Page 27 of Atone

While on the surface, Montgomery is a psychiatric ward, it’s also a storage place for the most confidential Sigma House records. They were transferred here to be protected by one of the House’s legacies when he sat on the board, and they’ve remained in the basement ever since. The Council probably assumed this was a safe place to store certain pieces of information because no one would know to look here. But they didn’t consider the implications if someone like me ended up locked within these walls.

Someone with all the time in the world to dig up dirty secrets.

“Have you considered my offer?” Declan tucks his hands into his pockets, watching me. “Once the Council is out of the picture, we want you back. I still can’t figure out why you continue to stay.”

No one can.

That’s the point.

I shrug my answer. Noncommittal. No one needs to know what I’m planning. Not until I’ve made a final decision.

Besides, Declan is still reconciling his reasons for taking on the House in the first place. While he says it’s because they’ve strayed too far from their twisted values, Kole and I both know this is about his obsession with Teal and getting revenge on the people who hurt her when we were younger. Declan wants to make them all suffer, and I’m not one to judge.

In fact, I’m happy to help.

What I’m not prepared to do is draw attention to myself yet. Which is why I’ll let Declan and Kole take this on without me for now.

“Well, the offer stands. There’s a spot at the table if you want it.” Declan pulls something out of his other pocket. “The payment you asked for.”

He hands me a different flash drive than the one I handed him, and I tense just thinking what I’ll find when I watch it.

“Care to explain why you’re digging into video footage from the carnival?” Declan juts his chin at the flash drive in my hand. “Specifically, the parking lot?”

I don’t answer, but I meet his gaze, and he knows me well enough to read what I’m thinking.

“Let me know if you need any help.” Declan smirks, turning his back to walk away. “Always good chatting with you, Alex.”

Asshole.

I’d laugh if I had any amusement left.

Pocketing the flash drive, I turn to leave, considering what Declan said. I know he’d help if I needed it, and it’s one of the reasons I’m still loyal to him after everything that happened. But in this case, the task is mine.

She is mine.

And I’m looking forward to letting my monster out just for her.

9

BE CAREFUL

MILA

Sigma House makesa statement with its twisted iron gates. The large skulls carved into them taunt anyone who dares come here. A warning not nearly enough people take, given the number of cars parked outside at the moment.

Sigma House is a fraternity fitting for the devil himself, and he’s good at luring us in.

The tall peaks on the roof are razors in the night, while the brick walls are mossy and overgrown with vines, blending the manor into the unholy ground that surrounds it.

Nothing stops the shiver running down my spine, no matter how many times I’ve been here.

“I can’t believe I let you talk me into this outfit,” Teal grumbles, climbing out of the car.

“You look hot, Teal. Trust me, you’ll thank me later.”

“I doubt it.” She tugs at her skirt, but it’s too short to hide much more than her ass. “How mad is Patience that we’re going to this party tonight? I heard you two arguing when I was doing my hair.”

“She’ll get over it,” I lie.

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