Page 24 of Betraying Bexley

What a novel concept—be introduced to the All-Americans. The sleazy, rich white boys who thought they ran the school. “Guess we’ll have to see how the day goes.”

“Cool. Hey, but could you tell that girl to stay away from Bexley. Wouldn’t want her getting tangled up in something she can’t get out of. She seems like good people.”

Eito grunted. “Sure.”

Once Dawson stepped away from his desk, he sent an encrypted message to AJ and Noah with the video. They had to analyze it. Figure out who the other girl is and see if there is anyone else there. If his suspicions were correct, not only had she been set up, it'd been why she lost her leg. Of course, he could be looking at it too closely. Although, if Dawson had the video and readily gave it out to people he didn't know, what was to stop it from going around the whole school and somehow getting back to Raul.

If Raul was anything like Eito’s father, the man would see it as a slight to the Nieto Cartel. Bexley shamed him with her actions, even though there was nothing wrong with having sex. Knowing how many times Raul beat her, this was probably the last straw for him, which could have also coincided with when he decided to sell Bexley. So, how did he break her leg? What had he used to mangle it so badly it forced the doctors to amputate instead of fixing it?

For the rest of the class, until it was time for lunch, questions swirled through his head. He needed to meet with everyone including Mr. Aquino to find out if his conjectures were correct and what they'd have to do next. As he walked toward the cafeteria Alex joined him, then Jacolbi. They were supposed to be a rag-tag group of foster kids and sometimes they fit the descriptor. He wanted to blurt everything out, but feared they'd be overheard, instead he said, "Meeting, after school."

“Something happened, didn’t it?” Jacolbi questioned. “I got a text from AJ.”

Shit. Eito pulled his phone out and sighed. He’d gotten one too.Meeting @ base @ 5. Don’t be late.“Guess I’ll have to catch you up on the way home then.”

“What’s wrong?” Like Eito, Alex didn’t speak much. The guy came with a lot of baggage and a sex addiction. But that wasn’t here or there.

“I can’t talk here. I think I’ve found more evidence.” They stepped into the cafeteria and went for the table where Bronx and Bexley were sitting. “I can’t say anymore.”

Alex nodded and went for the empty table where they usually sat, Jacolbi following hot on Alex’s heels. He placed the bento box on the table in front of Bexley while staring at Bronx. If Alex and Jacolbi received the text so had Bronx and Alé. Which meant they’d have questions for him too.

“W-What’s this?” Bexley glanced up at him.

“Lunch,” Eito said, trying to keep his voice light and happy, even though he wanted to kill Dawson.

“F-For m-me?” Again, she turned those soulful eyes in Eito’s direction and damn it, he didn’t want to like her.

Eito grinned. “Enjoy.” He looked away from Bexley, unable to stand the scrutiny of her gaze. The images from the video filled his mind and something new settled into his chest. Shame, he thought. Not for himself, but for what happened to her. Shame because he’d seen Bexley at her most vulnerable and it had been used as a weapon against her.

“T-Thank you.” She grabbed the tag. “W-What does this say.”

“Enjoy your meal,” he replied.

“And t-the b-beasts?” She pointed to the napkin.

“They are the Japanese Gods of Wind and Thunder. It was either that or Hello Kitty.”

Bexley grinned a little. “I l-like it. T-Thank you.”

“My name’s, Eito.”

“Eito.” She nodded. “T-Thank you, Eito.”

“You’re welcome.”

He’d only gotten a handful of steps away when he heard a yelp of pain. Alé was beside him in an instant. They’d both turned at the same moment to see Kenner holding the bento box with food he’d prepared for Bexley above her head, forcing her to jump with her good leg to try to grab it. As it was, a small group had gathered around the table in the time it’d taken for Eito to step away and, what was worse, Alex couldn’t push through the growing crowd.

“Fucking serious? She’s not been back two days and they’re already starting their shit again? What the fuck is wrong with people?” It was as if Alé read Eito’s mind.

“Should we teach him some manners?” Eito took a step forward, only to have Alé place his hand on Eito’s chest.

“You can’t hurt them. Remember, you’re the adult here.”

Yeah, yeah. Blah, blah, blah. “I won’t hurt him too bad.”

“Don’t blow our cover, either.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it.” Eito rolled his eyes.

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