Page 15 of Dark Endures

“Like I’m doing your asinine exercise.” Dyce grabs a drink and climbs up onto the bar. “But I’m going to enjoy watching you all look like idiots.” Her eyes never leave Ace.

He winks at her.

Why am I watching my cousin flirt with one of my brothers? Because as gross as the thought is, it’s better than what’s about to happen.

All the newer brothers file in as a pack. We don’t usually… ever do odd meetings like this, which probably has them all a bit nervous.

Or that could just be me projecting.

As the last one steps in, I close and lock my office doors and put a block on the elevator up here.

This meeting needs to stay private.

“Thank you all for coming. It isn’t often we have an unplanned meeting. I want to thank you all for making time in your day to come.” Not that it was optional. “You’re probably wondering why all the brothers are here. When you all came up as prospects, we took the time to get to know you as you took the time to get to know the founding members of the Deathadders. Once you became our brothers, that effort stopped. Between us,there should be no secrets or lies.” But there obviously is one. “Today, I want you to take the time to get to know your brother. Would each member of the council line up over here?” I set them with their backs to Dyce to give her a better view of the newer brothers. “And everyone else line up here.”

The corner of Dyce’s lip lifts. For once, our minds are in sync.

Jacko, one of the larger guys, stands in front of our shortest member, Colton. “If you drop me Colton, I’m going to punch you.”

Though Colton looks small, he spends more time at the gym than the rest of us. “You can try if you want.” Colton grins.

Before they beat each other up, I better get on with it. “We aren’t going to do a trust fall literally. But today you’re going to show your trust in your brother. Everyone, take out your phones and unlock them.”

Eyes widen with shock even among the council, but there isn’t one speck of fear in anyone’s gaze.

“Pass your phone to the brother across from you. I want each of you to go through your brother’s messages, emails, and search history. Really take the time to get to know them. At the end of the exercise, you’re to tell the group what you learned about your brother.” And find the rat for me.

Dyce scans the group just as thoroughly as I do.

“Wait, you want us to read each other’s messages? I can’t wait to see what that hot wife of yours says, Pit.” Dawson holds his hand. “Gimme.”

Really? “Spouses and girlfriends are excluded.”

“What, but she’s—”

“Lesson?” Pit asks.

“Second,” Jacko answers immediately.

“What? Brie is—”

I whap him upside the head. “Respect.”

Dawson shuts his mouth.

“Get to work.” Hopefully, Dyce sees something I don’t.

“Um, what am I supposed to do?” Otto doesn’t have anyone across from him.

I forgot to count. There is an even number of us, but only if I’m in the mix. “You’re trading with me.”

Otto, who happens to be the nerd of the new bunch, stares like he’s about to pass out. The kid cleans the non-venomous snakes’ room. It’s not like he doesn’t see me on a regular basis. I’m not that scary.

This is going to be a long day.

***

“Pit takes amazing photographs,” Dawson shares with the group.

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