Page 67 of The Claiming

My lips curve into a grin as I turn to Cassie. “It’s up to you then.”

She holds up her hand and her eyes flash as she bites back. “This was your idea and we are in the ‘guest’ rooms, so if anyone is providing laundry services, it’s you.”

I shrug. “We will negotiate the terms of the tenancy later. Come, I’ll introduce you to your room next door.”

We all head to Cassie’s room and it’s a mirror image of Siri’s and despite her animosity, I note the appreciation in her expression as she smiles. “It’s lovely. Thank you.”

Jack nods. “It’s a great place to stay. A little loud sometimes and there are endless parties, but the food’s good and the company is not so bad.”

He winks at Siri and once again I wonder about them. Will I have a problem with putting them together? Will Siri be compromised? I’m not my parents or my aunts and uncles. I believe Siri deserves to live her life as she chooses, not the archaic way our parents were brought up.

Women were expected to be virgins on their wedding night to a mafia don chosen by her father. Luckily for Siri and my sisters and other cousins, we have moved on since then, but it’s still understood that we watch out for one another. If anything happens to Siri under my watch, I don’t rate my chances against her father, otherwise known as The Savage, when he attended Rockwell Academy with the rest of my uncles.

Cassie sighs. “At least we’ll be on hand to help unravel the mystery.”

Jack nods. “It will be good to have you on board with that. Any ideas?”

Cassie perches on the edge of her bed and regards him with a thoughtful gleam in her eyes.

“I’m guessing we search the tunnels again. During daylight and with more powerful torches than our phones. We should also check out the boathouse and the route there from the dungeons.”

“But haven’t the cops cordoned the area off for evidence?” Siri says anxiously and I snort, “As if that will stop us. Give it until tomorrow and they will probably finish up. It will give us time to secure the place before the next claiming.”

“Are you serious, Frankie?” Siri’s eyes widen. “What if it happens again? I’m also guessing you won’t get many takers now they know what’s still out there.”

“Possibly, but there is always someone who’s up for the challenge.”

I shrug. “We will heighten security and put more centurions inside and out.”

“But one of them was dressed as a centurion.” Cassie adds, and I grin.

“Which is why we must stage another event. I will personally check the identity of every centurion there and if one of them has a serpent tattoo, he will find himself locked in the dungeon until I say so.”

“It could work.” Jack’s expression is grave. “But the one who took Abigail wasn’t part of the challenge. He must have been in there already waiting for her. I can think of no other explanation.”

I share his frustration because I’m still not sure how he did it, but I’ll soon discover his identity and by the time I’ve finished with him, any secrets he’s hiding will spill from his fucked up lips.

THIRTY-TWO

CASSIE

I’m not gonna lie, I’m super excited to be moving in with The Elusives and not just because of Frankie. There is a freedom here not enjoyed by anyone living in the dorm and its luxury on a grand scale.

I’m no stranger to living well, but it’s more modern than anything and minimalistic. Frankie and his family obviously enjoy wealth on an obscene scale and I’m seduced by it. I’m seduced by him and living under his roof is an adventure I never saw coming.

Then there’s Jack. He also lives here, which will calm my father the fuck down if he finds out. It makes perfect sense, even I’ll admit that and so as we trip back to the party, I am trying hard to disguise my happiness with the turn of events.

The noise is deafening as the thump of music plays out and the people in the room are making the most of their time here. Couples are everywhere, kissing, laughing and drinking and some doing stuff I’d rather not see.

It’s a den of vice and has definitely opened my eyes and as we help ourselves to more beer, I glance around with interest.

I notice River with his arm around Autumn’s shoulders as she laughs at something he is saying. He is chatting with his group of friends who have adopted similar poses with their girl of the night.

My mouth twitches when I see Kennedy obviously arguing with Amos, and I feel sorry for them both. She obviously detests him and he can’t believe his luck. I decide to help out a little and say to Frankie, “I’m just grabbing a word with Kennedy.”

He nods, but his eyes follow me as I make my way across the room and the relief in her smile when I ask for a minute with her tells me she is grateful for the intervention.

We head to the bar and she groans. “I’m losing the will to live. Amos follows me everywhere, and it’s seriously creeping me out.”

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