“You only found out I was pledging last night.”
“And little sleep was had.”
I suck in a breath. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” He cuts me a look. “I’ve proven you can always come to me.”
“Yes.”
“Good. I won’t always be allowed to attend these moronic events with you. If you need me, call.”
“F-Fine. Why were you allowed to vouch for me?”
“It’s to bring outside blood into the society. More ties, connections, secrets. Now that my face has been shown there, they can come to me.”
“For?”
He shrugs. “Whatever they want.”
“You mean hookers,” I mutter in disgust.
“Or drugs. Their poison of choice. I have the right to say no. I’m not a member. But to be associated… has its perks.”
“You’d be associated through me,” I accuse.
“Yes, but you might not make it to the final cut. I think you will, but there’s always a risk.”
“And youalwayshedge your bets?”
“I’d prefer you not to become an initiate,” he says crisply.
“Why?”
“You think I wanted you to shed blood? For you to owe debts to people who don’t care if you live or die unless you’re a brother in their dumb society?”
“Why didn’t you stop me then?”
His chuckle is dark. Deep. It settles in my gut, swirling around there, making me feel things I should be too exhausted to experience tonight of all nights. “You’re not like your sisters and they’re not afraid of blood either.”
Inessa more so than Camille.
I think back to my teenage years—the kidnapping.
“Did you know Camille bit off Abramovicz’s dick when he abducted us?”
“I did.”
In the glow from the streetlights, I study my nails, amazed that I didn’t break one. “That was the day I knew I could kill.”
“Why?”
“Because I watched her manipulate that old fuck via his small dick and I knew I’d never be able to do that. She sucked him off at first. Let him believe she was submissive. Then she struck.”
“She’s a clever woman.”
“She is. But I’m not like her.”
“No, you are you, Victoria. And you are perfect.”
