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Alexander went to stand in front of Rylee. “Mrs. Lexington, while I have no doubt that you’re a handful, I wasn’t referring to anything that you may have going on with your husband.”
“Then what are you referring to?” Kincaid asked, her voice laced with a touch of boredom.
This time, Alexander stepped in front of Laney. “Though your obligation is to your sponsor, your signed commitment to The Order extends to all its members.” Laney started smoothing her hands down over her stomach, and I wondered if it was a nervous gesture. “I don’t have to tell you that sabotaging any initiating relationships is a grave mistake. However, sabotaging a Hera marriage is a mistake that you will not be able to come back from.”
“What does that mean?” Jennifer asked, and her question immediately got my back up. Why would she be asking that? If she had no plans on messing with Stone and Rylee, then why ask the question?
Alexander gave Laney a pointed look before addressing Jennifer. “The consequences for trying to ruin a Hera marriage is the same as if you betray The Order, violate the NDAs, or do not pay on your obligatory favor, Ms. Polk,” he answered.
“O…oh,” she stammered quietly.
Alexander stepped back, taking his place next to Jacob, Arlene, and Donovan. “If anyone in this room feels the need to interfere with Mr. and Mrs. Lexington’s marriage, you will be ruined in the worst way,” he announced. “Now, while everyone doesn’t have to be best friends, you will respect one another, and you will respect the rules of The Order. You will respect our traditions and honor the way we do things.” Alexander eyed the girls again. “Do I make myself clear, ladies?”
Alexis and Jennifer mumbled their yeses, but Kincaid just snorted while Laney nodded. Rylee was the only one who hadn’t answered, but it wasn’t like she needed to. Alexander knew something was going on, but not the details or else this would have gone much worse. However, doing his duty by The Order, he was making it clear that Stone’s marriage to Rylee mattered more than anything else.
“Know your place, ladies,” Alexander added before he jerked his head towards the front door, Arlene, Donovan, and Jacob all following behind him.
As soon as the door shut behind Jacob, you could feel the tension suffocating the entire place. Not wanting to deal with a bloodbath, I walked over to Stone. “C’mon, man,” I said. “Let’s go.”
Rylee walked up and wrapped her arms around Stone’s waist. “It’s late,” she muttered. “Let’s go home.”
“I don’t know about you guys, but fuck this place,” Kincaid said as she walked up to Saxton. “I’m ready to leave.”
None of us were going to talk about the meeting in front of August and Laney, so there was no point in sticking around. “We can talk about this more later,” I said as Fox made his way over, minus Alexis.
All in agreement, we began making our way back outside, leaving August and Laney inside. Even if Alexis and Jennifer didn’t know what was going on, it was clear that August and Laney were the enemy. Now, while I had no problem with Jennifer hanging out with Laney, I needed to know, so that I could avoid Jennifer more than I had already planned to.
Once we were seated in my car, Jennifer didn’t waste any time. “What was that all about? Did someone do something to Rylee and Stone?”
My eyes shot her way as I started the car. “Why did you ask about that?”
“What do you mean?”
“Why did you ask Alexander for details?” I clarified. “Do you plan on causing problems for Stone and Rylee?”
Her blue eyes widened. “N…no,” she stammered. “Of course, not.”
“Then why ask, Jennifer?” I pressed.
“I was just curious,” she answered. “I swear, Ross. I was just curious.”
I leveled her with a stare as headlights were bouncing all over the place, everyone taking their leave. “That’s all it better be, Jennifer,” I told her. “Don’t make me regret picking you as my supporter.”
She started shaking her head. “I swear, Ross. That’s all it was. I wouldn’t…I mean…the last thing I want to do is piss you off,” she replied. “And I sure as hell don’t want to piss Stone Lexington off.”
I wasn’t sure if I believed her, but I had nothing on her to call her a liar. Instead, I started the car and couldn’t wait to drop her off at home. I had nothing against Jennifer, but things were not working out as smoothly as I thought it was going to. Jennifer was supposed to have been drama-free.
I had enough issues in life.
My phone buzzing again was just another quick reminder.
Chapter 10
Sutton~
Iwas ready for this week to end, and the feeling only got worse when I finally made my way to the student parking area and saw Ross Carmichael leaning up against my light blue, very used, banged-up Ford Ecosport. Though the car had a lot of miles on it, I got it serviced regularly, so it was still reliable.
Delta’s advice bounced around in my head, and I wondered if hearing him out was the answer to finally getting my shit together. Sometimes I couldn’t wrap my mind around how two weeks could make such a difference. At other times, all I could remember was howrightRoss had felt wrapped around me.
