“Noah,” he said exasperatedly, rubbing his temples. “There’s too much to do today, I swear.”
“Where’s Rory? Still in the Heights?” I asked as I stood, knowing it was time to go.
“Right this second, she’s bailing my princess out of jail for shooting a gun in front of a million cops,” he said dryly, pressing his phone to his ear as he called someone. “Oh, and Lopez? Call Noah on his bullshit. I know he’ll throw it at you. Tell him how good he fucking has it.”
I nodded and left the room, almost running into Caden, who was scowling. “Whatever job you’re doing, I’ll trade you.”
“Don’t think that’s allowed, Holloway,” I grinned, and he huffed.
“I won’t tell anyone. Where are you off to?”
“To pick up Noah. Slash told me to bring him here,” I shrugged, a frown tugging at his mouth.
“Why here?”
“Uh, Mikey got shot in the leg. I think Slash wants him to see it to scare him back on the right path or something,” I winced, and he groaned.
“Mikey got shot? Just what we need. You go get Noah, I’ll see you when you get back. Make sure you call the second you feel like something’s wrong, okay? If I have to come find you, I can. You have your gun?”
“We’ve kept them in the cars lately. I’ll make sure it’s there,” I answered, hearing something in the office slam.
“Uh, I’ll go deal with that. Thanks for helping,” Caden said as he quickly headed into the office, Slash’s voice scolding someone on the phone.
Harley was gone, so I headed outside and climbed into the car, checking that the gun was in the glovebox, before heading in the direction of Ashburn Valley Academy.
CHAPTERFOURTEEN
ZAVIER
Ipulled up out front of the school, parking the car and walking towards the front doors to the main office. Noah was slouched in his seat, his tie loose, blazer torn, and blood on his shirt.
The woman behind the desk blinked at me, waiting for me to speak, and I realized I looked like some piece of trash that blew in off the street.
“Hey. I’m picking up Noah,” I said with a smile, her eyes widening a fraction before she started typing away on her keyboard.
“Of course. I need you to sign these forms for me,” she said as she printed something and handed them over with a pen, my eyes scanning the page.
“Just sign it, dude. She’s just making sure you’re not a fucking kidnapper,” Noah joked, appearing beside me. “I thought Slash was coming?”
“He’s dealing with something more problematic than you, can you believe?” I deadpanned. “Where’s your bag?”
“In my locker. Can we stop for burgers on the way home? I’m fucking starving,” he grunted, and I wanted to shake him.
“Can you watch your mouth? And no, we’re not stopping on the way home. Reid learned that lesson with you the last time he took you to school. This is a quick trip, and no one has time for your rebellious bullshit right now.”
“Doesn’t Raven put out? Man, you’re?—”
“I will one hundred percent risk prison for beating up a minor if you don’t watch yourself,” I warned, signing the paper and handing it over to the woman. “Can I take him to his locker to get his bag?”
“Sign in here,” she sighed, pointing to an iPad on the counter, telling me to sign out when we were leaving, before I grabbed Noah’s wrist and tugged him out into the courtyard.
“Dude, what the fuck is your problem today?” Noah bit out, shaking me off.
“My problem? I’ve had two hours of sleep. My house burned down. My girlfriend and Reid are currently mourning, and I can’t fix it for them. Would you like me to continue?”
“Kind of, yeah.”
“Well, Beckett got arrested, I still have the mafia after me, and Mikey just got shot. Can you do me a solid and please behave until we get out of here?” I demanded, his eyes going wide.