Page 131 of Atone

THE PLAN

MILA

Gideon Lancaster standsin the doorway with an unnerving pinch between his eyebrows. The sleeves of his white button-down shirt are rolled up to his forearms, and there are flecks of blood sprinkling his skin.

I try to glance past him, but he closes the door behind him before I get the chance.

“Does my son know you’re wandering Sigma House unattended?” Gideon’s eyes narrow as his gaze drops to my outfit. “I assume that’s who let you in here?”

“I didn’t realize I needed an escort to get water.” Tipping my chin up, I refuse to let Alex’s father intimidate me. “I was getting a drink when I heard something.”

“And you decided to invite yourself to explore anywhere you wanted?”

“Is that an issue? It’s just a frat house, right?”

“Right.” His eyes skim me again, and his gaze is lethal as he waves a hand to the staircase. “I’ll show you the way back.”

“I’m fine.”

“I insist.” He steps forward, crowding me until I have no choice but to retreat up the staircase.

He clearly doesn’t want me to know what he’s doing in the basement. And even though I’m curious whether Alex is down here with him, I need to put some distance between myself and Gideon. So I take the steps, hating that he’s at my back, and I’m vulnerable.

The kitchen is still empty when we step back inside it, and Gideon closes the door to the staircase, using his body to block it.

Gideon angles his head. “You’ve been spending an awful lot of time with my son.”

“That’s what people do when they’re dating.”

“Dating?” The irritation that colors his cheeks is downright menacing. “Alex doesn’t date.”

“Well, he does now.” I try to sound nonchalant.

“You’re good, Mila Bianchi. I’ll give you that. I underestimated you.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Yes you do.” He steps forward, and I take a step back. “The damsel. The girl he saved. You’re the one good thing my son thinks he’s done in his life. And you played into that. Made him think he’s capable of being more than he is.”

“Alex is capable of a hell of a lot more than you give him credit for.”

Gideon hums, not seeming convinced. “Are you insinuating that I don’t know my son?”

“Maybe youdid. But given your comments, I’m not sure you do anymore.”

He clicks his tongue on the roof of his mouth. “Interesting. The dumb slut thinks she has a brain.”

“I’m not a slut.” It comes out through clenched teeth. “And I’m smarter than you think. You know nothing about me.”

I hate that people underestimate me just because I wear short skirts and am unapologetic about my confidence. What I have or haven’t done with my body is mine alone to judge, and it says nothing about my intelligence.

Gideon steps closer, and his beechwood cologne makes my stomach turn. “I know more about you than you might think.”

“Same.”

The heat cools in his eyes.

Maybe I should have kept my mouth shut. But I’m tired of rolling over and being quiet to pacify the men around me. I’m tired of playing nice. It doesn’t matter if Gideon Lancaster is the most powerful man in Bristal, or if I really don’t want to go to war with Alex’s family. I have self-respect and a spine.