Page 167 of River of Deceit

Pandora’s brother was stupid enough to post a photo online.

I catch sight of River’s face, noting that he doesn’t look as surprised as either me or Asch do.

“River?” Asch asks cautiously.

River grits his teeth. “Even if that’s her brother, there’s no proof he was behind anything. And that doesn’t mean Pandora set a fucking fire.”

There’s grumbling all around us, until Tate says, “The fire started in my room.”

The dread pools in my stomach. “How could you know that?” I ask.

“Because the fire was strongest in the back of the building,” he answers. “And I heard the fire team talking about it.” Tate glares at me. “I know you had it out for me, after… After. You told Pandora about that, right? That’s why she did it.”

“I didn’t say a fucking word to her!” I shout back, except I know.

River had gone to Pandora that night. River had been near tears, and then they’d had a fight, and what does Pandora do except avenge people?

And River knows something he’s not saying.

If it wasn’t for Zayden’s overbearing ass, I’d be grilling River for information.

“There’s only one thing to do,” Zayden says viciously. “We gotta get back at that bitch. Right, guys?”

Everybody except me, Asch, and River holler in agreement.

Zayden notices our lack of enthusiasm. “If you don’t help us, we’re cutting you out,” he says. “We don’t need pussy-whipped cowards like you in Kappa Alpha.”

All the guys shout suggestions of what they want to do to traitors. Even the few guys I thought were softer are cheering along. Zayden smiles the entire time. I narrow my eyes when I notice he’s texting somebody.

“You know the Kappa Alpha creed, Blaze!” Keegan yells. “You, River! Recite the number one tenet! Prove you’re one of our brothers!”

River tenses up, but he says, “Loyalty to my brothers above all else.”

That elicits another cheer from the collected brothers.

“Loyalty! That’s bros before hos, Blaze!” somebody shouts.

I grit my teeth and turn to Asch. “Give me your phone.”

Asch hands it to me without hesitation, and I storm off as I dial my father.

He picks up but doesn’t say anything.

“Dad, it’s me,” I say. “Blaze.”

“Yes, I know,” my father says. “I was wondering when you’d call.”

Shit. He already knows what happened. The school must have called him.

“I need you to do something about Zayden,” I say quickly. “He’s going to cause some shit here. He wants to go after Pandora Pavone, and?—”

“I gave him my blessing,” my father says. “Whatever the Pavones are doing, I don’t want them sniffing about our business.”

I freeze in my tracks, alone in the hall outside the gym. “What?”

This is who Zayden was texting. Fuck.

“You heard me. Take care of Pandora Pavone. Send a message to her father. I refuse to tolerate somebody who attacksmyfraternity. The amount of time and money I’ve invested in it…”