Chapter 11
11
Grant
Greer
You’ve been quiet these past few days. Is everything okay?
No, but it will be when I get to see you.
Has that line ever worked?
You tell me. You’re the first person I’ve used it on…
Okay, it worked a little…
Good. Are you free to chat?
I am.
She answers on the first ring.
“Hello?”
I exhale. “It’s good to hear your voice.”
“You, too. I’ve missed you.”
“Me, too.” I pause, hating to do this. “I have an unexpected meeting in Dallas the day before we leave. If I make the arrangements, can you meet me there, and we can fly out as planned?”
“Is everything okay?”
No . “Yes. Just a last-minute campaign issue.”
Her tone is playful. “Well, I suppose it’s my patriotic duty to accommodate your presidential campaign.”
“So, you’re okay with it?”
“As long as we end up on the beach together, I’m fine with it, Grant.”
“Fuck, you’re making me hard with all that dirty talk.”
Her laugh rings out like bells. “You’re such a nerd.”
“Your nerd, Little Fae. Okay, I’m going to get off here. I’ll email you the updated flight info. See you in Dallas, baby.”
“See you soon, Grant.”
Guilt courses through me. Greer understands the Brotherhood better than anyone, but that doesn’t mean she’s ready for this leap.
I call Charles Blanc, hoping he answers. Thankfully, he does.
“Yes?”
“Don’t tell Greer about your plan yet.”
“And give you time to back out? I think not.”
“Blanc, you owe me this much. Let me be the one to speak to her.”
He finally says, “Fine.”
I’m glaring as he ends the call. Fucking prick.
Somya peeks her head into my office. “Everything okay, boss?”
“I need you to find the best jeweler in Dallas and have him brought to me discreetly.”
Her gaze is full of question, but she simply nods. “On it.”
That’s what I like about Somya. She will get the job done no matter what it is. Corbin, on the other hand, likes to think things out, weighing his options before asking a shit ton of questions. That’s not what I need right now. I need someone who will have a solution by the end of the day. Especially since tomorrow is my induction ceremony.
Twenty-four hours later, I stand in a room alone at a mansion the Brotherhood uses for meetings and ceremonies just like this. It’s strange to think that there have been two others in this room in less than eight months. And we still don’t know who started it all by killing DeLeon. My hand goes to the back of my neck, rubbing. Am I putting Greer in danger? It’s true that I can’t stop this induction ceremony. And becoming an Elite Member puts an even bigger target on my back. What if I can’t protect Greer? The thought makes my stomach churn and I have to take in several deep breaths to calm myself. But not marrying her puts her at risk, too.
Fuck.
I can’t let anything happen to her, so my answer is clear.
A knock on the door brings me out of my thoughts. I finish the tumbler of vodka just as the doors swing open.
“It’s time, Brother Carter.”
I nod, setting my glass aside.
It’s strange. I was young when I joined the Brotherhood, full of hopes and dreams. Over time, those dreams have become jaded. Through it all, the Brotherhood has been there, guiding me. Now it’s my turn to guide others beneath me. All because one fucker couldn’t stay in his lane.
I make my way to the center of the auditorium where Blanc waits. Along the way, I pass the other Elite Members. Moretti. Henderson. Jones. Jones looks blankly ahead as I pass. When I reach Blanc, I hold out my hand, palm up, letting him slice my skin as he goes through the ritual that has been performed over hundreds of years.
Before I know it, the ceremony is done, and I find myself in the gathering room with other members of the Brotherhood.
But there’s one person here who doesn’t belong.
Walt Ryans stands next to Charles Blanc, smiling like he has every right to be here.
Moretti comes to my side, handing me a glass of vodka. I take it, bringing it to my lips.
“Has Blanc said anything about inviting Walt Ryans to join the Brotherhood?”
His dark eyebrows lift. “Not to me, but I’m not the Face of the Brotherhood.”
Meaning Brooks would be the one to ask…
My gaze dances around the room. Brooks is speaking to a group of new recruits, so it will be a moment before he can break away from them.
“I see Ryans is here. Is that why you want to know if Blanc is going to bring him into the Brotherhood?”
“Partly. Blanc said he couldn’t guarantee the Brotherhood supporting me in my campaign. Just a bit odd that now he’s suddenly friends with Ryans.”
Moretti takes a sip of his drink.
“There’s been a lot of changes happening within the Brotherhood.”
I scoff. “How very political of you. You may have missed your calling, Moretti.”
“So I’ve been told.” He turns to face me, positioning his body where no one can see what he’s saying. “Blanc is on the defense now. He’s likely looking to bring in new members who aren’t out to kill him.”
“Who in the fuck said I was out to get him?”
“No one, but you’ve got to be on his list of suspects. Hell, I imagine all the men in line for Elite Member spots are. You, Santos, Irons, Montgomery, and Wolfe all have something to gain with all these deaths.”
“Just as you and Brooks did.”
“Exactly. My point is that Blanc can’t trust anyone. Hell, his own best friend was planning a coup.” He gives me a long look. “He’s going to make moves to protect himself. Tell me, Carter, what would you do if you were in his shoes? Who would make the perfect pawn in his game?”
My gut tells me we’re no longer talking about Ryans.
“He’s already told me. He wants me to marry Greer. But she’s no pawn, and he’s a fool if he thinks that little of her.”
Moretti looks me over. “Be good to her, Carter, or we’re going to have a problem.”
He slaps my back and finishes his drink.
“I still don’t like you, Moretti, but I respect you.”
“Ditto.”
He leaves, going to speak to someone else. Brooks catches my gaze and I dip my head, letting him know I need to speak to him. He nods back.
Several people come to congratulate me as I wait. One person gets my attention, and I find myself truly smiling as he approaches. Dimitri Santos, one of my oldest friends, walks toward me, a scowl on his face. I don’t think I’ve seen the man smile since his wife passed.
“Santos,” I greet.
He grunts as he takes a glass of vodka from a passing server.
“Congratulations, Elite Member Carter. Let’s hope this is the last promotion for a while.”
His gaze is on Jones, who stands against the wall. An unusual place for Jones. He’s usually the life of the party, so to speak.
Brooks joins us and asks, “What are we looking at?”
“Jones.”
“Ah. I suppose this is rather hard for him. He and Zhāng were seeing each other in secret.”
Suddenly, the man’s physical appearance and attitude make sense. He’s grieving the loss of a lover.
Santos lifts his glass and says, “I wish the bastard luck. He’ll never be the same.”
There’s a beat of silence before Brooks turns to me.
“So, has Blanc reached out yet?”
“Regarding?”
“Your marital status.”
I grunt as I take a sip of my vodka.
Brooks says, “I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but once he has his mind set, there’s nothing you can do to stop him.”
“Except marry someone else, right? Isn’t that what you and Moretti did?”
Brooks snorts. “I believe you were the one who encouraged me to marry Hannah. As for Ace, well, he didn’t marry someone else. He just stole his bride.”
Only in our world is that a perfectly normal statement.
Santos says, “If Blanc tells me I have to remarry, I’ll invoke Rule 3.”
Both Brooks and I stare at him in shock. Rule 3 hasn’t been invoked since Greer’s father and grandfather… Rule 3 means you choose to leave the Defiant God Brotherhood the only way we can. By death.
Brooks says, “You can’t mean that, Dimitri.”
“I mean it with every fiber in my body.”
I ask, “What will happen to Clara, Diego, and little Isadora?”
“Jo?o will take care of them,” he answers with surety. “My son will not let his younger siblings become orphans.”
“But you will?”
Santos turns his gaze on me. “I died the day Serafina passed. My children will be better off with someone who can love them.” He finishes his drink and says, “Congratulations again, Carter. You’re going to make one hell of an Elite Member.”
He leaves, disappearing into the crowd.
Brooks says, “That poor man…”
“I think we can all understand his pain. The thought of losing the love of your life is…” I shake my head, unable to finish.
“Indeed.” Brooks’ eyes light up. “Wait. I know why I can understand his pain, but how can you ? Have you found love, Carter?”
“Or something like it.”
“Who’s the lucky girl? Do I know her?”
I lower my voice. “It’s Greer.”
“I fucking knew it!” He grins. “Congratulations, friend.”
“Don’t congratulate me just yet. I haven’t told her how I feel.”
“And why the fuck not?”
“Because we hated each other until a few days ago.”
He scoffs at that. “Please. I’ve been around both of you for years. That’s not hate. That’s sexual tension.”
“Either way, I don’t know how she’s going to feel, especially if she thinks I’m asking her to marry me just because it’s what Blanc wants.”
“Ouch. That’s a tough one. When are you going to speak to her?”
“We’re leaving for Mexico tomorrow. I’m planning on asking her there.”
“Got a ring yet?”
I touch my breast pocket. “Yes.”
“Well, I wish you all the luck.”
“Thanks.”
His gaze dances around and then he asks in a low tone, “Have you received a letter yet?”
“Letter?”
“From the man who killed DeLeon. He must get off on watching us.” He takes a drink. “Though it came in handy when Hannah was taken.”
“Odd, isn’t it? He’s out to get us, but then he turns around and protects the wives. A contradiction.”
“Or he knows they’re innocent in all of this.” His voice is thick with emotion. “I don’t agree with what Santos said, but I get it. If something happened to Hannah or the babies, I don’t know what I’d do.”
“Babies?”
He doesn’t even try to hide his grin. “Twins, though we’re not finding out the gender until they’re born.”
“So no throne for her, then.”
We both share a laugh at Moretti’s expense.
Brooks says, “Again, I get it. If Hannah wanted a throne, I’d get one for her. Hell, I’m already looking at the safest SUV. Hannah doesn’t want to get rid of the Lexus, but the BMW I’m looking at has better reviews.”
I snort. “Listen to you.”
He shrugs. “Like I said, I’m not even sorry about it. I lost her once, so I have a lot to make up for.”
His words strike a chord deep inside. I know what he means. I lost Greer once because I was foolish and scared. That’s not going to happen again.
I won’t let it.