Page 123 of Atone

I warned you not to stop monitoring her phone just because you were out of Montgomery.

Alex

I trust my girlfriend.

Kole

And I trust Violet. But no one is so much as breathing in her direction without me knowing about it. Much less texting her.

Declan

Thank you for doing the rest of us a favor by making us appear sane, Kole. A true hero among men.

Kole

Keep that in mind next time you need me to track down your wife. Send me the number, Alex. I’ll figure out who the fucker is.

Declan

Try to keep the body count to a minimum. I’m back in two weeks.

Kole

Where’s the fun in that?

Alex

Can’t promise anything.

Declan

Fuck both of you.

I managed to stay composed in front of Mila, but every last nerve is on edge since reading the texts she’s been receiving. She assumed it was Torin because that’s who she was digging into, but the truth is, it could be anyone at Sigma House. She went looking where she shouldn’t have and tripped someone’s radar.

I need Kole to figure out quickly who it is.

The front door swings open as I put my phone into my pocket. My father frowns from the threshold, irritable as always. His lips are in a firm line, making it clear he’s no happier with me right now than I am with him.

Last night, he planted a bomb, and Mila stepped on it. He probably hoped it would be the final straw to push her away so he could set me up with one of his rich friends’ daughters. Marrying for money is practically expected from a Lancaster. The only reason I’ve escaped it this long is because I wound up locked in Montgomery.

I don’t doubt that he’s already scheming now that I’m out.

“Alex.” Dad waves me into the house, but he doesn’t lead me to his office.

His clipped text made it clear this would be a quick visit between meetings. The only reason we’re doing it in person is that he doesn’t trust phones that can be traced or hacked. It’s why he used books to send messages and assign me tasks while I was at Montgomery.

“I know you’re upset about the girl.”

My jaw ticks. He’s not using her name on purpose because he sees absolutely no value in her. Rage boils in my veins, but I don’t respond because I’m still not ready for my parents to know I’ve started talking again.

“I didn’t mean for her to overhear our conversation,” he lies. “But I’m assuming you got that sorted.”

I nod.

“Good. And things are resolved?”

I nod again, and he smiles. Not because he cares that Mila and I worked through it, but because I stormed out after her, and he probably assumes I’d hold it against him if we didn’t. He’s walking that fine line, figuring out how to cut her out of my life without pissing me off.