Page 53 of The Unravelings

Too bad Mack doesn’t care. He shakes his head again with a laugh. “Then we can eliminate the boring ones. Come on! Last year was fun.” His definition of fun and mine are completely different. He heads straight to the fridge for a bottle of water and a new pack of grapes. His usual after-run snack. “It’s fun to watch them piss their pants and run away, anyway.” He laughs, plopping down on a stool next to JJ.

Another day. Another jog through the woods and graveyard.

Looking past them, I instantly settle as Waffles trots into the room with his tongue hanging out and goes to his water bowl. Lazily, he lies beside it, shoving his entire head into the massive bowl and licking up the water.

Glad to see he’s still got his wits about him.

“Sure,” JJ mutters, rolling his eyes.

“Even that fucker Oliver Davenport.” The way Mack mocks his name has my hackles rising and sets my teeth on edge.

The last time Mack set his sights on someone, they ended up in the hospital and dropping out of GU completely. Mack’s lucky the little fucker didn’t try to come after him for more money than he already did. Franco paid it with a scowl and made Mack’s life hell after that. “His roommate, too. Let me torture them a little bit.” He grins with a sadistic flash, crossing his eyes. “It’ll be so much fun.” He pouts before dropping a grape in his mouth and loudly crunching into it.

For fuck’s sake. This is only going to end badly. For Oliver. For Simon. For everyone.

“Macklyn. No torturing anyone. We have to pretend we aren’t hazing the fuckers, at least. Remember what happened last time? The money Franco had to pay out to that asshole’s family.” I roll my eyes as I reach for my coffee and lift it to my lips with a hum of satisfaction as the taste burns across my tongue.

“Aww, Daddy Huxley, you’re no fun! Garret was fine, anyway. He’s still breathing, isn’t he?” He waves a hand, scoffing as he shoves a grape in his mouth. “Just a damn baby losing the fight and looking for quiet pay from the big guy.” He thrusts a thumb, pointing over his shoulder.

“Which he got,” I remind him with a scowl. “And drop the damn daddy,” I bite out, taking another sip of my coffee.

“That’s not what you said last night,” Mack quips, popping a grape into his mouth.

My coffee almost sputters from between my lips, but I swallow it and send him a glare.

“Fuck’s sake, Mack,” I grumble, wiping my mouth.

He laughs manically when I chug the rest of my coffee, cringing from the searing burn tearing through my esophagus.

Worth it, though. I need this coffee to make it through the day. And the clusterfuck of an evening we have planned. Thankfully, Mack zips his lips when I set my coffee mug in the sink and turn to face them again, crossing my arms.

Time to get down to business.

“Franco wants us dressed in suits and at the main casino by eight. We’ve got schmoozing, ass-kissing, and whatever the fuck else he expects from us. No being late, either.”

The last thing I want to do is parade around with a smile on my face, talking with politicians, firefighters, cops, and anyone else Franco has aligned himself with, including the outside Mafia and gang leaders coming to the city to mingle and win at the casino.

No doubt the dean of the university will be there, too.

What a joy the evening will be with people I don’t give a shit about.

“I have a tutoring session tonight beforehand,” JJ says quietly, shifting in his seat and avoiding all eye contact. “But it’ll be over before then. Meet here, and we’ll ride together?”

Suspicious fucker. Who the hell is he tutoring that he’s being so damn shady over? Whatever.

“Sure.” I shrug.

“What? Why?” Mack asks through a full mouth. “And who the fuck is looking to you for guidance?” His nose wrinkles.

JJ scoffs at Mack, raising his middle finger in response. “They need my expertise, and I am an expert in my field of study, asshole,” he admonishes him, gritting his teeth. “Besides, it’s none of your business.”

Right. None of his business.

“Whatever you say,” Mack teases, popping more grapes into his mouth and loudly chewing. “Well, while you’re off playing tutor to whoever, I’ll be getting ready for a glorious night of free drinks and hors d’oeuvres.”

“You can’t drink yourself stupid at this,” I grumble more for myself than him. I’d much rather drink myself into oblivion and not remember a damn thing from tonight. But I can’t. We can’t. We’re responsible little heirs who have to be on our damn toes. “We have to take note of the people around us. Who is pledging what for alliances with Franco? We need to try and be ten steps ahead of the fucker.”

Mack rolls his eyes. “Fucking bullshit.”