Trial By Fire (Going Down in Flames #3)(67)
So of course, Jaxon had to do something to mess the situation up. At least that’s what she figured he was doing since he showed up at her door after classes.
Instinct told her she shouldn’t invite him inside, but she couldn’t leave him standing in the hall, either. “Hello, Jaxon.” She backed up so he could enter. “To what do we owe the honor of your presence?”
“There’s something we need to discuss. Privately.” He directed his gaze at Valmont. “Tell your knight to give us some privacy.”
Where does he get off? “Number one, he’s not deaf. And two, whatever you have to say to me you can say in front of him.”
“No. I can’t.” Jaxon crossed his arms over his chest. “And I’m not leaving until we talk.”
“That’s a threat I’ll actually respect.” Valmont stood. “In the interest of getting rid of him, I’ll wait in my room.”
Bryn wanted to tell Valmont she didn’t want to speak to Jaxon alone, but that wasn’t a choice. Once her knight had relocated, she walked over and sat at the library table, gesturing that Jaxon should join her because she was tired of everything being on his terms. “What new drama is about to befall my life?”
“We need to discuss the dance.” His tone was so serious, she wanted to laugh.
“Okay. What about it?”
His gaze darted to Valmont’s door. “It’s essential everyone believes your relationship with Valmont is appropriate.”
She so did not like where this was going. “What exactly do you mean by that?”
“You must appear to be friends and nothing more.” Jaxon was so adamant, she took a moment to analyze the situation. And it came to her. “Are you worried about how it will look if your, God-forbid-possible-future-wife, is out on a real date with someone?”
“Yes. Everyone knows our lineage came back a match. While I prefer to live in the land of denial, we still need to be aware of our behavior in public which means you cannot undermine my status by being seen as romantically involved with someone else.”
A base drum started beating in her temples. “I get the whole I-must-appear-to-be-the-Alpha-male-to-protect-Rhianna routine. But that doesn’t mean I’m giving up on having a fun night. Your ego will have to deal with it. Besides you’ll be on a real date with Rhianna.”
He opened his mouth to speak.
“I swear to God if you give me that no-one-cares-what-I-do-because-there’s-a-double-standard line of bullshit again, I will blast you across the room.”
His eyes narrowed. “I came here as a courtesy to you.”
And now he’d stumped her. “How do you figure?”
“If I approached you in front of other students to speak about your knight and someone overheard, your grandfather would have Valmont thrown off campus so fast it would make your head spin.”
What the crap was he talking about? “In case you forgot, it was my grandmother who asked Valmont to watch over me.”
“Yes, but if your grandfather decided the situation was inappropriate, he could end it. He outranks your grandmother. Haven’t you figured that out, yet?”
“No, he doesn’t.” Bryn smacked her hand down on the table. “If my grandmother wants something, she makes it happen. No matter if my grandfather agrees or not. In case you haven’t noticed, the Blue females let the men think they are in charge, to save their egos. The women control things behind the scenes and don’t brag about it.”
“Or maybe,” Jaxon placed both his palms flat on the table and leaned into Bryn’s personal space, “the males let the females believe they have some influence in order to keep the peace.”
If that was true, she was so going to get herself elected to the Directorate, if for no other reason than to piss Jaxon off. “That’s a nice little fantasy you have there, but it still doesn’t change the situation. I’m going to the Valentine’s dance with Valmont. We will behave however we want.”
Jaxon pushed to his feet. “Just remember, if your grandfather gets wind of any inappropriate behavior, Fonzoli’s might burn to the ground.”
Fire climbed up the back of Bryn’s throat. Sparks shot from her mouth as she spoke. “Are you threatening Valmont’s family?”
“No. I’m warning you. I’m trying to explain the facts of life, which after all this time, you somehow still fail to grasp. Your grandfather is ruthless, and he will hurt Valmont if you give him reason to do so.”
Bryn closed her eyes and focused on pushing the fire back down. “So even though you’re an insensitive ass-hat, you’re warning me away from behavior that might endanger Valmont’s safety.”
“Yes. So I suggest you keep the name-calling to a minimum, keep your knight in line, and try not to do anything that will reflect poorly on your Clan.”
“The Blues aren’t my Clan.” The words slipped from Bryn’s mouth before she thought about them. While she thought of her grandparents as family, the Clan at large didn’t give her the warm fuzzies.
Jaxon’s eyes narrowed. “Those words are treason. Never say anything so disloyal ever again. Not even your grandfather could save you, nor would he want to if anyone heard you utter such blasphemy. You should be grateful the Directorate afforded you such an honor. Otherwise you would be Clan-less. It’s not like the Reds offered to take you in.”