Page 38 of Love to Defy You
“I wish I were.”
Murder? This fraternitymurderedsomeone? This doesn’t sound like one of those college hazing rituals gone wrong that you hear about on the news. College freshmen getting alcohol poisoning and dying is negligent on the fraternity’s part, but accidental.
Slitting someone’s throat? That’s intentional.
“Alek, if that’s true, we have to call the police.”
“No.” He vehemently shakes his head. “No, I think they control the police. They’ve been getting away with this for decades. Possibly centuries.”
“Oh, my God. That’s… insane.” I stare down at my shaking hands in disbelief. It can’t be true, can it?
What the fuck did Alek get himself involved in? If his life is in danger, we can’t just sit around and wait for something bad to happen. We need to act.
I’m just not sure what to do.
Alek dials Mikhail on his phone. He puts it on speakerphone and sets it on the counter between us.
Mikhail picks up after three rings. “Alo.”
Alek responds in English. “This isn’t a social call. You’re on speaker with Willow, by the way.”
“Oh, hi, Willow. Is he grouchy right now?”
I lean closer to the phone. “We both are. What the hell is this feast about?”
“And why is Willow’s name on the invitation?” Alek demands.
There’s a long pause on the other end, and when he finally answers, his tone is somber. “You know I can’t tell you that.”
“Damn you.” Alek clenches his fist on the countertop. “At least tell me if Willow is in danger. I don’t want her involved in this.”
Mikhail lets out an audible sigh. “She’s already involved, whether you want her to be or not.”
“Why? What does that mean?” Alek asks.
“Because she’s in a relationship with you. Bringing her to the feast or not won’t change anything. But her life isn’t in danger as long as she keeps the brotherhood a secret.”
Alek and I share a look. Now I understand why he didn’t want to tell me what he’s been going through. Because once you learn about the brotherhood, you can never unlearn it.
Knowing who they are puts you in their crosshairs.
“That’s all I can say,” Mikhail adds. “You may as well bring her to the feast. Josie will be there, too.”
Alek clenches and unclenches his hand. “Why are you so calm about this?”
“Well, vodka helps.” Mikhail lets out a hollow laugh that quickly dies. “Look, this isn’t a test. It’s just a social event for the members to get to know the initiates. Try to make friends with some of them. When you make it through to the end—and you will, I’ll make sure of it—these guys will be your brothers for lifewhether or not you like it.” He sighs. “Might as well make the most of it.”
The call ends.
Alek lets out a long breath and stares at the phone. Almost as if he’s resigning himself to his fate.
Which means I need to come to grips with it, too.
“I guess I should pick out a dress for the dinner,” I say. It sounds frivolous when we’re talking about a secret cult murdering students at the school, but I’m not sure what else to do.
Alek grabs my wrist. “No. You’re not coming.”
“Yes, I am.” I step closer to him. “I’m already involved.”
