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“Give her the night.”Carmine walks out of the room, appearing less stressed than when I entered.
“I’m not opposed to babies,” my father chuckles as he leaves as well.
Babies?
Fuck.The thought hadn’t even occurred to me, not really, even though I’d teased her about it earlier tonight.I’m not opposed to Odette carrying my children, but I think I want a couple of years with just us first.I need that.I’ve spent so much time ignoring her existence that I need as much time as possible with only the two of us.
We must have a conversation about her taking birth control, and soon, because there’s no way in hell I’m wearing a condom inside her.I need to be bare, to feel everything there is to Odette.I need to know the way she ripples, feel the pulse of her orgasms.I crave her like an addiction, and having something between us just might kill me.
CHAPTER7
Odette
Everything is strange at school.Teachers watch me like a hawk; students give me a wide berth.Even Steve and David, when just two days ago they would have done anything to touch and torment me, have left me alone.Malice isn’t here, so I don’t know if it’s threats from yesterday that have them all backing off or because they finally realized I’m the daughter of one of the most ruthless men in the city.
I have no illusions about who my father is.He is one of the largest and meanest loan sharks in the state.You don’t borrow money from him without it costing your soul.They all think I don’t know; they believe I’m completely innocent.But the truth is, I admire their power.I want it for myself, though I’m not sure I want it in the same way as they demand it.The Kings of New York is what the whispers call them.My father, Uncle Jermaine, Holy, and Malice.They rule this city, this state, in a way no one has before them.
It’s the reason for my cushy life.The reason for so much heartache, too.Until recently, nobody knew about the things I’d dealt with.I’d rather that have stayed secret, but now it gives me an edge.
Walking down the halls, my uniform still crisp and pressed from the package after I had to pull it out of the closet since Malice ripped the other one to shreds, I debate how to proceed with this newfound influence I have.
On one hand, I could use it to my advantage.On the other, I could let it go.Carry on as I always do.
I realize I’m easy prey for the vicious students here.I’ve watched them for years, attacking anyone they feel is weaker than them.In truth, I sometimes feel like I owe it to my family’s victims to be weak, to accept the suffering as payment for what I know Malice and Holy have done to men who don’t pay my father back.It’s foolish, I recognize, but it’s how I feel.
“Looks like someone has got everyone’s attention now.”Margo and Hayley sidle up on either side of me.Of course, they get in my face.
“Back off, Margo,” I hiss through my teeth.It’s in this moment I realize I am just weak.I don’t know why.CJ and Aura never would have put up with this kind of irritation.Aura would have broken their noses by now, and CJ would have simply ruined them academically.
“Or what?You’ll get your little puppy to push us away again?”They both laugh like they’re some kind of comedians.
Puppy?Malice?I don’t think so—more like a wolf.But they don’t need to know that.Stopping in front of AP Biology, I run my tongue along my teeth, debating what to do.I can enter the classroom and ignore them both, or I can stand up for myself.
I’ve never done that before, and oh, how I want to.
Deciding to ignore them for now, I need a plan of attack before I…attack.“Go suck a dick, Margo,” I mutter, about to walk into the class with other students.
“Malice’s?Yeah, I think I will.”I freeze.
Pivoting, I don’t understand what comes over me, but before I know it, my fist closes and swings towards her face.I’m in instantaneous pain, and my knuckles swell.And Margo?Her face is bloody, her lip split, nose crooked, eyes swollen, and she’s cradling her face.
“What the fuck,Oddette!”Hayley screams at me.
“Better run along, Hayley, before she does the same to you,” another student sniggers in her ear.Shaking out my hand, I spin and enter the class.I’ve never hit anyone before.I definitely liked putting her in her place, but now my hand hurts like hell.
Taking my seat, I feel other students staring at me as the teacher enters the classroom, calling attention towards him.I don’t know where Malice is this morning since he was supposed to be my shadow for the immediate future, but I suddenly miss him.
He was annoying yesterday, save for how safe he made me feel.I wish he were here now as I cradle my quickly bruising hand in my lap.The class goes by fast, and I take notes with my opposite hand, which is more complicated than it looks.
Once class is over, the principal is waiting outside the room for me.A raised brow and flat-lined lips are all I need to know he’s not pleased.“Miss Cavanaugh, with me, please.”
Grinding my teeth, I hook my bag higher on my shoulder and follow the man to the office.Entering the communal area, I see Hayley and Margo in the nurse’s office, gesticulating about what happened until they see me.There’s a hint of fear in both their eyes, even as they glare.
“Get Mr.Cavanaugh on the phone, please,” he asks the receptionist—I think her name is Tammy—and she gives me a sympathetic look, knowing how those girls treat us.
“He’s ready for you,” she responds as we enter his office, and he closes the door behind me.
“Have a seat.”I do what I’m told as he sits behind his desk and puts the phone on speaker.“Mr.Cavanaugh?”
