Page 46 of Ruthless Legacy

Chapter Thirteen

Eliza

Come lunchtime I’m feeling exhausted. The events of last night and the lack of sleep are catching up on me and I’m contemplating skipping my next class and taking a power nap in the library. I enter the cafeteria and grab my tray to queue for food.

“I’ll get your food, Eliza. What would you like?” I blink and look at the small boy who has just taken my tray out of my hand.

“I can get my own food, thanks,” I say with a chuckle. I mean he is cute, but a few years too young for my tastes.

He swears under his breath, and he looks nervously across the cafeteria. “Look, please just let me get your food. They’re watching and it’s the first order they’ve given me. I don’t want to mess up.”

I follow his gaze to where the three Aceholes sit holding court at their table. Turning my attention back to the boy in front of me, I ask what is on my mind. “Why do you worship them? I mean, they’re treating you like a skivvy.”

He shrugs his shoulders. “Being a Club opens doors. It gets you the popular girls and gives you status. You don’t get it because you haven’t grown up in this town, but please just let me get your food.”

I nod my head, giving into his plea. “I want the quiche and chips. No salad. I need carbs today. Get me a diet coke too, please.”

He nods his head, breathing a sigh of relief, and he rushes off to join the queue.

I pivot on my feet and lock eyes with Archer. Straightening my shoulders, I head over to their table.

“What’s going on?” I ask, arms folding as I stand before them, noticing the calculating look in his eyes. Seb is also grinning like he’s in on some big secret.

Archer leans back in his seat. His eyes move up my body in leisurely perusal until his dark eyes fix on mine. “Watch and see.” He nods his head and Seb rises from his seat and jumps on the table.

“Listen up peeps. Eliza Alderman is an Ace now. You look at her the wrong way, you touch her or upset her, and you’ll have us to answer to.”

Seb winks at me as he jumps down off the table and retakes his seat. That’s when I notice the empty seat beside Archer.

“So that’s it. Suddenly I’m accepted into the fold?”

Archer rolls his eyes. “Just sit your arse down Scarlet, before I make you.”

I snigger, and he cocks a brow, daring me to defy him. “What If I don’t want to sit with you three?”

Seb shakes his head, smiling. “Not an option, Red. Take a seat or face the consequences.”

The rebel in me wants to tell them to fuck off and take a seat at my normal table, but I’m tired and I have no fight left in me today. Huffing and puffing, I stomp around the table and drop into the seat beside Archer.

I can feel Archer’s eyes studying me and I turn and glare at him. “What?”

“I like it when you’re obedient.” The look he gives me melts my panties. Jesus, I hate how he affects me.

“Yeah,” I reply, reaching over and taking a piece of chicken off his plate and popping it in my mouth. “Well, don’t get used to it, Savage.”

He half smiles, before he buries it under a frown, but I saw it.

“Here you go,” the small boy from earlier says as he comes rushing up and places my tray down in front of me. “Quiche and chips, lots of salt and vinegar.”

I smile at him. “Thanks. What’s your name?”

He flushes red in the cheeks and looks at the three arseholes beside me, as if unsure if he’s allowed to answer.

“She asked you a question,” Archer growls.

“It’s Hugo,” he tells me with a nervous smile. He picks nervously at his fingernails, sweating under the heat of Archers glares.

I beckon him with my finger, and gulping, he leans over the table to me. I drop a kiss on his cheek. “Thank you, Hugo.” I give him a wink and his face turns bright red, adjusting his tie as he straightens.

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