Chapter 119: the van

Chapter 119: Chapter 119: the van

The three brothers turned on him at the same time. The looks they gave Caleb were cold enough to freeze blood.

Madame lifted a hand before any of them could say a word. "Give them a minute."

Caleb inclined his head in a short bow and stepped back without another comment.

Reid muttered under his breath, "Persistent little—"

Madame promptly smacked his arm. "Caleb is simply doing his job."

She then turned to face them properly, and the firmness in her expression softened. Something quieter settled over her features, something that made Amelia realize just how difficult this moment was for her.

"I am sad. I’m going to be lonely again."

Her gaze moved between her sons.

"This is the same territory I always wanted my sons to stay far away from for a while. The same wars. The same danger. And now you’re going back."

She paused, then looked at Amelia.

"But I’m not as sad as I could be. Because I know you’re doing it for her."

Her voice softened.

"And that outweighs the rest."

Madame stepped forward and pulled Amelia into a brief, firm embrace.

"Never hesitate to ask for help. And never hesitate to call me if these three start giving you trouble. My hands are still strong to give them a spanking."

Reid immediately slipped into that smooth, charming tone of his.

"We would never give our partner trouble... would we?"

Something about the way he said it made Amelia feel less like she had been reassured and more like she had just been handed a challenge.

They walked Madame outside together and stood there in silence as she climbed into the waiting vehicle.

Amelia watched until the car finally pulled away and disappeared from view.

Only then did she turn back to the brothers.

"So... how do I start this punishment?"

Enzo answered first.

"You’ll be taken to the military academy for training. Though I expect you’ll be bullied more than trained."

Dean’s expression remained completely serious.

"Good thing we’re going with you. No one will dare touch her."

Amelia glanced between the three of them.

"That sounds sweet. But I can’t entirely depend on all of you."

Reid stepped a little closer, that familiar half-smile already tugging at his mouth.

"True. But even if the whole world turns against you, you’ll still have three stubborn idiots who would rather burn with you than let you face a single day of it alone."

Heat immediately climbed into Amelia’s cheeks.

She shoved his face away with one hand.

"You’re such a hopeless lovesick disaster."

Enzo glanced at Reid, one brow lifting slightly.

"He’s been behaving like an even bigger fool than usual. Did something happen between you two?"

Amelia immediately looked away.

"Caleb."

She walked toward him without answering.

"I’m ready to begin my sentence. Take us to the military academy."

Caleb gave no verbal reply.

He simply walked past them toward the entrance as a dark van pulled up nearby. The side door slid open.

"Get in."

Amelia climbed in first, sitting in the back row, with the brothers following behind her.

The moment they were seated, Reid spoke, while he was in the front row.

"I want to sit beside Amelia this time."

"No," Enzo said flatly.

"Don’t even think about it," Dean added.

Reid turned toward Amelia with an exaggerated look of betrayal.

"They’re bullying me, and you’re just going to sit there and watch? Was our night of pure bliss nothing more than a mistake to you?"

Both Enzo and Dean’s heads snapped toward Amelia. The question on their faces was impossible to miss. Amelia wanted the ground to open up and swallow her whole.

Reid opened his mouth again, clearly ready to explain himself in even more detail.

Amelia lunged forward and clapped a hand over his mouth. "I’ll sit beside you," she said quickly. "Just—stop talking."

She didn’t give anyone a chance to argue. She stood, moved toward the front, and dropped into the seat beside Reid.

Behind them, Dean’s voice came low and suspicious. "Do you know how far they went?"

"No," Enzo answered.

Amelia twisted halfway around, her face burning. "Both of you, keep shut. Please. My heart is this close to giving out."

"This conversation isn’t over."

Amelia groaned and dropped her face into both palms.

The van began moving.

In the front passenger seat, Caleb stared straight ahead, his expression becoming increasingly disgusted by the entire exchange happening behind him.

They drove for more than thirty minutes along quiet, nearly empty roads.

The van finally slowed

Ahead of them, a large raised platform above the main entrance displayed the words Military Academy in bold lettering.

The vehicle stopped at the security checkpoint. After the guards completed their checks, the van was finally permitted through the gates.

Amelia looked out the window.

The grounds stretched wide and green, with clean, orderly buildings scattered throughout the compound. Under the soft outdoor lights, everything looked almost peaceful.

Almost.

Reid’s voice came quietly from beside her.

"Don’t let the atmosphere deceive you. This place is just a pretty illusion covering up what actual hell looks like."

Amelia swallowed. The van stopped in front of another building.

They climbed out and went through another round of security checks before being allowed inside.

Once they reached the lobby, Caleb spoke without looking directly at Amelia. "It’s late. I’ll give you the chance to rest for tonight."

He paused. "Don’t expect that kind of consideration again. I’m only doing this out of respect for Mrs. Ellington."

He moved toward the long reception desk and began speaking with one of the women stationed there.

Amelia remained a few steps behind with the brothers.

She soon noticed the other women behind the desk staring at Enzo, Reid, and Dean.

Not subtle glances, either.

They were openly watching them, their eyes lingering far longer than necessary.

Amelia stared for a moment.

They’re literally fucking the men with their eyes.

Something sharp and irritated twisted in her chest at the shameless way they were looking at her partners.

Before she could say anything, Dean’s arm slid around her waist and pulled her firmly against his side. Amelia jolted at the sudden contact.

"What are you doing?" she whispered, trying not to draw more attention.

Dean’s voice was low, and completely unapologetic. "Showing everyone exactly who I belong to."

Heat flooded her face. She bit down on her tongue hard enough to keep from making a sound and tried to twist out of his hold. His arm only tightened.

"Keep struggling like that," he murmured near her ear, "Every time you push against me, I get harder. So by all means—don’t stop. I’m enjoying it."