Page 19 of Vicious Butterfly
“Sir, my brother’s in the medical bay.”
“I know where your brother is, cadet. I assure you, he’s being well looked after.”
I’ll be the fucking judge of that. I don’t say it out loud, but my grinding teeth say it for me.
His lips are in a firm line on his face. “You’re the hockey captain, you’ve just come from practice, you need to eat, cadet.”
Do I look like I’m about to pass out? Probably, but I’ve got some protein bars in my bag that’ll tide me over till lunch. Just another reason I hate this place—they’re fucking sticklers for routine, mealtimes, and lights out. I don’t mistake his instructions for care; they’re for keeping one of their star athletes well-fueled and in line.
“Sir, I?—”
“It’s not your job to look after him. It’s our job. Sit. Eat.”
Like fuck it’s not my job.
“Dismissed,” he says.
My exit isn’t graceful, but he doesn’t call me on it like any other officer would, letting me storm back to the hockey table. Pulling out my chair, I drop onto it, glaring at my empty plate. Ackerman smirks, taking my plate, piling eggs and sausage onto it, which is fucking annoying. Becks analyzes me, and I can read his mind.You ready for my plan yet?
No, I’m fucking not.
Gideon pours me some juice and leans back to enjoy the show. Shadows cling naturally to his eyes as though someone smudged charcoal beneath them, sharpening an already predatory stare. He thinks I’m gonna lose it. Last year, I would have. This year I can’t. Father finally got his fucking wish. If he wanted to reel me in, he should have done this with Griff sooner.
Kane saunters in late—that’s going to be five demerits for him—turns a chair backwards and sits, loosening his tie. That’s another two demerits. He’s going to get suspended from the team, and I need his ass. I turn my ire toward him, hoping he’ll catch my drift. I’m not in the mood to chastise him.
He’s not just a friend; he’s my cousin on my mother’s side. My mom was a King.
“Relax, captain.” He plucks a greasy sausage from the tray with his fingers, tilting his head back to drop it in his mouth, chewing like a damn cow. “What did I miss?” He talks with his mouth full.
“Our fearless captain got told to sit down and eat, and then he waltzed right back here, obeying like a good boy,” Torin says. “I’m not sure it’s him.”
“I’m gonna fucking kill you, Ackerman,” I promise.
“Ouch. After I plated food for you.” He grabs one of the breakfast sandwiches. What’s everyone got against cutlery today?
Becks eats with his hands too, smiling, waiting for me to break.Asshole.I use my fork as a form of protest. Maybe they can learn some manners from me.
“Did you tell him about the hockey fight club?” Kane says, grabbing another sausage.
“Shut the fuck up, dumbass. What the fuck is wrong with you?” Becks growls.
Kane shrugs, finally using a napkin. “You said you needed money. I thought you’d be all over that shit.”
I turn my rage on Gideon and Torin, the rats who told everyone my business. But Beckett and Gideon are cousins, and Gideon and Torin aren’t related, but they’re as close as brothers. Apparently, that’s all it takes to turn a bunch of grown men into a fucking hen house.
“Oh, c’mon. You’re not mad at us, are you?” Torin says. “They were gonna find out.”
“We’re not talking about this here. Eat, or I’m telling Coach to bench all of you.” I keep eating, hellbent on shoveling enough food down to satisfy Captain Grady, and maybe get to my brother.
One of the higher-ranking officers, Major Carter, marches up to our table. He’s also the TAC officer for my company. “Cadet King.”
Kane looks up, in no rush to be told off, meeting the officer’s eyes with an expression that’s politely curious instead of the fear he should have. Major Carter is the fuck around and find out officer, amajorfucking dick.
“Sir?”
Major Carter’s gaze takes in the backwards chair, his forearms draped over the back, his loosened tie, and everyone eating with their fucking hands.
“Unacceptable. Chair forward and fix your tie. The cutlery is not a suggestion, gentlemen.”
