Page 47 of Ruthless Legacy

“Anytime. I can carry your bag to class if you like?”

“Go,” Archer orders coldly.

Hugo’s eyes go wide, and he nods his head before scuttling off back to his own table.

Seb chuckles as he pops a chip in his mouth. “Are you trying to give little Hugo a heart attack, Red? He’ll be jerking off to memories of that kiss tonight in bed. You’re a tease, Little Red.”

I roll my eyes and turn my focus to my food. I spot Vee entering the cafeteria and I see her look for me at our table before she spots me sitting with the Aces. She blinks, and I lip read her say ‘OMG’ before she heads over to us.

“So, this new seating arrangement is permanent?” She takes a seat opposite me, and Rafe whistles to the Club’s table and points at Vee. One of them jumps to their feet and rushes over to us.

“Get her food,” Rafe orders and the poor boy nods his head, gripping at the tray Rafe shoves his way.

“I’ll have chicken and avocado salad and water. Still water, not fizzy,” she tells him before she returns her attention to me. “Why are you sitting with these three again?”

I shrug my shoulders. “I’m too tired to fight them today,” I admit and Archer frowns at my answer.

“I’ll take you home tonight. I want to be there when Boyd arrives.”

I place my fork down and stare at him. “Why? And besides, Calvin is picking us up.”

Archer shakes his head, looking out at the room before him. “No, he isn’t. I spoke to Wilbur earlier. I’ll be taking you home and Calvin will collect your brother after football practice.”

I fold my arms over my chest and huff at him. “Whatever.”

“Whatever?” he replies with an arched brow.

“Yes, whatever.”

He shakes his head at me and actually smiles. He smiles so infrequently it’s a wonder it doesn’t crack his perfect face.

When I walk out of class, I find Archer leaning against the wall, his bag flung over his shoulder. As girls from my class pass him, they all eye him like candy and one girl waves at him, winking. Jesus.

He doesn’t even look their way, though. His eyes firmly fixed on me. “Ready to go?”

“Are you?” I sass. “Are you sure you don’t want to soak in the adoring crowd?”

He smirks and leans over and takes my bag from my hand, placing it over his shoulder. “You jealous Scarlet? No need to be. We both know you’re not my type.”

I mock snigger, but in truth his comment stabs at my heart. “Well, thank the lord for small mercies, real and natural aren’t your type.”

He chuckles as we move towards the exit. “I think your lips liked me earlier.”

I scowl at him. Fucker. He has a point, though. I didn’t exactly push him away. Well, not at first. “I’m a girl, and you were there and offering it.”

He smirks again, making me want to punch him in the face. It’s no surprise that when we head outside, his car is there waiting for him. It’s not his usual car. This is a Taycan, and I know for a fact that they retail at over eighty grand. No doubt one of his little Clubs brought it round for him. I walk around the bonnet and climb inside. I sigh and stroke the leather seat but pause when I find Archer’s eyes on me.

“You like cars, Scarlet?”

I nod, chewing on my lip. I’m slightly annoyed at myself for letting him know his car impresses me. “I know how to appreciate a good car. I bet she drives like a dream.”

He starts the engine and nods his head. “You really crave speed and danger, don’t you?”

I meet his eyes as he pulls out on to the winding driveway. “Nearly dying can have that effect.”

He swallows, frowning, and I regret that I changed the mood in the car. I quite like playful and teasing Archer. “Do you remember much from the accident?”

I clear my throat and look out in front of me, not trusting myself to look into his eyes. “I relive it every night. The sounds, the feeling of the car flying through the air. The pain when the tree branch went through my leg. The cold. I remember my father's eyes as he looked back at me. The pain in knowing that if I hadn’t been late out of netball practice that night that we’d have missed the drunk driver and they’d be here today.” I cough. Fuck, I didn’t mean to share so much with him.

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