Always (Next Generation The Skulls 1)

“So the prospect on duty tonight has a girl coming around at nine. We sneak out past the back door, from the kitchen and out. We go to the Quad for a couple of hours. No fighting. We observe only.”

“Thanks. Let Simon know. Angel’s coming with the food.”

Miles tipped an imaginary hat to her.

Seconds later, Angel was there.

“Hey, sweetie.”

“Hey, Angel,” she said.

“I know this is all seeming a little much,” she said.

“Nah, it’s fine. I mean, what more can I do? I did break a girl’s nose and hurt another one.”

“I know, sweetie. Do you think violence is the answer, though?” Angel asked.

“Sometimes the only vocabulary people know is violence, that and sex.”

“Enjoy your food.” Angel left.

Fries and a garden burger, her favorite. Angel had embraced her, Daisy’s, and Lacey’s vegetarian diet. Picking up the burger, she took a large bite and closed her eyes, enjoying it. After dinner, they were expected to get changed for bed, read, and then there were lights out.

There was no way Lash could believe they were following his protocol. If he did, she felt a little sorry for him. It wasn’t like they went out of their way to disrespect them. That was a lie. They totally did.

Lash came for the dishes and their doors were closed.

Checking the time, she showered, changed into her pajamas, sat, and read for ten minutes before the allotted escape time. Then she quickly pulled on a pair of jeans, a shirt, and her leather jacket.

At exactly nine, she opened her door, just as the others did.

Simon moved down the hall, going to her.

Miles was in front, Anthony right behind him. She didn’t know how her brother was able to find out all of this information, but he was a master at getting what he wanted.

They made their way down the stairs, past the prospect who was moaning as the girl gasped at how big he was.

Seriously?

Simon snickered and held her hand tightly. They were out of the kitchen, past the wall, and running like the hounds of hell were chasing after them.

No one stopped them as they made it clear to the Quad.

“We can escape but we don’t have any cars. We’re walking the entire way,” Miles said. “It is damn good to have you here.” He shook Simon’s hand.

“Why are you guys putting up with this?” Simon asked. “Why not just overrule them?”

“He’s my dad, dickface,” Anthony said.

“We did kind of deserve it. He has a point,” Daisy said. “We fucked up and now we’re paying the price.”

“Yeah, but we’ve got to get our shit back when we’re in school again. There’s no telling what the Dogs have been up to,” Markus said.

“It’s why we’re determined to keep showing our face at the Quad,” Rachel said. “You want to come?”

“Hell, yeah. I’m not breaking out for the fun of it. I need to hit something or someone.” Simon pulled her in tightly against him.

“Then we’re going to the right place for you,” Miles said.

****

“They snuck off again,” Angel said, wrapping her arms around Lash’s stomach as she stared past his shoulder.

“Yep.”

“And you’re not going to stop them?”

“No.”

“Then why are you forcing them into lockdown and doing their schooling? They’re not even allowed to eat dinner with each other.” Angel kissed his shoulder.

He groaned. “Do you want to talk about the kids?”

“I want to understand your mind better.”

“You’ve been trying to do that for years, and you still don’t understand me.”

She giggled. “Come on, tell me.”

“They were hotheads who thought they knew best. They’re all going to need to learn restraint.”

“And this is the best way to teach them?”

“It’s the only way I know how to teach them. One day, this is all going to be theirs. If they screw it up, this could be gone.” He tugged her around so she stood in front of him. “You remember what it was like before. All the trouble we had.” He pushed some of her hair out of the way. “I don’t want to go through that again.”

“I get it.”

“And we’re never leaving the club, so we’re going to be at their mercy.”

“Putting them on lockdown during the day is okay, but at night, they can do whatever they want?”

“They’re going to the Quad. As much as I want to keep them contained here and doing as they’re told, I can’t. There is only so much I can do.” He shrugged. “Besides, they need to protect the Skull name at all costs and because of the Dogs, they’re in the thick of it.”

“Did you and Nash have to ever deal with something like that?”

“No. We didn’t. Not really. We got into a whole lot of fights, but you know how it is.”

“I do. Will you be staying up all night for them to return?”

“I will, but they’ll be gone long enough for me to make love, or fuck my wife, if she needs it.”