Page 48

THE PLAN

MILA

Gideon Lancaster stands in 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 you did . 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.

If Alex meant what he said, then he’ll understand. I refuse to let his father speak to me like this. Especially when I’m not the only one with secrets.

“You don’t know anything.” Gideon glares.

“I know that you use your son to do your dirty work.” I angle my chin up, hating that he shifts closer. “I know that the only reason you pretend to care about him is because it benefits you. Alex might respect you too much to not see how you use him, but I do.”

“You have no idea what my relationship with my son is like or what I’ve done for him. He’s sick. He needs guidance. I help him with that.”

“Do you?” I challenge. “Or do you just help yourself? So long as Alex is the one with blood on his hands, yours are clean. ”

“Big accusations for a girl who knows nothing.” Gideon’s eyes gleam. “I love my son.”

“You have a funny way of showing it.”

“And you have no idea what you’re talking about.

” He closes in on me again, and I back into the counter.

“I protected my son. Not just from the House, but from himself. When he made a mistake, who do you think was there to cover it up? Who helped him channel his rage? Who helped him understand who he really is? Who made sure he stayed focused when he started to lose his path?”

Gideon presses closer, the heat of him overwhelming me.

“Curiosity is a dangerous thing, Mila.” He clicks his tongue on the roof of his mouth. “Especially when you have no idea what the truth is.”

“Do you even know the truth anymore? You talk about Alex like he’s still the kid who made a mistake—or lost his shit—or whatever you want to call it. Or worse, you talk about him like he’s your puppet. He’s a grown man who can make his own damn decisions. You don’t get a say in it anymore.”

“That’s where you’re wrong. I always get a say.

” Gideon grips the counter behind me, pressing way too close for comfort and not letting me get away from him.

“Because at the end of the day, I’m the one he trusts.

I’m the one who is there to clean up the mess.

I give him clarity. All you do is create more confusion. ”

“I love him.”

“I’m sure you think you do. But make no mistake, this will not last. Alex Lancaster doesn’t end up with carnival trash like you.”

My hands grip the counter behind me. “Is that a threat? ”

“If it is, then I suggest you listen to it.”

We’re past pleasantries now. Past pretending this conversation hasn’t crossed every line. I don’t want to go to war with the family of the man I love, but they aren’t going to treat me like this.

And I’m not going to let them treat Alex like this either.

Gideon talks about him like he’s not even his own person. Simply an extension of Gideon’s sick whims. It’s no wonder Alex couldn’t understand anything but pain before going to Montgomery. He’s been conditioned. And any time he’s cared about anything, his father probably manipulated it.

“You’re going to stay away from my son,” Gideon threatens.

“Or else what?”

It isn’t anger that fills his gaze, but amusement, which is somehow even more terrifying. If I weren’t mistaken, I’d think that Gideon enjoys the challenge. He’s a powerful man used to putting people in their place, and I’m just a weak girl to him.

But I’ve played with fire and knives. I’ve survived being on the receiving end of being loved by Alex Lancaster. And I’m still here, standing face-to-face with his father, giving him my best fuck-off expression.

“You’re hurting him by doing this.” Gideon’s gaze darkens, and his words take me by surprise.

“Alex will cling to you even when he shouldn’t.

Even when it hurts him. Like he tries to cling to his sister to remind himself there’s still an ounce of his humanity left.

He wants to think he can be good, but that’s not who he is.

I thought we’d burned any remaining mercy out of him in his trial, but I see now it’s still there, unfortunately. ”

“What do you mean you burned it out at his trial?” I swallow hard.

Gideon’s eyes widen, like he didn’t mean to say that out loud. “Nothing.”

“The man who tortured him… Torin.” I put the pieces together, trying to remember what Alex said. How his dad was the one who sent him to Oregon to deal with loose ends. “You were the one who gave Torin access to Alex at the trial, weren’t you? You’re the reason Alex almost died.”

Not Teal’s dad. Not Sigma House. But his own father.

Gideon’s teeth clench. “It wasn’t supposed to get that far.”

“How far was it supposed to get?” Alex’s voice coming from behind his father makes Gideon take an immediate step back.

He turns, and Alex comes into view. But he’s not looking at me. His dark gaze is set on his father. His hands tucked in his pockets. Nothing about it is casual. More like that’s the only thing holding him back.

“Alex.” Gideon stares at his son, confused. “You’re talking?”

“Answer the question, Dad.” Alex takes a step forward. “What was the plan when you let Torin torture me?”