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I don’t agree with what they’ve done. It makes me sick to think that the men I looked up to as a child would stoop to those levels for the sake of money. But I’ve separated myself from my family for the last two years because going back meant tacitly approving of things like fraud. Things like murder.
Basically, I’ve been suffering in silence at the bakery. I love many parts of running my business, but the truth is that it’s been a place to hide. To pretend that there’s nothing I can do about the consortium, or my family, or my father.
If duality can exist in me as a person, then going back doesn’t mean that I have to bend to my father’s will. It means I’ll finally be able to change things. It’ll be dangerous. Maybe even life-threatening. But…
“Take a breather.” Newhouse puts the empty water glass on the beverage cart and pats my shoulder. “Feeling any better?”
“Yes. Thank you.”
“Of course, of course.”
My father’s voice breaks through our conversation. He’s talking to Gabriel and Jacob. “Your signatures here will represent your bond to the consortium. They’re as solemn as the oath you took earlier. This is a lifetime commitment. Do you understand?”
“Yes.” Gabriel’s voice blends together with Jacob’s. Then they’re both holding out their hands to accept pens from my father.
No.
This is Gabriel’s goal. He’s spent years of his life working to this point. It’s everything he wanted. I helped him get here.
But it’s not right. There’s no way it can be right. The consortium only leads to more depravity and danger, and it will destroy him.
He can’t turn his back on the consortium now, or my father will have him murdered.
And I won’t let him join it without me.
Gabriel bends over the portfolio, signing his name with a steady hand. Jacob’s at his side, signing too. Their sleeves brush together. In another few seconds, they’ll straighten up and the night will move on. The circle of the consortium will close with me on the outside.
I gather my courage, ignore the fact that my body is still overheated and trembling, and get to my feet.
Gabriel’s pen falls to the paper. He’s done signing. So is Jacob. My father collects the pens and flips the covers of the portfolios shut.
“All done.” Chambers squeezes Jacob’s shoulder again. “Now, we can—”
The laugh that comes out of me is the most coolly amused sound I’ve ever made. “No. I don’t think we are done, Mr. Chambers.”
Gabriel’s shoulders stiffen. His calm expression freezes in place.
Newhouse is the only one who doesn’t seem surprised to hear my voice. Chambers and my father look at me like I’m a cat that just walked up to them and started sharing her opinions on contract law.
“Did you have something to say, Elise?” The surprise melts off my father’s face and becomes cold assessment. “We’d like to get on with our evening.”
“Where’s my portfolio?”
Chambers looks to Newhouse, then my father, who says nothing. Jacob’s dad waits another beat. “Did I miss an element of our discussion about new members?”
I gesture at the conference table. At Gabriel’s jacket, shoved off to the side. One of the arms dangles over the edge, and I can’t stand it. “I participated in the initiation too, didn’t I? You said it was proof of our loyalty, so I should be in the consortium, too.”
“If you’d like to discuss it, we can set a time.” This is the voice my father uses when he wants to keep people in line. A cool, silky tone, laced with threats.
“The three of you want control. You especially, Daddy.” His expression doesn’t change. It’s as if the words have made no impact. “Now you have my loyalty. You have control over me. So use it. Use me.”
“No.” Everyone looks to Gabriel. “I don’t want you involved in this.”
I tug at the skirt of my dress, lifting it an inch and letting it fall. “I’m already involved.”
“Elise.” Gabriel’s on the far side of the conference table, but the tension rolling off him is strong enough to heat the air. “Don’t. Get out while you still can.”
He didn’t think I’d do it. Gabriel might have thought I was bluffing when I told him I’d do whatever I wanted when it came to the consortium. One of his hands clenches into a fist at his side like he wants to physically beat down the contract I’m demanding to sign. He wants too badly to keep me safe.
