Page 29 of Pretty Lethal
Why are they all so obsessed with impressing that dude? For that matter, why the fuck didIwant to impress him once upon a time? A man I never knew, had never met, and yet I joined this stupid fucking society, betrayed my best friend, and nearly ruined everything just for the opportunity to know him. It sounds so stupid now that I think about it. One person shouldn’t have that much control over your actions—especially not someone who has never given a shit about you a day in your life. If he had, he wouldn’t have cast me out alongside my father. His crimes were not mine, yet I was punished as though they were. It shouldn’t be me trying to get into his good graces.Heshould be pleading his way intomine.
He sighs when I don’t answer him, finally lifting his head to look at me. “How are you getting on with your assignment? Have you found anything on the girl?”
I keep my expression carefully neutral. I don’t want to hand over the information I have, but I’ve been over this a hundred times in my head, and I don’t see that I have a choice in the matter.
I shrug, figuring if I make it seem like it’s nothing, maybe that’s how he’ll perceive it. “Yeah, she’s gay.”
He blinks before one side of his lips curls in a smirk. It makes him look hideous. “Do you have proof?”
“No. She obviously doesn’t want anyone to know. I just so happened to be at a party one night and saw her.”
“Alright, well, we’ll need photographic evidence.” He stares at me expectantly.
“Why? What are you going to use it for?”
Robbie’s eyes narrow at my lack of automatic agreeability. Of course, the entitled asshole is used to everyone around him immediately complying and bowing to his every whim. He should know by now that I’m not like everyone else. I’m not simply going to roll over because he tells me to.
Instead of answering me, he leans back in his chair, resting his elbows on the table in front of him so his fingers are steepled. It’s a move Grandfather pulled when he sat me down to impress the importance of maintaining a good alliance with the King’s Elite. Obviously, Robbie has been learning from him.
I can feel the full weight of his gaze pressing down on me. “I believe Grandfather explained to you the vital work we are doing here, and the important role you play in that.”
I mentally flick back through my memories of that day, vaguely recalling some bullshit rant about how important social classes are and society’s determination to remove barriers and fight for equality will be our undoing unless we take immediate action. Action that I am expected to assist with, even if I am not privy to the larger picture. Honestly, it was mostly white noise to me.
“I thought this was what you wanted?” Robbie continues, leaning forward. “The opportunity to know your family—to prove yourself to them. Don’t you want to be a part of your family’s legacy?”
It’s on the tip of my tongue to sayno,but I don’t think that will go over well. Not to mention, it will raise questions as to my sudden change of mind and could result in them searching for a reason. If they stumbled across Emilia, I wouldn’t forgive myself. I obviously serve some purpose to the King’s Elite and my family, although I have no idea what—their errand boy? The guy who does their dirty work? Whatever it is, they coaxed me into the fold for a reason. I don’t think they’d take kindly to knowing myrealfamily is working to dig me out of this hole I’m in.
“I just don’t understand what this girl has to do with anything,” I say instead, sounding petulant. “I don’t want to be responsible for destroying any more lives.” I stare pointedly at him as I think about the role I played in Senator Compton’s death. Perhaps he'd still be alive if I hadn’t gotten the King’s Elite that information. Not that I really give a shit about some politician who was probably crooked to his core, but it helps solidify the point I’m making.
However, Robbie simply snorts, as though I made a joke. “Don’t start growing a conscience now, Wilder. We both know that’s not you.”
My teeth grind against one another. He’s right, of course. I don’t have a conscience, but Iamtrying to be a better person, for my Angel. And more than that, Robbie doesn’t know a goddamn thing about me. Not really.
Noticing my reaction, Robbie’s eyes narrow on me. “Is this about whatever girl you’ve been hung up on recently?”
The thread of suspicion underlying his tone immediately gets my hackles up. Scoffing, I force myself to relax into the chair. “I told you before, there is no girl. I just don’t like being in the dark on these things.”
He continues studying me for a long moment until I feel sweat gathering along my brow. Eventually, he blows out a breath. “Prove yourself—get us that evidence—and maybe you’ll be allowed to know more.”
* * *
The secondI’m out of Robbie’s office, I storm across campus and hail a cab to Nocturnal Enterprises. I’m not even entirely sure why I’m so riled up. It’s not like the meeting didn’t go exactly how I’d planned.
It’s because he brought her up.
The voice at the back of my head whispers, and as soon as it’s pointed out, I realize that’s the truth. Although he was only phishing and has no real clue whether or not there is a girl, the fact he came so close to uncovering Emilia is what has me so pissed off.
It’s bad enough that I had to tell her everything and get her involved, but this is not her problem to solve. I want her kept well out of it, and I sure as fuck don’t want my cousin snooping around campus for her. I don’t know if he was just trying to suss me out or whether he would actually go searching for Emilia, but I’m not willing to take the risk.
When I arrive at Nocturnal Enterprises, I make a beeline for Hawk’s office, not even bothering to knock before stomping my way inside.
Hawk throws his arms up when he sees me. “Does nobody respect privacy anymore?” he grumbles.
“What the fuck do you need privacy for in an office? It’s not like you were jerking off in here or anything.”
He chucks a paperclip at me. “You don’t know that.”
I smirk as I plop down in the vacant chair in front of him. “Of course I do. Why would you jerk off alone in your office, when there’ll be a dirty little vixen at home tonight that you can spread out on the kitchen table and eat out for dinner.”
