Page 96 of Revere
32
TOO BAD, BABY
JACOB
One cornerof the basement has a five-inch brick ledge sectioning off a circle on the floor. It’s just enough to hold an inch of water, keeping it in when it inevitably splashes around.
The air is muggy, and the walls are damp. While most Sigma House initiates fear the first level of the House’s basement, they would piss themselves if they saw the deeper levels. Which is exactly what Derek has done for the last three days. Pissed and shit himself, sitting in an inch of standing water with his arms up in chains, waiting for me to return.
It feels good to be back at Sigma House. If for no other reason than to access this room. A place where no one will find him or hear him scream.
Every day I’ve stopped by to see him. Working him until he’s a raw nerve and then taking it a bit further. Until he’s on the brink of blacking out or death, and then leaving only to come back again. It seems that in my time on the sidelines, the men of the House have forgotten what I’m capable of. Since Derek decided to be one of the first to disobey an order, it feels only fitting that he serves as the reminder.
Derek flinches when the door groans open behind me, and Declan walks through. But Derek still isn’t scared enough for my liking. Not after what they did to her.
The fear that burned in Patience’s beautiful golden eyes seared into me. And I refuse to let Derek die until I see it amplified in his.
Only then will I have earned the right to see her after what I let happen.
I might have told those men to back down, but I didn’t follow up. I wasn’t paying attention. I let my guard down and turned my back for a split second when I should have known better.
At least I was smart enough to inject the tracking chip into the back of her neck when she was sleeping at my apartment. She woke up briefly, thinking something bit her, and the flicker of guilt faded the second I needed to use it.
Maybe I was crossing a line. But she’s alive because I had things in place to find her if necessary.
When I walked into the basement and saw Anson straddling her—her pants at her thighs—I saw red.
An endless rage swelled like the blood that surged from his neck when I split it open.
But it’s not enough.
Not yet.
Which is why I’m back here with Derek. Atoning for my sins so I can face Patience with the knowledge that I’ve done what’s appropriate to the men who tried to hurt her.
Declan stops at my side, crossing his arms over his chest, taking in the scene. His black eye is a reminder that Alex is going to need as much of an explanation as his sister will.
“You stripped off the rest of his clothes.” I stop at the edge of the pool of water, where Derek is chained and hanging.
Declan smirks. “He looked too comfortable when I came by yesterday.”
“You graduate next year, right?” I glance at him, and he nods. “Are you sure you don’t want to keep running things?”
“I’ve got more important shit to focus on.” His expression doesn’t crack, but I get the feeling he’s talking about Teal. “Besides, from the sight of him, you’re right back where you need to be.”
I suppose he isn’t wrong. I might have resisted my legacy, but it doesn’t mean I wasn’t always fit for it. One of the reasons my mentorship with Gideon Lancaster didn’t end well is that we both knew I had too quickly surpassed him.
Sigma Sin runs through my blood. It’s in every mark I’ve left on Derek’s half-dead, limp body. This has always been where I belong—maintaining control.
“I suppose you’re right.” I scan Derek up and down.
“Have you gone to see her?” Declan asks.
My eyes narrow, slicing his direction in a warning.
“Just trying to gauge how much rage you’ve still got in you.” He throws his hands up, chuckling.
“Enough,” is my only answer.
