Page 75 of Five

“I’m fucking serious,” I say. “I will take you out, buddy.”

“OK,” he says, still chuckling. “Deal. I’ll keep my hands to myself.”

“Now explain everything. I need to know just exactly what I’m getting into.”

Frank Fulbright takes a deep breath, convinced I’m gonna be rational, and starts talking on the exhale.

“Well, I can’t tell you everything until we seal the deal.” This elicits another chuckle. I control my eye roll because this is why I’m here. All of this has something to do with why Five was in Denver this summer. I just know it. “But what this is, Rory, is a global… fraternity.” He smiles, like this is the most perfect explanation ever. “Just like any fraternity we have our secrets, and just like any fraternity, we help each other out. I, for instance, am going to be a supreme court justice in twenty years. The time between then and now will be spent preparing for that eventuality. And if you don’t get cold feet, you’ll be there by my side. Our children will go to the best boarding schools on the East Coast, they will excel in everything they do, get into Ivy League schools, just like we did, and the cycle will repeat itself. It’s self-perpetuating, Rory. That’s why we’re so few people.”

“Hmmm,” I say. “So the meritocracy is a myth.”

This time he guffaws so loud, I’m pretty sure whoever’s in the room next door just heard him. “Was there ever a doubt?”

“Well, yeah,” I say. “My parents didn’t go to an Ivy League school, and I did OK. Hell, they did OK too, and my family is pretty much nothing but bikers and tattoo artists.”

He frowns. “I know. I was leery of that, I have to be honest. I should’ve chosen Kallie. And I know she’s probably upset that I didn’t—”

“You chose me?” I ask, cutting him off. That… might be the most off-putting thing he’s said so far. As if I’m nothing but chattel to be bought and sold.

“Let me finish,” he says, more sternly than he should. “I had my pick of all the women in this house and I chose you, yes. Because you’re beautiful, and smart, and talented. Plus, I find your family interesting. I think Christmas at the Shrike house is something I’d like to participate in.”

“I think my father would beat the living shit out of you if he was here right now.”

“I don’t doubt it. But I don’t have to worry about that. Because you said yes, Rory. And if you show up next Saturday to take the vow, then that means you’ve accepted this pairing. Which subsequently means you will build me up and never tear me down. So if your father ever does have an urge to ‘beat the living shit out of me,’ as you so eloquently put it, it will be your fault.”

My mouth has dropped open. And there it remains as I process all the bullshit he just spewed.

Frank gives me all the time I need to process. I’m fuming mad. About to explode like the Bomb I take after. But my adult role models include lots of other people besides my parents. They include the best liars. The best hackers. The best killers too.

So I channel them all in this moment. Shut my mouth, smile sweetly at him and say, “OK.”

“OK?” he asks, raising one eyebrow. “That’s it? That’s all you have to say about this?”

I shrug. “What should I say? You chose me, I took this ring as my pledge to you, and next week we’ll be legally paired for the good of both of us. We’re a…” I close my eyes in order to spit the word out. “We’re a team, then. Right? I know what it means to be a team player, Frank.”

He leans back into the couch cushions and smiles. “I have to admit, I expected a little more fight from a girl who comes from an infamously rough family.”

“Welp,” I say, letting my bubbly princess personality take over as I reach for the tea pot and start pouring us a drink. “I’m sold, how’s that? I mean, what kind of girl doesn’t want to be taken care of? I get the feeling you’re more than capable in that department, am I right, Frank? Do you like sugar and milk?”

He nods. Smug. Smiling. Satisfied that he’s put me firmly in my place. “Please.”

I add one cube of sugar to each of our cups, pour a splash of milk, and stir. “Here you are, see if that’s to your taste.”

He sits up, takes his tea, sips, and gives me a nod of approval. “Very nice, Rory. We’re going to be happy together, just wait.”

“Oh, I have no doubt, Frank.”

“Really?” He raises that eyebrow again as his hand wanders.

I slap it off. “I’m a virgin, Frank. And I didn’t stay a virgin until senior year of college just to give it up a week before my wedding night.”

He narrows his eyes at me. “So that rumor is true, huh? You’re really… pure?”

“Like the driven fucking snow.”

“I hope you use that dirty mouth in bed next week.”

“I guess you’ll have to wait and see. Should we drink more tea? Or should we go back out and join the party?”