by Ruby Vincent
VALENTINA
“Trust me, ladies and gentlemen, I sympathize. The test has beaten down even the strongest of us. Just do your best.”
“Because if you don’t,” Aiden added, “you shouldn’t expect to become one of us.”
I glared at him over a sea of shocked whispers and wide eyes. He winked back.
A month had passed since this piece of crap beat my boyfriend unconscious. Mercilessly, life insisted on moving on and piling homework, classes, tests, and pledges in the process. It was a good thing I liked my bunch of pledges.
Ellie graduated top of her high school class. I credited the stellar education for her graphic, inventive swears that streamed steadily from her mouth during physical activity. Despite this, she didn’t give up or ask to slow down.
Maeve could give Blair a run for her money in the type-A department. She was exactly fifteen minutes early to pledge events and she took every chance she got to tell me how much she wanted to be in her older sister’s former sorority. Another Blair in the house would’ve given me pause if not for Mini-Blair’s love of cooking. The two of us enjoyed more chats than I could count while standing at the island and whipping up something delicious.
Blakely forced me to recall the conversation I had with Aiden in his basement the year before. Pledges that went out of their way to connect with the sisters deserved extra points and, in her case, I agreed. Blakely was first to volunteer to help with events. If it was anyone else, I’d say they were kissing ass hard. But it was obvious to me Blakely truly liked hanging out with us, and everyone liked her too.
They were just three out of the amazing girls we chose to pledge our house. I honestly didn’t know who I’d pick at the end of this.
Maybe this is why they came up with weeding challenges like the test.
I looked around at the wide-eyed, hair-tugging fidgeters who had only one minute until starting the test. I understood why we used this to narrow down the final pledges, but this test was still cruel and unusual punishment.
I tugged Aiden out of the dining room. “We’re not seriously dropping pledges based on their score, right? It’s impossible to pass that thing. Leighton Lewis excluded for the wunderkind she was.”
“It’s up to you to decide the cut-off score,” he said. “Remember the point is to see how they think and, most importantly, if they push through or give up when it gets tough.”
“Fine.”
I made to return to the dining room. Thinking better of it, I twisted around and buried my fist in his gut. He stumbled but didn’t drop.
“Dammit, Val,” he grunted. “Got it out of your system yet?”
“I’ll let you know when.”
I made it clear to Aiden a month ago that I’d punch his face in for as long as I was mad about Maverick. He laughed at the time, thinking I was kidding.
I wasn’t.
My burning loathing notwithstanding, Aiden and I had been working well together in planning joint activities for the potential brothers and sisters. Now that Maverick and I were in the club for real, the keeping him at arm’s length had to stop. Every other Friday when we got into the car to attend another party, I wished we refused to join.
I wished we ended it and moved on like I wanted to after the initiation.
I wished Ezra never heard that whispered conversation in the basement.
I wished I dropped the snacks, took Sofia’s hand, and marched us out of that welcoming reception three years ago.
We wanted to uncover the secrets of Nu Alpha Theta and Zeta Rho Sigma and this is what we got. The old adage was true—be careful what you wish for.
“We’ll see you at the party this weekend, yeah? Hayes’s place this time.”
“Can’t wait.”
“Hmm. Do I taste a tang of sarcasm?”
“Did you have to say it like that?”
He laughed. “No one is forcing you to come, Val. Stay home with the kid, cat, and puppy. Know what, now that I’m saying it, I think it’s exactly what you should do.” The laugh lines vanished. “We’re getting pretty tired of you guys standing in a corner. The club isn’t for spectators. Don’t bother showing up.”
I felt another punch coming. “You didn’t beat my boyfriend just to turn around and kick us out. We will be there, and you want to know why?” I swallowed the scant distance between us. “Because I’m going to be everywhere you are until the day you finally leave this campus. In and out of Greek Row. I’ll be at your parties. You’ll see my specter in your fogged-up bathroom mirror. I’ll even pop into your dreams. I’m not easing up until you tell me everything, Aiden.”
Aiden bared his teeth. “What else is there to know?”
“I understand what it is you, Nasir, Rowen, and your buddies are really about. I know what you’re all determined to hide, and after seeing the things you get up to, it’s not a stretch to believe you’d be into darker stuff. I want to know where the file fits into your plan,” I said, “and why they had to take Teagan and Sawyer.”
“We agreed the cost of getting in the club was staying out of my business.”
“You and Maverick agreed,” I corrected. “You and I don’t have that deal.”
His sharp breath skated over my nose. “I’ve told you over and over again that it’s not what you think.”
“If you’re innocent—”
“No, let me ask a question. Why haven’t you considered that the secrets I’m keeping aren’t mine to tell? You want to know what’s going on in Sawyer’s and Teagan’s lives, ask them.” He sidestepped me. “See you in the bathroom mirror.”
That night, I kicked back on the couch with two blue heelers and a stack of test papers. “No one tells you how many late nights you’re taking on when you sign up for this president gig, girls. Want my advice, stay out of the life.”
Bitsy and Pepper cocked their heads in tandem. The puppies were growing fast and becoming more alike as time went on. Pepper was lucky her sister hung around after her brothers found their homes. Just like I was lucky my mom wasn’t in a rush to leave.
“Kid.” Mom walked in bearing two mugs wafting steam. “Hot chocolate break.”
“My favorite kind.”
Mom handed me my mug and budged up between me and the dogs. “What are you working on?” She read the first question. “Advanced mathematics for psychology? I didn’t realize your curriculum was this intense.”
“Not mine,” I replied. “The pledges. It’s the second big test to weed them out. The first is not remembering random details from the charter at a moment’s notice. The third is being an unlikable bugger or falling short in the tasks. The final is the obstacle course. After all that, I choose my final six and they take their chance on my game show.”
“Goodness. Sororities have changed since I went to school,” she muttered. “Though, I’ll be able to find out firsthand now.”
I stilled. “What? Mom, are you serious?”
She beamed. “I did it, kid. As of today, your mother is a student of Evergreen Community College.”
I would’ve hugged the crap out of her if we weren’t holding scalding hot cocoa. “That’s amazing. I’m so happy for you. Does this mean...?”
“No,” she said gently. “I’ve already started looking for a place near the campus.”
“But Caroline said—”
“I will be forever grateful to Caroline for everything she’s done for us, but it took me a long time to get here, Val. Strong. Independent. I’m not ready to give that up yet.” She put her arm around me. “I’m also not interested in being hours away from my family. The community college is a half-hour drive. We won’t see each other any less.”
“I am happy for you, Mom. I’ll miss having you right down the hall, but nothing has to change if we don’t let it.” She kissed my cheek. “What will you study?”
“I’m finishing my degree and then taking it one day at a time from there.”
“Love that plan.” I patted my stack of papers. “Whatever you d
o, don’t join a sorority.”
She bumped my shoulder. “You say that but every other weekend you’re out having a good time with your friends. You needed this,” she said. “High school wasn’t the experience it should have been for you. It’s such a relief to me that you’re having fun in college.” She tapped my homework. “Your present situation excluded.”
My smile tightened around the edges, holding with difficulty. “Yep. I’m having so much fun, Mom.”
“YOU DON’T HAVE TO DO this.”
Maverick cut the engine. Music poured out of the mansion, welcoming us inside. We ignored its call in favor of sitting in the dark.
“Let me take you home.”
“Remember the deal.” I traced the shell of his ear. “We’ll find the truth together. If we stop, we do that together too.”
“You don’t want to be here, Val.”
Friday night arrived and along with it our invitation to Hayes’s house. Maverick’s GPS hung between us, congratulating on successfully arriving at our destination.
That thing is happier about being here than we are.
“Aiden can tell that too.” The intricate white and gold Venetian mask mocked me. Empty eyes pierced my soul, and swallowed it as I secured it on my face. “No more standing in the corner.”
“We’re not doing half the shit they do.”
“Then we’ll do the other half.” I opened the door. “Put your mask on, love. It’s time.”
Maverick fell in with me on the front stairs. Lacing our fingers together, he placed them over his heart, soothing me like so many times before.
I reached for the knob. It flew away and a wall of sound rushed out, bowling us over.
“Rick! Val! Finally.” The long hooked nose of the pantalone mask nearly poked my eye out as Rowen grabbed and threw his arms around us. The resemblance to the mask worn by old plague doctors wasn’t lost on me. Part of me wondered if he chose it on purpose.
“About time you got here,” he said. “We got something special for tonight. Just for you, Val.”
“What’s for her?” Maverick demanded.
“Can’t tell before the big reveal.” That he was enjoying himself was as clear as the gaudy reds and golds of his mask. “Come on. We’re in the ballroom.”
“A ball? Is that why we’re wearing these ridiculous outfits?” I asked.
I glanced down at the gold tulle beaded gown. My dress flared at the waist, spreading out in all directions and preventing me laying my arms flat by my sides. I looked like I could conceal three more of me under this thing.
Maverick, on the other hand, was a lordly rogue. The cloak, gloves, and leather hat danced with fantasies in my mind.
“Nothing ridiculous about you in that dress, Valentina.”
Maverick snarled low in his throat. “Is the next thrill you’re chasing being put through that fucking wall, Burke?”
“Oh ho,” he laughed. “Just an innocent compliment.”
Rowen marched us further down the hall. The music grew to deafening. In spite of our wardrobe, a loop of rock, pop, and rap thumped the speakers—so loud the chandeliers rattled over our heads.
Hayes’s home was and wasn’t what I expected for the kingdom of a health food conglomerate. I pictured an ode to life in green motifs, plants, and vibrant paintings of forests and animals.
I got the forest at least. Black-and-white birch trees adorned the walls, plunging us in a world without color.
Nearly everything was gray, black, white. Black lamps. White chandeliers. Gray doors with white bucking stags locking horns where the wood met. Rowen pushed through and swept us inside.
I stopped dead on the threshold, thinking for a second my mind was playing tricks on me.
Colors swirled on the dance floor. Scarlet satin whispered past cream chiffon. The click of gold heels and tinkling jewels might not have been heard over the music if not for the hundreds sounding in unison.
“Who are all these people?” I shouted.
“We put out a last-minute invitation around campus to whoever could swing the dress code. We figured why not?” He gave us a little shove. “Go. Dance. Drink. Val, they’ll get you when we’re ready for you.” Rowen’s wink sought me through the mask.
“Ready for what?” Maverick bellowed at his retreating back. He swore. “Val, forget this shit. We’re going now.”
I opened my mouth to argue and found myself swept off my feet. Maverick tossed me over his shoulder, carrying me out of the ballroom.
“It’s a test, Maverick,” I said to his back. “You had yours and now I have mine. I pass or I’m out.”
“These people are insane.” He plopped me on my feet. “Whatever they’ve thought up for you, you’re not doing.”
I quirked a brow. “Surely that’s my choice.”
“You’re mistaken.”
I couldn’t help but smile. Can’t lie. More than a few times their overprotectiveness drove me nuts. Putting tracking apps on my phone for example. But most days—actually, every day when they showed up exactly when I needed them, I loved them deeper for how much they loved me. “It’ll be okay. They’re insane but they don’t have death wishes.”
“Not entirely sure that’s true. Two weeks ago, it seemed a slow painful death was exactly what they were after.”
Wincing, I tried to think of a rationale and came up short. “I miss the days when they were holding back.”
“But they’re not anymore.” Maverick cast a look around. Taking my hand, he pulled us into a nook between the wall and bookshelf. “We didn’t understand why the lies, or disappearances, or Aiden’s permanent shit-eating smirk. Now we do.”
“We’re only guessing,” I whispered.
“It’s a pretty good guess. The reason for all of this is—”
“Rick?”
I jumped.
“What the hell are you doing, man? Your tree-trunk self can’t hide behind—” Hayes stepped into view. “Ah.” He winked at me. “If you want to hook up, any room upstairs is yours. I know you like your privacy.”
It’s the world I walked into where not getting naked with my boyfriend in front of an audience was said with disdain.
“Thanks,” I said lightly. “We’ll take you up on that offer.”
“Grab a drink with us first. Loosening you up before the big event.”
Us came around the corner. Eve, Sabrina, Winston, and Phillipa got their hands on us and we returned to the ballroom. Through another lens, the party was magnificent. They leaned into the grays and blacks, weaving fairy lights around the room and setting up silver glitter machines that rained down on the guests. The shouting, gyrating, drinking, and cheering pointed to this being named the best party of the year.
Maverick and I drifted one way and the others went left toward the long table bearing drinks. It was impossible to tell who anyone was behind the masks. I assumed they were Somerset students, but who knew what circles the club members ran in.
“Whoo!”
Another cheer pierced the music. Maverick peered over the bobbing heads.
“Something’s going on,” he shouted. “There’s a crowd in the middle of the dance floor.”
It did appear the dancers were converging on one place. Curious, I pushed through the bodies with Maverick on my heels and then with him in front of me, shifting people aside with that hulking mass of muscles and perfection.
I stuck to him to avoid the pushy, braying dancers. They were shoving like it was a mosh pit and the song playing, “Freaking Me Out” by Ava Max, was catchy, but not a head banger. The drinks were clearly flowing freely tonight.
Suddenly, he stopped, bouncing me off his back.
“Maverick?” I yelled, but he couldn’t hear me. The whooping and shrieking were even louder. A break appeared between the bodies and I spotted white marbled floor. Lifting his arm, I finally saw what everyone was looking at.
Sawyer flew at Aiden. Hooking his arm around his neck, he dropped and both boys smacked the mar
ble hard, ripping grunts out of both of them. I didn’t know how long they’d been at it, but their tattered shirts, ripped breeches, and blood gushing from various cuts on their faces and bodies said it was long enough.
Aiden sunk his elbow his Sawyer’s gut, loosening his grip and using the chance to deal the sinking blow. Blood spurted from Sawyer’s ruined nose.
A month ago, I would’ve run into their arena and broken up the fight. Raged at them for acting like stupid brutes and put them in separate corners until they decided to work out their issues civilly.
What I did instead was look around for Nasir, Hayes, or Winston. Surely one of them was taking bets.
Because that’s what the club is about. The guys doing what they want, when they want, and making a lot of money in the process.
Money. Or cars. Drugs. Girls. Favors. The list didn’t end and neither did the twisted challenges these guys came up with. The Friday before last, Nasir used the connections only a rich man could have and rigged a tightrope on the beach. Pretty tame until you set fire to the bed of coals beneath it.
I thought there was nothing left in this world to shock me. But when Nasir bet Sawyer thirty grand to walk the tightrope, risk second-degree burns and disfigurement, my jaw dropped. When Sawyer agreed to cheers and crowing from his friends—girlfriend included—I turned and walked out.
Sawyer clearly survived his walk above the flames only to mess himself up in another fight with Aiden. They did this a lot—fight Aiden. Barring Sawyer scoring a lucky shot that got him into the club, Aiden was impossible to defeat.
Aiden caught Sawyer’s fist, twisted it behind his back, and kicked the back of his legs. The taller boy went down howling.
I hope he’s cursing the decisions that led to him on his knees before Aiden once again.
Aiden helped him to his feet. I saw them shake before the crowd swallowed them. The show was over. Back to partying.
A hand secured my wrist. “Val, we’ve got to go!”
Teagan followed shouting in my ear with tugging me between the couple separating us. I stumbled into her and the waiting arms of Eve and Sabrina.
“Let’s go,” Eve echoed. “They’re waiting for you upstairs!”