Sweet Retribution (Rydeville High Elite #3)(45)

“Can they be trusted to keep the location secret?” Xavier asks. “Because I’ve spent a small fortune building this place and I don’t want to risk losing it. We can’t risk losing it.”

“I’ll drill that point home, but they won’t say anything.”

“Because you have shit you’re blackmailing them with?” Jackson asks, grinning.

“It’s more than that. They are loyal to me and Chad, and that’s why they’ll keep our confidence.” The truth resonates from my words, and it feels good to know I have people who have my back, no matter what.

“I’ll work with Chad and Xavier this week to get it set up,” Drew confirms.

“Let me know when it’s ready, and I’ll ask them to meet me here during the day while Charlie’s at work. I’ll split up the targets and set them working on it,” I add. We only have one more week left before school starts back, and we need to make the most of it.

“What else do we need to discuss?” Drew asks, casting a glance at his watch.

“Assuming our reconnaissance goes well, and we get the intel we need during the wedding party, how will we get rid of Father long enough to have an opportunity to break in and steal those files?” I ask.

“The annual Parkhurst meeting is the second week in February,” Drew says. “It’s an important meeting, because it’s the last big one before the presidential vote in April. Charlie, Trent, and I will be expected to attend with Dad and Christian, so that gives you ample opportunity to break in and get the files.”

“That’s six weeks away,” I grumble. “Do we really have to wait that long?”

Kai slings his arm around my shoulders, pulling me in close and pressing a kiss to my temple. “It sucks, but we’ll need that time. To plan the party and the surveillance and the break-in.”

I’m just thinking of our lengthy separation and how challenging it’ll be keeping Charlie out of my bed, and my panties, for that period of time.

“Will my father be invited to the annual meeting?” Kai asks.

Drew taps a finger off his chin while he thinks about it. “Most likely, but I think it’s doubtful you and Rick will be included. If this is the first time Atticus is attending a meeting after being exiled from the elite, he will be required to attend several interviews with the existing council members. If they approve him to return, then you and all your brothers will be added to the training and induction program.”

“Over my dead fucking body will I allow my younger brothers to be brought anywhere near that place,” Kai seethes.

“You won’t have much of a choice, Anderson,” Drew says, shooting him an apologetic look. “You are all sons of a founding father. There will be no exceptions made.”

“Your father must know this,” I softly add.

“He does,” Kai says, in a clipped voice. “Rick and I had to threaten to walk away for good in order to get him to agree to leave Harley and Joaquin at home today. He’s determined we will all be inducted into the elite way of life.”

“You’ll just have to deflect and defer as much as possible,” I say. “But it might be no harm if you get access to Parkhurst. You might spot shit Drew has become immune to.”

Drew jerk’s his head up, scowling.

“No offense, D. But you have been brainwashed to some degree. Having some fresh eyes around the place can’t do any harm.” Not that I want Kai exposed to that, at all, but it could be advantageous.

Drew sighs, scrubbing a hand across his jaw. “I suppose that’s a fair point. I’m pretty much immune to the shit I see now,” he admits, looking apologetic. “But I can remember what it was like at the start.” He shudders, pinning Kai with a somber look. “It’s going to be ten million times worse than you imagine. And there will be a lot of eyes on you and Rick, so I’m not sure how useful it will be.” He slouches in his chair, staring up at the ceiling, looking like he’s drowning under the weight of all his sins.

A sixth sense prods me in the back, and I just get the feeling something else is going on.

Drew and I aren’t as close as we once were. There was a time when we could finish each other’s sentences and we always knew what the other was thinking. As we’ve gotten older, that has faded somewhat, but the twin connection is still there, simmering away under the surface.

And it’s prompting me to pry.

“Drew.”

He lowers his eyes, turning to look at me. “Yeah?”

I examine his face carefully. “Is there something you’re not telling me? Telling us?”

His Adam’s apple jumps in his throat. “Why are you asking me that?”

I tuck my hair behind my ears, maintaining eye contact. “Call it intuition.” I shrug. “My gut is telling me something is going on. That you’re hiding something.”

He exhales heavily, sitting up straighter, shooting me a shy smile. “I never could keep anything from you for long.”

I stand, walking to his side and crouching in front of him. “We agreed no more secrets.”

“I’ve kept this one for a reason, A.” He tenderly cups one side of my face. “Because I didn’t want to say anything until I was sure. I didn’t want to get your hopes up only to dash them.”