Ayan Dutta sneers at me as I enter and take a seat across from him and hisBeta Kappa Etaguys.
He leans toward his vice president and whispers not so softly, “Couldn’t even afford to clean his jacket.”
TheBetasaround him snort laughs as theThetasgape at me in horror. Probably can’t fathom anyone not having a tailor and laundress on call.
I should have forced a few members to follow me for backup.
One of the black-suited men tosses open the doubledoors leading to the president’s inner sanctum. Decorated exactly how the previous president had it, except most things are still in cardboard boxes.
The woman who stands behind the oversized walnut desk is tall. Slim. She wears a brunette bob and a purple skirt suit. Probably in her fifties? Maybe younger, but she has those fillers in her lips, cheeks, everywhere. It makes her appear older.
“Enter, gentlemen. It’s lovely to meet you all.”
She sticks out her hand and personally introduces herself to each of us, then points Ayan and me toward the two wingback chairs in front of her. The rest of theDeltaandThetaofficers mill about the room behind us.
“Thank you for coming on such short notice. Things are in transition with new leadership in many positions in the administration. I wanted you all to be aware of the changes taking place.”
Ayan looks as attentive as I do, leaning forward like he’s about to get an A in active listening.
My pulse picks up its pace as I think about competing with this fuck on Thursday. Before, I didn’t care. But looking at his smug face, I know.We have to win. Or at least make sureheloses.
“The Board of Trustees previously was in charge of choosing your appointed mates. The women, or occasionally, the men, who will fulfill your needs in every way. For life. However, given some recent…disobedience?—”
We all bristle at the word, knowing one of the main tenets of the Seven is that obedience is a prized virtue.
“We have decided to select a group to make appropriate matches. The Pairing Oversight Tribunal.” Her sharp eyesnarrow on each of our faces with a warning. I’d heard the rumor already, but hearing the title now seems to ring with a foreboding tone.
“Anyone who doesn’t accept their appointments is at risk of expulsion from Northview University…” she trails off, as if not letting us know that could also mean we’d still be punished after leaving.
Once initiated into Greek life at Northview, the only way you leave is in a body bag.
We all know it.
But no one says it.
She continues to discuss changes across the university system, but I can’t pay attention. The words she uses are massive. And don’t seem to have much meaning when I get stuck on one. As soon as she explains a new committee, the president uses an abbreviation, so I get lost in the letters. It’s way over my head.
Of course, I nod along with Ayan like I know exactly what’s happening.
When she stands, we mimic the motion, and she thanks us for coming.
“Oh, Mr. Griffin? Please stay behind. I need to discuss something important with you.”
Ayan’s dark brown eyes scan my frame with suspicion. Like I planned for her to say that. His upper lip curls, and I give him a smirk.
I sit with a straight back to show her how eager I am to do what’s required of me.
A man in a gray suit, not black, enters and perches behind President Damon’s chair. He slides a manilaenvelope in front of her, and she opens it, reads the paper, then signs it and smiles at me. My stomach churns with anxiety.
“Mr. Apollo Griffin, I’ve heardexcellentthings about you across campus. I’m told you’re the one willing to goabove and beyondto get a job done.”
I swallow hard, my throat dry. “Yes, ma’am. I work hard to achieve my goals.”
“Wonderful.” She smiles broadly in a way that seems genuineto her. But there’s a mask covering something else.
“As such, the POT would like to reward you with aspecial assignment. I’ve heard the early feedback from some students in Greek life. They seem a little…uncertainabout the new way we’re handling things. I thinkyoucan convince them otherwise.”
The blood pulses loud in my ears as I focus on what task she seems to have in store for me. Whatever it is, I’ll do it. I’ll be the fuckingbestat it to prove my worth. I lick my lower lip and nod.
