Chapter 52 CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO
Blue’s POV
I was pulled out of sleep by the sound of muffled voices and heavy thumping outside the door. Who the fuck were the idiots who couldn’t keep their voices down this early?
I felt a shape shift beside me and realized I was still on the sofa. I hadn't planned on sleeping out here. I’d told myself I’d just stay for a few minutes to make sure she was settled, but Scarlett was so soft and warm. She fit against me perfectly, like she was designed to be there, and before I knew it, the exhaustion of the day had dragged me under.
I sat up, being incredibly careful not to wake her. I didn't even breathe as I disentangled myself from the blanket. Thankfully, she remained asleep, her chest rising and falling at a slow, rhythmic pace. I stood up and stomped to the door, yanking it open to glare at whoever was ruining the silence. A group of guys straggling in the hallway immediately scattered like roaches catching the light.
I stepped out into the corridor, looking toward the source of the noise. A short distance away, adjacent to my room, I saw a pile of expensive leather suitcases stacked against the wall. The door to the room beside them was wide open, and the bulk of the shouting and scraping was coming from inside.
I knew instinctively it was Derek. Nobody else in this hellhole had the balls to pull a stunt like this—bringing half a wardrobe into a reform school and making enough noise to wake the dead. I eyed the suitcases again. Did he think he was here for a vacation?
Now that the stragglers had cleared out, I re-entered my room and closed the door softly. The clock on the wall said 7:40 AM. Jax would be here any minute; he was always punctual, even when he was pissed off. I hoped Stan would show up here too. I wanted to have a word with him before the general gang meeting.
I went into the bathroom to splash some cold water on my face. When I came back into the living space, I saw Scarlett rousing. Her hair was a mess of red curls against the cushion. I wanted to be annoyed that she was awake, but I reasoned it was time for her to get up anyway if she was going to join me.
A knock sounded at the door. Scarlett sat up, rubbing her eyes and looking a bit dazed. I opened the door to find Jax and Stan standing there. I left the door open and walked back to my chair, signaling for them to enter.
"Go use the bathroom and freshen up," I told Scarlett. She looked at the two men, then at me, and nodded without a word, slipping into the bathroom.
I turned my attention to Stan. "There’s a meeting this morning at nine. Don't be late."
Stan nodded, his face expressionless, but I caught a flicker of something like satisfaction in his eyes. Jax, on the other hand, looked like he was simmering with a dozen different grievances. He opened his mouth to speak, and I immediately held out my hand. I wasn't in the mood to hear his laundry list of complaints about how I was running things.
"Jax, go and oversee the preparations as usual," I said. "Get the guys ready. I’ll be there soon."
Jax scowled, his jaw tightening so hard I thought a tooth might crack. "Yes, boss," he muttered, turning on his heel and leaving.
As soon as the door clicked shut, Stan shifted his weight. "Is that safe? Jax might feel mistreated. You look to be pushing him aside."
"He’s not a child, though he acts like one," I replied, leaning back. "He’ll come to understand my decision, like he always does."
Stan didn't look convinced, but he nodded. I picked up a pencil from the table and started twirling it between my fingers. "I also wanted to ask why you did what you did yesterday. Putting yourself on the line for her... there are other ways to join my crew, Stan."
"This was the surest one I could think of," Stan said. He paused, then added, "And I care about Scarlett. I wanted to keep her safe."
I felt a surge of irritation and suppressed the urge to hiss at him. I didn't want any other guy "caring" about Scarlett. She was mine to care for. She was my responsibility, my girl, my... whatever she was.
"Are you in a relationship, Stan?" I asked, trying to sound casual.
Stan looked confused by the sudden change in topic. "No. Why?"
"Just curious."
"Well, no," Stan continued. "Although... there is someone I’m interested in."
The pencil in my hand snapped with a loud crack. What gave Stan the right to be interested in her? I knew I couldn't control people's feelings, and I couldn't exactly beat Stan into a pulp just because he had a crush. Scarlett would hate that. She’d think I was a tyrant. I forced my face to stay passive, telling myself that as long as nothing happened, feelings would eventually fizzle out.
"Alright then," I said, tossing the broken pencil pieces onto the table. "You can go."
Stan left, and a moment later, Scarlett emerged from the bathroom. Her face was washed, and her hair was damp at the edges from where she’d splashed it. She looked like she’d been lurking by the door, waiting for them to leave.
"How is Stan doing?" she asked immediately. "Is he alright? He looked a bit banged up last time I saw him."
I stared at her, absolutely hating the question. "Why do you want to know?"
"Because I’m concerned?" she said, looking at me like the answer was the most obvious thing in the world. "He helped me, Blue."
I told myself to stay calm. She was just being grateful. It didn't mean anything. "He’s fine," I said curtly. "He’s joining the gang officially. He’ll be at the meeting."
Scarlett hummed and moved around the room, picking up her sweater. "I have to go back to my room. I don't have a change of clothes here, and I look like a mess."
"Fine. I’ll come get you at nine."
"Isn't that when the meeting starts?" she asked, pausing at the door.
"I’m the boss," I said haughtily. "The meeting starts whenever I arrive."
Scarlett curled her lips, a small, knowing smile playing on her face. "I see," she said. She looked like she found my words ridiculously amusing, and I wasn't entirely sure how to interpret that.
Another knock came. From the quick rhythm, I knew exactly who it was. "Come in."
Tanner’s head poked into the room. "Boss?"
"What is it, Tanner?"
"I found out something," Tanner said, stepping inside. He was a sucker for information, and while he was a gossip, he was usually right. "Derek moved into the room a few doors down. He’s already telling people he’s hosting a party this evening."