Chapter 13
Bri
When we reached the parking lot of the small school, Bas threw his graduation cape over his shoulders and began fumbling with his tie. I took it from him and walked him through the steps as I tied it for him, just as my father had taught me. Why he taught me such a thing, I didn’t know, but right now I was glad for it. He leaned down and kissed my cheek. “Thanks, Mama,” he whispered before he took off to take his place. I stood stunned at the sentiment he offered me of all people. Even Wyatt and Beau paused with me before they guided me into a random spot on the bleachers. We didn’t comment on what Bas said, but my chest radiated warmth and longing. I saw Zoey and Trent eyeing the proceeds from down below and Boo sat dutifully at my feet.
We sat through the ceremony in alphabetic order. With each name called the faster my foot tapped in anticipation and the closer Beau and Wyatt seemed to curl closer into me as we awaited Bastian’s name. When they called his name we all stood, yelled, and clapped. Lou and Claude whooped and cheered their cousin on. He crossed the stage and I watched him but his eyes were not on us. They were trained on a blond girl in the stands opposite us. She stood and clapped but the man beside her pushed her down and I wanted to snarl at him for his oppression.
When Bas shook his teacher’s hands and grasped his diploma finally he gave a loud cheer which we echoed and I watched the man shove the girl down again as she tried to stand. Somehow I could see the desolate expression in her blue eyes. They reminded me of my own once upon a time. I was stuck in that moment before Beau turned my jaw to him. Boo whined.
“Sug, you ok?” Beau asked. Wyatt had crouched in front of me blocking my view. I just nodded. How did I explain how I had zeroed in on one girl in the crowd when we’d have so much more to discuss later? Wyatt tucked a loose hair behind my ear still looking at me, he didn’t buy it but nodded.
“I don’t know what it is, we can talk about it later,” I suggested. We were around too many people. He conceded. I supposed for the same reason.
When all the diplomas were handed out, we descended the steps of the bleachers. I found my eyes scanning for the girl as we made our way to the field where Bas was. I felt the disconnect from my men as they searched for Bas and I found I had wandered off. That’s when I found her blue eyes as Bas came into my vision. Three men stepped in front of her as Bas swore.
“Sadie!” he called
“Bas!” She reciprocated. I stepped beside Bas as the men pushed her behind them and I felt something feral rise in the young man beside me. Boo growled at my side. I put myself in front of Bas the dark Queen rising when Wyatt and Beau suddenly became a wall of muscle in front of me.
“Keep your bitch on a leash, Fontenot,” one growled.
“The only bitch here is you,” Beau snarled. Bas grabbed my arm drawing me back. Boo staying at my side.
“This isn’t the place for this,” Bas murmured as both lines backed up creating a void between them. The girl peered between their shoulders and I caught her pleading eyes. Save me.