From the small look around the Looking Glass, I want to call bullshit on him. If anything, it’s more crowded than I’ve seen in a while.
“You’ve always said even bad publicity is good,” I say, keeping my eyes trained on the desk. “More people will start coming. We just need to live up to the expectations, don’t you think? If I heard about something at a club, I’d want to check it out and see for myself.”
“That only lasts as long as the story remains in the headlines. It’s not an appropriate business model to follow. We need a good reason to keep people coming back. Women are nervous, but perhaps, if you bring people in, it might be different.” Daddy clears his throat, trying to draw my attention to him. “Under a disguise, that is. Perhaps we also need to set a scene. Catch someone in the act so it hits the media. I want you in charge of that.”
“We’re trying to find the dealer,” I argue, not exactly feeling his plan. I could easily get caught.
“You don’t need to find a dealer. You just need to make one. I don’t care who it is. I want someone’s face tied to the drugging. Tonight. You can’t leave until it’s taken care of.” Daddy straightens his back.
“You want me to frame an innocent man?” I ask, frowning at the idea. I, out of all people, know how shitty it is to be tied to something you haven’t done.
“If you don’t, I will give the media you. I don’t have a choice. You can’t just remain missing. We have excellent lawyers. I’m sure—”
“Are you blackmailing me?” My heart picks up pace, and I turn to look at the silent court around my father.
“No, but some feel that we need to test your alliance. It’s time you step up and learn just what it takes to remain in the Society of Secrets. You are my daughter, so don’t let me down.” Standing up, Daddy doesn’t let me argue and instead motions for his court to begin the meeting.
I stand in shock. Something has shifted in my dad, and I wish I could pinpoint what it is. He’s still angry with me over embarrassing him in front of William, but I thought he’d be over it by now. Maybe he found out about Talon and hasn’t said anything. Or maybe something’s up with my mom. Regardless, I need a moment with him.
So I gather my nerve, rush to him before he can go into the meeting room, and yank him aside. I throw my arms around him in a hug, afraid that he might do something crazy.
“Please, Your Majesty. Just give me another minute of your time. Alone.” I whisper the words in his ear, feeling his body tense next to mine. “Please, Daddy.”
He sighs and waves to Talon, who shuts the door, cutting us off from the other members.
“Stacia, my Princess. I’m sorry I have to be so hard on you, but you’re coming to an age where you’re going to have to start relying on yourself. I’m not always going to be around to clean up your messes. I have a lot to focus on, and I can’t keep having to worry about you.” Daddy pulls away from me and rests his hand on my shoulder. “The stress of everything has been a lot on not only me and our other members. It’s been a stress on our family. Your mother has relapsed again. She saw you on the news, and you know I couldn’t tell her the truth.”
Daddy bringing up my mom sinks into me. I haven’t seen her in months, but that’s only because she’s not allowed visitors. And knowing that I’m the reason she succumbed to her addiction pains me on a deeper level.
“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I’ll do whatever.” I know it’s not my fault, but it doesn’t change that it still feels like it.
Daddy hugs me again. “I know you will. You’ve earned your place here, and I know you won’t let me down again. Mistakes happened, but you have to learn from them and ensure they don’t reoccur.”
I can only nod my head, my voice refusing to come out. Daddy guides me toward the closed door and opens it, allowing in the soft light from the candles, illuminating our meeting.
I catch sight of Talon standing between Esteban and Christos, the three of them brooding shadows among the dozens of masked members. Daddy has proven he chooses no favorites. And I must continue on as always.
“I call to order our meeting, welcoming you all into our sanctuary,” Daddy says, taking his spot next to the altar.
I zone out as he leads a chant, vowing our loyalty, and lose myself to what’s to come. I shouldn’t have expected anything different. Talon gingerly holds my hand, standing close to me, and Esteban bumps his shoulder to mine. It’s strange being surrounded by these men who have sworn their lives to our society, but also seem to have a new loyalty for me.
One I can’t take for granted.
Because I’m going to need them. It’s the only way I’m going to get through this unscathed.
“Now, if there is no other business to discuss, the meeting is adjourned,” Daddy says, smacking his cane down.
I blink a few times, my mind refusing to come back to the present. I can’t believe I missed out on the whole meeting, too busy thinking of myself.
Everyone breaks from the circle, mumbling as they talk in groups about everything that went on tonight.
“Stacia, why would you offer to set someone up?” Christos asks, drawing my attention to him.
“Offer?” Now that he mentions it, Daddy spun the information to make me look better. He loves to make it seem like everyone has a choice, despite all of us knowing otherwise. When we need something, we have to do it.
“Esteban got a lead. We were going to fly out to Miami in the morning,” Christos continues.
“What?” I hate that I can barely form sentences, but my mind swims with information.