Page 116 of Revere

“From who?” It’s nearly a whisper, and I know the answer before he says it, but I need to hear it anyway.

“Gideon Lancaster. Your father.”

“Why would he do that?” I shake my head. “My mom said you were his protégé. I thought you were close.”

“We were to a point. Until he realized my name would always make me more powerful than him. That, and I’d started asking questions. Challenging him on things. He must have thought Molly was the one getting in my head, so he did what he does best.”

“He dealt with the problem.” Like he did with my brother.

Jacob nods. “Declan knew I’d care that Gideon was involved, and he made me a deal. I help him get what he wanted, and he would help me get to Gideon by delivering you to LA.”

“You’d have been better off bargaining with my brother. At least they care about him.”

“You underestimate your worth, Patience. What your parents would do for you. Whatanyonewho gets to know you would do for you.”

“I’m glad I was such a useful pawn in your game.” I spin to leave, but Jacob snags my hand, spinning me against him.

“That’s not what you are to me.” He angles my chin up. “Yes, I was just going to hang you over your father’s head. Prove I could get close and ruin all his plans if he didn’t do as he wastold. But then you fell into my lap on the plane, and I just”—he brushes his hair back, shaking his head—“I lost track of the mission.”

“Sorry for ruining your diabolical plan.” I glare at him.

“I’m not.” He grazes his fingers down the front of my throat. “You’re everything I didn’t know I needed.”

“I don’t even know who you are.”

“Yes, you do.” He grabs my hand, placing it over his heart. “You know every side of me, whether you realized it immediately or not. You’ve always known exactly who I am. The good and the bad. You aren’t angry because of what I am or what I’ve done. You don’t hate me for the blood I’ve spilled. You hate yourself for still wanting me. For knowing that no matter who I am to Sigma House, you can’t deny what I am to you.”

“What do you think you are to me?”

“Your fate. Your future.” He drags his hand into my hair, and I shiver. “You are the heart of a star, and I’m the darkness you call home. There is no denying this, Patience. You can resist it, and you can fight me, but you know I’m where you belong.”

“What about your mission? What about your revenge on my father? You were really willing to just give all that up because of me?”

He cups my jaw. “I’d give up my soul if you asked me to.”

39

ONE CONDITION

PATIENCE

Jacob presseshis forehead to mine, and I want to believe him.

Idobelieve him.

He’s right. Everything I’ve denied—everything I hate—means nothing when it comes to this man.

Here we stand feet away from a pool of blood so wide I know someone didn’t walk away from it, and I grip his shirt with my fingers, not wanting to let go. I’ve spent my life fearing monsters, only to fall for one.

Except my monster doesn’t prey on me like I’m weak. He offers me his bloody hands and wants me to take them. To accept them. He believes I’m strong enough to stand here with him, and that alone has my resolve slipping.

I blink, looking up into his eyes. “Are you really taking over the House?”

He nods, his forehead still pressed to mine. “Declan will run the fraternity and keep things under control in Bristal, but I’ll be sworn in as the national Sigma President next week.”

“Why? You got out once. Why not just walk away now?” It might be a selfish question, but I have to ask.

We could run from this. We could take his lead, like he did before, and get out. Maybe if he wasn’t part of the House, I could be with him.