“Why?” I ask, it makes no sense.
Wyatt’s lips stretch to a devilish grin. “Power.”
A deep rumble works its way up my throat. It’s always the same for people who already have it all. More power. More destruction. It’s an endless snake repeatedly eating itself, but what is the bigger picture? It’s not like both universities don’thave power and influence. So, what is the motive? That's the part I’m confused about. Why?
“Our fathers will retire, and the new generation will rise, and you both are part of this.” Thiago nonchalantly adds, while lighting the cigar between his fingers. “Whether you like it or not.”
“I’m not part of shit,” I snap, anger sharp in my voice as I storm toward the small bar and pour myself a drink. I steal a glance at Nico, who is now slumped in his seat, elbows braced on his knees, staring at the floor like he’s lost deep in thought. I knew this place would destroy him. That’s why I followed—why I made sure I was selected too. Why I always stayed hot on his heels. Growing and learning beside him. If I could do anything to alleviate the rope around his neck, I would, even if that meant tying it to my own neck. There’s no one who loves me here… He would be missed more than I ever would, and that’s always been our reality, which is why I protect him.
“What do you want me to do?” I snap, turning my attention towards Thiago and Ezra. “I don’t care about anything else, just give me the job, and I’ll get it done.”
“Get close to Greyson,” Thiago replies, his tone cold and firm, laced with something like bitterness or jealousy. He hides it easily, but not from me. I notice everything, and that very reaction makes me want to fuck him the only way I know how. Bringing the glass to my lips, I keep my eyes glued to him as the warm whiskey seeps into my mouth and slides down my throat. The burn is a welcome reprieve. “You want me to fuck him or let him fuck me?”
No one speaks…
The silence is not the comfortable kind, but the type that lingers, allowing you to sit in the distaste of it. Thiago is the first to break from our staring match, his nose visibly flaring as he exhales a cloud of smoke. With a dismissive wave, he says. “Whatever you need to do. We just need to find out who the rat is on the team.”
“Why does it matter if the truth gets exposed?” Nico asks, but of course, no one replies because we’re sullied. None of our hands is clean. The quiet part is said out loud, and the solemn look is enough of a response. We all play dirty, and all of us have something to hide. Deep down, we are all liars and manipulators — that’s the tragic truth of it all.
Chapter Three
Thiago
My jaw locks, feeling the strain coil through me, every muscle tight as I watch Zayden storm out behind Ezra and Wyatt. Which leaves me alone with Nico, who looks at me for answers that I’m not sure he’s ready for. Would he even believe the truth if I were to tell him? It’s not like I was privy to this engagement. Meetings with Peter have been private until tonight. It all happened so quickly, just like the fist now flying to connect with my face.
I don’t duck.
I take the hit because it’s the least I can do to atone for my sins.What can I say?I truly am a masochist.
“I didn’t know,” I choke out, lifting my hands in the air, surrendering to the madman standing in front of me. “I found out tonight, I just didn’t have a chance to tell you. Nico, this is out of my hands, out of my control–” My words are cut off by another blow to the face, this one splits my lips, and blood trickles down my chin.
Fuck! That hurt.
Using my hand, I wipe away the blood, keeping my gaze on Nico. The look on his face tells me he doesn’t believe me.Good, he shouldn’t. Trust gets you killed in a place like this. He should learn that… the sooner the better. So why does it sting to know he already has? I thought we were brothers in this, and here he stands, looking at me like I’m just another liar.
“You’re full of shit, T, you knew. You all fucking knew,” Nico snarls through gritted teeth, small particles of spit landing on my skin, his eyes narrowing into slits. “Fix this, not him.”
Not Peter Morelli. Not the monster we’ve all come to know. We’ve heard the rumors. We all know why he was sent away, and the reason why Nico needs to stay in his lane. I swallow the lump threatening to choke me, and I shake my head.
Sadness wraps around my throat like vines. “I can’t, man.”
This time, when he swings, I catch his wrist, twisting and turning it so I’m pinning it behind his back.
“What the fuck do you think I can do, Nico? Look at us.”
He bucks against me, pushing and pulling, causing me to strain before he slams us into the bookcase. Pain bursts through my back, but still, I hold on to him, even as the books fall around us. “She never belonged to you or anyone but this fucking hell, man.”
I feel for my friend, but he should stay out of the way… now more than ever. There’s no turning back, there’s no playing around the fence in hopes of not getting caught. Peter is not like any of us or even the donors. He’s truly an enigma, not quite here nor there. Shit, I’m not even sure that I know enough, and even with the little that I do know, it’s better that Nico stays as far away as he can. People always find themselves missing when they get in Peter’s way.
“Nico, you have to stay away from her. For your sake.”
“Fuck my sake. Fuck all of you.”
He continues to thrash until his head swings back and slams into my nose, the sickening crunch causing blood to gush down my face as I push him off.
“What the fuck, Nico?! I’m trying to help.”
I hold my nose, trying to breathe through the pain, and toss my head back to prevent more blood from streaming down. I don’t need this shit, none of it. Yet, I can’t help the guilt that consumes me, festering inside me and devouring me with each passing day. Nico storms out, not bothering to say another word. I lean against the wall and allow my body to slide down until I’m sitting on my ass. My phone vibrates in my pocket. I try to ignore the feeling, but curiosity kills the cat. Fishing the device out of its confines, I chuckle loudly as I stare into the screen.