The Forbidden Note (Redwood Kings Book 4)

That morning, I keep my distance from Grey, which is freaking hard to do when the questions keep piling up in my head.

The more I think about it, the more unsettling it all seems.

Why did Grey look so angry when she got that call from Harris’s office?

Why did she expose our parents’ marriage when she seemed so determined to keep it under wraps since the beginning?

And what the hell did Harris mean when he said she could destroy Redwood?

How?

She’s the most popular teacher, sure.

And it’s freaking aggravating how the lust-crazed dirtbags at Redwood drool over her.

But that’s nothing that could cause the very foundations of Redwood Prep to crumble.

Harris is out of his mind.

I should just forget about it.

But there’s this sneaking suspicion in my gut that I’m missing something.

Looking back, it’s a little strange that Grey didn’t quit Redwood after she found out who I was. Even if she couldn’t leave right away because of a contract or something, she’d have booked it eventually. The fact that she’s holding on, that she’s insistent on staying, lands different now that I’m seeing it from a new perspective.

What exactly does she want from Redwood?

“You okay, Zane?” Dutch asks, peering at me as the musical bells chime.

I nod, stepping away from my drums. “Just thinking.”

“That’s rare,” Finn mumbles, setting his bass in the stand.

I flip him off.

Sol rolls his eyes from where he’s lounging in the sofa.

“I gotta pick up Cadey.” Dutch’s amber gaze drills into me. “You want to come?”

“Why? You think I’m going to sneak off and see Grey if you’re not watching me?”

“It was just an offer, Zane. But thanks. Now I know what you really want to do.”

“Let’s go.” I slap Sol on the leg. “If he’s on the move, we’re all on the move.”

Sol groans, but he gets up and follows us without complaint.

It’s second period and students are pouring out of classrooms. The moment they see us coming, they step aside, leaving a clear path for us.

Cadence is hanging out by her locker with her friend Serena. The brunette in the leather jacket gives Finn a quick glance before smiling at me.

“Hey,” I say, lifting my chin.

A nervous grin flits over her face.

While her friend looks uncomfortable, Cadey doesn’t. She walks boldly toward Dutch. My brother moves into her as if they’ve been apart for years rather than just first period.

I notice Sol hanging back, looking moodier than usual.

“Had a good class, babe?” Dutch asks, slipping an arm around Cadence’s waist and giving her a kiss.

“Yeah, you’d know if you’d attend for once.”

“I’ll steal your notes.”

“To do what? I never see you take any tests.” She holds the side of his face, her giant wedding ring sparkling bright enough to blind someone.

Everyone passing by stares at them. Most of the guys are staring at Dutch in confusion. Most of the girls are staring at Cadence’s ring, which Dutch made sure could be spotted from the moon.

I wonder when Jinx will break the news of their marriage to the masses. Dutch paid her off and told her to keep her virtual mouth shut, but there’s no hiding how much he loves Cadey. Everyone knows something’s up and that ring is just confirmation. I heard several girls weeping after finding out my twin was off the market for good.

I wish he wasn’t.

Now that Dutch is settled down, Jinx seems more obsessed with me. I’ve noticed my name ramping up in her app. If I wasn’t paired with Miss Jamieson, I wouldn’t really give a damn, but things are getting complicated. Having more and more eyes on us won’t spell anything but trouble.

“Let me hold your purse,” Dutch says, reaching for Cadence’s bag.

I scoff as my brother swings the purse over his head and walks with one arm over Cadey’s shoulders.

Those two are freaking obnoxious.

We take off beside them, heading for Cadey’s next class.

At that moment, three jocks stalk into the hallway. They’re tall and bulky, walking squares in puffy letterman jackets. One carries a football under his arm. It’s obvious to me, from the moment they spot us, that they’re looking for a fight.

“Heads up,” I mumble, tapping Sol on the shoulder.

Dutch pushes Cadey behind him.

Finn pauses to bookmark his e-book before pocketing the phone.

The jocks come closer, crap-eating grins on their faces.

My fingers coil. The rivalry between the music and the sports department is legendary. Since dad is practically the ambassador of Redwood, music has gotten most of the financial support and media buzz.

The jocks have always resented us for stealing their thunder.

I don’t feel sorry for them.

Maybe if they didn’t suck so much, they would get more acknowledgement.

“Yo,” the meathead at the front says, swaggering over to us, “which one of you is the lucky bastard who bagged Jamieson?”

Immediately, the hallway goes quiet.

Fights are rare at Redwood.

Here, it’s more convenient to throw money than fists.

Money’s cleaner. Quicker. And there’s no need to get your hands dirty.

My hands are begging for this guy’s blood though.

I take a step forward.

Finn moves slightly in front of me.

“Come on. Who was it? I just want to shake your hand.” The idiot grins. “Preferably, the one that was inside her.”

My entire body jolts forward.

Sol steps in front of me this time.

I’m being blocked by the two of them and it still isn’t enough.

Dutch unleashes a scowl. “Walk away. Now.”

The jock sizes Dutch up. “Or what?”

“Or I’ll bash your skull into your freaking tail bone,” I snap, lunging.

Sol grabs my shoulder.

Finn stretches his arms over my chest, barring me.

“Why so uptight after hitting a babe like Jamieson? Don’t tell me you couldn’t handle her?” He laughs. “Tell Miss J to come my way if she wants a real man.” He grabs his crotch. “I’ll make eighteen feel like thirty-seven.”

“Have some freaking respect,” Cadence snaps, stalking up to the guy even though she’s pint-sized and can do zero damage. “You’re disgusting.”

Dutch pulls his wife all the way behind him. Cadence struggles to be free, looking ready to beat the crap out of everyone.

No wonder Dutch fell head over heels.

His girl’s a dynamite.

“Don’t be so selfish, kings. At least tell us if she tastes as good as she looks.” The jock grins, showing off teeth just begging to be smashed in. “Is it just one of you who got to smash?” Eyes glinting, he whispers, “Or do all of you share—”

I break out of Sol and Finn’s human barricade and lash my drumstick across the bastard’s face. He lets out a scream that rattles through the hallway. Bending down, he grabs his head.

His two friends rush me, lips twisted darkly. Sol and Finn launch at them.

Sol throws a dirty right hook.

Finn does a round-house kick and the other guy crumples like a potato sack.

The fight is over before it even begins.

We form a straight line, staring at the jocks.

They pick themselves off the floor, skin flaming in embarrassment. The one at the front has a large, drumstick sized welt on his cheekbones.

“Stop now unless you want your face rearranged,” I warn them.

The jocks curse and rush at us, roaring.

Just then, the football coach enters the hallway.

“What the hell is going on here?”

“They threw the first punch, coach. Wasn’t us.”

The meathead bawls and sets a hand on his face which is already starting to swell. “I think he blinded me, coach. I can’t see.”

The little prick.

My stick was nowhere near his eyes.

A vein pops in the coach’s face. “You. You. You. And You.” He stabs a finger in our direction. “Principal’s office.”

I glare at the coach.

Dutch folds his arms over his chest.

Finn doesn’t move.

The coach sees our resistance and goes red. “I don’t care who your father is, we do not allow fighting at Redwood. If my star QB is benched, I swear, I’ll take this straight to the school district board. Principal’s office. Now.”

Dutch drops his arms.

Finn looks annoyed.

The jock preens at me, sticking out his tongue.

I want to rip his spine out by the throat.

“Let’s go.” The coach motions for us to walk in front of him.

Under his breath, Sol lets out a spew of colorful curses in Spanish. I don’t need a translation to hear that he’s not in the mood for this crap.

Dutch grabs Cadence’s shoulders. “I’ll be right back.”

She nods.

Dutch, Finn, and Sol trail me down the hallway.

Everyone watches our procession with solemn eyes. We’ve done our share of crap here at Redwood, but this is the first time we’ve started a fistfight in broad daylight.

You’re reckless. Emotional. Irresponsible.

Dad’s words echo in my head.

Now, as I walk beside my brothers, watching the heaviness on their faces, I wonder if he was right.

Jinx: Do Kings Fight For Their Concubines?

They say music is a weapon and Snare King showed he’s just as dangerous as Prince Charming when he uses those sticks on something other than drums.

With rumors swirling about who’s been occupying the Snare King’s bed, tempers reached a boiling point. The battle ended swiftly and there was a clear winner, but why didn’t it feel like a victory?

Perhaps, Snare King and his royal brothers should have kept their dirty deeds from the light. Because now that the world is watching, there won’t be anywhere for their secrets to hide.

Until the next post, keep your enemies close and your secrets even closer.

– Jinx