“Just another block, mamacita. We need to get somewhere public, and there’s a mall coming up.” Esteban herds me along, making sure I don’t slow down.
He grabs his phone from his pocket and taps the screen with one finger, sending ringing through the air from the speaker. The line clicks and a soft hello follows only to have Esteban yell, “Bianca, are you there?” He pauses. “Bueno. I need the location. We’re not backing down. You can tell them as much. Tell them if they proceed without us or hurt anyone Stacia loves, the secret’s out. I have shit ready to send to the world.”
“Esteban,” I say, my heart beating wildly. “Demand we talk to them. We need to be sure they’re alive.”
“You heard her, Bianca,” Esteban snaps, hitting the speaker button. He slows down when we reach a crowded intersection. “We expected the worst, mamacita. If we’re going down, we’re taking the fuckers down with us. We knew Kenneth wasn’t going to just give up.” Esteban keeps his voice low.
“Here’s the location. I’m handing you to Talon now,” Juan says, his voice cutting over Bianca’s. A notification blinks on his screen with a pin on a map, and I try my best to focus on it as we run.
“That’s only a couple blocks away. We’re coming,” Esteban says, breathing heavily with effort. I’m sure the run strains his body more than mine, but we can’t stop. If we stop, another hitman could catch up. There could be others around here.
“No. Don’t bring her. It’s too late. Just send the proof out,” Talon says, speaking up. “Take her out of here.”
Rage rushes through me, and I snatch the phone from Esteban. “I can’t just run. You know I can’t, Talon. I need to be there for the challenge. I’m not letting Daddy get away with this.”
“Wild child,” Talon argues, his voice raising with his frustration. “It’s not going to end how we want. Just stay away.”
“Fuck you. I can’t run anymore.” I gasp a couple of breaths, my stamina faltering.
“If you come here, they will sentence you to death, Stacia. I don’t want to risk your life.” Talon groans, his deep voice reverberating through my bones. “Kenneth, is still King until—”
“Please, Talon. I have a plan. I’m done running. I’m done fucking hiding. I’m taking my life back.” I clutch the phone. “I can’t let them think they can push me around. You have to trust me. I know how to handle men like them.” And more importantly, though I don’t say this, I need revenge. I’m not letting Daddy’s privilege and entitlement let him get away with murdering my mom. Murdering my biological dad.
If I don’t stop him, he will murder me in time. I know it.
All this bullshit ends here.
28
The Challenge
Well,ifthisdoesn’tscream cult, then I don’t know what does. Now that I see things from the outside, I realize just how fucked up everything is within our chapter of the Society of Secrets. I was initiated thinking that this would help me my whole life. I’d get everything I need, from wealth and fame, to protection and close friendships. I could get away with things others couldn’t and live an elite lifestyle.
But now I’m staring at what might as well be an aisle in which I walk my own death march.
Boards cover the stain-glass windows from the outside, creating an eerie vibe to the old, abandoned church. Candles light the altar up ahead, and dozens of people fill the pews.
Instead of all being on an equal level, like meetings at the Looking Glass, the King’s Court stands higher than the rest, speaking volumes. We look ready to worship them and not vow loyalty to each other.
This is so twisted and fucked up.
“Welcome, Princess. Knave. It is incredible to find you’ve made it among us.” Is he kidding me? His voice might be friendly, but wicked darkness lies in William’s eyes. “Hand over all your weapons. This is a neutral territory, and violence won’t be tolerated. You’ve earned your right to be here, making His Majesty fail to hold reign by defeating him at his own task.” He holds up a robe, waiting for Esteban to give him his weapons, adding them to the basket far too full for comfort. Looks like everyone here was prepared for a massacre, and it’s the first time we’ve all been stripped of any sort of additional power.
William looks at me in silence.
I open my arms. “I don’t have anything on me.”
“Then I’m going to need to check.” William twists his lips with a leer, his eyes turning heavy with lust. I don’t know how I could’ve ever thought he was a good man. He’s just as bad as Kenneth.
Esteban opens his mouth to argue, but I pull out the money clip from my bra and then yank up my shirt, flashing William my boobs.
“Like I said, I have no fucking weapons. Now, unless you plan to strip down every fucking man in here and stick your finger in his ass, then you better step back and let me in.” I stand up taller, daring him to respond.
He only chuckles and hands me the robe. “It seems the circumstances have given you a lot of nerve.”
“You mean my dad murdering people and blaming me? It’s giving me a lot more than nerve. I want him out.” My chest heaves with my anger, but Esteban slides his fingers through mine, keeping me in control.
“It’ll take a lot more than just desire to see that happen. Now be a good girl and join the others. We have some business to attend to.” William motions for me and Esteban to head toward the group gathered in front of the altar.