked like that was the only part of the evening I’d be getting to myself now. Great. I’d just have to make the most of it. I’d wash my hair twice, scrub the shit out of my skin and probably jerk off for good measure.

  Dammit, my life sucks sometimes.

  I was wearing a black fitted dress with lace sleeves and my favourite necklace swung from my throat. My big sister had gifted it to me for my twelfth birthday. The silver pendant was circular and held an intricate Celtic knot inside it. She’d bought it on a field trip to Ireland and said it was a symbol of eternal love. Whether we were alone or apart, we would always be part of each other’s lives.

  My heart tugged as I missed her and decided to write her a letter. Mila was still in the shower so I moved to my nightstand, pulling open the drawer and taking out a pen and the premium parchment I used for this purpose only.

  I sat on my bed, resting my back against the wall and placing a textbook on my legs. I positioned the paper on top of it, poising the pen to write the words I needed to spill from my heart.

  Dear Jessica,

  So, I’m here at Everlake prep. Dad didn’t give in to my begging to stay with him, go figure, right?

  I guess I’m getting the ‘real life teenage experience’ at last. I got really close to avoiding it, dammit. But it’s not so bad. I’ve even made a friend or two already. You’d love my roommate. She’s a dancer like you. And it may even be possible that she has a filthier mouth than you too.

  You should see the guys here. There’s these three assholes who think they own the world. It would be funny if everyone in the school didn’t take it so seriously.

  I’m off to be ‘initiated’ into their little club tonight. I know, I know…I don’t jump through hoops for anyone. I can practically hear you rolling your eyes, Jess. But I’m here for good this time. A full year (thanks again Dad). So I’ve gotta make an effort, haven’t I? And apparently this is a right of passage or something. So don’t judge me too hard, okay? You know me. Whatever they get me to do, I’ll come out swinging.

  I miss you.

  Love Tatty x

  I folded the letter up and tucked it into my drawer just as Mila walked back into the room in a towel. It was almost seven already and from the looks of her, we were gonna be an hour late to the party.

  “Tatuuum…” She sang like she wanted something.

  “What’s up?” I swung my legs off the bed and she eyed my dress appreciatively.

  “Firstly, you look hellfire hot. And secondly…” She bit into her lower lip. “Would you hate me forever if I met you at the party? Danny’s coming over and I haven’t gotten laid in like forever.”

  I laughed, standing and pushing my feet into my black stilettos. “Fine, but you owe me one.” I smirked and she bounced up and down on her toes.

  “I owe you ten!” She ran forward, throwing her arms around me so her wet, shea and coconut scented hair slapped against my cheek. “Do you know how to get there? You just follow the path to the other side of the lake and keep walking until you see the sign for the Oak Common House. It’ll lead you to the water’s edge and then you can’t miss it, okay?”

  “Okay,” I agreed, stepping back. Her towel came loose and dropped straight to her feet. A laugh exploded from her lips and one tumbled from mine too.

  “Woops. Guess you’ve seen it all now, huh?” She snatched up the towel, but didn’t bother to wrap it back around herself as she headed to her chest of drawers and fished out some lacy red underwear.

  “Just don’t screw him on my bed,” I warned her.

  “Promise!” she cried. “I do not break girl code ever.”

  I laughed as I snagged my leather jacket from the back of the door, slipping it on before exiting the room. I made my way downstairs and out into the woods, eyeing a group of girls up ahead of me in cute outfits, all of their arms linked as they walked along the path. They must have been heading to the party so I just fell into step behind them, trying to ignore the thrashing of my heart at going it alone.

  This making an effort bullshit wouldn’t have been so bad if I hadn’t known I was going to be put through some test tonight. The Night Keepers didn’t seem like the type of boys who would teach me a secret handshake and be done with it. Whatever their initiation was, it wasn’t going to be pretty. But I was going to face it without blinking. Because that was the only way I was gonna get their attention off of me. I’d soon stop being the new girl. I just had to ride out the storm until that happened.

  Once tonight was done, I was gonna do as Mila said and stay off of their radar. Which was all well and good apart from the fact that I’d spent my shower thin
king about the way Blake’s hands had brushed over me in P.E., how Saint’s eyes had scored lines across my flesh like he’d rather be using his tongue, and how Kyan had surveyed me with an animal kind of hunger that had almost made me fear for my life. They were just…gah. Addictive was the only word for it. And I’d had the smallest of tastes. I had to be strong enough not to take a little more. And a little more after that…

  I could see why they were practically royalty around here. But with girls no doubt regularly dropping to their knees and opening their mouths for them, they didn’t need a girl like me. I was too much effort for rich boys who had everything. They were used to girls begging for it. Ones they could offer out breadcrumbs to as little or as often as they liked. And when they realised I was of a different variety, they’d race away faster than Road Runner in roller skates. The problem was, inside me was a reckless girl who was just as horny as all of those other girls, hornier probably. So I was gonna have to fight to keep her on a short leash.

  I rounded the lake, slowing my pace as the group of girls pulled ahead of me. The sky was a deep purple as the last of the light trickled from the world and the sound of roosting birds sang in the dusk. The air was cold enough to send a shiver through me, but it made me feel entirely awake too. This place was a dream world, its beauty almost haunting. The trees reached up far above me as the path curved into the woodland, following the line of the lakeshore. Every hundred meters or so was a lantern hanging from a tall wooden post. Moths and fireflies gathered around them, throwing themselves against their blinding heat.

  The path twisted off into the trees ahead of me so I lost sight of the girls, but it was pretty simple to find your way around this place when everything was centred around the lake. Through the trees, Tahoma Mountain was looming, its peak draped in the final glimmer of sunlight before the world tumbled into darkness.

  My heart skipped and bounced as I found myself alone in the forest. A prickle of energy ran along my limbs and made my breathing quicken. I liked the taste of danger in the air. The sense that a wolf could be watching from the trees. I’d always been drawn to the darkness. Even as a little girl, Dad said I’d never needed a night light or the door cracked open. The natural fear of it lived in me, but there was a thrill in it too that I craved.