by Jaye Cox
“We all bonded with her, in a way,” I smile. I use humour in tense situations. It usually goes one of two ways; diffuses the situation or fucks things up further. I rarely care about the outcome.
“Kalen, don’t,” Dad snaps, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Are you all punishing me? That has to be it. I’m sorry, but me and your mother are over.”
“If you think Slate or I are going to play nice, you’re mistaken. That bitch got Mum reprimanded.”
“What is he talking about?” Sawyer stares at Onyx.
“Actually, your mother is the one who unfairly graded a student’s paper because of her hatred for me and Laura. Amelie was wronged and went to another teacher to re-grade her paper, which she was entitled to do. The new teacher re-graded the paper for her – fairly I might add – and as the two grades were so far apart, I had to send her paper to outside council.
As such, your mother was already on very thin ice as a teacher for mocking Amelie in front of an entire class, for showing favouritism towards you over her when it came to sanctions, and for threatening her to stay away from you all when Amelie simply went to her for advice. Now this...deliberately fiddling grades is not something I will tolerate in my academy.”
I want to laugh at that. Falsifying records to keep a student from graduating if Dad can’t afford to lose him is fine, but not fake grades? Or maybe he’s the only one allowed to be corrupt at Knox; he just hates that his ways are rubbing off on Mum.
“Shit! We fucked up” Slate says, running his hands through his hair.
“Mum lied to us,” Onyx adds, his face falling.
“Boys, I’m sure you all know The Order means a lot to me, to continue the legacy. I screwed up my generation. I was young and foolish. I fell in love with a girl who wasn’t part of the bloodlines laid out for us. I thought it could work. It didn’t. It couldn’t. I need you all to sit, so I can tell you about your parents.”
We all do as he asks, throwing confused glances at one another.
“So, I haven’t been honest with you about your parents. Kalen excluded, of course. We have very few pure bloodlines left. That all ended after my grandfather.
“Let’s go back to when I was in high school. It was my senior year and your grandfather, Kalen, was part of something. I wanted in. He said I was too young and should wait until I was out of school. In the end, my persistence won out.
“There was me and four other guys. Sawyer, your father, Slate and Onyx your father, a relative of Baxter’s, and another. It was like fate had us all together to be part of something big. The connections we could have had. All we needed to do was find girls within the bloodline. Or even if just one of us did. The idea was to create a child of double blood. Whoever did that would have a child to rule the empire our families had created.
“Sounds easy enough, until we all fell in love with the same girl within the bloodline, Debbie. Everything came crashing down. We all fell out. The Order of The Snaidhm was destroyed...until I found Amelie.”
“How is that possible?” Slate asks. “Her family is Australian.”
“Yes, that’s true, but the other guy was her father. He met Laura when he moved back home. They had a son. They were happy. Until Debbie went looking for him; the girl that tore us apart. Long story short, she got pregnant and died giving birth to a baby girl while she was still over there.” We all gasp at the revelation.
“Does Amelie know?” I ask.
“No.”
“How does Laura fit into all of this? Revenge?” Sawyer asks.
“I always had my suspicions about Amelie. I watched them growing up because I wanted to recruit her brother, you see. Yet as Amelie grew, she looked so much like Debbie, I thought I was going crazy.
In the end, I had an affair with Laura in an attempt to get the truth from her, but we ended up falling in love. We ended it once, for everyone’s sakes, but when she turned back up in my life years later, I fell for her again. One night she broke down and she told me about Amelie. She told me everything.”
“So, she abused Amelie and you knew, yet you brought her here anyway?” Slate snaps.
“I know how we can get her to join,” I add, cutting off their conversation.
“How?” my father asks.
I’m not sure how he managed to manipulate Amelie's father into letting her come here to a mother that hated her. He would have to have something major held against him. Maybe that’s the point. We joined, and he has stuff against all of us. Even Baxter, although he’s technically out now. That’s why he can’t leave. One way in and one way out. The way out is in a casket. We knew this when we joined. The connections and reach The Snaidhm has makes it worth it. Do we have to do some shitty things? Yes, but the connections to people around the world are beyond some people’s wildest dreams. We can be anyone, go anywhere. Untouchable.
“Laura...she hates her. You gave up your one true love once before. Are you willing to give up the new wifey for your cause?”
“You know I would give up anything, except you boys...or Amelie. Amelie is the key. The board has not been happy since your fathers and I screwed everything up. They are a stickler for their rules.”
“Then it looks like we need to patch things up with her; she just wants to be loved. Needs it in fact. She won’t just accept one of us.” I look at my brothers. They nod. We are all in this as much as our father. “We chose this life and now it’s time to bring her in.”
“Sawyer,” our father says. “You need to hand in your resignation.” He nods. “You can’t have a relationship with a student and work there. There are some things even I can’t cover up. Especially with Baxter knowing; he’s too much of a loose cannon. He can’t be trusted. You can work within The Order for now. I’m sure we can even find you a local teaching post within a couple of weeks.”
It sucks really, we’ve always known our job is to recruit. We need the best of the best within our ranks. Men and women who are ruthless. Some will go on to be politicians, doctors, world leaders. Others will be criminals, assassins and drug lords. People from all walks of life. People who owe you favours from university, that you can call on at any time, but when you owe someone and they call in theirs, you also have to be willing to do anything.
“So, we all agree that you will do everything in your power to get on Amelie's good side? And no one breathes a word about Laura to her. The timing has to be right. And when the time comes, that will be what makes her join us.”
We all agree. I don’t know how my brothers feel, but I love Amelie and will do whatever it takes to have her join us. Being a woman on the outside sucks. I have watched my mother suffer because of it. She has never said anything about knowing, but she’s a smart woman. It fills me with hope that Amelie and I could have a real relationship, one that lasts, once she knows about us. And just like our father, we all made a blood oath to put The Snaidhm first. I intend to do just that, but with Amelie by my side.
Knox Academy is the heart of the criminal and powerful divisions. We have an Elite Academy that will breed our future leaders.
Chapter Thirty-Four
I stand back and admire my handy work, even though it’s crazy-early o'clock and I should get some sleep. Baxter dropped me back at my room after dinner. I was expecting a more violent bang, but the boys did well at holding back. Though I suspect more is going on between them and Baxter. If I was hanging around, I would want to get to the bottom of it to find out what it is. What’s really with their injuries? And Kalen’s hair? I could weep for him...if I cared. Which I don’t, I firmly tell myself.
Baxter told me I could leave anytime I wanted. The plane is on standby. I was going to finish out the week, say goodbye to Elsie, but I can’t. Goodbyes were never my strong suit anyway.
With Baxter’s help having the files printed, I decided to hit them all where it hurts...by showing the entire school everybody's sins. The only thing each student has at Knox Academy, is their secrets. Especially the Knox boys. The headmaster’s
sons. His perfect prefects. Worse, because he chose three of them to adopt knowing that they’re fuckups. Why them? That’s probably what every desperate fuckup looking for love in this place asks themselves.
I was surprised Baxter left his file for me. Three times bigger than anyone else’s, it made for an interesting read. Whoever this Rebel guy is, he must have some serious love for him and his family. What happened to Rebel's sisters was sickening, and Baxter made sure to get vengeance.
I read the Knox brothers’ files and Elsie’s, flicked through a few more...but I decided against reading the rest of them. There’s not enough time. Doesn’t mean I can’t and won’t post them though. I burned Elsie’s and Baxter’s files after reading them. Baxter clearly didn’t give a fuck if I read his, and although I shouldn’t have read Elsie’s, I couldn’t resist. Besides, the clues were there, I just didn’t expect my perfect blond bestie with the face of an angel to be a serial arsonist, who killed someone. Suddenly a lot makes sense.
Everyone else is fair game in this place. I don’t belong here; my petty criminal record is nothing compared to even the tamest file I read today.
Page after page is plastered around the school, like a news bulletin. Welcome to Monday 20th November: the day I fucked your life up and spilled all your secrets. The day I finally get to go home.
There are so many pages that it is impossible for anyone to clean this mess up before the students arrive. I don’t even know how Baxter managed to make so many copies. But I’ve learned it’s best not to even ask with him. He was also nice enough to include some less than appropriate images of the guys with me. Gee, thanks. Under normal circumstances I would have lost it, but they really pack a punch. Besides, I’m not coming back, so who cares if the whole school thinks I’m a slut on a scorned woman rampage?
I’m sure the students here really won’t care, but they will, and that is all that matters. They all want to hide from their pasts. Everything that happened to them as kids. I want to feel bad, but they didn’t think twice when they let out that video of me during my darkest times. And I was raised to believe an eye for an eye. No one makes a fool out of me and gets away with it.
And the kicker is, Baxter also included a slide show that’s due to hit everyone’s tablets when the first bell rings.
I add the final touches to Sawyer’s office, in bold red paint: An eye for an eye.
I text Baxter and make sure the plane is on standby. I plan to watch as all this unfolds and then be on my merry way. No regrets.
He texts back that he will be waiting for me by the steps at 8:46am.
I head back to my room to write a letter to Elsie. She’s been a good friend. Regret pangs at my heart, but I shut it out. I have friends back home: my brother and Smalls. I can do this.
***
I didn’t sleep a wink last night. I’m up and dressed well before I need to leave. I pack a small bag. All it contains are a few basic items I plan to take with me. I grab my passport from its hiding place under the corner of my carpet. I have to pull the bed out to get to it, but it doesn’t matter.
I wear my uniform so I blend in with everyone else, though I do grab my favourite black hoodie to take on the plane with me. I walk through the doors, and the whispers have already started. I smile, keep my head down, and take my place. A nice tight corner to hide in.
Kalen strides through first, oblivious to what has happened. People whisper as he walks by. Slate and Onyx come running towards him.
“She really fucked with us!” Slate yells, though Kalen still looks confused. “We need to find Sawyer.”
Oops, no need, here he comes now. Also seemingly unaware.
The first bell sounds, and beeping fills the hallway. I watch as the brothers – and the rest of the school – pull out their tablets. My face will be the first thing they see. Fury lines their faces as the slideshow begins to play automatically. They wanted to play with fire? Well, I learned early in life that any form of fire, burns. I have the scars to prove it.
“We need to find Dad. Now.” Sawyer demands and they storm off towards Monty's office.
That’s my cue to leave. I pull myself from my hiding spot. Their being predictable worked in my favour. Walking from the building, huge relief washes over me.
Payback feels good. Anyone who ever made out like it didn’t, wasn’t doing it right.
I didn’t forget about Laura though. I left her some very nice images to wake up to. Turns out, Monty isn’t any better than his sons when it comes to a woman’s heart.
“Ready to leave?” Baxter asks. I nod. I take the helmet he holds out for me, turning back one last time to look at the place where I almost thought I might belong.
Four angry faces greet me.
“We need to leave now,” I yell, and Baxter takes off.
Breaking the number one rule of Knox Academy surely wouldn’t have them coming to drag me back here. I’m not a big criminal.
We don’t ride for too long but we also don’t go to the main airport. Baxter pulls up at a small private airstrip. The plane isn’t big enough to get me to Australia and when I tap Baxter on the shoulder to question it, he quickly explains that he’s got me a private flight to a bigger airport across the country, which will fly me home on a chartered flight. Okay, that doesn’t sound so bad.
He gets off the bike and goes to talk to someone. Less than five minutes later he returns, looking pissed.
He tells me that we have two hours to kill until my flight leaves. There were some issues with the damn plane that they’re trying to figure out, so Baxter takes me to a small cafe just off the highway.
Baxter lets me call Smalls. He has agreed to pick me up when I land in Australia. I made him promise not to tell Aadi or Dad. Told him it was an early Christmas surprise. He was excited to hear from me; I’ve been ignoring him. Even though it’s stupid. He has a right to move on; after all, at the time I was also moving on. Except, all I managed to do was end up hating myself more than I did when I arrived.
“Are you sure you want to leave? It’s kind of nice having a sidekick.”
“All I’ve wanted since I came here was to go home. But being your sidekick was fun while it lasted.”
“It’s hard work being an evil genius all alone.” He laughs at himself. I haven’t seen Baxter this carefree in a while.
“I bet. Are you going to tell me why you wanted everyone’s files?”
He shrugs. “Just good to know what your enemies are capable of. Besides, they’re the kind of people I might one day need to call upon. It’s good to know their skill set.”
“Can you do me one last favour?”
“You know favours aren’t free around here. Maybe you’ll fuck me after all?” he asks hopefully.
“Nice try. Maybe I can owe you one?”
“Okay, but know that one day I will collect.”
I slide an envelope across the table. “I need this to get to Elsie. Tell her I’m sorry.” He takes the envelope and folds it, sliding it into his pocket.
“You want a drink while we wait? I’ll grab us some breakfast.”
“Please,” I call after him. He places our order, pays and comes back.
“They’ll bring it over when it’s ready.”
“Thanks.”
“So, that kiss…” he begins with a teasing smile.
“Nope,” I cut him off, popping the p.
“Is it a blood thing? Because I’m not one of them?” I pull a face. “Hate to break it to you, but Kalen aside, none of them are actually related.”
“Shut up,” I groan. The waitress approaches with our drinks and food on a tray. I tuck straight in.
“Because if it’s a family thing, I’m older than you, I could let you call me Daddy, for a price.” He shoots me a wicked grin and I elbow him, while smiling sweetly.
“Fuck off, Branson.”
“Ooooh surnaming me, tough girl.” He laughs when I flip him off. I like this side of him, the banter is easy and relaxed. We could hav
e been good friends. My brother and Smalls would definitely approve of my being friends with Baxter.
We sit and chat and pass the time, not talking about anything of consequence. Eventually though, Baxter checks his watch and tells me it’s time to go. I don’t hesitate. We pay and head out to the bike, taking the short trip back to the airstrip. When we pull up my blood freezes. There’s a car there waiting. A black limo. Laura is my first thought. Only she would willingly use that car. I climb off the back of Baxter’s bike and hand him my helmet.
“Thanks.” I don’t know what else to say.
“Listen to me, Amelie,” he says with some urgency. “In a minute whoever is in that car is going to get out. I don’t know what they’re going to do or say, but it will be to get you to stay. Just keep walking and get on that plane. No matter what.” I nod once and then surprise myself by flinging my arms around him for a hug.
“Alright, alright,” he says, pushing me off a moment later. His cheeks are a little pink. “Get going, kid. And don’t forget you owe me.”
“You’ve got my number,” I tell him, and I mean it. I do owe him, and I will settle my debts. Whatever he needs, whenever he needs it. I don’t look back, but I give him a wave over my shoulder, backpack in hand.
It’s not until my foot hits the first rung of the steps up to the door of the plane that I hear the car door opening. I’m desperate to turn around and see who it is, but I keep my promise to Baxter and begin the steady climb.
“Amelie, wait!” I’d know Kalen’s voice anywhere. I falter on the step. Be strong, Amelie, don’t turn back.
“Amelie, please,” Slate’s voice joins Kalen’s. I take another step. Then another.
“Amelie!” I hear the panic in Onyx’s voice.
“Stop!” It’s Sawyer’s command that has me stumbling. I’m so close to the top, a couple more steps and I can disappear onto the plane and be gone. Just like I wanted. Do it, take the step, I tell myself, but my feet don’t listen.
