Page 85 of Promise to Break

"Someone needs to feed Baron," I say, thinking about the poor cat being hungry for the entire week we were away from school. Who was there to give the little black ball his pink tuna?

"Killian took care of it. He sent the players on the soccer team to feed Baron every day. I think he gained even more weight.

"Killian took care of the black cat who lives on the roof of the school?"

"I told you he wasn't that bad," Raven sings in her bell-like voice. I swear, she's like a blonde Snow White.

"I heard that," he murmurs while heading to his table, where the other deviants wait. I can see how his lips curve slightly upward.

The bastards sit in the center of the cafeteria at the only round table in here. Liam and Kai are already there, waiting for the waiters to serve them.

When I agreed to work in the cafeteria, I refused to work as a waitress because I didn't want to serve them. I didn't care about all the other spoiled brats who abused me as much, if not more, than these three boys, but I certainly didn't want to serve these three. And besides, I like to cook and stay behind the scenes without anyone judging me.

As expected, Liam doesn't seem pleased that Raven came with me to his table, but after a moment, his big eyes narrow as he smiles at us with mock British politeness. Raven, for her part, ignores him in a way I've never seen before. I don't know what happened that day in the hospital when my little angel was born, but it seems my friend found a backbone, and I love it.

"From today on, Raven, Maricela and that guy—" Killian says the last with a compulsion that makes me giggle a little "—are going to sit at the table with us."

"He doesn't even study here," Liam says, stating the obvious, fresh as a plucked cucumber.

"He can speak for himself, Posh Boy. I'm here because they gave me permission to enter this honorable establishment. My Sunny arranged for me to be able to come in and out as much as I want. And your boss here just informed you that when I'm here, I get to sit next to you. We're going to be great friends."

Julian sits his ass next to Liam, who says, "Move over, Latin filth."

Raven stands—to do what I'm not sure, but Julian doesn't wait as he scoots even closer to Liam.

"Racism isn't nice, Posh Boy," Julian says with a laugh. "And how very un-original of you. How are you going to conquer the most beautiful woman in this whole school if you talk like that to her brother?"

"Her brother, who's still in middle school?" Liam supplies.

"So, you admit she's the prettiest girl here. Great. It's a start. Still, we have a lot of work to do. By the way, remember that I'm her brother, too. The chosen one. Hurt her and see what happens."

"Wow. You sure are brave today."

I stand in front of Julian, keeping him away from Kai's black eyes. He's the scariest of the three deviants, and I'm still shocked that he didn't seek retribution for the poop thing.

"Stop, Maricela. Killian said the douche is under his protection. That's sufficient for me. You're still alive, aren't you?" To hear Kai's voice is a rare occurrence in itself, but to hear him say that…?

What's that supposed to mean?

Julian leans sideways to look around me at Kai. "That was the most I've heard you speak. Your voice is delightful. Are you part of my team, perhaps?"

Julian, shut up, shut up, shut up!

Even considering how fast Raven and I try to jump and close the soon-to-be-dead Julian's mouth, he steps aside and continues as if there's nothing in the world for him to be afraid of. "Are you into dicks, cocks, the long snakes, the tingle that doesn't tangle?"

"I'm not gay, but my little brother is."

"How little? Never mind, I like them older. I'm all for daddies."

"You look like a wall of muscle yourself," Liam admits, although I'm guessing he's not happy about it.

"Well, Li. Can I call you Li?" He doesn't give Liam time to answer as he continues. "Posh Boy, I never thought you saw me like that." Julian sounds as if he's part of the English court in the gayest way ever. The only other time I've seen him speak to someone like this was when some douchebag from the government came to the House of Dreams, saying the place should be closed.

Julian proceeded to touch the man, who was clearly a homophobic ass, and made him run for his life. The next day, they sent a woman who was a lot nicer.

"It's not about the looks," Julian adds, still teasing Liam. "A daddy can have a baby face for all I care. He just needs to act like one. You straight people like to categorize everything. Boring." He drags the last word out as he flips his imaginary long hair and lifts one leg in the air like a drag queen.

"Stop the act," Killian says with a tone of resignation. "I've known you since always, and this isn't you."

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