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

by Ruby Vincent

  “According to Coach, they can. The Knights told him they would keep the students out of the stands and order the team not to play if I step on the field. He decided it wasn’t worth the trouble.”

  “So their plan to drive us out is—”

  “—to take away our reasons to stay,” Ryder finished. “I bet it’s not going to stop here. Rosewood says they’re in charge of events too. Want to bet we won’t be allowed at the dances or on the senior trip too?”

  “Then all we’ll be able to do is go from class to our dorm and back again?” Zane asked in disbelief.

  Kai bobbed his head. “They are making this place even more unbearable than it already is.”

  “What if they ban us from class too?” Her pencil shook in her hand. “That can’t happen. I’m trying to get into the Sorbonne.”

  “They can’t do that,” I said firmly. “Our parents wouldn’t stand for that. I don’t think Evergreen would allow it either.”

  “Does anyone still think... that this is only the beginning?”

  Sofia’s voice was soft, but it seemed to pierce through us. I clenched my fists at seeing the looks on the faces around me.

  This is not the beginning, I thought. I’m going to end it now.

  It took us a while but, eventually, we got back to our homework. There wasn’t a lot of talking except for the occasional question to ask for help. Ryder was the first to finish. He wandered upstairs looking deep in thought.

  Twenty minutes later, we were all done. I got to my feet at the same time as Ezra.

  “Hey.” He slipped his hand into mine. “Do you want to sit on the porch with me again?”

  “I’d love that.”

  We said goodbye to the others and stepped out into the September evening. The sky was awash with blues, oranges, and purples and it brought a smile to my face.

  “It’s so beautiful here,” I said as I sat down. Ezra pulled me into his arms and I rested my head on his chest. “It’s sad how ugly the academy is underneath.”

  “This place can’t be all bad. I found you.”

  “That’s true.” I tilted my head back and kissed his jaw. “Let’s talk about something else. Are you really going to apply to Somerset?”

  I felt his nod. “I’m getting in too. Mom is a famous alumnus. There’s no way they don’t accept me.”

  “I’d say something about special treatment, but I’m too happy. I’m glad you’re not going away.”

  “I couldn’t leave you.” Ezra stroked my back in small soothing circles. “I love you.”

  I froze. What did he just say?

  “I love you, Valentina,” he repeated as though he heard my thought. “All I want is to be with you.”

  I bit my lip hard. I was brimming with so much happiness, I thought something stupid might come out while my mind was doing flips. When I trusted myself to speak, the words tumbled out, “I love you too, Ezra.”

  He put his finger under my chin and captured my lips. He kissed me slow and sweet—so unlike the feverish, lips-clashing kisses we usually shared, but I felt his feeling flood through me.

  We were panting when we broke apart. It was a while before we caught our breaths, but the whole time, we were grinning at each other like fools. That was until his smile fell away.

  “Ezra? What’s wrong?”

  “Val, there’s something that I— There’s something that I need to do.”

  “What is it?” A thread of worry crept up my spine. Ezra’s self-assured air had disappeared. “Are you okay?”

  “No— I mean, yes. I—” He stopped and took a breath. “We have three weekend passes before we need special permission for more.”

  I blinked at this topic. “Yes, I know.”

  “I’m going to use one this weekend to see Mom. After talking to you the other day... I realized that I need to tell her the truth.”

  My hands moved up to his cheeks. They were cold from the chilly air. “Do you mean you’re going to tell her about Scarlett?”

  “Yes.” His dark eyes were fathomless pools, but I had seen into the abyss and knew the pain and anger that he held there. “You’re so strong, Val. It’s time I was too.”

  “Is there anything I can do? Tell me, please. I’ll be there for you however you need me.”

  “You’re doing exactly what I need right now. I know it’s going to be hard, but it’s time.”

  Smiling, I stroked his cheeks. “You are strong, Ezra. You always were.”

  He leaned in until our foreheads touched. “I love you.”

  “And I love it when you say that.”

  He kissed me again.

  “On an unrelated note,” Ezra said when we broke apart. “I can’t this weekend, but I was hoping next weekend you would use your first pass on me. We have been waiting too long to make love, Val. It’s past time we were together.”

  My heart pounded at the thought. He was right. With everything that had gone on last semester and me having to save my three passes for Adam, we never got to take our relationship to the next level. It was time we did something about that.

  “It will be my second pass,” I said. “There is somewhere I need to be this weekend too, but next weekend, I’ll be with you.”

  Ezra held me close as the wind whipped and tugged at us, but neither of us thought to go inside. We stayed out on that porch as the sun made its final descent, then we enjoyed the beauty of the stars, like we used to do on the roof where we talked, kissed, and fell in love.

  I PRACTICALLY FLOATED up to my room after Ezra and I said good night in front of his door. Stealing pockets of time with the boys was what would get me through this. I held on to that thought as I took my phone out of my bag and turned it on. It vibrated with a message soon after the welcome screen winked on. Then it buzzed again. Then again. Then again.

  Ace: Knew what Scarlett was doing? Explain that. What was she doing? How did she betray the Spades?

  Ace: Did it have to do with the phone? Was there something on it? Is that why she screamed for you to give it back?

  Ace: You don’t get to say shit like that and then refuse to explain. You think you’ve been unfairly targeted, then tell me why.

  Ace: I told you about ignoring me. Tell me what Scarlett did.

  Ace: Whatever my new Knights have planned will be nothing compared to the fallout from releasing this video. Maybe you will explain yourself to the cops.

  I calmly set my phone down on the nightstand and padded to the bathroom. I took a hot, lazy shower, and then stepped out and went through my nighttime routine. It was only when I was comfortable in bed that I picked my phone up again.

  Me: Stop banging that drum. If you wanted to release that video, you would have done it a long time ago. I don’t want to, but if it came to it, I could explain to the cops why Scarlett died and why we didn’t come forward. No jury would convict.

  She did things that would make any decent person vomit. You’re not a decent person, but I don’t think even you would be okay with it. You chose the wrong side, Ace. You have proven that the Spades are nothing more than what everyone has feared. You’re a bunch of mindless, bullying thugs taking advantage of people who can’t fight back.

  I tapped the last period and then shut off my phone once more. It felt insanely good telling Ace off. I was not scared of them and it was time they knew.

  I burrowed into the sheets and let my eyes fall shut. I knew as I drifted off to sleep that I would have no nightmares that night.

  Chapter Three

  “You’ve got a funny look on your face.”

  I glanced up from packing my bag and met Sofia’s narrowed eyes. She was reclining against my bed like we didn’t have to be in class in ten minutes.

  “I don’t have a funny look. This is just my face.”

  “I’ve known that face for four years. That is your I’m-planning-something face.”

  “You’re mixing it up with my we’re-going-to-be-late-for-class face. Which we will if we don’t leave now.�
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  “Spill it, Valentina Blythe Moon.”

  “Hey,” I hissed. “Don’t go tossing my full name around. Anyone could hear.”

  “I want to know what you’re planning. We’re a team, remember. Tell me so I can back you up.”

  Sighing, I dropped my head. “You can’t back me up this time. This I have to do myself.”

  “But—”

  “What I really need my best friend to do... is trust me.”

  Sofia studied me for a long time—long enough that we missed our chance to be on time for class. Finally, she said, “Okay. I trust you.”

  “Thank you.”

  She picked herself out of bed and got her things. Together we booked it to the fourth floor and burst in to Roundtree’s tsk.

  “Ladies,” he began as he rose from his seat. “Late on the second day. I’m afraid that means you’ll spend the afternoon in class with me—helping me organize the back room.”

  “I’ll take that punishment,” Paisley whispered when I sat down. “I’ll take all his punishments.”

  Sometimes I forgot how X-rated Paisley could be, but she was always quick to remind me.

  We got through class with no more punishments being handed out. The nine of us broke apart outside the door and headed for our lockers. Ryder fell in step beside me. I waited until we stopped in front of 999 to speak.

  “Ryder, I wanted to let you know I’m going off campus this weekend.”

  “Okay. Why?”

  “I’m going to see Caroline.”

  Ryder went rigid. He froze with his hand half out of his locker. “Excuse me?”

  “I’m going to see your mother.”

  “Why are you doing that?” His voice was tightly controlled. “You’re not going to ask her to step in even though—”

  “No.” I put my hand on his arm and made him face me. “I’m giving the money back.”

  His anger was chased away by confusion. “The money?”

  “All the money she gave me after I found out about Adam. I appreciate what she’s done for me. I wouldn’t be where I am now without her, but I think if we’re going to have a future, I need to have a normal relationship with your mother.”

  Ryder’s eyes traced my face, looking for what I did not know. “So... you’re doing this for us?”

  Heat rushed my cheeks, but I pushed through. “Yes, I am. I don’t know what’s involved. It’s a large sum of money so I want to meet with her and handle the details. It would also be nice to sit and talk with her for a bit. I think she would like that too.”

  “She would. Mom genuinely likes you. She asks me all the time how you are. I tell her you’re still the same pain in the ass.”

  I folded my arms. “You’re going the right way for a kick up the backside. How’s that for pain in your ass?”

  Laughing, Ryder gently flicked my nose. “Just kidding, Moon. I only have good things to say about you. You’re amazing.”

  I didn’t have time to reply before he grabbed my folded arms and tugged. I flew into his chest and he wrapped his arms around me, holding me close. “Thank you,” he whispered into my hair. “I want you and Mom to have a real relationship too.” He kissed my head as I drowned in his spicy scent. “I’ll get a pass for this weekend as well.”

  That dragged me out of my fog. “Why? To spend time with me or to make sure your mom doesn’t bust out the baby pictures?”

  “Both. Definitely both.”

  I giggled. Ryder could make moody people seem like a bundle of laughs, but I couldn’t deny that I felt comfortable with him. We had fun together when his guard was down and he was free to be himself. Plus, he was amazing with Adam. Spending a weekend away with him was something I wanted for a long time.

  Clearing my throat, I stepped out of his embrace. “We should go. I don’t want to be late for another class.”

  Ryder bumped into me as he walked me to Environmental Science. The back of our hands brushed in a spark of electricity. The next time he bumped me, he hooked his pinky through mine. I turned my palm out and threaded our fingers together. Nothing felt more right at that moment.

  “YOU ARE SENIORS AND this is an advanced class. I expect nothing but hard work and no excuses,” said Professor Patchett. She was a short, fussy woman with hair the same length as mine. “This year, we’ll be studying geosciences, atmospheric sciences, ecology, and environmental chemistry. Our work will even take us outside and on an end-of-semester field trip.

  “Today, I’ll give you an overview of the class and where this field will take you for those that plan to further their studies in higher education. Now, take out your textbooks and turn to chapter one.”

  “Are you planning to take your studies to higher education?” Darren’s voice slithered into my ear. My stomach writhed with disgust. I knew when he sat down behind me that he wouldn’t resist running his mouth. “Don’t you have a violent little kid to think about?”

  “My son isn’t violent. He just doesn’t like assholes any more than I do.”

  “He gets that from you, does he? What does he get from his dad?”

  I tensed. “We’re not chatting, Darren. Leave me alone.”

  Darren went on like I hadn’t spoken. “Who is his dad? We know you had him in middle school. Isabella cornered Claire and got out of her that you disappeared from school because of a bad case of mono, but she couldn’t think of anyone you had been with at the time.”

  My nails dug half-moons into my palm. “Did you hear what I said? Leave me alone.”

  “I only want to know who his dad is. Or... do you not know?” He clicked his tongue. “Like mother, like daughter. Your mom doesn’t know who your dad is either, isn’t that right? Got knocked up on some spring break cock cruise? No, wait— Ryder found the guy in freshman year. How did the reunion go?”

  “You think because Ryder is sitting across the room that you won’t get your face bashed in. You’re going to find out how wrong you are if you keep talking about my family.”

  “I—”

  “You two,” Patchett bellowed. “Quiet and open your textbooks.”

  Darren thankfully closed his mouth and did as she said.

  I got through my morning classes and left Psychology with Paisley. We met up with Sofia outside of her math class.

  “I’m actually looking forward to lunch,” she said. “I missed breakfast and my stomach is eating itself right now.”

  “I missed it too,” I said. “I know the chef never does the same dish twice, but I’m hoping he pulls something out with salmon. He does magic with that fish.”

  “You have to stop blatantly loving the food here, Val, or Evergreen will never ease up on the diet.”

  Paisley laughed. “If anything, us loving it might get him to change. He loves taking away things we enjoy.”

  I joined in on the laughter to cover my swirling emotions. It’s time. It’s almost time.

  “I think the new Knights get the credit for taking away what we love,” Sofia replied. “Science club hasn’t started, but I have a feeling Cade would close the door in my face.”

  “Maybe not,” Paisley said. “The academic clubs are run by the professors. They can’t have turned something like that over to a student.”

  “This entire school is run by students.”

  Paisley couldn’t argue with that. The conversation came to a halt as we approached Sofia’s locker. She grabbed the lock, but then hesitated like she didn’t know the combination, but of course she did.

  Seeing her standing there pulled the memory out of my mind.

  “Darren got off easy.” Sofia walked next to me, radiating anger. “Ryder should have broken more than his jaw.”

  I faced ahead and ignored the looks being thrown our way. “He said he’d get the mark lifted if I gave him what he wanted. He was always disgusting, but he’s gotten even worse since Ace made him a Knight.”

  “A real Knight taught him a lesson he won’t forget for the next six weeks.” Sofia paused in fr
ont of her locker and spun the combination. “He’ll spend his summer vacation with his filthy mouth wired shut.”

  “I can’t wait until the nurse explains it to his par—”

  Sofia threw open her locker. Everything happened faster than I could see. One second we were talking and then the next second Sofia’s scream ripped through the hall.

  She turned to me, eyes huge, as blue dye dripped down her face. Laughter rang through the hall, loud enough to cover her when she started screaming.

  I shook away the sight. We knew that the Spades could get in and out of our lockers as they wished, but that was the first time we had opened one to find more than a joker card. The dye got in and stung her eyes. I rushed her to the nurse amid their laughter, but her eyes were red for days—almost as long as it took the dye to fade.

  She stepped off to the side and opened the locker. Nothing happened. She relaxed as she put away her books. “I can’t wait until we graduate,” she mumbled. “I’m sick of this place.”

  We continued to the lunchroom when she was done. Along the way, we picked up more of the group. Zane put his arm around Sofia and whispered something in her ear that replaced her frown with a smile.

  I’m glad Zane is staying after we graduate, I thought as they kissed. I want my best friend to be happy even if we’re far apart.

  A tinge of sadness laced the thought. We might not be in the same place next year. It was hard to think about that after all that we had gone through. A year was still a long way off, though. I still needed to get through senior year. I needed to get through today.

  Paisley, Zane, Sofia, Kai, and I pushed through into the cafeteria. The four seated on the dais took note of us when we stepped inside. They stood.

  “Shit,” Kai said under his breath. “I bet they’re about to start something. Can’t we just eat in peace?”

  “Hey, you!” Natalie leveled a finger at us. “Out.”

  Kai raised his voice. “Relax. We’re just getting our lunch.”

  “Not in here, you’re not,” Airi cut in. “You’re banned from the lunchroom too.”

  The four of them climbed off and planted themselves in front of us.