Page 320 of Knox Academy Omnibus
“Let’s just drop it. I’ll find a way to get it done that doesn’t break any of your precious rules.”
Our conversation is interrupted by Monty walking back outside without Laura.
“Laura has decided to skip tonight’s dinner, but we have a few things we need to discuss without her anyway.”
“We do,” I agree. “You need to rein her in.”
Monty takes a seat and asks Frost, who has been standing to the side, to get the meat from the kitchen and to start cooking. Frost is privy to information being within The Order. He has more than proved his loyalty to us.
“I’ve spoken to Laura, and I would like to say that it won’t be an issue, but I won’t lie to you. She’s unpredictable at best. So let’s move on and start with your tattoo.” I look over at Sawyer.Of course he told his father. We’re going to have to talk about this. As his girlfriend, his loyalty should be to me. As his… Boss? Leader? – whatever I am – disloyalty to me could cost him his life.
No, I wouldn’t abuse my power like that over something so petty, but Sawyer seems to be failing to grasp the idea that I now outrank his father, so he shouldn’t be running to Daddy telling tales or being a spy. I won’t have it in my Order, and I certainly won’t stand for it in my relationships. So, yeah, we’ll be having words. I shoot him a look that tells him exactly that too.
Onyx, Slate and Kalen all snap their heads to me. I haven’t told them about the tattoo yet because I was waiting for it to heal. I turn my back to them all and lift my now wet hair and throw it over my shoulder and wait for their reaction.
“What the fuck is that?” Monty snaps, and it catches me off guard. He doesn’t swear very often, or at least not in front of me. He is always so put together. I turn back to face him.
“It’s my tattoo.”
“I can see that, but we have a left rule and you changed the design. You can’t do that.”
“Well, technically I can. Kalen has his on the wrong side and that has never been a huge issue for you. I decided that women have been told for way too long what we can and can’t do by men. I’ve decided we should have the right to pick a more feminine option if that’s what we want. So both designs are now available to new recruits, and from all the damn research that I’ve spent weeks doing, there is no official rule on where the tattoo needs to be situated on the body so long as it is there.”
Everyone just stares at me.
“Well, Amelie, I believe you are ready to take over your role. I am organising your graduation early, along with everyone else, but there are hoops I need to jump through to make that happen. However, it won’t be too far away. Onyx, Slate and Baxter will beeasier to organise, and I have started with them. You will all take over official roles once it’s been done. So, boys, you need to start deciding what divisions you want to be in, or if you plan to take a side role and get yourselves a real job. Either option is fine. Both come with advantages and disadvantages. But I will support you whatever choice you make.”
I did read in one of those ancient books that people from the founding families get first choice for positions within The Order as long as they’re qualified or can be trained for the position. Others tend to go into fields that benefit The Order. It can be as simple as a family connection or a skill set or expertise in a certain field, but basically, the more you have to offer, the better chances you have within The Order.
“We’ll talk about it and let you know,” Sawyer answers.
“Your job at the school is yours if you want it,” Monty responds, and Sawyer seems undecided. Weird. I thought he would for sure want to teach again.
“I’ll think about it,” he begrudgingly agrees and Monty nods. I guess we have a lot to think about.
“We also need to talk about what is happening with Harold. Is anyone even looking for him?” I ask.
“We have our best on it, but he knows the workings of The Order and how we operate. Which is why he won’t be easy to find if he has gone underground. We’ve captured Sebastian and will have an official board meeting to decide his fate.”
“I want Baxter on it.”
“On what?”
“All of it,” I reply and Monty sighs.
“You can’t just insist on putting him on everything because you’re friends with him. Lord only knows why anyway. But?—”
“With all due respect, I have my reasons. You say Harold knows how The Order operates, so he’ll know exactly who you’ve sent looking for him and how they work. We all know Baxter is alaw unto himself, which is why Harold wouldn’t see him coming. Secondly, the board has not been finalised. If Sebastian’s ruling can wait until it is, fine. But if not, I want Baxter there whatever the outcome. If Sebastian dies, it’s at the hands of my most loyal and fiercest protector.” I say that last bit as a dig at the Knox brothers. Yes I love them, but they can be real assholes at times, and throwing Baxter in their faces like that sends a clear message about just how badly they’ve hurt me.
“She has a point. About the board, and Harold,” Kalen points out. I knew he’d be the first to jump to my defence. Like a puppy, he can’t stand the idea of anyone being mad at him for long.
“Fine. I do understand your logic, and it can’t hurt to try and have Baxter hunting Harold. But he’s not all powerful or invincible. I honestly don’t know why you’ve placed him on such a high pedestal.” Monty shakes his head at me, and although I have an urge to jump to my friend’s defence, I simply raise a brow at Monty and refuse to comment.
It riles him. He knows Baxter is one of the best assets within The Order because he has a ruthlessness that the others don’t. Monty saw that for himself when Baxter was younger, and Monty went out of his way to bring him to Knox Academy and to start grooming him for The Order. I bet he would have loved to adopt Baxter, I just can’t figure out why he never did, or what truly went wrong between them all.
“Okay.” I take a deep breath before continuing. “Tell me what you know about Debbie.”
Monty sighs again. “I don’t know a great deal, you would need to talk to your father. We were all close friends. We all suspected that they had feelings for each other, and one day your father left. Without permission I might add.”
