Chapter 53 CHAPTER FIFTY-THREE
Blue's POV
"A party? That’s stupid. Tomorrow is Monday," I said.
Tanner shrugged. "People don't care. They’re going for the free alcohol."
I bristled. "There’s going to be alcohol?"
"Of course. He must have smuggled it in with those suitcases. It’s definitely his strategy to get people on his side."
I knew he was right. A good number of the students here would sell their souls for a bottle of something strong. "Do you know where he's holding it?"
"The location will be disclosed at some later time," Tanner said.
"Alright. Please bring something light for Scarlett to eat," I said.
Tanner looked at her, his eyes widening as if he were just noticing she was in the room. He turned to leave but stopped abruptly at the door, turning back with a look of utter shock.
"Did you... did you just say please?" he asked in awe.
I kept my face blank and shot him a cold, deathly glare. Tanner’s eyes went wide, and he nodded shakily. "I must have misheard. My mistake, boss. Definitely misheard." He opened the door, muttering to himself as he hurried away.
When the door closed, Scarlett moved toward me. She didn't look impressed. "You just had to do that, right? Scaring him for no reason?"
"I can't have people thinking I’m going soft, Scarlett."
"What's so wrong with being a little soft?"
"Pain," I said, my voice hardening. "Pain is what’s wrong with it. Here at Bellamy, soft people are taken for granted. They suffer. I don't intend to be one of them."
Scarlett just shook her head. "Ask Tanner to bring the food to my room instead. And please, refrain from telling him to bring me food next time. It makes me uncomfortable having him run errands for me like I'm some princess."
I wanted to argue because I enjoyed the idea of people knowing she was under my care, but I saw the determination in her eyes and decided to let it go. "Okay. Have it your way."
She left, and now I'm all alone. I sat down at the table and pulled over a notepad, starting to list all the points I needed to address at the meeting. I couldn't afford to leave anything out.
When 8:55 AM rolled around, I grabbed my notes together and folded them into my pocket. Then I went to check my reflection, hating that I even cared, and headed toward the female dorms.
Fortunately, I didn't have to wait. Scarlett was already standing outside her door, leaning against the wall with her hands tucked into the pockets of her jeans. She had changed into a colorful top that seemed to glow against the drab gray of the hallway.
It was perfect for a September morning, the vibrant shades complementing the deep red of her hair so well it actually made my throat tight. I wanted to tell her she looked good—better than good—but the words felt weird and clumsy in my mouth. I didn't know how to say it without sounding like an idiot, so I just nodded curtly and gestured for her to follow.
We walked in silence toward the old dining hall. It had been cleared out weeks ago for renovations, which really just meant it was the only place big enough for us to meet without the guards breathing down our necks.
As we approached, I saw Leo standing by the double doors. He was a slender guy, quiet but formidable, and he’d proven his worth during a shakedown back in July. He was on lookout duty today to ensure no eavesdroppers or wandering teachers got too close. He gave me a sharp nod, his eyes lingering on Scarlett for a fraction of a second before he pulled the door open for us.
Inside, the layout was simple. A corner of the hall had been rearranged with three rows of wooden benches facing a single chair set against the far wall. About fifteen guys were already there, their low murmurs dying out the moment I stepped into the room.
I took a breath, letting my shoulders broaden and my expression go cold. I needed to regain that air of absolute authority. In this room, I wasn't the guy who was enraptured with a tiny girl. Here, I was the boss.
As I walked toward the front, every single one of them stood up.
"Boss," they said in a rough, practiced chorus.
Jax was already standing by my seat, playing his role as second-in-command. His face was a mask of neutrality, though I could still see the lingering tension in the set of his jaw. I sat down and gave a short wave of my hand. "Have your seats."
They sat. Scarlett had followed me in, but she was hanging back near the edge of the benches, looking awkward and out of place. I ignored the flutter of protectiveness in my gut and stayed focused on the room.
"We have new members today," I began, my voice carrying easily in the quiet hall. I looked at Stan, who was sitting near the back. "Stan, stand up."
Stan stood. He held his head high, meeting the curious and occasionally hostile stares of the other guys without flinching. I respected that. He wasn't going to let himself be intimidated by the reputation of the guys in this room.
"This is Stan," I announced. "He’s earned his spot here. He is to be treated as a proper member of this group. No hazing, no exceptions. Is that clear?"
A murmur of agreement went through the rows. Stan sat back down.
Then came the part I’d been debating all morning. How to introduce her? I could call her a number of things but in a place like Bellamy, labels were freaking important. If I left her title vague, she was fair game for anyone looking to test me. I decided to lean into the truth.
I held my hand out to her.
Scarlett’s face went a bright, deep red that matched her hair, but she didn't hesitate. She walked over to me, her shoes clicking on the hard floor. I didn't look at her though, I kept my eyes on the men in front of me.
"This is Scarlett," I said, my voice dropping into a warning growl. "My girl. You will accord her a reasonable amount of respect because I will not tolerate any misconduct or disrespect toward her."
I felt her hand tremble slightly near mine, but I kept going. "She is here to contribute to this group. You will assist her in any way she requires. Understood?"
"Yes, boss," the chorus rose again, louder this time.
I caught Tanner out of the corner of my eye. He was biting his lip, trying desperately not to smile like he’d just won a bet. I felt a sudden urge to knock some sense into him, but I moved on. I gestured for Scarlett to sit, and the guys on the front bench practically scrambled to make enough space for her.
I pulled the crumpled paper from my pocket and smoothed it out.
"First item," I said. "Derek."