Page 92 of The Bleak Beginning

Cam’s eyes light up with a predatory gleam. “The school would have no choice but to expel her. They can’t risk having a potentially unstable student on campus. Could you imagine the scandal that would ensue?”

“Exactly,” I nod, feeling a rush of excitement. “And I’ve got more. According to the records, Prescott’s mom had her first major episode the summer between high school and her starting college. Imagine the trauma that must have caused.”

Sutton shifts uncomfortably. “This feels…wrong somehow. Using someone’s family history against them like this.”

I turn to her, my voice hardening. “Remember what’s at stake here. Prescott’s a threat to everything our families stand for.”

“I agree with Sutton,” Sly says. “This seems to be pushing it.”

A slight frown tugs at my lips at Sly and Sutton, feeling a flicker of annoyance in my chest. “Pushing it? Are you kidding me? Prescott’s the one who’s been pushing us since day one. She doesn’t belong here, and you know it.”

Cam nods in agreement. “Bishop’s right. We can’t afford to be soft now. Not when we’re so close.”

Sly shifts uncomfortably under my gaze. “I just…I didn’t think we’d have to go this far.”

I take a deep breath, trying to reign in my frustration. The guy has been acting weird since the night he got back from taking her to the cliffs. I suggested it, hoping that if the story of our joint families’ history didn’t scare her, maybe seeing the drop below the water would.

“We just have to find the right button and push it,” I state confidently.

“Yeah, and how many times has that actually worked for us so far?”

“Watch it,” I snap at Sly.

Cam sighs deeply. “Look, maybe we need to approach this from a different angle. Sly, if you're so frustrated with our current methods, why don't you try something else?”

“I'm not frustrated,” he interjects sharply. “I'm just pointing out the reality that you all seem to be ignoring.”

“Fine,” Cam concedes with a pointed glare in our friend’s direction. “As I was saying before I wasrudelyinterrupted, why don't you try to seduce her? Listen to my advice for once, and get inside her head, fuck her, if that’s what it takes. I don’t really care. We just need to find a way for Alex to leave.”

I swallow hard, trying to contain the growl that threatens to escape my throat at the mention of someone having sex with Prescott. What was happening to me? This is why we needed her gone; she was making me react in ways I normally wouldn't even bat an eye at.

Sly hesitates, clearly weighing Cam’s words, and the delay only makes my anger simmer more. When he finally speaks, it’s not what I expected.

“You know she accused us of being corrupt… Said our blood was poisoned for wanting to partake in the games,” he explains further.

“So?” Cam asks, genuinely not understanding the problem.

“So maybe she’s right.” He has the audacity to seem sheepish over it. “It’s just been on my mind a lot. I mean what she said, nothing else,” he clarifies.

As opposed to another reason Prescott would be on your mind for?

“You think she’s right?” I spit, unclenching my jaw. “Our families have upheld these traditions for generations. It’s not corruption, it’s legacy. Honor.”

Sutton steps forward, her eyes blazing in defense of her twin. “Bishop, maybe we should consider—”

“Consider what?” I cut her off sharply. “Throwing away everything we’ve worked for because some traitor can’t handle the heat? No way.”

Cam steps between us, his hands raised in a placating gesture. “Let’s all take a breath here. We’re on the same side, remember?”

I force myself to inhale deeply, trying to calm the rage bubbling inside me. Cam’s right, of course. We can’t afford to fracture now.

Sly runs a hand through his hair, frustration evident in his posture. “I get that, I do. But using her mother’s illness against her…it just feels like we’re crossing some sort of line.”

“Sometimes lines need to be crossed,” I argue, my voice serious. Intense.

Sutton bites her lip, conflicted. “What makes you so sure we're not mistaken about her?”

I shoot Sutton a withering glare. “We’re not wrong. She’s the one who doesn’t understand. Our traditions, the games—they’re what make us who we are. They’re what keep us strong.”

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