Chapter Twenty-Eight
“WE CANNOT RETALIATE WITH VIOLENCE, Greeley,” Chief says, his black brows furrowed.
The four of us—me, Greeley, Jasper, and Chief—huddle around a round, glossy table in his den.
In another life, maybe Chief would be here playing poker with the boys.
The walls, floor, and ceiling are made of wood, and hazy light filters in through a small skylight, a hole cut out in the hill the house hides in.
“We are smarter than that. I will not risk the survival of the Split.”
Though I elbowed myself into this conversation, I’m surprised Chief speaks so openly in front of me, let alone invites me into his home.
Is he so confident I won’t sabotage his plans?
Maybe he thinks I can’t. Or maybe he believes my loyalties have shifted to Macoby.
Can he see that my loyalties are, in fact, shifting?
“Trust me,” Chief says, “I want to hurt them. I do.” For a leader, he seems friendly, genuine—a strong man with a beating heart. But the look in his murky gray-brown eyes is frightening. “Casualties are not an option.”
Because casualties mean zombies. An outbreak would destroy the Split.
“I want Chandler out of power,” Chief continues. “And I want our men back. I intend to accomplish both of those things—but without violence. Don’t look at me like that, Greeley. They’ll get what they deserve, but only if we act with tact.”
“But—”
“No buts.”
“I don’t get any input? What is this, some kind of dictatorship? You’ve always told us that we all have power. That if we want something, we fight for it. Well, you know what I want? I want her dead. And I’m willing to fight you for it.”
I bite my tongue because I’m scared of Greeley, but I plan to ask Jasper what went down between her and Chandler.
I had one boyfriend, sophomore year. Austin dumped me to focus on his promising basketball career.
He was five foot six. A week later, I found him in the school parking lot macking on Macey, the cheerleader who left a dizzying trail of Bath & Body Works Sweet Pea Fine Fragrance Mist wherever she walked.
I was devastated, but even so, I couldn’t imagine wanting to kill Austin. Maybe pop his favorite basketball—signed by Shaq—but not kill him.
So, what did Chandler do to Greeley?
Chief says, “Killing the leader of Egal would result in anarchy. Are you willing to give up everything you’ve fought for? Are you willing to give up your life?”
Greeley stomps her feet on the floor. Chief ignores her adult temper tantrum, and Greeley slumps back in her chair.
“Besides,” I mutter, “Peter’s second in line. He can’t be in charge. He’s worse than her.”
“No chance,” Greeley says, meeting my eyes. For the first time, I notice dark circles under her eyes. Today’s events have even drained her of energy.
I say, “Bet you a hot meal he is.”
“Bet you meatballs he’s not,” Greeley retorts.
“Meatballs, huh? My grandma used to make those. You’ve got ground meat, eggs, and breadcrumbs lying around?”
Greeley extends her hand. “Shake on it.”
She’s full of shit, but I shake her hand anyway.
Her grip is stronger than any man’s I’ve had the absolute pleasure of shaking.
Which isn’t many. Men don’t shake hands with young women.
Dad’s friends would shake West’s hand and then offer me a feeble wave.
It was like they didn’t deem me worthy of their firm touch, of their respect. Pricks.
“Back to the matter at hand,” Chief says. “You may be wondering why I’m letting you sit in on all of this discussion, Kota.” Chief turns to me, and I nod. Yeah. There’s a lot I’m wondering about. “You’re a key—a key to this puzzle. I need your help.”
“My help?” I lean forward in my seat. “Why do you think I’d be willing to help you?”
“Today’s events haven’t been enough to shift your loyalty?”
“I’m only loyal to one thing,” I say. “And that’s my family.”
Greeley pushes up in her chair. The legs scrape the wood floor, and the sound grates in my ears. “Let me at her. I’ll convince her.”
“Not necessary,” Chief says. Greeley groans and sinks back down into her seat. “We’re at a standstill, then, Kota. Because the plan cannot proceed without you.”
The silence that follows is thick, weighing down my shoulders. Chief may not have my loyalty, but he’s piqued my interest. Because what if I can use this game to my advantage? They have demands of me, but I have demands, too.
I square my shoulders. Chief may want me to be his pawn, but if I’m the key to the puzzle, I can be an active player.
“What do you want from me?”
“I’ll tell her,” Jasper says, his face stony. “I’ll tell her everything.”
“Excellent,” Chief says. “Then we’ll regroup tomorrow.”