It doesn’t take long for news of the morning’s activities to reach the headmaster. I barely get my ass in my chair for my first class before the teacher informs me I’m wanted in Beringer’s office. When I get there, I discover that Ella and Jordan were pulled out of class too, and all the parents were called. Fuck. This isn’t going to be good.
The office is crowded. Ella and I sit on one side with my father behind us. A stone-faced Jordan is next to me, and I can feel her vibrating between fear and rage.
Jordan’s victim, a freshman named Rose Allyn, sits on the far side of the room. Her mom has been complaining non-stop about how she’s missing an important meeting for this.
Finally, Beringer sweeps in and closes the door with a bang. When Ella jumps at the noise, both Dad and I put a hand out to steady her—his on her shoulder and mine on her knee. Our eyes meet, and for once, I see approval in his. Whatever Beringer decides to do, it’s not going to matter to Dad. What matters to him is that I stood up for our family, that I’m not the selfish prick I act like most of the time.
Beringer clears his throat, and we all turn toward him. In his thousand-dollar suit, he’d be right at home in Dad’s boardroom. Idly, I wonder if he bought that hand-tailored suit using the money my dad paid him after I beat up Daniel and what he’ll buy out of the bribes he’ll pocket after today’s meeting.
“Violence is never the answer,” he begins. “A civilized society begins and ends with spirited discourse, not fist fights.”
“I thought the saying was an armed society is a polite society,” Dad interjects dryly.
Ella’s hand flies up to her mouth to cover a laugh.
Beringer glares at us. “I’m beginning to see why the Royals have such a difficult time getting along with their classmates.”
“Wait a minute.” Ella straightens indignantly. “None of the Royals taped anyone to a wall.”
“Well, not this year,” I murmur.
Dad cuffs me lightly across the back of my head while Ella shoots me a dirty look. “What? You think these assholes fall in line because I say so?” I mutter under my breath.
“Mr. Royal, if I may have your attention,” Beringer barks out before Ella can respond.
I kick out my legs and throw an arm across the back of Ella’s chair. “Sorry,” I reply with absolutely zero remorse. “I was explaining to Ella that Astor really doesn’t tolerate things like taping half-naked freshmen to the front of the school. She has this weird idea that public school is better.”
“Callum, you need to exert better control over your son,” Beringer orders.
Dad’s not having any of that. “I wouldn’t be here if the school actually enforced its rules.”
“I agree. You interrupted a seven-figure real-estate deal because you’re not capable of handling these kids,” Rose’s mother speaks up. “What are we paying you for?”
Ella and I exchange an amused look as Beringer turns bright red. “These aren’t teenagers. They’re wild animals. Look at how many fights Reed has been in.”
“I’m not going to apologize for standing up for my family,” I say in a bored voice. “I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure me and mine are safe.”
Even Mark, Jordan’s dad, grows impatient. “Name calling is hardly helpful. Clearly the students have had a disagreement about something and took care of it amongst themselves.”
“A disagreement?” Ella echoes in outrage. “This is not a disagreement! This is—”
“It’s called growing up, Ella,” Jordan interrupts. “Which is what I suggest you do. And please, don’t even try to tell me that if some girl looked sideways at your man, you wouldn’t take her down.”
“I wouldn’t tape her up,” Ella retorts.
“You’d just shove her face in the locker? That’s so much better?” Jordan snipes.
“Don’t try to compare us. We are nothing alike.”
“You’ve got that right! You’re from the gutter—”
“Jordan!” Mark booms. “That’s enough.” He looks warily at Dad, whose previously blank face is now sporting a deep frown. Mark presses his hands on his daughter’s shoulders, as if to keep her in her chair, or maybe to remind her who’s in charge. “We’re all sorry an event happened at school that isn’t becoming of the conduct code of Astor Prep. The Carringtons are prepared to make it right for everyone.”
Beringer hems and haws a bunch of bullshit about how we should all be punished, but when no one else steps up, he sniffs. “Everyone is dismissed, then.”
“Finally,” Rose’s mom exclaims. She darts out without even a backward glance to her daughter.
After a short silence, Ella walks over to Rose and lays a gentle hand on her shoulder. “Come on, Rose. I’ll walk you to your locker.”
Rose gives her a weak smile but follows her out.
“Your ward has certainly changed you,” Mark Carrington says stiffly.