“The money is nothing. Of course you can count on each of us for that,” Marshall says, shifting as he glares around the room. “The regret is that we don’t get to mete out justice in a pit we dig ourselves.”
“Agreed,” Shane says. “But there’s some comfort in buying the shovels.”
“There must be a fund for Emily as well,” Marshall says. “We’ll organize and fund it. I think it would be best if a woman approached her with it. So she understands that it’s a gift that requires no thanks of any kind. Perhaps Octavia can help us with that, Trem?”
“Yeah, no problem,” Tremblay says, running a hand through his light brown hair. “I’m sure she’ll be happy to.”
“Good,” Freet says. “Gentleman, thank you for coming. And for your continued work on the Casanova problem. You do the Knights credit.”
Shane and I shake their hands once more.
Now all that’s left is recruitment of a different kind.
47
ARYA
Living at Declan’s house is a great experience.
The first couple of nights we are still processing what happened, but three days in, the nightly dinners are more relaxed. And happier.
It becomes apparent who the extroverts are. Shane, Cami, and I are quick to tell stories to entertain the others. The surprising thing though, is how swiftly a camaraderie develops among the six of us. It starts with carpooling to campus, but it extends beyond. We eat all our meals together and hang out in the library for hours every evening. I really like it.
One night, I admit to Erik that I’m sorry we won’t see them after we drop out of school. He says we can visit as often as we want, and I agree we should plan something.
Cami and Erik work hard on an investigative piece that forces some of the worst Lambda Delta brothers off campus. It makes me happy that we’re continuing to make the campus better for the people we’re leaving behind.
The night after Casanova was caught there was a fire in the Lambda House. I overhear Shane and Erik hypothesizing that they are destroying evidence before the FBI gets a warrant. Something about fraternity records and journals. They fall silent when I approach. Erik never brings up Casanova around me now. Smith-Hall is only mentioned if I do it. The Viking’s protecting me from dark thoughts, which I appreciate.
On the fourth day, when I emerge from the bedroom for coffee, I’m surprised to only find Declan and Avery in the dining room.
“Where’s Erik?”
“He needed to swap out some clothes,” Declan says, gesturing for me to join them at the end of the table.
“Shane went, too?” Avery asks in surprise.
She’s right. It’s not a two-man job. There isn’t a ton of time before we need to be packed and underway. The flights to Florida are in the afternoon. I’m traveling with my team. Erik is on that flight, too, along with Jeff Tremblay and Tavi and some of the drum line. Declan, Cami, Shane, and Avery are all coming to Florida to watch the competition, but they’ll be on a later flight in the Heyworth family jet.
When I call the Viking, I go to voicemail. Rubbing my thumb against the tablecloth, I war with myself. Do I really want to know what he and Shane are doing?
No. It doesn’t matter.
There’s no going back. I’m his, and he’s mine.
* * *
ERIK
Shane waits as I shower,dress, and pack clothes. When I emerge, he’s sitting at my dining table. He pockets his phone and glances at me.
“Message from Pops,” he says in a low whisper. “Everything is set to move forward.”
I nod, carrying my suitcase to the door.
“If Arya’s staying with her teammates, you sure you don’t want to get a suite in the five-star hotel? Much better accommodations.”
“No, the view will be better at the three-star.”
