Page 41 of Ruin

Fuck, did it? It wasn’t even close to what I would define as threatening. I lean closer, bringing my elbows to the table and looking him in the eye. “I’m interested in building a different legacy for the Demonio family. Columbia Law is one step on the path I’ve chosen to do that.”

“What you want is immaterial, Mr. Demonio. Our institution cultivates stewards of justice, not would-be predators. And we are most certainly not a halfway house for reformed mafia royalty.”

“Justice is blind, isn’t it, Dean?” I lean back. This so-called pleasant smile is making my jaw ache, and his sneer makes me want to rip his face off.

“Justice may be, but public perception isn’t. Having a Demonio as an alumnus is an impossibility. Half our donors would leave, the headlines would be brutal, and we’d lose future students to our competitors. That shadow you stand in is bloody, and Columbia cannot afford that kind of stain.”

“So your decision was made before you read my application, long before this meeting.”

“This meeting is a formality, nothing more.”

I nod slowly, tapping my fingers on the tablecloth. “The thing is, I don’t need your approval. I just need your signature.”

“Another threat, Mr. Demonio? How kind of you to prove my point.”

I shake my head. “I’m not my father. There will be no threat of bodily harm. I’ll meet you in your own house: in court. As you saw, my academic record is impeccable, my LSAT score is perfect, and I’ve invested twice the hours in volunteer work than any other applicant.”

Dean Staunton scoffs but stiffens, glowering at me.

“Inherited prejudice and bias are assumed for Ivy League schools like Columbia but no longer tolerated. It would be an inconvenient story. And say what you will about my family, but the press does love to speculate about us and those stories tend to go viral.”

“You’re threatening me, the dean of Columbia Law, with a lawsuit?” He sounds incredulous, but I’m well acquainted with what fear sounds like, and the timbre of his voice has changed.

I tilt my head at him. “You have the opportunity to create a much more positive narrative. Headlines can focus on Columbia Law taking a chance on the future, supportive of positive reform, investing in intellect over politics. Or you can become a cautionary tale about gatekeeping and legacy bias.”

He doesn’t say anything, but his eyes have dropped to the wine glass. He takes an unsteady sip and sets it back down too quickly, wine sloshing over the side and staining the white tablecloth blood red. He stares at the stain as I pick up my phone.

Giovanna has sent me half a dozen angry ranting texts. I scan them as I wait for a response from the Dean.

Antonio told everyone about

last night.

Literally everyone. Now I’m

getting dirty looks from the

girls and ‘fuck me’ looks from

the guys.

Lexi is badgering me for all

the details.

Two girls just called me a whore

under their breath.

Great, I’ve had three guys ask me

if I want to meet them in the

bathroom.

Apparently, everyone thinks I’m

your fuck toy. And you won’t even