21. Huxley #3
A tingle flares to life at the back of my neck and works down my spine, freezing me in place. A new protocol? Without speaking to us first? And on such short notice? Sure, JJ has had the list since we had the party, but it wasn’t set in stone until this morning. How did Franco work so fast?
“From the background check list I sent over this morning?” JJ asks before I can even utter a word.
“Indeed. I thought it might be important for them to know what their children are potentially getting into. Not to mention the connections they can make through us. Look around, boys. We’re the elite in this town, and they should be thankful they’re in our presence.
” He grins, adjusting his suit jacket with an aura of superiority wafting from him in waves.
“Smart tactic.” I attempt to hide the croak stuck in my throat when I say the words.
“Although one of your recruits had no parents to speak of…” He trails off. “Only a singular guardian who has yet to show his face.” He scowls, looking around the room.
I lick my lips as my nerves sit on edge.
He’s suspicious. That’s why he did this.
I dart my eyes, scanning the new faces in the crowd, looking for anyone familiar standing out.
I scan the bar. The stage. In the shadows of the room, until my fingers tighten into fists and I swallow the lump in my throat.
Fuck.
Franco says something else that doesn’t register, and I nearly lose my breath.
Breathe, you fucker. He’ll read you like a damn book the moment he sees sweat trickling down your temple.
I run a hand over my forehead and shake away the uneasiness growing inside me.
“But they all passed the background check?” JJ asks, adjusting his posture and watching Franco carefully. “Everyone had clean records. Nothing to alert us to anything nefarious or our enemies trying to infiltrate. In fact, all their parents and guardians showed potential for us in the future.”
“Yes. Yes. Indeed. They were all as clean as a whistle, including their parents. Ten solid choices to take through the trials of initiation. A CEO. Another politician. More people to further our agenda.” He grins happily at that.
“But there was one who stood out.” Franco takes a sip of his drink for dramatic effect, eyeing the three of us with a weird sparkle in his eyes.
Mack’s brows furrow. “Who? We know them all.”
“Oliver Davenport,” Franco cuts him off.
I swallow the heavy lump in my throat. “He’s a new kid.” I shrug. “Doesn’t seem to be harmful at all. Doesn’t back down in the face of danger, either. Seems like a solid dude to have on runs.”
“Solid fucking fighter, too.” Mack frowns at his compliment. “Could be an asset. But he’s suspect as fuck. Something about that asshole…” Mack trails off when JJ narrows his eyes at him with a scoff.
“You’re an idiot,” he grumbles under his breath. “Oliver is fine. Won a fight against Brutus. That’s the only reason you’re suspicious. He does seem like a solid guy.”
“So I’ve heard,” Franco says, raising his chin and inspecting the three of us.
“Could be an enforcer asset.” He eyes Mack specifically.
“But keep an eye on him. Make him prove that he needs to be an asset to us. Or we’ll put him down.
” He cocks his head, giving us a knowing look.
“JJ, you’re tutoring the kid. Poke and prod. Thoroughly check him out.”
“That’s who you’re tutoring?” Mack asks, giving him a look. “That fucker?”
JJ blows out a breath. “He needed the assistance, and I volunteered. Problem?” He quirks a brow at Mack, who shrugs.
“Nah. Maybe you can fuck with him a little.” Ah, there’s that grin again. The grin that says Macklyn Owens has something up his sleeve that he can’t wait to unleash. Great.
“No fucking with him,” JJ snaps. “You don’t have to fuck with everyone you deem suspicious.” Turning his attention to Franco again, he nods. “I’ll keep my feelers out.”
“Excellent. Now, if you boys will excuse me, I have a celebration to initiate with our newest members.” Without another word, he leaves us staring after him as he heads toward the stage.
“It’s not too late to sneak through the tunnels of this fucking town and set everything on fire,” Mack grumbles, eyeing the drinks hoisted in the air on trays with a deep need shining in his eyes.
“I don’t disagree,” JJ huffs, shaking his head. “What’s he playing at now? Any clues? Why bring our future initiates’ parents here? What’s the point?” He strokes his chin as he checks the crowd again and cocks his head. “He wants to prove something.”
Yeah? But what? What the fuck could that man have to prove to anyone else? He has everyone he needs in this room.
My teeth clench as the band quiets down, and Franco walks across the small stage toward the microphone with a massive grin stretching across his face.
“Whatever it is, it’s not fucking good.” My eyes glance over to the shadows again, and I sigh. “I’ll be right back. I need to…” I wave a hand, not giving them any idea as to what I’m doing, and stalk off through the crowd with one target in mind.