Page 69 of Unbidden

The confused look on his face tells me he has no clue what he said wrong. “It wasn’t a test for you but for us. As part of—”

“Enough. We don’t know if we can trust her,” Sterling cuts Reed off.

“You’re welcome to leave this vehicle any time. I didn’t ask your permission, and I’m not going to. We all did something tonight. Something that may or may not affect Sage now that she’s involved. She has a right to know.”

“Whatever, man. I’m out.” Sterling jumps out, heading to my front door.

“I don’t want you to fight because of me. Hell, I don’t know if I want to know.”

I watch as Victoria opens the door, pulling him in for a kiss when she realizes who it is. They head inside, but she sticks her head back out. I can’t make out what they’re saying, but she throws a worried look in my direction. I smile and wave her inside.

As soon as the door is shut, I turn back to Reed. The other two are quiet in the back.

“We’re a part of the Secretum Societatis,” Reed says after a moment of silence.

“The what?”

“Secretum Societatis. It’s an elite group. As seniors, Sterling and I were tasked with obtaining the bird from the mall. It’s our sacrifice for the cause. It’s a lot of stuff that you can’t know about until you’re in. I really shouldn’t even be telling you about it.”

“Is that why Sterling was so upset? And if it was a task for Sterling and you, why were the other two with you?” I ask while throwing my thumb over my shoulder toward Finley and Keaton.

He nods. “It’s a serious offense to tell an outsider. Especially if the outsider tells others. There’s a reason it’s so secret. Only the elite few are chosen. You’ll see. There’s an event coming up soon. It’ll help explain things. Besides, do you really think we could have kept them out of it?”

I scoff. “Sure. As if the elite would choose me as one of theirs. Little old trailer trash Sage.”

Reed glares at me. “I told you not to call yourself that. You have Covington blood running through your veins. You’re part of a founding family. That alone means you’re on their radar, whether you like it or not.”

“What if I refuse to go?”

“Then you refuse. It isn’t a gang. They aren’t going to ridicule you if you choose not to be a part of it. It is what it is. You either join or you don’t. That is, if you’re one of the lucky few chosen.”

“You think I’ll be chosen?”

He shrugs, but I can tell he isn’t giving me the whole truth.

“Enough of this. Can we go inside now? I’m starving,” Keaton whines from the back.

I glare at Reed, willing him to tell me what he’s hiding, but he’s a rock.

Finally, I sigh. “Let’s go inside before V sends out a search party.”

I follow the guys to the house, opening the door before ushering them in. Reed steps into my space.

“What I told you tonight cannot be repeated. Even to Victoria and Tinsley.”

“Why not?”

“They aren’t in yet. They will be, but for the girls, initiation is a little different. They don’t have to steal a stupid bird or another ridiculous task. That’s the man’s offering. The women offer something else.”

“What?” I ask as he presses closer.

“I can’t tell you, but I hope you come when asked. Will you come for me?”

I gasp as he trails his hand across my lower stomach. Before I realize what I’m doing, I speak. “Yes. I’ll come. For you.”

“Good. Now let’s watch a movie.” Reed immediately steps out of my space, heading toward the living room and leaving me a mess standing by the open front door.

Chapter Sixteen

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