“I’m sorry, of course The Society’s secrets are safe with me...” I trail off because I can’t help but wonder ifmysecrets are safe with The Society. “Forgive me for saying so, but I’m a little shocked that you know about... my private counseling sessions.”
“I’m not sure why. It’s effectively a background check—we need to know our members are dependable and stable. It’s not any different than any other prestigious position in this city.” She casts me a sideways glance. “Trust me when I say we learned the hard way that background checks and health assessments are a necessity for our organization.”
My curiosity reaches a fever pitch but I don’t ask any questions.
“We would like you to attend a black-tie event this week with the aim of getting to know the Columbia professor who raped Joan’s daughter.”
“Oh.” Shock vibrates through me. “I don’t know how I could be of help.”
“Your access is all the help we need. You’re young, attractive, smart, I’m sure you realize by now that that opens doors,Elyse.”
I don’t respond because I don’t think she wants me to. When she doesn’t go on, I finally say: “What am I supposed to do when I get there?”
“Befriend him. That’s it. We’ll take care of the rest.”
I continue to walk alongside her in silence. Of course this weekend comes with a price—the question is whether or not I’m willing to pay it. “That’s it? Just befriend him?”
“For now.” She smiles sweetly, but hidden behind her upturned lips is something more sinister. A chill ices my veins as her eyes hold mine an extra beat. “I can see your concern. You’re sweet, Elyse, and men like him open up to women like you. We just need you to befriend him—The Society will handle the rest. If you’re going to join us, you must trust us.”
I nod, feeling all of the implications in her statement. If I don’t do this, I won’t be invited back. I will lose this network of supportive women. I’ll be alone again, just me and that apartment and the ghost of my husband as he drops in for an hour a day before leaving again.
“Okay,” I say, sucking in a breath. “I’ll do it.”
“Perfect. We’re so thankful to have you with us.” Kat pats my forearm, slowing her steps and then turning to face me fully. “You’ll be such an asset to our team.”
The Columbia event will be fun—if nothing else, having something on the horizon to break up the loneliness sounds nice. No more begging my husband for dinner dates and weekends away: I have my own plans now. And besides, I’ll have Aubrey as a plus-one. Already hope is ballooning in my chest at the promise of our budding friendship. She lifts me up, gives me the backbone that I lack.
“Well, Paulo should be arriving to take you back to the cityany time. On behalf of all of the women here this weekend, I want to thank you for coming. We are so happy to welcome you into our little society. We’re turning over a new leaf and we’re thrilled that you’re a part of it.”
“You’re sweet. I owe you a thanks for the invitation.”
“Oh, don’t be silly, dear. You don’t owe us a thing—the pleasure is all ours.” She pulls me in for a hug then, holding me tightly for long minutes, so long that my stomach prickles with the awareness of her closeness. The scent of her expensive perfume. The beat of her heart against mine.
Whatever I’ve stepped into this weekend, I’m beginning to think my life will never be the same. But I know more than ever that it’s just the kind of change I need. If Kat believes that I can help them on their mission to empower women, then that’s all I need to hear.
Eight
Ellie
You’re just like her, aren’t you?
Terror unfurls in my stomach as I reread the text message.
“Are you okay?” Concern pools in Aubrey’s eyes.
“Uh... I’m not sure, actually.” I frown. Aubrey leans over my shoulder to peek at my phone screen.
“Uh oh,” she says. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“I—I’m not sure.” I swipe left on the screen and the message vanishes as quickly as it arrived. “Wrong number hopefully.”
Aubrey’s eyebrows lift but then she seems to catch herself and steels her features again. “What time is your appointment?”
I finger the hem of the strapless cocktail dress that was sent to my apartment by messenger this morning. It’s been three days since our weekend in Westchester—since I received myfirst assignment,as Aubrey has taken to calling it. “My blowout at the salon is at 5, I have makeup at 5:45, and the event starts at 6:30.”
“The salon is right next to campus, right?” She asks, pouring a glass of wine for herself and then another for me.
“Yeah, I’m just going to change at the salon.” I lift the glass, noticing my trembling fingers.
