“Pretty much,” Liam replies, showing another set of documents. “Emma’s father is the rightful head of the Fraternitas, and as his daughter, Emma is the heir to it all. Well, she would be, if she weren’t born as a girl.”
I look around the room, gauging the expressions on everyone’s faces, seeing if theirs match my shocked one.
Sebastian massages the bridge of his nose before he speaks, “Do you-do you think our fathers had anything to do with the mysterious deaths of the Bradford line?”
That thought has crossed my mind since I discovered who Emma truly was. Why else would they want her back in this town?
“No,” Liam responds, with no hitch or hesitation. “The Fraternitas ordered Aaron hidden until college, where he reappeared as a Bishop. Our fathers let him continue to hide once Emma was born until we came of age, and then he was expected to return.”
“What the fuck? You mean Emma could’ve been here with us this whole time? Why’d they do this?” Karl growls, flipping his knife open and closed as he narrows his cold gaze on the offending information.
Sebastian is the first to respond, “No, she couldn’t have. Did you miss the part where Bradfords were being slaughtered? Aaron Bradford was being hidden, and once Emma was born, not to mention her siblings, they had to stay hidden. At least until the Selection.”
Piecing it all together, I shout, “She’s who they expect us to pick.”
It has to be that. There’s no other way they’d let her come here after trying to keep them hidden for so long.
“Yup. It took you assholes long enough to figure that out. I was getting lonely being in the know,” August adds.
Every head turns in his direction.
“You knew, you little shit, and you said nothing?” I snarl.
Of course he knew. It’s so fucking August behavior to know and keep quiet. Sowing chaos and trying to pull strings like a puppeteer.
“Oh, chill the fuck out. I’m the smart one and knew she was ours, so I got to get the insider information until you asshats got your shit together. Only I figured it out before most of you did,” he says. There’s not a hint of remorse in his tone. Instead, he casts an accusatory glare in our direction.
“Why didn’t you tell us?” Liam asks, his voice strained and his hands fisted on the oak table top. He’s at the end of his patience. I think if one more thing happens tonight, Liam might snap, and I haven’t seen him seriously lose it in a very long time.
August turns, tilting his chin and quirking his lip, “I just said it. You all were, and some of you still are, too blind to see that a Queen walks among us, and until you do, I’m holding the cards to my chest unless I know it will cause her harm.”
She’s doing it again- division in our ranks. Emma is tearing at the seams of a brotherhood- something that’s never been in jeopardy before now. I expect Liam to flip shit.
“I get it,” Liam says.
My jaw hits the proverbial floor.
“Just promise to give me everything so we can keep her safe, and I’ll pull my head out of my ass soon enough,” Liam finishes.
This response surprises me more than my dad’s sudden caring attitude.
“Finally getting it, are you, Liamon?” Sebastian taunts.
“At least he’s not letting past bullshit continue to fuck with the present,” Karl pokes, coming to Liam’s aid.
That causes the smirk to fall right off Seb’s golden face.
Yikes. Nothing like a call out.
“Fuck you, O. You know it’s best this way,” Sebastian snaps back.
Karl lifts his tattooed-covered hands in mock surrender, “Whatever you say, Bash. Just remember to take your own advice. Or are you one of those, ‘those who can’t do, teach’ people?”
“Burn,” August heckles.
Sebastian’s stubble-covered jaw flexes in annoyance. He hates being called on any shit pertaining to Vivian. I can’t say I blame him. Walking in on your girl screwing your dad and then her marrying your former best friend creates a certain level of distrust in a person.
“Enough,” Liam shouts. “We all have shit to figure out, but the important thing is that we do everything to keep Emma Bradford safe. Which means no one can know she’s a Bradford. Agreed?” he asks
“Agreed,” we all say.
“Now, what the hell are you all planning to do for your first dates?” August broaches the other elephant in the room.
Collective groans fill the room.
“Fuck this shit,” I murmur, remembering I have to actually spend time with Sam.
I stand, exiting to August’s cackles following me out the now unsecured door.
EMMA
The doctor’s office is sterile, a mixture of steel and crisp ivory surfaces. The only pop of color comes from the impressionist paintings and plants positioned around the waiting room.
This is not how I envisioned spending my Monday afternoon.
When I told Shay about the ridiculous stipulations that came with being a Selected, her nostrils flared, and a string of curse words flew from her mouth until she calmed and tried to help me see the silver lining. How did she put it, ‘endless buddy fi yuh pum pum.’ The way I burst into laughter once she explained what the hell buddy and pum pum were. ‘Emma, my girl, I can’t have you walking roun’ here as my bestie and don’t know what it means to siddown pon di buddy. Don’t worry, I’ll teach you how to quint it.’ When she saw the look of exasperation in my crinkled brows, she bent over, roaring in delight at my utter confusion. ‘It’s cocky, my girl. Dick,’ she finally explained, putting me out of my misery, and then it was my turn to keel over.
I chuckle as the scene replays.
A derisive snort wipes the smile off my face.
All girls selected, myself included, are seated, waiting to be called. Samantha and her clones cluster together, whispering and laughing as they openly glare in my direction.
Their constant tittering about me not deserving to be here is getting so old. I wonder how they’d feel if they knew I was actually an original bloodline? I picture Sam melting like the Wicked Witch as her flying monkeys turn on her.
I snort out a laugh, and their heads all snap in my direction. Rolling my eyes, I prepare for whatever onslaught of hate I’m about to get.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.