Page 95 of Knox Academy Omnibus
“Why him?” He actually looks wounded. Like a kicked puppy.
“What happened to your hair?” I counter. I hate it. He looks away and won’t meet my gaze. “Tit for tat, Kalen. You want answers? So do I!”
I’m vaguely aware of Monty’s eyes on us and I drop my voice to the lowest whisper I can manage.
“Were you really just going to sit there and let your brothers hurt me? You know what they had planned for me. What I don’t understand is why? Haven’t I been through enough? What on earth did I do to deserve that?”
Kalen swallows and looks away again, full of guilt. Good. He should feel guilty. I want him to choke on it, to drown in it.
“What’s your major?” I hear Laura ask Baxter whilst the twins bicker in a low, heated tone.
“Business.”
“What do you plan to do with that? You’re in the twins’ year, right? You have another year left?”
“Yes, Ma’am, I will be taking over my grandfather's company when I get my degree.”
I tune out and try to eavesdrop on the twins but Monty interrupts their fight.
“Why are you boys being so hostile to Amelie? She’s your sister now. You need to look out for her.”
Ugh, kill me now. Why is he pushing this issue after our conversation?
“Drop it, dad.”
“I will not.Familyis everything,” he says in a weird, pointed tone. At that point, Baxter joins in.
“You’re so right. Familyiseverything...until it’s not.” He scowls. “Amelie, would you believe I used to have four ‘brothers’, but when I really needed them, they ditched me?”
“Enough. Everyone! We are going to enjoy this lovely meal that Laura has prepared for us, without any bickering or fighting. If you can’t manage that, I suggest you stay silent."
Everyone falls into a miserable, angry, awkward silence, with Baxter feeding me bits from his plate; a picture of true love. Snort. Occasionally he ‘accidentally’ drops pieces down my dress and uses his napkin to ‘clean’ me up whilst copping a feel right in front of everyone. Laura doesn’t have enough backbone to say anything and Monty is refusing to make eye contact. I can hear the twin’s gnashing their teeth together from down the table.
Everything Baxter does sets them on edge. They loathe him. Even Monty, though he tries to hide it. And yet Laura is oblivious somehow. Maybe all the pills and booze addled what little brains she had in the first place. We continue to eat in silence.
When the mains are over, all four sons race to their feet to clear the table. Raised voices can be heard from the kitchen shortly after.
“Laura, you’ve made such an amazing meal for us all. Why don’t you let us serve pudding? I made some brownies earlier on.”
“Thank you, Amelie, that would be lovely.”
“Darling, I’m not so sure that’s a good idea…” Monty begins, clearly remembering the reason why I was brought here in the first place.
“Relax, Monty,” I tell him. “Laura and I baked them together, didn’t we? A little mother daughter baking bonding time is good for the soul.”
He doesn’t look happy, but he let’s it go.
“Baxter, will you help me scoop the ice cream please?”
“Absolutely, babe, you know I love your cream. Ice cream.”
We stumble into the kitchen like stereotypical teenagers that can’t keep their hands off one another. As soon as I’m through the door, Baxter removes his hands from my ass and slams me up against the kitchen wall. He kisses me, knowing full well that the brothers are all watching, and when I sneak a peek atSawyer, I grasp Baxter’s hand and bring it up to my throat. He gets the message and squeezes, and I moan.
“Get off her!” Kalen roars.
Baxter is wrenched away from me by the twins who hold him whilst Kalen throws a fairly decent punch to his jawline. Baxter just laughs, a maniacal sound that thrills and terrorises me.
“Enough,” Sawyer snaps, sounding just like Monty. All three brothers immediately obey. Without a word they leave the kitchen and head back into the dining room. Baxter grins at me. I grab my special brownies whilst he picks up the ice cream.
