Unmasked: A Reverse Harem High School Bully Romance (An Evergreen Academy Novel Book 4)

by Ruby Vincent

  We got to my locker and I put away my things. Next stop was Professor Roundtree’s homeroom class.

  The rest of the group was waiting for us before the classroom. We shared a glance, bracing ourselves, and then Ryder opened the door and walked in.

  A tall man in a pressed suit leaned against the desk. I stared at him longer than was socially appropriate as my brain made sense of him. He was our professor, he had to be, but he did not look a thing like the professors I had come to know.

  His suit was perfect and obviously expensive, but everything else looked out of place from the tattoos peeking out from under his collar to the spiky hair, and the piercing in his ear. If this guy was older than twenty-seven, I would eat my textbooks.

  “Ah, more young vessels waiting to be filled.” He looked right at me and grinned. My cheeks heated up like a Florida sidewalk. This guy was also seriously attractive. “Don’t get comfortable. I’m assigning seats.”

  “Professor Roundtree.” Natalie half rose out of her chair. “None of us are going to sit next to them. They are the ones we were telling you about.”

  “Really? So you’re the ones who were marked?”

  My eyebrows shot up my head. He said that so easily. I had yet to hear a single professor acknowledge the mark except for Markham.

  He frowned. “There are a lot of you. When I was a Knight, we never had anyone get marked, let alone nine.”

  “Five of them are marked,” Natalie corrected. “The rest are just stupid.”

  Roundtree didn’t reply or look at Natalie.

  “You were a Knight?” The question was out of my mouth before I could stop it.

  His grin widened. “That’s right, Miss...”

  “Moon. Valentina Moon.”

  “Miss Moon. Nice name. Also, yes. I was a Knight. I graduated from Evergreen a few years before you all stepped through the gates as cute little doe-eyed freshmen.” He stood to his full height. “As a result, I know how this works. You nine will sit up front where I can keep an eye on you. Everyone else, up.”

  We did as ordered and filled up the first two rows while Roundtree shuffled everyone else around. When the class was seated, Roundtree launched into his introduction.

  “Like I said, I’m a graduate of the academy. I went on to Ivy League schools and an undergrad and graduate degree like the old man expected. What he didn’t expect was for me to take those degrees in economics and become a professor instead of the head of Roundtree Pharmaceuticals. What can I say? I couldn’t resist letting Pops down one more time.”

  The class laughed—me included. There was an air about him that made you want to like him.

  “I wanted to come back and give to the school that gave so much to me so I begged on hands and knees for Evergreen to hire me.” He threw out his hands. “And here I am. You’ll have me for homeroom and Economics three times a week. Sound good?”

  “That sounds really good,” Paisley whispered from the desk behind me. “This guy is yum-my.”

  “Paisley,” I hissed. “He might—”

  Roundtree’s eyes flew to us.

  I sucked in a breath when he winked. He definitely heard.

  He continued. “So, this is your senior year so things will be different. If you thought you’d be able to coast after getting into your college, then you don’t know this place well. You’ll now have one period of study hall where you’ll be expected to work on applications, essays, speak to the college counselors, prep for interviews, whatever you need to do.

  “Otherwise, you have all advanced classes and a minimum grade average that has gone up to three point six.” I stifled my groan, but the rest of the class didn’t. “I’ve been through it so I know how stressful this semester can be. If you need to talk, my door is open. Any questions?”

  A murmur of nos went up.

  “Great. Then talk amongst yourselves until they bring the television in for the announcements.”

  I turned on Paisley the second he took a seat behind his desk. She clapped her hand over her mouth to cover a laugh.

  “Sorry. Didn’t mean for him to hear me.”

  I shook my head. “I thought Kai was trouble.”

  “Hey,” he said from my other side. “What did I do?”

  A knock sounded on the door while we were laughing at him. The AV club members wheeled in the television and turned it on. I tensed when I saw who was on the screen.

  How did I not notice he wasn’t here?

  Darren Rosewood sat in the seat that used to be Ezra’s. Next to him was his co-host, Juliet Cochran. I didn’t wonder about how he got the job. He must have given it to himself.

  “Good morning, Evergreen.” His voice grated on my ears. All I could think about was him grabbing my wrist in a darkened corner of the library. His breath hot on my face as he said he’d make life easier for me if I went for round two and let him finger me against the stacks. “We have a lot of announcements this morning, but first, a message from our headmaster.”

  The screen went dark for a few seconds, and then Evergreen looked back at us. He was in his natural habitat, sitting behind his desk with his fingers laced in front of him. “Good morning, senior class, and welcome to another year. There has been a policy change and I want to make you aware of it. With regard to only being allowed three weekend passes a semester, this rule will be waived—”

  Cheers and whoops filled the room, covering up part of his speech.

  “—genuine need. What constitutes a genuine need?”

  I strained to hear. I had a feeling he wasn’t done.

  “If you have a family emergency, a member of your family is ill, or you must attend to a child or children.”

  “Oh. That is for you, Moon,” Natalie taunted. “Mommy has to get home to baby.”

  I balled my fists, but said nothing. I knew that was for me, but all that mattered was I got my weekend passes back.

  Evergreen went on unaware of the heckling. “You may also request a pass for college campus tours and things of that nature. Anything outside of that, you will meet in my office to discuss it. If I determine not to grant the pass, that is it. My decision will be final and I won’t be swayed.”

  That also felt like it was for me, and possibly Ryder.

  Translation: Don’t sic your mothers on me or it won’t end well.

  “An updated version of the handbook will be given out by your homeroom teacher. Sign it to show you acknowledge the new rules. Thank you. Goodbye.”

  Evergreen winked out and Darren’s shit-eating grin returned. “Thank you, Headmaster. Those aren’t the only changes so let’s get into them now. Unlike the old Knights, we care about this school and the students.”

  I could sense the boys stiffening.

  “Our reputation took a hit when someone leaked the Evergreen Gone Wild videos to the press. We became jokes in the media, but now it’s time to go back to what makes this school great. From now on, the Knights and the Diamonds will be in charge of all events and club activities.

  “We will decide the themes, the destination for the class trips, all of that. As for clubs, those that don’t add value to the school are over. There will be no anime club, foreign film club, creative writing club, book club, adventure club, art review club, cooking club, or dance club.”

  I wasn’t surprised to hear him say the last one. This is exactly what Isabella wanted.

  “The decision is final so don’t come to the Knights whining about it. The clubs that are left, besides the academic clubs, are chess club, classical dance club, art club, key club, sports club, and drama club. The previous presidents of those clubs have been replaced by the Knights and the Diamonds. If you want into the club, they have to approve you first.

  “We are getting back to our values and rewarding those who uphold it. Evergreen Academy is still the best school in the country. We will make sure the rest of the world knows and stop anyone who tries to bring us down. That is all.”

  The broadcast cut off seconds after
he finished even though his co-host never got to speak a word. In more ways than one, replacing Ezra with that guy had been a terrible idea. At least Ezra had charm.

  I looked at my friends as Roundtree passed out the new handbooks. There was nothing charming about the look on Ezra’s face now.

  “Why would anyone choose them to be Knights?” Paisley asked, not letting her voice carry past my ear. “They can’t believe this is better for the school.”

  It’s not about the school anymore. It’s about me.

  My attention shifted to the phone box. I had never turned it back on after shutting down the conversation with Ace. That was against the “rules” but I didn’t care. I was done playing Ace’s game.

  “What’s your schedule, guys?” Kai asked when we left the classroom.

  I read out the small slip of paper. “I have Advanced Literature II, study period, Economics, and Calculus on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. On the other days, I have Advanced Environmental Science, Advanced Psychology, P.E., and Individuals and Societies.”

  Everyone went around and shared their schedules. No one would be alone—not even Sofia who found she was in the same higher math classes with Ryder. The only problem was me.

  “What is Individuals and Societies?” Zane asked. “I don’t remember seeing that when we signed up?”

  “It’s only available for students in Advanced Psychology,” I said.

  Paisley nodded. “I saw that, but I decided to do Advanced Government because I’m going to double major in Poli-Sci. Val, why didn’t you tell me? I would have signed up with you.”

  I shook my head. “No way. You just said that’s going to be your major. I would have felt awful if you changed because of me.”

  “But you can’t be alone, Val.” Sofia pushed through the boys to stand in front of me. “Especially not you.”

  “I didn’t have a choice. This is for my major too.” I held up my hands when I saw the protests coming. “There is nothing we can do about it, guys. The good news is none of the new Knights are interested in psychology so I doubt they’re in the class.”

  “It’s not just them you have to worry about.”

  Jaxson was right, but I put aside what he said. I wasn’t changing my schedule. These were the classes I needed for Somerset and no one was driving me out.

  “Let’s go. We have to get to Lit.”

  We stepped inside to a new professor and a chill room. Except for Natalie announcing that no one could sit by us and the professor sending us to the back, no one did anything or looked our way.

  I couldn’t help but feel uneasy. Natalie had the biggest mouth, but it was Isabella who was in charge. She would play this game like she did all the others. She’d play to win.

  The group picked up on my mood as we left class. “What’s wrong, Val?” Maverick asked.

  “It’s too quiet. I don’t like it.”

  “She’s right,” Ezra echoed. “A few disbanded clubs and a room change are nothing. They’ll be planning something bigger to get to us.”

  “And we’ll be ready for whatever it is,” Kai cut in. He took my hand. “Come on. We have study hall.”

  The two of us turned to leave. We made it three steps before Kai’s hand was taken out of mine. “You trying to lose that, South Africa? Hands to yourself.”

  Jaxson slid in between us and laced our fingers together. I gave him a look to let him know what I thought of his jealousy, but otherwise, did not stop him.

  Study hall was being held in the library. We crossed through the oak doors and stepped into the quiet, softly lit space. A few students were already there and had claimed tables for them and their friends.

  “Let’s sit at the big one in the back.” I pointed over the book carts. “There are enough seats.”

  We tossed our bags at the feet of the chairs and got comfortable.

  “What are your choices?” Sofia asked. “I thought I knew but talking to the reps changed my mind.”

  “I’d like to go back home,” Zane admitted, “but it wouldn’t be the same without Sofia and Kai.”

  “Aww.” Kai made big eyes at Zane. “My twin brother loves me.”

  Zane almost shoved him out of the chair. “Shut up.”

  I sighed. “I’m only applying to one college. If I don’t get in, I’ll go to community college and then apply again to Somerset.”

  “Why would you do that?” Paisley asked. “You could get into so many great schools. Besides, don’t you want to get away from home?”

  “No, the opposite. I want to be close to Adam.”

  The atmosphere around the table shifted.

  “I’m sorry. That was stupid.”

  “It’s okay, Paisley. I know you guys are still getting used to the idea of me being a mom.”

  Getting used to it was right. Most of the table got all shifty-eyed like they didn’t know where to look.

  Sofia came to the rescue. “What about you guys?” She looked between Jaxson, Maverick, Ezra, and Ryder. “Where are you applying?”

  “I’ll be working for Dad,” Jaxson replied.

  Maverick shrugged. “Somerset has a great computer engineering program.”

  “Somerset journalism majors do a semester abroad with actual news crews,” said Ezra. “I’d like to do that.”

  “I’ll be doing business at Somerset. Stay close to Mom and Shea Industries.”

  I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. They’re all staying? My boys are trying to get into Somerset.

  My heart was fluttering wildly in my chest and I pressed my hand over it. The five of us being together was more than I could have hoped for. I hadn’t been able to think about losing any one of them.

  A laugh broke through my good mood. “You don’t fool us.” Kai’s grin was wicked. “We all know why you’re going to Somerset and a top-notch education isn’t it. I gotta get me a harem too.”

  Whack!

  “Ouch!” Kai made a face at me as he bent to rub his sore leg. “What was that for?”

  “No one would be in your harem, dummy.” It dawned on me what I was saying. “And it’s not a harem!”

  “It’s a nonstop booty machine is what it is.”

  My cheeks were flaming. Beside me, Ezra laughed out loud.

  “I like this guy. Why haven’t we hung out before?”

  I swatted Ezra’s arm. “Don’t you start.”

  “I could have a harem,” Kai went on. “I’m smart, witty, and devastatingly handsome. I should start taking applications.”

  Everyone was laughing now. “I thought this wasn’t your thing?” I reminded him.

  “I’ve evolved, Val. If half a dozen beautiful women want to love and pleasure me; that’s a burden I’ll have to bear.”

  I rolled my eyes so hard I almost hurt myself. The rest of the table was howling. I guess I should be thankful my friends were so cool with me and my four boyfriends. The rest of my classmates thought it confirmed what they had been saying about me since freshman year: I was a massive slut.

  “Isn’t this cozy.”

  The good humor dried up like a teardrop in the desert. Our smiles melted away as Isabella, Natalie, Airi, and Darren descended on our table.

  “What do you want now, Isabella?” I forced out.

  “You’re looking at me like I’m not supposed to be here.” She tossed the hair she didn’t have. It was immensely frustrating that, even with a bald head, Isabella was gorgeous. “It’s you who is not supposed to be here. New orders from the Knights. The marked and all their little friends are banned from the library.”

  “What?” Zane lurched to his feet. “You can’t do that.”

  “And yet,” Natalie said, “we just did. Pack your shit and get out.”

  “How do you think you’re going to make us leave?” Maverick was next to get up, straightening to his full six feet.

  Natalie’s smirk widened. “Fair point, quarterback, but you didn’t consider this—” She snapped her fingers and the sound of almost thirty
chairs being pushed back filled the room.

  The rest of the class had filed in while we were joking around and they all stared at us now. A couple of them were just as big as Maverick.

  “If you don’t leave on your own,” Natalie continued, “we’ll drag you out. You might be more difficult, Beaumont, but just think about how scratched up your slut girlfriend will get in the struggle.”

  I barred my face. “That pretty face of yours will get scratched up if you put a finger on me, Bard.”

  My words were tough, but I was doing the math. Nine against thirty wouldn’t work in our favor, and by the way the boys were bristling, it would start a fight and someone would get hurt.

  “Aw. You think I’m pretty.” Natalie gave me what could have passed for a pleasant smile. “That’s sweet, but flattery won’t get you anywhere. Leave. All of you. Now.”

  Darren stepped up to me when we didn’t move. “You heard, Moon. You’re not allowed in here.” He put out his hand like he was going to grab my shoulder.

  A low growl sounded behind me. “You want that jaw broken again, Rosewood? Don’t fucking put your hands on her.”

  Darren’s face twisted into a scowl, but he must have seen something in Ryder’s expression because his hand returned to his side.

  I bent and picked up my backpack. “Let’s go, guys. We don’t have time for this.”

  Silently, we gathered our things and walked out. A flicker of movement made me turn my head and I caught Eric’s eyes as we made for the doors. He stood at a table alongside Claire and Ciara. The three of them dropped their gaze when they caught me looking. Shaking my head, I faced forward.

  It begins.

  “NOW WE KNOW WHAT THEIR game plan is,” Zane said as he plopped down on the floor. I wasn’t allowed in his room, but we could gather on the first floor and take up the front room. Classes were over and our homework was spread out on the floor now that the library was off-limits. “They are freezing us out.”

  “He’s right,” Paisley said. “I’ve been kicked out of key club. They wouldn’t even open the door when I knocked.”

  “I’m off the football team.”

  I gaped at Maverick. “They can’t do that.”