Your life.
Once you were in the Serpents & Daggers, your brothers came first. Not your mother, not your girl, and not even your life. All were forfeit and could be sacrificed for the good of the sect.
“You three. Over here.” Sebastian stood in a shadowy corner with a guilty-looking Slate.
I cursed under my breath wondering what kind of trouble Wentworth had gotten into now.
My stepbrother folded his arms over his chest as a tight smile stretched his lips. “Slate has informed me that a girl overheard our conversation last night.”
Invisible chains fastened around my chest, stealing the air from my lungs. Lexi’s unexpected appearance made me forget all about that little lamb and my mission to find her. “She didn’t hear or see anything.”
His lips thinned. “Why don’t I believe you, Killian?”
“I don’t know, Sebastian. Maybe you’re paranoid after what you did.”
Bass’s jaw ticked, and barely contained rage simmered around him. If we weren’t in a room full of people, he’d probably grab that dagger off the altar to the left and chuck it at me. “Some important alumni will be here soon, and you don’t want anything to ruin their visit, right, Killian?”
“I’ll take care of it.” My fingers curled into fists, and it took every ounce of control not to hit him. Deep fissures penetrated my barriers, and I couldn’t hold onto my perfect façade for much longer.
“You better, little brother.” Ice crystallized in his blue eyes, freezing my blood. “OrIwill find this girl and deal with her myself.”
After he sauntered to the front of the room in front of the fireplace to start the meeting, Slate shuffled over, wincing.
“I didn’t mean to tell him anything, Kill.” He jammed his fingers through his black hair. “It just slipped out when he asked about last night.”
I gave a dismissive wave of my hand. “Don’t worry about it.” My stepbrother was a master manipulator, so I wasn’t surprised he’d gotten Slate to spill.
My stepbrother lifted his hand to silence the room. “As you all know, some important alumni will be visiting soon,” Bass said as he casually stood before the fireplace, the light catching on his perfectly styled blonde locks. “Unfortunately, we’ve had a little hiccup with one of the pledges.”
The four of us traded glances while surprised murmurs circled the room. Once selected, a pledge rarely dropped out. Most would kill to be in this fraternity.
Did Bass push one of them too far with his hazing? He got off on making them suffer.
“Riley Ellsworth has withdrawn. He’s not Sigma Delta material.” Bass gave a casual shrug. “But don’t worry. I’ve already found a replacement who will be a perfect addition to our organization.” He nodded at Greg Buckner, one of his officers, to open a large wooden door on the right.
Two seniors ushered in a familiar guy with clean-cut blonde hair and glasses.
The new pledge blinked as his hazel eyes adjusted to the light, taking in his surroundings like he was trying to memorize every detail. I had a class with him last year, so he wasn’t a freshman.
He must have impressed my stepbrother.
Axel leaned toward me to whisper in my ear. “I saw him hanging with Cordi Chesson earlier today.” He hesitated. “And the hot chick youdon’tknow in Geology.”
My eyes narrowed. “Like I give a shit.”
But I did, in fact, give a shit.
Bass pushed away from the fireplace and strolled toward the new pledge. “Are you ready for this?”
“Yes.” He swallowed hard, probably knowing the next few weeks of his life would be hell.
Vaughn Radcliffe, the pledge director, slapped the guy’s shoulder so hard he lurched forward. “Everyone, this is Micah Preston.”
The dark twist of Bass’s lips had my flesh prickling. “So glad you could join us, Micah. Since you’re late to the game, you’ll need to catch up to the rest of the pledges.”
Meaning he was going to haze the fuck out of him.
Micah Preston was in for a brutal introduction to our world. And since he was a friend of Lexi’s, I wouldn’t lift a finger to help him out.
