15. Huxley #2
“I have a tutoring session tonight beforehand,” JJ says quietly, shifting in his seat and avoiding all eye contact. “But it’ll be over before then. Meet here, and we’ll ride together?”
Suspicious fucker. Who the hell is he tutoring that he’s being so damn shady over? Whatever.
“Sure.” I shrug.
“What? Why?” Mack asks through a full mouth. “And who the fuck is looking to you for guidance?” His nose wrinkles.
JJ scoffs at Mack, raising his middle finger in response. “They need my expertise, and I am an expert in my field of study, asshole,” he admonishes him, gritting his teeth. “Besides, it’s none of your business.”
Right. None of his business.
“Whatever you say,” Mack teases, popping more grapes into his mouth and loudly chewing. “Well, while you’re off playing tutor to whoever, I’ll be getting ready for a glorious night of free drinks and hors d’oeuvres.”
“You can’t drink yourself stupid at this,” I grumble more for myself than him.
I’d much rather drink myself into oblivion and not remember a damn thing from tonight.
But I can’t. We can’t. We’re responsible little heirs who have to be on our damn toes.
“We have to take note of the people around us. Who is pledging what for alliances with Franco? We need to try and be ten steps ahead of the fucker.”
Mack rolls his eyes. “Fucking bullshit.”
“I’d keep my eyes peeled on Amanda and her father. They’ve been circling like sharks since your engagement was solidified.” JJ clicks his computer a few times, reading over something, and then flicks his serious gaze to me. My lips pop open. “And no, the contract is ironclad.”
And I snap my lips shut. Well, that answers that.
I’m fucking stuck, and she’s all too eager to sink her claws into me.
Since Olivia left, she’s been trying to worm her way into my heart.
Hell, even before then. In high school, Amanda was a thorn in my side, constantly trying to pull one over on Olivia, pushing her around and throwing punches.
If only Olivia had let us intervene on her behalf. Maybe her life wouldn’t have been even more hellish with Amanda’s snake eyes around.
Now, I’m stuck with a woman who wants to shack up, have little heirs, and run an empire I have no interest in.
My dreams of leaving Greenwood behind are still in place.
Only they’re skewed a little in a different direction by events that Franco undoubtedly set in motion.
Amanda is the last girl I ever wanted to marry, but Franco literally twisted my arm and shoved me in their direction.
“It’s for the good of the family,” Franco spits, throwing an arm around her. “You will marry her, and you will produce heirs, so we have a chance at bigger and better things. She’s the key, Son. And you’re the goddamn lock that’s going to keep her in place.”
He leaves no room for discussion. The deal is set in stone and has been since the second my father and hers started scheming long before I entered Greenwood University.
I grit my teeth, holding my aching arm at my side, acting like he didn’t assault me two seconds ago for speaking my mind.
“And when exactly is the wedding?” I ask, trying to take the hostility out of my voice, but I doubt it worked, considering Franco’s fiery gaze snaps to me again with the threat of further violence.
“Next year. After you boys graduate, you’ll happily walk down the aisle and solidify everything I’ve been working for.
” Right. For the better of this family. “And then, we’ll find some lucky matches for your brothers, as well.
Every little heir I can put on a throne will work in my favor.
” A sadistic grin I’ve seen many times before stretches across his face.
He doesn’t elaborate on suitable matches for JJ and Mack, but I know he has people in mind.
“Now, you’ll give her this. It was your mother’s, God rest her soul.
” For one brief second, he looks toward the ceiling of his office and pauses with a grief-stricken look.
But then it vanishes, and he pulls out a gigantic diamond ring and hands it to me. The weight of the ring rests in my palm, feeling heavy and burning my skin.
“I suggest a swift proposal. Something nice. Now, I have more business to attend to.” He waves me on without letting me ask any more questions.
So this will be my life from now on. Amanda and me playing husband and wife and showing the world our happy-go-lucky smiles.
She may get this ring, but she’ll never have my fucking heart.
I swipe a hand down my face, more disappointment spearing through me. My only wish was for JJ to find a get-out-of-jail-free card and rescue me from this fucking deal.
Whatever.
I’ll fucking make it through like I always do.
“So do all the wannabe recruits check out?” I ask, leaning against the counter and watching JJ’s facial expressions very closely.
He doesn’t twitch when his eyes flick to me. “All ten seem legit. Background checks don’t turn up anything suspicious.” He doesn’t blink an eye. “None are associated with any of our competitors. One’s father is a CEO. One’s mother is a media conglomerate owner.” JJ raises a brow, and Mack whistles.
“Imagine the chaos that could fucking create.” Mack makes a face, knowing exactly what that kind of ally could potentially mean.
JJ nods. “Yes, it appears she’s got her fingers into several forms of media. Local and national TV networks and newspapers.” His lips thin.
“How wonderful. Franco could shack up with her and control the narrative on every-fucking-thing. Even globally.” Mack rolls his eyes. “We shouldn’t let him in. Break his legs or something. Whoever he is.”
I snort. Like that would ever happen. Franco has the final say on everyone we attempt to recruit. Always has and always will.
“He’s your teammate,” JJ grumbles unhappily, shifting in his seat.
Mack raises a brow. “Which one?” he asks through a mouthful of grapes.
“Greyson Hodges.”
“He’s a tool. Nextttt!” Mack calls out loudly.
“You know how this goes. We’ve done it every year since we got here, and I’m sure we’ll be forced to oversee this shit for years to come.” I fold my arms.
“Yeah. Yeah.” Mack waves a hand. “Fine. Let the tool in. Just know he’s a fuckhead.”
“Aren’t they all?” JJ mutters, shaking his head.
“I guess.” A smile crosses Mack’s face, and he practically lights up.
“It’s more people to torture… Especially that asshole.
” Mack trails off when a thunderous expression passes over my face and quickly disappears.
“I mean… More people to have fun with. What games shall we play this year? Dig your own grave? Gladiator Games?” He wiggles his brows.
“Paintball, again? It’s always good to see how accurately our potential recruits can shoot.
” His grin darkens. “Let’s hold the invitation in the tunnels again.
” His hands rub together like he’s planning something nefarious.
“I feel like you’re overly eager to shoot new people.” JJ raises a brow. “You can’t kill them, Mack. They have to live, or we get in trouble. Trouble that Franco can’t bail us out of.” He gives him a pointed look, but is met with a scoff.
“Where’s the fun in not shooting our recruits with paintballs?
And what’s a little death? Pfft. It could be worse; we could have vests on and blanks in our guns.
Now, that would be a fun time.” Mack makes finger guns at us and stands, dismissing us as he puts his grapes in the fridge.
“Now, I’ve gotta shower and get to class. See you assholes later.”
With that, he stalks off up the stairs, and the bathroom door slams shut as the water kicks on.
“We’re going to have to watch him,” I say, rubbing my chin. “He’s getting too excited and too volatile.” A-fucking-gain. Ever since Olivia left, he’s been teetering in dangerous territory. He’s one second away from ending up in prison. A place that Franco may not be able to help him get out of.
JJ snorts, staring off toward the stairs. “I agree. He’ll end up murdering someone if we don’t keep him on a leash.” He shakes his head.
“You really think he’d go that far?” I question, eyeing JJ.
“I don’t want to find out,” he says solemnly. “I need him to be okay.”
I blow out a breath. “He’ll be okay, Man.”
JJ nods, stands, and shuts his laptop, tucking it under his arm. “Well, I’ve got class.” Without saying another word, he climbs the stairs, and the door to his bedroom closes softly.
Then, it’s me, standing in the empty kitchen, listening to the hum of the refrigerator and the beating of my heart.
Tonight will be a challenge all its own. I’m thankful to have my two best friends by my side, though. At least we’ll be in good company as we suffer amid Greenwood’s elite.
And whatever Franco has in store for us.