Page 8 of Vicious Games

Shit.

He’s right.

Dad won’t let us initiate without it.

And if my mother has her way, we’ll need acollegedegree first, too. Just like she made Jude get his before he made the oath.

Sure, Marcello didn’t need a college degree, but Marcello was always meant for the Outfit. Unbeknownst to the rest of us, that had been our father’s plan from the start.

Shit.

If Enzo takes theomertàwithout me because of Sister Margaretta, Dad won’t have to kill her since I’ll murder her myself.

Fuck!

I pull out my phone in desperation and text the one person who might have some advice. The only adult in my life that actually tells it like it is.

Me:So… I fucked up. Last prank we pulled on the nuns wenttoowell. Now, I might not graduate.

Me:No degree = noomertà. What do I do?

I don’t have to wait long for three dots to start bouncing up and down on the screen.

Remus:That depends. How bad do you want to bemade?

Me:It’s my destiny, dude. So pretty fucking bad.

Remus:Then grow a pair and do what needs to be done. Fix your shit.

Me:Even if it’s gonna suck ass?

Remus:Even if your life depends on it. Stop being a wanker and handle your fucking business.

See?

What did I tell you?

Remus always tells me what’s what.

It’s not his fault I don’t like his answer.

Chapter 2

Frances

Nestled between a tranquil convent and the historic St. Mary’s Orphanage, just a few blocks from the towering steeple of St. Mary’s Cathedral, Sacred Heart Academy stands as a beacon of faith, learning, and tradition.

Or so they say.

Most people assume that every student at this elite Catholic school is not only devout but also the epitome of morality and discipline.

In reality? It’s all bullshit.

Most of the kids at Sacred Heart are entitled snobs—one worse than the last. When a school has torequirecommunity service just to graduate, you know the majority couldn’t care less about helping others unless, of course, they’re forced to.

And joy, oh joy, I get to be one of the chosen few to attend this oh-so-coveted school. Not because my parents are cutting checks for fifty grand a year but because Sacred Heart Academy also enrolls students from St. Mary’s Orphanage—like me.

Yep.

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