Fallen Crest University (Fallen Crest High #5)(89)

Gerald stabbed his finger in the air, snapping at Sebastian. “That means he has initiative, and he’s someone we want in the organization. You were given an order. You have failed with that order.”

His voice kept rising in anger, but no one came to see what the problem was. Conversations quieted. People were looking over, now watching, but no one seemed surprised.

“She’s here.” Sebastian flung his arm out toward me. “I brought Ben’s granddaughter into the fold.”

“Bullshit,” Gerald grunted. “You’ve been using your sister this entire time. Don’t try to pull one over on me.”

“But—”

“Your job was to bring Mason Kade in. Through him, we were going to bring James Kade into the fold.”

Sebastian looked away, but he folded his hands together in front of him. He slightly turned away as one foot shifted backward. “Grandpa,” he said again, his lips pressed tightly together, “I think it’s a mistake. James Kade doesn’t need to be brought in. He’s attached to Analise Strattan, and everyone knows her background. She can’t be given the support The Network would be handing to her. She’s been watched. We’re all aware of how she’s acted throughout her life.”

“Don’t you dare try to tell me what to decide. You’re in the wrong, Park. The decision was made long ago. Ben wasn’t aware of Analise’s deception when she and Garrett were in college. All these years, he’s been cheated from knowing his granddaughter. I won’t stand for it any longer. Now,” Gerald gestured to me with the same stabbing motion, “take her to the meeting room and fill her in on everything. I want the Kade boys here within the hour, too.” He turned to me, gentling his tone a little bit. “When this boy is done, you come and find me. I’ll personally introduce you to your grandfather.”

I didn’t know what to say, so I nodded, feeling dazed.

“Good.” He clapped Sebastian on the shoulder. “Go on. Fill her in, and drop whatever silly issues are going on between you and her boyfriend.” He moved his head up and down in a slow and exaggerated motion. “You know what to do.”

Sebastian’s shoulders dropped an inch, and he nodded back, his head hanging down. “Yes, sir.” Everything about him was submissive.

I was holding my breath. The exchange I’d just witnessed was overloading my senses.

Sebastian’s gaze found mine when his grandfather left the room. He nodded behind me. “It’s down that hallway.”

“Sebastian, what’s going on?”

“I’ll explain everything.” He moved around a couple. “Just follow me.”

We went through the kitchen and out to another hallway that led to an adjoined building.

As we moved past a pair of French doors that opened outside, I asked, “I need to know where we’re going. Enough of this crap. Start filling me in on something, or I’m not going anywhere with you.”

He stopped right before a closed door and looked back at me. I remained by the French doors. When he didn’t say a word, I folded my arms. I meant business.

A short chuckle left him, and he jerked a thumb over his shoulder to the room. “We’re here.”

“Oh.” I unfolded my arms. My mind was scrambling. “I have to pee. Is there a bathroom close by?”

His head tilted to the side. He studied me and then sighed as he gestured to a door on his right. “You can use this one, but come here first.”

“Why?” My feet didn’t move.

“Because what I have to tell is top secret.” As he said that, he opened a cupboard on his left that was directly across the small hallway from the bathroom. As he opened it, he told me, “There’s a rule of no cell phones. You have to lock yours in here before hearing everything.”

Holy shitola, as Logan would say. I was about to be inducted into a secret cult.

Edging closer, there were a bunch of small drawers in the cupboard. Each of them had a key code in front of them.

Sebastian said, “Pick a drawer. Put your phone in there, and code in whatever you want. Same thing as a safe in a hotel. Only you have the code to get your phone, but that’s the rule.” He opened the door for the main room and stepped inside. “Take a piss, put your phone away, and come in.”

“Where are you going to be?”

A dry laugh came from him. “Making myself a strong drink. I need it after getting my * chewed off by my grandfather.”

I waited until he went in and closed the door. Then, I went and made sure the French doors were unlocked. They were, but to make sure nothing went wrong, I went into the bathroom. I hadn’t come to this party alone. Mason and Nate were waiting for me. Not far away, they pulled off the road.

I texted Mason now. Not only was it safe for him to come to the party, he was also invited. I said enough in the text to let him know that Sebastian’s grandfather was pro-Mason.

He texted back, I’m pro-grandpa, I guess.

I thumbed back, Ha-ha. French doors are left open. Go all the way to a second building. It’s all connected. In the room at the end of the hallway.

And with that last text, I had a dilemma. Actually put my cell phone away or not? If I didn’t, Sebastian could use it as an example to pat me down, making sure the phone was away. I didn’t want to deal with that, so I opened the door. Sebastian looked up from behind a bar. I waved my phone in the air and made a show of putting it into one of the drawers. Cupping my hand over my other hand, I put in a code and stepped back.