ONE
JASPER
Confetti and balloons fall from the ceiling as the presidential election is called. It’s ironic, considering no one in this room actually thought he wasn’t going to win. Tears and cheers are exclaimed throughout as people chant his name.
“Black. Black. Black.”
But I can’t feel any emotion. My eyes are locked on Mara, standing beside her father as he makes his way up to the podium with a poised smile that doesn’t reach her eyes.
“Thank you! Thank you all! Tonight is a historic night...”
The usual pomp and platitudes wash over the room, but I’m too busy scanning the line of black-suited bodyguards flanking the stage. There are at least six of them, all stone-faced.
Instantly, I recognize one of them as Omega Chi alumni, Connor Hayes. He graduated two years ago from our fraternity. I remember the distinctive scar on his chin from an old hazing stunt.
Seeing him here, guarding President Black, makes my blood run cold.
The Syndicate’s muscle really is Omega Chi.
My hands curl into fists. I glance at Dredyn, but his eyes are locked on Mara, chest heaving like a bull about to charge. I reach out and grip his forearm in a silent plea, but his muscles are coiled steel beneath my fingers. “Easy ...”I sign quickly with my free hand, hoping he catches it in his peripheral vision.
“... and as we look toward a bright future,” President Black continues, voice carrying over the crowd, “I have a personal announcement to share.” My stomach drops. Here it is—the other shoe. Dredyn sucks in a sharp breath, and Talon straightens up, green eyes narrowing under a furrowed brow. A strange hush falls over the hall, anticipation rippling through the supporters.
The President turns to smile at Mara and a tall blond man at her side—Chase Harrington. His arm is looped loosely around Mara’s back. How did I miss him until now? Chase stands polished in a tailored suit, the very picture of a prince from a political fairytale. I catch a flash of his smug grin as he glances at Mara.
Dredyn’s breathing turns into a quiet growl, and I tighten my hold on his arm.
“With great joy,” President Black proclaims, “I announce the engagement of my daughter, Mara Black, to Chase Harrington.”
A burst of cheers and camera flashes detonate across the room. For a split second, I forget to breathe. On stage, Mara’s smile wavers. I see it falter—the slight shake of her head, the way her eyes go wide with hurt and panic before she forces her expression back into that graceful mask.
But I saw it.
Dredyn and Talon both saw it.
Mara’s terrified.
She’s trying not to show it to the crowd, but we know her too well. Her glassy eyes flicker over the sea of people until they find us at the back. I swear she locks eyes with Dredyn for the briefestmoment. Even from this distance, agony blazes in that look. It’s like a silent apology... or a cry for help.
“Fuck...” Dredyn’s voice cracks out hoarsely, raw with fury. It’s barely audible over the applause, but I feel the word more than hear it. In an instant, he lunges forward. He’s moving before I can even think, shoving through the throng of onlookers, eyes fixed on the stage and the man with his arm around Mara.
I react on pure instinct.Not here, not now.I grab Dredyn from behind, wrapping one arm across his chest and planting my feet.
He struggles like a man possessed. “Let go!” he roars, baring his teeth. He tries to surge ahead but I haul him back with all my strength. My heels skid on the marble floor as I fight to hold him.
“Dredyn, stop!” Talon hisses sharply, darting in front of us. His hands press against Dredyn’s chest, aiding me in forcing our friend back.
Above the chaos, I glimpse movement on stage. The speech is over and Mara is being whisked toward the side stairs, Chase’s hand clamped around her arm.
Dredyn thrashes harder and nearly breaks my grip. I grit my teeth, muscles straining.
He’s a big guy, pure muscle and wrath, but I won’t let him do something that gets him shot, or worse.
“Get off me, Jas!” he snarls.
His elbow clips my ribs as he bucks. Pain blooms where he made contact, but I cling to him, tightening my arm across his shoulders in a makeshift hold and grunt sharply, a wordless command to stand down.
“Think, Dre, think!” Talon snaps, eyes flashing. He moves right in front of Dredyn’s face while I restrain him. “You can’t charge a pack of Syndicate goons. Not here, not now. They’ll bury you.”
