My focus is now solely on the Decider. “So, when do I get to meet the rest of the gang?”
“I’ll contact you when it’s time for the initiation.”
“Will the Keepers committee attend?”
“Gatherings are held virtually. It’s too dangerous for all the key members to assemble in one place.”
“Damn. That’s disappointing.” I chuckle. The chumps who have been traumatizing teenagers for decades are concerned with their own safety. They should be. “Looks like I’ll have to extend them personal invitations myself. I just need a list of their names.”
Decider remains mute for a minute before he finally speaks, “That information isn’t disclosed to new members.”
I shake my head. “For a society built on trust and truth, you all are really secretive.”
He raises his hands, signals for someone to enter. Cain is being escorted in by one of the minions who gives him a shoveas Decider laughs. “Did you really think we wouldn’t find your accomplice lurking around in the shadows?”
I was counting on it.“You didn’t notice him at the previous challenges.”
Decider’s head tilts to the side, and I can picture the superior expression on him. “Keepers know all. There were no spies or breaches.”
“Then I guess you all got played, Nicholas.”
There’s a jolt in his posture that brings a smile to my face. “Do you want to drop the theatrics now or when I show up at your house tonight off… Where was it again, Cain? Calhoun Street? It really is game over.”
Cain gets the signal, shifting as he punches the minion next to him while Garrett simultaneously appears and takes the other minion to the ground. And I watch the Decider as he backs against the wall.
He charges at the exit but doesn’t get far as I swing my arm, clotheslining him before he goes down.
I hunch over him and remove his mask. “All that training for the Tomb has come in handy. Or maybe it was the fucking mind games that taught me so well.”
“This will not stand, Montclair,” Nicholas croaks, his hand still on his throat as he coughs. “Garrett, the price for you will be death. Cain, you’re dead too. All of you are finished.”
“Funny how you know his name, and he’s not even a player,” I say as he realizes we know even more about him. “There’s nowhere for you to go. So, run if you dare. Because it’s time for your fate to be decided.”
I haul him to his feet then sink my fist into his gut. He doubles over with a groan. “You will pay for this.”
“And who’s going to do that? I’m waiting for your little Keeper buddies to come save you. Are they not coming?”
His voice is furious as he swings and attempts to hit me. “I’ll kill you myself.”
Blocking the punch, I snatch his hair, hauling his head back. “Try your best.”
I drag Nicholas to a chair and bound him to it as Garrett and Cain get the others tied up also. “Now, time for a little truth and tell. You owe me that much.”
Nicholas tries to get loose but can’t, and I smirk as his panic surges. “I don’t owe you shit.”
Cain steps in front of him as he says, “But you do me. My sister died playing Mercy. I thought it was an accident. But now I believe her teammate—you—sacrificedher to win. Is that correct?” Nicholas squirms as Cain shouts, “Answer me.”
“She signed up to play. She was going to kill me if I didn’t do it.”
Cain states, “I don’t believe that. She said it wasn’t worth it, and she was done playing. That’s the last thing she said before she left.”
“I had to,” Nicholas says.
Moving in front of one of the hooded figures, I take off his mask to reveal the identity I already know. “Adam, I also know where you live, work, eat, and shit.”
Garrett pulls off the other’s mask as Cain announces, “And finally we have Colin joining the party. But not for long.”
Colin says, “Threats will not work. The Keepers will pose more of a threat than you ever will.”
