No.
Royce shakes his head like he’s disappointed but expected my answer. He glances out the open door and shrugs.
And of fucking course Captain is now stepping on. He and Royce head down the aisle, and right before they reach me, a whisper hits my ear, causing me to jump.
“Move that ass, Raven. Now.”
I turn to face him, but his eyes aren’t on me. They’re on my seat companion.
So, big man snuck on through the back door. Awesome.
“Get off already, Rae. Or we’ll all be late.” That comes from Victoria.
When I flip her off, Captain turns toward her, but she quickly averts her gaze.
With a light growl, I push to my feet, but I don’t go out the back with Maddoc, I head forward and shove past the other two clowns who laugh and turn to follow.
I stop as I go to exit and glance to Bass, but he and Maddoc are stuck in a stare off, neither looking away before I step off the bus and into the rain.
Royce tosses his jacket on my head and I toss it in a puddle on the ground.
He glares, snatches it up and grips my arm, pulling me toward the stupid SUV. He opens the door and sweeps a hand, so I slide inside like the puppet they seem to love to play.
“This is bullshit.”
“Not worth the fight, girl.”
“Fuck off.”
Captain grins and slides behind the wheel as Royce makes his way to the passenger seat.
Finally, Maddoc opens the door and eases himself in.
He doesn’t say a word, doesn’t even look my way, but for some reason, the boys laugh and then the car is moving.
Unreadable asshole.
I don’t bother questioning them when we pass the school – it’ll do me no damn good – but I’m not too mad about it when we pull up at a donut shop a few blocks down.
Cap steps out but pokes his head back in.
“Chocolate sprinkles and hot chocolate,” Royce tells him, and I fight a grin.
“Coffee,” Maddoc tells him and then Captain looks to me.
“Don’t be difficult—”
“Two maple bars and a coffee, half cream/half coffee.”
He frowns.
“What?” I ask straight-faced. “Thought I’d turn down sugar pretending to be a rabbit eater?”
Captain nods. “Yeah, for some reason I did.” He heads inside.
I sit back, letting out a little sigh, excited about my treat.
Maddoc’s lip tips up the tiniest bit and I jerk my stare forward.
“You don’t have to pretend not to enjoy us, RaeRae.” Royce grins in the mirror at me. “We’re quite awesome to be around. You’ll see.”
“Will I now?”
“Yep. You will. ‘Cause you’re on lockdown, baby. Where we go, you go.”
“Why?” I ask, but I’m looking at Maddoc now.
“Because that’s where we want you.”
“Again. Why?”
His eyes roam over my features before he faces forward again. “Not sure yet.”
Right.
Captain comes back and passes out everyone’s stuff, and when I open my bag, I find a third maple bar staring back at me.
I smile at the sugary goodness and pull some cash out of my pocket.
His grin disappears and a hardened glare takes its place. He shoves my hand away. “Do not try to hand me money again. If I offer you something, I’m fucking paying for it, do you understand?”
My pride screams to argue, but the look in his eyes tells me this is more than pride to him. He has a natural need to care for someone and my not allowing it will tear at what I’m gonna guess he’s worked hard – or is working hard – to achieve. It’ll tear at the type of man he wants to be.
I thank him, and his easy smile has something in my chest thawing a bit.
I bury my face in my food a moment to hide the confusing feeling.
So, Captain is the nurturer.
I look to Royce who grins like a little boy at his candy covered treat then turn to Maddoc who quietly bobs his head to the music, sipping on his black coffee as he watches the rainfall from his side window.
From where I’m sitting, they seem so simple. Just three teenage boys headed to school.
I wonder what Royce and Maddoc’s roles are in their threesome?
What would mine be?
The thought has me jerking upright in my seat. The fact that I even stopped to wonder this tells me I need to get the hell out of this vehicle, which is why the second we pull up to the school, I reach for the handle but yay fucking me, child lock again.
Royce laughs and I turn his way.
“Precaution. Can’t have you ditching us.”
“You think forcing me off a bus and locking me in this bitch will help you on your incessant need to have me around?”
“Would you have come if we asked?” he challenges.
“No.”
He tries to frown but grins and damn it, mine follows.
I laugh lightly and drop back in the seat. “So what’s your guys’ plan, for real? Why am I in this car with you right now? What purpose does this serve?”