“We have three important jobs for you.” He flashes me a wide grin. “Pass these, and I will induct you into the senior chapter along with the other junior chapter members upon high school graduation.”
I nod. “I understand.”
“While we have made progress into Lowell, controlling the supply chain in the public school and taking charge on the streets, the private academy remains a stumbling block. You will work with my son and his crew to rectify that.”
“I can do that.” Lowell Academy is my old school, and while I left under a cloud, this task shouldn’t be too difficult to pull off with the guys’ help. The girls will cream their panties when I rock up with The Sainthood, and I doubt it’ll take much to convince anyone to buy from them. Look how easily they wiped the board with Finn at Lowell High.
“You will attend Sainthood HQ once a month, on a day of our choosing, to manage sometasksfor myself and the other board members.”
I’m guessing those tasks involve dropping to my knees and getting on all fours. My blood turns to ice at the thought of those assholes with their hands on me, and it won’t happen, but arguing the point will feed their sick perversion, so I nod, smiling, pretending I’m naïve. Sinner won’t buy it, but I’m not sure how much the others know about me.
“Of course.” I nod, and Sinner almost glows.
“The third is more delicate, but it will prove your loyalty is with us.”
His eyes turn cold, and isn’t that the sign of a true psychopath? That he can flip the switch so easily?
“I’m sure I don’t have to remind you of the consequences should you fail to deliver. As much as I love my fiancée, her comfort and her survival are in your hands. I will punish you and your mother if you displease me.” The veins in his neck bulge as he knots his hands in front of him. “Deceive me, and I’ll stab thoseboysyou love through the heart without blinking.”
Panic shuttles through me, and I’m losing the hold on my tenuous emotions. Potent fear slithers through my veins, and I’m on the verge of throwing up.
“What is the last task?” I ask, pleased my voice sounds level even though I’m shaking inside.
“You will kill Police Commissioner Leydon.”
CHAPTER 15
Harlow
THE MEETING CONCLUDESwith Sinner telling me he’ll provide more details on the commissioner’s execution in due course and he’ll message me when I’m being summoned to HQ. Then, he escorts me out of the room.
Shouting and screaming greet our ears, growing louder when we enter the lobby. John is in a pool of blood on the floor, and Saint and Galen are taking turns kicking the shit out of him. Guess the cat’s out of the bag. I never should’ve mentioned Bry because Saint must’ve gone straight to him and demanded answers.
“Do I want to know?” Sinner drawls, patting me on the ass before pushing me away. He’s getting far too handsy for my liking. I lean against the desk, keeping quiet as I wait to see how this pans out.
“You should stick around,” Saint says, as the side door opens with a slam and Caz and Theo emerge, dragging Instructor Corr with them.
“You won’t get away with this,” he shouts. “I’m a respected staff member and a long-standing member of The Sainthood.”
“Then, you should know better,” Saint says, punching him in the face. “I warned you to leave her alone.”
Sinner leans against the other side of the reception desk, crossing his ankles. He winks at the pretty receptionist, the same one who greeted me the day I arrived. “Hey, sweetheart.”
Her cheeks flush, and from the way she’s eye fucking him, I know she’s screwed him. Probably recently, too. I knew that bastard wasn’t faithful to Mom, and who knows what venereal diseases he’s carrying. I should warn her, but I’m sure she knows exactly what kind of asshole her fiancé is.
“Women have no place in our world,” the instructor says, appealing to Sinner with his eyes. “They are lower-class citizens for a reason, only good for sucking dick and spreading their legs.”
Saint punches him in the face again, and blood spurts from his nose, spraying across Saint’s white T-shirt. Saint looks down, scowling.
“Times are changing.” Sinner loses the smirk, stepping toward him. “And every member needs to get behind our new philosophy.”
“Of course!” Instructor Corr is sweating bullets now. “It was part of the strategy,” he blurts, grasping at straws. “To toughen her up.” His wild eyes dart around the men in the room. “She needs to have balls of steel to take a place beside The Sainthood men.”
Even when arguing—with his survival hanging in the balance—he still comes off like a misogynist jerk.
And every smart man knows pussy beats balls every day of the week.
Caz and Theo tighten their hold on his arms as Saint punches him in the gut. “Lo has more balls than most guys I know. Like fuck, she needs toughening up.” He punches him again, and the guy’s knees buckle.
