“Pardon?” the principal tried to act unaffected by him, but there was still that hunger in her gaze.
“You said you don’t have a choice, but you do. You’re choosing to believe this little thug and his pretentious bitch of a mother.”
“Who are you?” Rosemary screeched. “How dare you speak to me like that! My husband—”
“Spends more time on the golf course than he does at home. I can see why.” Jardin glanced up to give her an unimpressed look.
“Who are you?” Rosemary demanded. “Do you know my husband?”
“Not that well. I prefer to use a broker who doesn’t scam money from his clients.”
“How dare you?”
“No. How dare you?” He stood, slipping his phone into his pocket. “How dare you call Thea names and in front of your son, knowing he’ll come to school and repeat them to her brothers? As far as I can see, we’re done here. This boy is clearly the bully. Thea’s brothers were sticking up for her honor.” He turned to the principal. “Expel the Pincher boy and apologize to Thea and her brothers then we can leave. I might actually still get some work done today.”
“Excuse me!” the principal said. “You do not tell me how to do my job. The only boys getting expelled are these two hooligans.” She pointed to Keir and Ace.
Thea was still in shock at hearing Jardin stick up for her and her brothers that she hadn’t been able to speak yet. But at those words she frowned and turned to blast the principal.
“My brothers are not hooligans. They—”
“Yeah, hi,” Jardin interrupted her. She turned to glare at him. She couldn’t believe he was making a call right now.
Although she’d cut him some slack since he’d been defending her. She couldn’t remember the last time someone had actually done that for her.
Wasn’t that sad?
“I’m at the Elite Boys Academy. Yeah, that’s right.” His gaze turned to the principal. “You remember my PA, Thea? Yeah, that’s the one. Her brothers attend school here. We were called in because they were being picked on by Al Pincher’s kid. That’s him.” Jardin’s lips turned up into a cruel smirk.
Rosemary Pincher appeared confused. The principal was growing increasingly angry.
“That’s it. The kid called her a whore and her brothers stuck up for her. But the principal is blaming Thea’s brothers and wants to expel them. You got it. Thanks.”
He ended the call. Then he turned to the principal. “You can expect a call from the board soon. Head’s up, they won’t be happy with you.” He looked at Rosemary. “Don’t ever talk about Thea or her brothers that way again.” Then he turned to Thea. “Now, if we could go?”
The principal let out a shocked bark of laughter. “You can’t be serious. You have no authority here.”
“Actually, I’ve got far more power than you can imagine. And I’d start thinking up some good excuses for your decisions here if you want to keep your job.
“Are you threatening me?”
“Yes. Was I too ambiguous? I apologize. I am threatening you.” Her phone rang. “There you are.”
She turned slowly and picked up the phone. She was pale, in shock. Thea felt much the same way. Jardin was wielding his power like a sledgehammer. And he was doing it for her.
What was the feeling filling her? Gratitude? Relief?
Happiness?
“Hello?” The principal’s tension eased slightly, and a smile flickered on her face. “James, how lovely to hear from you. What? No. Oh. Yes. I understand. Yes. But I . . . yes . . . sorry. Yes. Certainly, sir. Goodbye.” She ended the call, looking ill. “What’s your name?”
Jardin smiled. “I’m sorry, did I forget to say? I’m Jardin Malone.”
Rosemary took in a sharp breath, looking ill. “You’re a Malone?”
“Yes. I am a Malone. And your son insulted and abused people under my protection. As did you. And since you seem to know who I am, you know the Malone’s protect their own.” He turned to the principal. “And seeing as one of my closest friends is the head of the board and the biggest donor to this school, I’m thinking you’ll be treating Ace, Keir, and Thea with more respect, right?”
He didn’t bother to wait for a reply, just turned and opened the door, walking out. A king assuming his orders will be obeyed. A dictator who had no fear of being stabbed in the back. Because no one would dare challenge him.
Something bloomed inside her. Attraction. Admiration. A slight tinge of fear. She’d always known he was powerful. That he could be ruthless. But she’d never seen that side of him.
“Thea?” She glanced down into Keir’s concerned face. “What now?”
She puffed out a breath. “We follow him, I guess.”
She didn’t expect him to be waiting for them. After all, he had things to do. And it wasn’t like he could give them all a ride in his two-seater car. But he was standing at the head of the stairs leading outside as they approached. The bell had just rung and kids were spilling out everywhere, but, somehow, they knew to give him a wide berth. When Thea and the boys reached him, he grabbed her uninjured hand and led her down the stairs.
She was dimly aware of all the stares from the mothers they were getting. Looks of admiration aimed at Jardin. Of jealousy aimed her way. Not that she blamed them.
When they reached his car, he turned. He shocked her by crouching down in front of the boys. “If you have any problems with this school, you tell me.”
“That was so epic!” Ace cheered, grinning up at him. “You told off the principal.”
“Who are you?” Keir asked suspiciously.
“I’m Thea’s friend.”
She didn’t bother to point out he’d said they weren’t friends earlier. She was still dazed, in shock. He stood, continuing to look down at them.
“Boys, this is Mr. Malone, my boss. These are my brothers, Keir and Ace.”
Keir continued to scowl while Ace gave him a big grin, both of his front teeth missing.
He frowned down at her. “Are you well?”
“Umm. Yes. Just can’t believe that happened.” She was elated. But there was a part of her that was sad she couldn’t fight her own battles, couldn’t stand up for the boys herself. “She won’t change her mind about us, though.”
“Snakes never lose their venom,” he agreed. “But there are ways of removing it. Don’t worry.” He reached up with his free hand and brushed his fingers over her cheek. The skin tingled in his wake. “I can’t give you a ride home, I’m afraid.”
“Oh, that’s okay. We’ll be fine. We can take a bus.”
He frowned, sighing. “You’re not taking a bus.” He turned as a shiny, black town car pulled up behind him. He walked over and opened the door. “Inside, boys.”
Ace whooped. Keir still frowned but that was nothing new for her suspicious nine-year-old brother.
Crap. How to tell him she couldn’t afford to pay the fare for the town car? She couldn’t. She sighed. She’d get in and have him drop them off a few blocks over. Poor guy had to make something for this trip.