Golden Crown (Arthur Academy Book 2), page 16
“Yeah Pax,” he grunts, still not looking up.
“What was it this time?” he rumbled, as he leaned across the table so no one else could hear him. His eyes carefully darting around to make sure he had a little privacy.
“What was what?”
“Look at me asshole.”
I shivered. My eyes darting frantically between Paxton and now River, as he slowly and cautiously raised his un-focused eyes to look at him.
“Happy?”
There was a flash of sadness that crossed Paxton’s face before it was gone in a flash. “You promised no more hard shit. What was it this time?”
“I don’t need this Pax.”
“Yeah, well I don’t want to bury my friend before I turn 21 either. What the fuck are you back on?” The quiet, eeriness of his voice sent chills down my spine, until the screech of Rivers chair echoed loudly through the room.
“You know what? Fuck this. I don’t need this right now.”
He shoved his phone in his tight jeans, before stalking out of the room.
“River!” he calls, jerking to his feet with his arms leaning on the table, before Austin appears and places a calming hand on his shoulder.
“Just leave it Pax.”
“Leave it? He’s fucking killing himself.”
Austin sighs when his eyes glance to the door River just stalked out of. “I know that and you know that, but he needs to know it too. All we can do is try and get through to him. We can’t force him. You know what happened the last time we tried it that way.”
There was silence as Austin came to my side and took his seat, while Paxton seemed lost in thought as he continues to stare after his friend. Despite knowing the rest of the room were watching us, my eyes never left him.
“L-last time? What happened last time?” I ask softly, causing him to drag his hands through his hair.
“It doesn’t matter.”
His mask had come down over his face again and he was shutting me out. It was moments like this that I wish we were alone so I could pull him aside and get him to open up to me. Make him speak to me the way he did when he didn’t have the entire world on his shoulders. He was hurting – I could feel it. But when Austin slid a tray in front of me with a bottle of water and some fruit, I glance up and utter a thankyou instead.
After Paxton slowly sat back down, he seemed lost in his own thoughts. He was on-edge and quiet, until Austin coughed low in his throat and leaned forward while playing with an apple he held in his hands.
“So I spoke to my father.”
That seemed to bring Paxton back into the present when his head jerked toward us and his eyes grew wide. “He’s cool with it. He said he trusts my judgement.” His eyes move to me sadly, before going back to the red apple in his hands.
“That’s one down. We need to see where River and Banks are at too.”
Austin nods, his focus still on the fruit he was playing with.
“Hey!” Paxton snaps, snatching the apple from Austin’s hands and causing him to jerk his head at him surprised. “We need to make sure everything is set before the meeting. It’s been called Austin. So we need to be absolutely sure.”
“I know.”
They share some secret communication with one another as their eyes speak the words I couldn’t hear, before Paxton gives Austin the apple back and he moves his gaze back to me.
“You guys need to be certain of what?” I ask, watching in anticipation as Paxton opens his mouth to reply. But by the regretful look in his eyes - I instantly interject. “And don’t tell me nothing Pax. We’re in this together, right?”
He hesitates, before a vulnerable nod overtakes him. “To officially bring you in, we will be called to a meeting. A meeting, with all five chairmen of the elite families who will have a vote to see if they allow it.”
“Allow it? You mean, allow me to date Austin…” I start, remembering a mention of such a thing but not really understanding what it meant. “Your fathers actually vote on things like that…?”
I was trying to understand, but I couldn’t deny that it was beyond anything I’d think could actually happen if it meant these guys weren’t allowed to publicly date whoever they choose to.
“We need majority votes new girl,” Austin adds. “Which means we have my fathers’ vote, but we need to make sure we have Banks and Rivers fathers’ too. Three will be enough.”
My eyes move back to Paxton’s and when I see the sadness on his face, I realise what that means. “Because I’m guessing Amber’s father and your father Pax, will say no.”
He doesn’t respond. He doesn’t even offer a nod either. But the intensity behind his eyes is telling me everything I need to know.
“And what happens if they too, say no?”
There’s a slight pause, before Paxton’s hand reaches across the table. I glance up at him, before he stops, his eyes darting around us before pulling back frustrated instead. “We are hoping it won’t come to that.”
“But what if…” I start, but this time, Austin takes my hand instead.
“No ‘what-ifs’. Trust us, we’ve got this.”
My eyes dart between Austin’s hand on top of mine, and Paxton’s rigid frame in front of me.
“Tomorrow night. 7’oclock.”
Paxton’s firm voice left no room for argument and despite me being way over my head about everything that was going on, I trusted they knew what they were doing.
And right now, that would have to be enough.
Chapter Nineteen
Paxton
“Are you ready for this?” I whisper beside her, careful not to let my eyes stray to Austin’s hand gripped tightly in hers. She nods, but her movement is jerky like she’s trying to convince herself of the fact. A breath leaves me in a deep exhale, frustrated beyond anything that I was feeling this helpless right now. I know this was my idea. It was a part of my plan to selfishly keep Hendrix close to me without my father or anyone else trying to hurt her, but seeing the anxiety wash over her right now, I can’t help but worry that maybe this wasn’t the right plan for her.
For us.
I can’t help but worry that this meeting may not go the way I planned it to go either. Especially with no backup on hand which meant it was either a win or lose situation. There were no second chances. There was nothing in between.
“Let’s get this over with,” Austin mutters, taking a huge sip from his flask, before tucking it back into his leather jacket. My eyes try to catch his, but they were trained hard ahead of him; so I straighten my spine before following them inside. I can feel Hendrix automatically drift closer to me, the thought alone that she’s looking for my comfort right now rages the beast inside of me, when all I wanted to do was hold her. But as I glance at the red dot above us, I know the surveillance would catch every movement and I know how smart my father is. So, I grit my teeth and do my best to ignore the girl beside me which was one of the hardest tasks to accomplish.
“Pax, do you think we’ll be done soon? Layla’s hoping I can swing by later if you get my drift?” Banks snickers in my ear from behind me. I shake my head, glaring at him and causing him to mutter a ‘whatever’ before falling in line behind us with River.
We ring the bell, and my fathers’ butler appears like he’s greeting a bunch of strangers. It’s not like the man had known me since I was in diapers or anything…
“They are expecting you.”
I slide inside feeling the subtle brush of Hendrix’s arm as her and Austin follow close behind me, and as we walk through the oversized foyer, the only sound heard above my breathing were the echoes of our heavy strides through the empty room. It was haunting really. I’d always felt that way about this place. This house, that was supposed to be my inviting family home growing up. But it was none of those things. It held a sense of dread that was embedded deep and had never shifted, and I was more than tense knowing I was bringing Hendrix here into this shit-show.
Fuck, had I made a huge mistake? Did I not think this through properly?
It was unlike me to doubt myself, because let’s face it, I was the cockiest son of a bitch most days - but it wasn’t just about me anymore. There was her now too, and I was fucking terrified of what would happen should this not go how I wanted it to.
How I needed it to.
It wasn’t like the abuse my father dealt to my mother and sister, because blood to him accounted for something – no matter how small that ‘something’ may be. But Hendrix was an outsider to him. A danger.
A risk.
And that made this entire plan so fucking uncertain.
I shove all of that worry down though and don my mask when I see my father ahead in the main dining room. He’s standing at the head of the huge 18-seater-table when we enter and his eyes never leave mine. He even adds a smug smile on his arrogant face for added benefit.
“Nice to see you son.”
I nod, my guise firmly in place as I take my usual seat to his right. I expect to feel Austin take his usual seat beside me, but instead, I’m overwhelmed by Hendrix’s sweet, cinnamon scent and her body warmth as she settles in beside me. Austin takes the place on her other side before Banks and River fall in next. A small courtesy I’ll need to thank my brother for later. I keep my eyes firmly ahead, the rigidity of my body not giving anything away and my eyes falling to Austin’s father who gives me a small, encouraging smile.
“Good to see you again gentleman, heirs, and…” he pauses, taking a distasteful glance toward Hendrix. “Our other guest.”
There’s a unison of low murmurs before my father, all too slowly, takes his seat.
“So first I need to send my apologies for the Westwood seat as he has other matters he is still dealing with. But none the matter, he has been briefed about this matter and I have his vote.” I balled my fist knowing he hadn’t done anything of the sort, except have the Westwood’s wrapped around his fucking finger. After everything with Amber, my father would do just about anything because all that mattered to him was his seat in this very room.
“This meeting was called as per by-law 308,” my father continues, his eyes narrowing on Hendrix, before scrolling through his ipad which was linked to the large flatscreen behind him. The dark screen illuminates showcasing the by-law from their rulebook he’s just referred to. A rulebook, he had every intention to follow down to its’ very word. I’d been counting on it.
“As you can see gentleman, the Lewis heir has been showcasing someone on his arm who is not elite approved and is more than just a one-night-of-baggage, although…” he starts, turning his nose down at Hendrix once more. “That remains to be seen.”
I clench both hands on my thigh as the anger inside me almost cracks my mask, before I feel her hesitant yet warm touch on my hand. I don’t move, but by the soft touch I know it’s Hendrix trying to calm me. She’s trying to offer me support, despite the way my father is treating her right now.
“First matters first, Lewis, do you have any objection to this unfortunate situation?” he continues, pointedly looking at Austin’s father with a kind of rigid determination.
He edges a cough in his throat, glancing at Austin and offering him a supportive smile. “No objections from me Phillip.”
Although Austin’s dad has always been supportive of Austin, he’s also had to play the game as well which hasn’t always ended well for them. It’s the reason he’s tried so hard with Austin and me over the past year, because the games my father used to inflict on him, were usually the kinds of sordid affairs to strengthen deals between the elite empire and other ventures. So let’s just say that Austin never took well to the fact that his father was basically fucking around on his mom so much. It was clear that David Lewis had had no choice because he thought he was doing the right thing by his family and his only son; but when my father tired of that and moved onto other things he has tried like hell to fix his damaged relationships with Austin and his wife. It was around the time Austin started drinking so much too, which I assumed was no coincidence.
“Interesting…” my father states with a cool edge to his voice. “Have you even looked into the girl your son wants to bring into our fold?”
I prayed like hell that he hadn’t…
“With all due respect Phillip, my family has always shown their loyalty and trust in your lead and decisions, but I trust my son’s judgement too. That’s enough for me.” I grin to myself, thankful for Austin’s dad before turning my attention back to my father who was silently fuming.
“Well I for one, don’t know this girl, a girl who is here on our scholarship using our funds to further her education. How do we know she isn’t still using this opportunity to further herself? I would hate for Austin or the Lewis name to be caught up in that kind of deceit.”
I will myself to calm down and not to throw my body over hers to shield her from these grenades being thrown at her from point-blank range. But knowing as much as I did, it was the reason these kinds of meetings were had in front of said person wanting to come in. Because let’s face it, most would be beyond humiliated being talked about this way especially to their face and wouldn’t want anything to do with us. A result, I just know my father was hoping for. It was the reason my stomach was in complete knots because I wasn’t sure how far my father would go today, or worse yet – what he had up his sleeve. Automatically, I turn my hand beneath hers so it’s now palm-up on my thigh, so I can grip her hand tightly in mine. I feel her tremble, and I can only imagine how she feels sitting in here in front of these people. I don’t even care if I blow everything up right now because there is no way I can continue sitting here listening to this piece of shit go on about her like she’s not even in the room.
“Again Phillip, whilst I appreciate you looking out for my son, he is my responsibility and I trust his decisions.”
“I see...” My father reclines back in his seat with his hands steepled in front of him. “And does the seat of Stratford and Crawford have anything to add? About this person being brought in?”
I see Banks and Rivers’ dad’s glance uneasily toward Hendrix and I know they aren’t happy about it. Banks and River did what they could before the meeting, as we always have each others backs, but you’d have to be blind not to see they were uneasy. Mr Stratford Snr, Banks father, is first to speak.
“I would be lying if I said it didn’t unsettle me, Phillip. I mean, if it were my son I would want to ensure a stronger match and bloodline should this union lead to that in the future. But it is not my son, nor do I think I should have a say in David’s.” He taps David Lewis on the shoulder, and they share a courteous nod. Austin and Banks’ fathers were the closest in the group as it was something that had started in highschool when they both dated twin sisters. Unfortunately for Banks’ dad though, his twin died in a car accident during their senior year, but it only seemed to cement their friendship. A fact, I was more than counting on when I planned this.
“I have no objection and only ask, that if this relationship doesn’t last, that the girl be made to sign a non-disclosure agreement and be settled away from the public to ensure our brand is not affected as per the by-laws in our constitution.”
Most of us nod in agreement before glancing back to my father who seems to be grinding his back teeth with irritation. “Well, that would be a given in any circumstance such as this, but am I confirming you are agreeing to this, relationship, being official?”
He nods. “I am.”
My fathers’ eyes turn to me, and as he stares straight at me, he sends a chilling smile in my direction.
“Well before we go to the official vote, I think it only fair to the organisation of course, that we go through this girl’s history before we commit to anything.”
Fuck no! I wanted to scream; but before I blow everything up, Austin interjects.
“With all due respect sir, I don’t see why we need to put my girl here through that, when we already have enough votes to proceed.”
“With all due respect Austin, the votes from the seat of Reed and Westwood are in and both decline, and the seat of Crawford hasn’t given his answer yet which means we have a tied decision at present.”
My heart beats hard in my chest. I knew both my father and Ambers would have made those decisions, but part of my plan depended on the fact that Banks and River would come through with their fathers’ votes. I didn’t ask for specifics on what they had to do to get through to them about this, because to be honest, I didn’t give a fuck. But when Rivers dad narrows his black eyes on River who is staring at him with so much venom, even I feel unsettled, I’m not feeling that confident. And with everything I’ve noticed River going through these past few days, I’m suddenly uncertain as to whether my plan was about to backfire.
After some long, excruciating moments, something passes between them. Something dark; before finally he shuffles in his seat and looks at my father.
“I agree with her being brought in, my vote makes this three-to-two and therefore agreed to by majority. But I want to see what you have on her Phillip. I think we should all see it in this room so should this relationship not last, and if this girl decides to try and do something to jeopardise us, we have some leverage she knows we can use against her.”
“Father, but?!” Austin interjects, as Hendrix’s hand starts to quake.
“But nothing,” my father snaps, his fist banging on the table and rattling the several water glasses on its surface. “I agree Damon. Leverage would be handy, and Austin? You may think you love this girl now, but things can change. If that happens, we owe it to the elite to ensure she has no leverage on us. It ensures we aren’t blinded.”
I open my mouth ready to respond, before River’s dad, Damon Crawford adds. “I agree Phillip. No offence to the girl or to you Austin on your decision, but it will ensure her silence no matter how you two turn out. It ensures our future stays strong and impenetrable.”
I don’t look to see if River is staring down his father, nor do I glance at anyone else except my own. Because if the truth be told, I knew what he was saying was right. It’s the smart thing to do in our world with an outsider we didn’t know. It was the part of my plan that I knew would be a risk in trying to execute because I was hoping their votes would be enough.
