Page 109 of The Unravelings

“The initiation meeting is happening soon. We—uh, tried to get into your room. Usually, we leave it on your pillow for you to find, but your door wouldn’t budge.” His eyes lift to mine, and a knowing look crosses his features as he steps toward me again. “Here,” he says, handing it to me quickly.

I trace the name Oliver written in cursive on the paper with a funny feeling erupting in my gut. This is it. I’m gaining ground with the case and getting into their little club. Just like Jonathan wanted me to do.

So, why do I feel so hesitant to do it now?

“You got me in?” I barely breathe as I shove the envelope into my pocket for safekeeping, vowing to tear into it later.

“You doubted me?” JJ asks, disappointment in his voice. “Of course you did,” he whispers, shaking it off with a huff. “Well, I’ll make up for that, I suppose. I’ll see you tonight, Spitfire. Don’t be late.” He hesitates for a moment again, like he can’t stand the thought of leaving me, and pulls something from his pocket, and he licks his lips with uncertainty. “You dropped this when you ran.” Gently, he hands me the knife Jonathan left for me and carefully drops it into my palms.

“You had it?” I ask, furrowing my brows. I knew it was missing. But I wasn’t sure where. Everything that’s happened since I dropped it, I didn’t account for JJ taking it from my room. “Why…”

JJ shakes his head. “I was confused. I took it because I thought it might give me some answer about where you’ve been or what you’ve been doing. But I want your trust more than anything, Spitfire. I want you to be able to look me in the eyes and know that everything I’m saying is truthful.”

“A token of good faith?” I ask, running my fingers over the word “Vengeance” shining back at me.

“One of many,” JJ whispers. “Now, I really have to go. Don’t be late, okay?” He gives me a pointed look before spinning around and slowly walking deeper into the woods until he completely disappears between the trees.

I blink several times. “Yeah, sure. See you later,” I huff, rubbing at my aching forehead. Carefully, I secure my knife and hide it away from any other prying eyes.

The fresh air has been nice and all, but I need my bed to recover from this weird as hell day. Once I trudge through the woods alone with my thoughts and make it back to my dorm, I finally breathe a sigh of relief. It feels like this is finally coming together.

As I unlock my bedroom and go inside, I immediately close the door and relock it. My back hits the wood, and I pause there, squeezing my eyes shut. The knife in my hand feels heavy, like lead holding me down. It’s been missing for so long, and I didn’t even look for it. Maybe I wanted to pretend that my encounter with JJ never happened. That being back here wasn’t real. But it is. Taking several deep breaths, I open my eyes and observe my room.

It’s like I left it.

I plop down on the edge of my bed, running my fingers through my hair. Exhaustion from the blood drive and my talk with JJ settles deep into my bones, weighing down every muscle in my body.

No rest for the wicked, though.

I grab the envelope from my pocket and hold it up to examine it. Oliver Davenport. This is it. The moment my case changes and I get into the Syndicate Jonathan has sent me here to infiltrate. JJ came through. He kept his word. And that’s all I can hope for these days.

“Well, here goes nothing,” I mutter, ripping into the envelope.

Oliver Davenport,

You have been selected. Expect to hear from us soon, when you least expect it.

The Franco Syndicate.

I nibble on my bottom lip, nerves taking over. Okay. Good. I got the invitation, but what does it mean when we least expect it?

For the rest of the day, I stay in my room, catching up on case notes for Veritas, hoping they don’t figure out my glasses are MIA.

Another problem for another day, I guess.

As I’m about to get up and leave to meet JJ again for our study session, a voice breaks me out of my concentration.

“Oli!” Simon’s shout rings through the air, and a pounding at my door takes my attention away from my computer.

“Coming!” I shout, shutting my laptop and then opening the door for Simon as he bursts in with a grin exploding across his lips.

“First off, today was amazing. Well, minus the blood and needles.” He fake-shivers, making a face. “But Daniel—” He sighs with a dreamy expression. “I feel like I got to know him better beyond…” He gives me a look and shuts his lips immediately.

“Good!” I grin. “I’m happy for you guys.”

“Anywho! Oli! Did you?” He holds up a ripped envelope with his name on it, beaming with pride.

“I did,” I chuckle, grabbing mine and holding it up.