She glances at me with a faraway look, and I feel it. She knows shit is about to hit the fan.
"Tasha, would you join me up here?"
With those words, my hand on her thigh slackens. My skin grows clammy, and I fist my palm on top of the table to prepare for the newest announcement. Turning to my right, knowing my father is sitting at the main table with the other families, I spy his glower. The way my blood runs cold at his expression makes me very aware him and Midas weren't in agreement.
Midas mentioned news, but he didn't detail what that would pertain. Seeing as Tasha is the one heading toward the podium says it has everything to do with the girl next to me.
The one who has already been through so much here.
Tasha trails to the front, confidence pouring off her, exuding like a glow. She smiles in this predatorial way, like she owns everything, and in a way, she does.
She's the only woman I know who holds more power than most men in the world. Her power is endless, and that's why my father must be fuming.
He didn't tell me why he paired me with Melissa, but I'm already certain I've added all the variables together.
Marriage meant a deal, one he brokered.
Having an heir meant a tie to the Krane name.
My child could have the power he needed for the oil industry, and he would have gone for Colt next. It would have been easy with her. It's not news that I've grown fond of her. I've heard the maids speak. They're a bunch of gossips, and my threats only go so far with them. They know not to discuss my personal life, even if they found my lipstick-stained collar.
"Hello, everyone," Tasha announces with exuberance.
Colt's intake of breath is loud in the silence of the room. She leans into my side, her hand covering mine with a tight squeeze. "What the fuck is this?" she hisses under her breath.
No one is paying attention to us or our close proximity, but the fear that they will overwhelms me.
"I'm not sure," I admit, but in truth, I think Midas undermined my father, and it's going to cause a war. One thing Elijah and Midas have in common other than their abusive nature is the fact that they're so power hungry they would sacrifice everything to rule a kingdom neither of them is worthy of.
This must be why Midas kept Lux here all this time—to force the proximity between us all, offering a distraction so he could plot elsewhere.
Lux always seemed occupied with the political side of the Emeralds while I was stuck figuring out how to expand the Estates across the country for my father, we didn't see it coming.
Not that either of us is honest.
It also doesn't help that Bridger is nowhere to be seen, and he's been around father dearest most.
While pondering what they did behind our backs, I missed whatever had been said. Colt tugs on me, forcing me to let go. When I see her numbed-out state of expression, I know once again, she's been used as a puppet.
She stalks toward the front, and I turn to Tennison. His face is red, and anger rolls off of him. That worries me more than Colt's indifference.
"What happened?" I ask, needing to know what the hell I missed.
"Were you not listening?" he bites out, his voice deadly. He's never sounded this mad, not even when we told him to break it off with Colt and not even when we fucked Colt behind everyone's back.
"No, my head wasn't focused."
He shakes his head and laughs sardonically. "Tasha sold Colt like a pimp sells a whore."
The derisiveness in his tone makes me flinch. Out of all of us, Tennison is the calmest, nicest, and softest. He's better than us all because he's willing to listen, to learn, and be someone Colt needs regardless of what toll it takes.
Right now, that person is nowhere to be found.
"Lennox and Colt have been dating for the last year in secret," Tasha coos, lying through her perfectly straight teeth. "They didn't think we knew, but we did, and we were excited to plan this."
Colt stands stalk still, her entire body stiff and staunched with disapproval. Luckily, she puts on a brave face, something we're taught at a young age.
"We want the big event tonight to be an elopement."
"Fuck," Ross, Ten, and I hiss at the same moment. This cannot be fucking happening.
It's at that moment, I see Lux break character. He literally pulls away from his dad and takes Colt off the stage with him. Not knowing what the fuck that means, I jump up and race after them. Not only will my father kill me for running, but Midas will too.
I see them in the hall. Colt is on the ground, shaking, and Lux is crouched at eye-level. I watch in awe as she falls apart and he's there for her.
Maybe this is what they need.
Each other.
Maybe it’s too far-fetched for us all to be a fucked up whatever-we-are and they have always been the end game?
When I come closer, Lux turns. It's a reminder that no matter how far apart we are, there's this weird connection we feel for one another.
"This is so fucked," he states.
"They're going to come for you both," I mutter, interrupting what must be the start of his tirade. They don't move, and I come closer. "I'm fucking serious. Go."
Colt stands with tears in her eyes and determination. "You go," she demands of Lux. "We need to save face. Midas will be coming for Lux. He needs to hide."
Peering at his shaking body, I swallow. He's fuming, and he's no better than a caged bull right now.
"Remember where you'd used to play with Max when we were younger?" I ask.
Lux's eyes connect with mine, his face morphing from confusion to understanding. Just because he chose to forget our childhood memories, while few, doesn't mean he can. He always thought he was with Max, but truth be told, he had been with me. I had this inane ability to use Max's name when I thought it would make me feel stronger, but it really didn't do anything for me.
He nods and heads out the door. Where he's going, neither of our fathers will find him. It's a place me and Max claimed as our own really young, where our first promise was broken.
Colt comes to me and hugs me. "Not sure what the hell you've experienced together, but thank you for getting him out of here. He's volatile and a danger to himself."
"I know, and if I have to die in order to protect you both, I will."
We walk back inside. It's almost too calm. People are dancing. The music is playing beautifully, but the table with our parents and friends is empty.
"Shit," Colt expresses. "Think they're already on the hunt? It's not like we made it far."
"They're probably saving face when their newest engaged and to be married couple ran off."
"I can't believe my mom did that to me. She's always been shit, especially with her fucking my teacher, but this is new."
The words spilling out surprise me. "Wait, what?"
"Richter and her, I caught them the night Yang was murdered." Suddenly, she narrows her eyes. "Did you have something to do with her death?"
I don't even hold back the hiss from me. "Do I look like I'd kill your best friend? No. We were actually supposed to be gone, but Ross and Lux convinced us to stay."
"Why?" she hedges, poking my chest. "Why didn't you guys go? That's why we went looking."
"Be glad we didn't." The words come out harsh. "If we weren't there, they'd probably have killed you and Mel too."
"I think she's involved."
This time I hold back my cards, not knowing her angle. Mel gives me shady fucking vibes, but I've never told anyone about that.
"What makes you say that?" I ask.
She rolls her eyes. "Please don't say since the last time we were around each other, she's had her daggers in you."
I chuckle, unable to hide my amusement at her words. The jealousy she's feeling is more obvious than the danger we're in.
"I've been talking to Noah—"
I cut her off at the name of my sister. "Noah," I hiss. "What the hell are you doing hanging out with her?"
She smiles like a kid
caught doing something wrong. "What's wrong, Jordy? Scared I'll like your sister's taste more than you?"
No, actually. That never crossed my mind. Squeezing my hands into fists, I try to calm the new wave of jealousy. I'm not used to it. At first with the guys, it overwhelmed me since they had a foot in with her, and she didn't forget them entirely. But me? I was basically a new face. Now, I know we're all on common ground.
Noah, though, she's a wild card I didn't expect.
An orphan reborn.
A child with a family name erased.
She's an Edgington now, even if she never knew anything different.
"No," I finally respond.
Her face stays in its bemused expression. "That no sounds really pathetic. Sounds like you're jelly."
"She's my sister, Colt. I don't want to think about you doing anything with her."
She giggles, shaking her head. "I didn't kiss or do anything with her. We're platonic friends."
"Back to Melissa for a moment," I prod, wanting to get back to the topic at hand.
She starts walking, gesturing for me to follow. She's leading me to the area where I know they'll be meeting if they're searching for Lux.
“I think she either killed Yang or was involved.” It’s hushed, her response, but I hear it clear as day.
“But why?” I need more.
“That night, she and Yang were adamant of splitting up and leaving Yang alone. Mel came with me, and when she ran with...” she pauses, stopping in the hall and turning toward me. “Have you ever done a blood oath?”
Yes.
“No.”
She pulls at the slit in her dress, showing me a tiny knife. It’s maybe three or four inches in length and adorable as shit.
“Basically, we swear that we’re bound together. In truth. In life. In death.”
“Sounds serious,” I joke.
She narrows her eyes and stares me up and down, a hidden battle beneath her expression. I know exactly what this is. The guys and I used to do these for our big secrets. The scandals we were involved in, the times we got wasted, and the murders we took part in.
“I’m serious about this, Jordan. If you break this oath, I’ll kill you myself.”
If not for the extreme control in her voice and face, I would think she’s lying, but I know how these work, so I nod. She grabs her palm, slicing a line in the center. Not even flinching, she grabs my hand and does the same.
“Promise me, Jordan. Promise me you weren’t involved with Cassidy’s murder.”
I close my eyes, swallowing. Grabbing her hand, I force her face mere breaths from mine with my other palm, cupping her jaw. Our blood mingles, oxygen dancing, oxidizing, and sounds create a dissonance of their own.
“Lo prometto, mio caro,” I whisper, our lips touching in response.
She nods, and I don’t know if that means she understood or accepts.
“We found evidence of the Vestige’s corruption. Yang had the files and let Mel know too. When we split off, Mel was supposed to meet at the tower. I went running for it and heard Yang’s blood-curdling screams, I found Yang. Mel came moments later, but honestly, she would have been closer than me. She’d have heard her screaming. She said she didn’t hear her, Jordan.”
I let out a heavy exhale, realizing two things.
One, Colt is fucking smart.
Two, Mel is a fucking liar.
I think back to the time I’ve been forced with her, her fake smiles, her sadness which must be faked as well, and how adamant she’s been about me sleeping with her.
“Aren’t I pretty?”
I cringe at her self-centered words. Not wanting to upset her and further upset my father by ignoring her as I did the first week, I play along. “Sure, but I thought you loved Bridger?”
She pouts, rolling her eyes. “He wouldn’t even have sex with me. Much like you, it seems.” We’re sitting side by side at the dining table, waiting for Father to show up with Roderick. This has been our routine—Mel does whatever the fuck she does during the day, and all four of us have dinner and discuss our future, the wedding, and their deal.
I’ll marry Mel.
We’ll have babies until it’s a boy, and then she’ll go to college.
It’s gross.
“I’m sorry, Melissa. I’m just not... ready.” It’s not untrue. Between Colt and Lux, giving myself to her would forever ruin what we’re building.
She scoffs, her nose scrunching. “Yeah, that’s what Ridge said.” She rolls her eyes, and I feel her hand snaking up my thigh as our fathers sit and discuss business. “Can’t wait until we’re married. At first, I worried I wouldn’t be into it, but after seeing you swimming, I’m convinced.”
Offending her isn’t my intention, but I shove her hand off, excusing myself.
I think of that night and every night after. That’s the most she’s touched me, and it’s unwanted to say the least. The Bridger news was new to me. He made it seem like they were fucking on the regular. Why did he lie?
Thinking of him and all the times he left to be with Melissa has me wondering where the fuck he was the entire time and why he used her as an excuse.
What was he doing?
Why am I getting an uncomfortable feeling about it too?
“There they are,” Colt says as we reach the boardroom in the north hall. It’s huge, one Father uses for his biggest meetings with international board members.
We creep forward, listening to them.
“What the hell are we supposed to do now?” Midas hisses at my father.
Tasha’s standing there, seemingly out of place.
I’ve heard things about Tasha, but nothing I can believe. They call her a shark, but sometimes, I think she’s more of a fish pretending to have big teeth.
“Where’d your daughter go?”
She shakes her head. “You act like I should know her every step, Midas.”
“Yeah, actually, I do fucking expect it.” Midas paces.
After they finish their little bitch fit, we walk in. My father’s eyes hone in on me, and before I can get a word out, he’s backhanding me in front of everyone.
Colt yells profanities while Tasha grabs her, and there’s a huge commotion.
“Not fucking here, Elijah,” Midas barks. Even the biggest fuck of them all has more manners than my own old man.
Coming toward me is Ross’s dad, Merit. His face is filled with disgust. “Hitting your son in front of others, especially us, that’s disgraceful.” He leaves, grabbing Ross who looks at me with pity.
That emotion is something I hate experiencing. Don’t pity me. I was born into a society with parents who hated me.
It’s not my fault they’re more interested in power or, in my mom’s case, death itself.
Midas touches my cheeks, and it’s insanity to see him being calm. His face softens, and it’s the most disturbing expression I’ve experienced. Like usual, I don’t rub my face or touch the bruise already forming.
Father loves his rings, that’s for sure.
Colt’s sobbing form is being held by her mother, who is in extreme shock. I’m not sure if that’s from the simple fact that she would never hurt Colt or that she’s surprised that my response is to stand straighter.
“Where the fuck is he?” my dad growls. It’s not a tone I’m unused to, but somehow, it’s more embarrassing than his usual since we’ve an audience.
Ten comes from the far back and grabs my arm. “Let’s go.”
I shake my head, and my dad looks at me with expectance. If I leave, it might be in a body bag later.
“Go, take Colt and Tasha with you,” I say.
He hides his fear and nods, masking better than I’ve ever seen. He cradles Colt’s face for a moment, kissing her face all over in a sweet gesture, one that’ll surely get him backlash. He obviously doesn’t care, and I’m grateful since Colt seems to settle a bit.
Once they’re gone and Bridger’s dad files out as well, I’m alone with Midas and m
y father. Midas nearly blocks me as Elijah gives me the scariest death glare.
I’ve seen him hateful. I experienced it my entire life, but this is different. One thing I’ve never understood is how I’ve never seen him raise a hand to Max or Noah, but I’ve always been the punching bag.
“Leave, Midas.”
“Not a chance. You’re not calm. The anger and resentment you’re feeling is for me, my decision, and my choice to go behind your back. It has nothing to do with your son.”
I’m so shocked at his words that my eyes prick, and it takes everything not the blink away the tears. Not ever in my life has anyone stood up to my dad, and now one of the most notorious and abusive men has.
He turns to me, blocking my father’s face from my view. “Go find Lennox, Jordan. I know you’re emotional right now, but the sooner he comes back, the easier this will be.”
None of this makes sense, not his kindness, his softness, or even that he’s not raging like my dad. Before Lux took Colt away, he was pissed. He looked ready to beat Lux into a bloody pulp, yet here he is, not looking anything like that man.
When I turn to go, my father hollers, “If you walk out that door, don’t come back here.”
“You can stay with me,” Midas reassures.
With that, I’m jogging out the door and toward the bunker in the woods.
I’m so fucking dumb. Challenging my father like that.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Lux
As I make my way there, a place Max used to take me when our fathers dealt with Emeralds’ business, I stumble a few times. There’s no snowfall here. Unlike Arcadia, where snow comes in heaps, there’s heat here.
When I find the shack, nostalgia hits me hard.
“Do you think we’ll always be friends?” Max asks me, his face curious, the little worried wrinkle in his brow making me want to smooth it out.
We sit on the grass, staring at the clouds. Sometimes, when we hang out, we look at them together and see crazy figured. Once, I saw what looked like a gremlin, and since then, I knew it was one of my favorite moments.
We’re teens, thirteen to be exact. Maxim is the first guy besides Ross who has made me feel butterflies in my stomach. I was taught really young by Mom and even by Ross and Justice that liking boys is wrong and that it can get me into trouble. I learned really soon how true that was when Justice got caught making out with Will Atkers.
Here Lies a Saint: A Dark Bully Academy Romance Page 20