Page 100 of Notorious

The club now has dirt on everyone around town and even further than we need now locked away for safekeeping. You never know when shit like that is going to come in handy.

Alpha, Poppy, Livvy, and I are a solid team. I never thought I’d be part of a blended family, but that is exactly what we are, in a way. And I know Poppy is more than happy to have all of us in her life, guiding her through and teaching her how to be a part of everyday life, and that maybe you shouldn’t tell your friends at school how to use the tools she learned at The Nest. It’s been a steep learning curve for Poppy and Livvy, but that’s why this little family unit works, because we can all bond together over everything we’ve all been through.

Somehow, we just work.

Maverick, Clover, and I have become close—the family we were always meant to be. I have to admit that being an older sister fills me with so much love and happiness. I didn’t know this was the part of my life that’s been missing—other than Alpha, of course. Knowing I had family out in the world was slowly killing me inside, and now that they’re here and I canspend the time to make sure they’re happy and safe, it is everything I need to keep me grounded and happy.

Speaking of making sure I keep them safe and happy, Maverick and I are meeting at Clover’s school, where the principal is going to have a chat with us about her upcoming year as a senior. When Mav and I walk into the school, kids do a double take, looking at Maverick wearing his biker cut with all his patches and me wearing my property patch. Some scamper off in other directions, others whisper in small groups while Clover huffs, shaking her head. “Do you think you guys could have at least taken the club cuts off while we walk inside?”

Maverick turns to face her. “You ashamed of the patch now, Clo?”

She groans. “You know I’m not. It’s just kids don’t understand.”

I let out a snort. “Well, fuck them,” I say.

Maverick slaps my hand in agreement and Clover huffs. “It’s not that simple. School isn’t like the biker world or an elite assassin establishment. This shit is cutthroat. It’s kill or be killed. If you’re not with the cool kids in high school, that’s it. Your life is over!” she whines.

I side-eye Maverick, and he grins at me. “Okay. Little dramatic, but okay. We’ll behave, won’t we, Haven?”

“Of course. We got your back, little sis. Whatever this meeting is about, we will be on our best behavior.”

Clover folds her arms over her chest defensively. “Mm-hmm, we’ll see.”

Maverick and I chuckle as she leads us inside, down the hall and to the principal’s office. Maverick approaches the receptionist to let them know we’re here before I turn to Clover. “Do you have any idea what this is about?”

She shrugs. “They probably want to expel me for the drugs in my locker.”

My eyes widen as I jerk my head back but a slow smile crosses her lips. “I’m kidding. I have no idea.”

Letting my heart sink back to a normal rhythm, I shake my head. “Saying shit like that probably doesn’t help your case, Clo.”

She snorts, nodding her head. “You’re probably right. Hey, maybe I am getting a scholarship because I am so fucking smart. I’m just doing that freaking amazing, and my grades are the best they’ve ever been.”

I narrow my eyes on her, and she purses her lips like she’s trying to hold in her laugh. “You sure there’s nothing you wanna tell us before we head in there?”

Clover groans, rolling her eyes. “I swear, I have no clue what this is about.”

Maverick steps up to us, gesturing over his shoulder. “The receptionist says the principal wants Haven and me to go in. She wants you to go to class, Clo.”

Clover furrows her brows like she’s suddenly concerned. “Talking about me behind my back. Okay, maybe this isn’t because I am the smartest kid in school.”

I reach out, pulling her to me. “We’ll come pick you up after school. We can discuss whatever this is then and how we’re going to deal with it. Just try not to stress and have a good day, okay?”

She pulls back from me, her face somber. “Yeah… sure.”

Mav punches her in the arm. “We’re Cadells. We’re built tough, remember?”

A smile lights her face again. “I remember. Us three against the world.”

“Fuck yeah,” Maverick and I both say in unison just before the principal steps up to us, clearing her throat.

“Miss Cadell, the first period is in session. You better hurry before you get yourself a tardy note,” she tells Clover.

Clover dips her head. “Sorry, Mrs. Bedford.” Then she pulls afunny face that only Mav and I can see, and she turns to walk off. “See you after school.”

“Have a good day,” I call out, turning back to Mrs. Bedford, Mav already giving her the stink eye.

“If you’d like to follow me into my office,” she states, leading the way.

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