Nero (Made Men #1)(16)

When Nero was satisfied he understood, he finally let him go. Then Nero looked around the cafeteria, making sure everyone was paying attention.

“Their names are Elle and Chloe, and you will call them by their names.”

Elle had not been expecting that, and by the expression on Chloe’s face, she hadn’t been, either. She couldn’t believe he had not only told Sebastian to fuck off, but the whole school, as well. All these years, she had gone with not one person standing up for her, and here Nero had stood up to the whole school.

Elle watched Nero come over to her. “You okay?”

She hoped her face didn’t look as dumb as she thought. It does. I know it does. “Um, yeah, I’m fine.” She looked over at Chloe to make sure she was good. She didn’t look terrified anymore; she looked a little dazed. Elle was certain she looked the same.

Nero grinned. “Do you think I could sit here now?”

Elle knew he deserved some consolation for what he had done. Still, she felt that this wasn’t going to change anything. She didn’t believe his intentions were good and knew a guy like Nero would never like her. Elle figured she could let him sit with her, though. It’s not like he will keep sitting here, anyway.

She glanced at Chloe to make sure she was okay with it. She knew she wasn’t thrilled, yet she would deal.

Elle looked up at Nero and smiled. “Sure, why not?”

“Good.” Nero looked up across the cafeteria and motioned a ‘come here’. Elle saw Nero’s crew get up from their table and come toward them. Oh, shit.

She immediately got up and stood beside Chloe. “What are you doing?” She could feel Chloe getting nervous.

“Uh, I’m sitting here, and they sit where I sit.”

“No, I said you can sit here. I didn’t say they could.”

“What’s the big deal?” Elle saw it dawn on him the moment he asked. He could figure it out by the way she was standing in front of Chloe.

“They can’t sit here, Nero.”

Elle watched Nero hold up his hand, stopping his crew.

“Ba-Elle, listen; letting them sit here will make sure no one will ever say or do anything to you and Chloe again. They won’t hurt you. I promise.” He made sure to hold her eyes, letting her know he was telling the truth. “They won’t touch Chloe, either. I give you my word.”

Elle looked at Chloe. She knew she was running out of room to protect her friend in this Hell. This semester had started out terribly, and it was only the first week. Elle knew she needed help, and if anyone in this school could protect Chloe, it was Nero and his crew. Sorry, Chloe.

Elle sat down beside Chloe. “You better not be lying to me, Nero.”

Elle knew he had heard her; he nodded, not only for her, but for his crew to come over.

Elle whispered to Chloe, “It’s going to be okay. I haven’t let anyone in here hurt you, have I?” And she hadn’t. Elle did whatever it took to make sure no one laid a finger on her. Yes, that meant Elle got the short end of the stick in here, but Chloe got the shortest end of the shittiest stick outside of here.

Elle gave Chloe a smile when she finally answered, shaking her head no.

Elle could see the signal Nero gave the young blond one to sit beside Chloe. That tugged at her heart a little. He was a good choice because he was practically a kid and had never had any part in their bullying.

Nero took his seat on the other side of Elle and draped his arm on the back of her chair as Amo and Vincent took the other two remaining seats across from them.

“This is my little brother, Leo.” Leo flashed his shiny, white teeth.

Jesus, he is a miniature Nero.

“Leo, this is Chloe.” He nodded toward Chloe.

“Hey, Chloe.” Leo held his hand out.

Elle quickly took his hand. “Sorry, she’s germaphobic. I’m Elle.”

Elle watched the four guys stare at her and Chloe. The situation was already awkward, and that had just made it a lot more so.

“That’s freaking genius, Nero. Why haven’t we thought of that after all the gross hands we’ve had to shake?” Leo laughed at his own joke, the guys all joining in, and Elle couldn’t help herself from laughing with them. Even Chloe chuckled.

Elle automatically liked Leo. It was something you couldn’t help; he was completely adorable with his long, dirty-blond hair and deep-blue eyes. He knew how to handle himself even at a young age, and Elle knew he had gotten it from his older brother.

Surprisingly, Elle thought lunch was going well. Nero, Amo, and Vincent talked mostly to themselves the whole time while Elle asked Leo questions about how he liked high school so far. Leo, being easy to talk to, had Chloe chiming in, as well. It was a nice lunch. They’d never had any company besides themselves. They, of course, never minded it, but it was a nice change. It was time to head back to class before they knew it.

Elle and Chloe got up first to take their trays to the trash, but Nero stopped Elle. He grabbed her tray and took it from her while Amo came up and grabbed Chloe’s tray. Chloe, however, didn’t let it go; she kept her hands on the tray, holding it tight. Amo held on tighter and slowly pulled it closer to him, freeing it from her hands.

“I-I can throw away my own trash.” Chloe kept her eyes down to the floor; no way she would look a big guy like Amo in the face.