He chuckled softly, “they don’t like the idea of our mate working.”
“But you’re all friends and half of you work,” I reasoned.
Henry smiled softly, “I know sweetheart, but just trust me on this. How about we find you something with Marco’s company?”
I bit my lip gently. “Maybe. What if I find something I really want to do?”
His eyes crawled across my face and he smiled, “I don’t think anyone would ever have an issue with you pursuing something you want to do, Maya. Just as long as you aren’t doing it due to some misplaced notion that you need to pay us back.”
I did need to pay them back though.
We continued to walk toward the school and were met by a large student body crowd. I cringed at the confined space and shuffled toward the side. The twins followed behind us as we made it to the lockers.
“Lil Henry getting his dick wet?” Lorn’s voice echoed near us. Henry let out a sound that made my skin break out in shivers as both twins moved with ease toward us. What was this man’s problem?
“Lorn.” Henry’s voice grew vacant and a cold chill flashed across his face, “didn’t you learn your lesson yesterday?”
I looked up and was surprised to find Lorn had a bruised face. My mouth popped open as a sneer formed on his lips.
“Didn’t you know, princess?” He growled as he continued, “your boyfriend’s older brothers beat the shit out of me yesterday.”
I flushed and felt my body tremor just slightly. I hated being the cause of violence. Something else sparked in my chest though, something very defensive about the way he was talking about, and to, Henry.
“Don’t bring her into this,” Anani snapped with his temper rising.
“Why?” Lorn grinned, “she is literally the reason for this.”
I sunk into Ledger’s chest as he wrapped an arm around my waist. Lorn snorted and shook his head, “so not just Henry, huh?”
A voice sounded from the end of the hallway causing all of us to pause. “Mr. Matchers, I do believe you are supposed to be in a meeting.”
I found Marco strolling toward us, suit pressed clean to his body, and radiating power. Lorn scoffed and shook his head, “what do you know about my schedule?”
Those pale green eyes found mine with amusement as he answered, “a lot, considering I just had you benched for the next game.”
“What the fuck?” Lorn thundered.
Marco grinned a predatory smile. “Harassment charges could have resulted in something far worse. I’d take your luck where you can find it.”
Lorn snarled, “fuck all of you. This whore isn’t worth it.”
I cringed at his harsh words as Marco snapped out a hand, closing around his neck. “Call her that ever again and the ending of last night will go vastly different.”
With a distasteful sneer, Lorn jogged away after being released. Instantly, I relaxed and instead of being scared of how the men had acted, I felt comforted. Was that terrible? It felt nice to feel protected. Safe. Sheltered. I was always getting beat up on and now there were people who weren’t allowing that. I would have to make sure to be as equally as good of a friend.
“Classroom now,” Marco pointed to a door. I found his eyes hard and plastered to my face. I paled, knowing he had talked to Atlas.
The boys started to follow and Marco shook his head, “go to class. I need to talk to her alone first.” My fight or flight instincts surfaced I flicked my eyes to the door because a very small part of me wanted to get the heck out of here.
Anani grunted and pulled me into a tight hug, “see you soon, peanut.”
“Firefly,” Ledger said in a lazy smooth tone.
Henry squeezed my hand and walked off with them. Marco’s calculating smile was gone and replaced with anger. I flinched away from him as we moved into a classroom, his big hands locking the door.
“Maya,” he whispered through a thick voice.
I squeaked, expecting the worst, as he turned. I was confused by the heartbreaking expression on his face as he picked me up into his arms. I felt my entire body relax against his. Oh. I had expected anger, not this. Then again, I always expected anger.