I wanted the world to see that she is loved. That means everything to me. She deserves to be seen and heard. Her family had silenced her for so long, and I won’t do that to my wife. She may be my whore in private, but she is my equal in every aspect of our lives.
As it turns out, more died in the fire than we were aware of. That’s what we made the world to believe after Gavin helped me out with the men I killed while trying to track down my wife. The Lords didn’t give a fuck who I killed, but when the body count grows as high as mine did, you have to give a reason for why they disappeared.
ME: I’ll be home soon.
I pocket my phone when I hear an elevator ding, signaling the arrival of my guest. I stay seated, hands steepled and waiting. I’ve been here for over an hour. It took a little longer than expected but I knew it would happen nonetheless.
Laughter fills the room before a woman enters with a man. “I want a drink,” she tells him.
He goes over to the bucket that holds a bottle of Louis Roederer Cristal Brut Champagne that he already had waiting for them. Handing her a flute, he then fills his own and throws it back, ready to get this party started.
Setting his glass down, he stumbles, and she reaches out to grab his arm, her drink untouched. “Are you okay?”
“Ye-ah.” He blinks rapidly, his eyes darting around the room aimlessly, trying to focus on anything. After a few minutes, he falls to the floor and he doesn’t move.
I stand from my chair and make my way over to the light switch, flipping it on. She takes a step back, almost tripping in her heels she’s so nervous.
Reaching into my suit pocket, I hold out the envelope to her. “Get the fuck out of here,” I tell her, and she turns, running to the elevator, wanting to get as far away from me as possible.
Once I’m met with silence, I get to work.
Senior year at Barrington University
I sitin the passenger seat of Hansen’s car as he pulls up to the Cathedral. It’s three in the morning, and he just busted me out of jail.
After I yelled at the Lord to let the police book me or get me out, I was released and was told that I needed to see them immediately. So here we are.
I enter the Cathedral and walk down the aisle to see two Lords standing at the altar, masks and cloaks on. I fall down into the front pew, placing my arms across the back, still dressed in my bloody clothes. “You wanted to see me.” My eyes look up to the loft and see the baptism pool is empty. “No water this time?” I snort. “Don’t feel like drowning me today.”
One steps forward. “Tyson—”
“Get to the point as to why I’m here.”
“We failed you,” the Lord on the left says, and my stomach drops at the words. The Lords never admit when they are wrong because, in their eyes, they never are.
“I … I don’t understand,” I stammer, rubbing my hands on my bloody jeans.
“Son, we did not give you the assignment to take Whitney Minson on as your chosen. Or to dig into Frank.”
I stand, running a hand down my face. “You did.”
“No. You were tricked.”
The wind is knocked out of me, and I fall into the pew. Bowing my head, I reach up and grip my hair.
“You’re all over the news…” He trails off.
My father told me, but I haven’t seen it.
“The State Senator’s son arrested for pregnant woman’s murder…” He trails off, and I get to my feet and start to pace as he goes on. “They said you stalked her…”
“Because I was told to make it look public,” I shout. “You told me to make sure everyone knew she was mine.” It was stupid, but you don’t question the Lords. You do whatever they want, no matter how big or small.
“That you raped her.” He goes on. “That you robbed that poor, innocent girl of her life. We can make it go away. And once we do, it’ll be as if this never happened, but it’ll cost you.”
“How much?” I swallow the lump in my throat, knowing it won’t be money.
“Your title,” he answers.
