Page 5

I t’s rare we call for a full frat meeting. DSN has thirty members in total, and tonight, the weight of its legacy feels heavier than ever. The room is packed—some of them sitting on the couches, others leaning against walls, most standing with their arms crossed, looking at me expectantly. Their expressions range from curious to impatient, but there’s an unspoken rule in this house: when the president calls, you show up.

DSN isn’t just a fraternity, it’s a dynasty. Almost all of us are legacies, handpicked to carry on the name and the power that comes with it. Those who came before us built this—every brick of the Manor, every connection. Powerful figures once stood where we do now.

This isn’t just a brotherhood. It’s a pipeline. Politicians, CEOs, power brokers—all alumni who wear their DSN ties like armor. And if you’re lucky enough to make it through initiation, you’re not just joining a frat. You’re joining a family bound by blood, secrets, and unbreakable loyalty.

But loyalty has its limits, doesn’t it?

As I stand at the head of the room, I let my gaze sweep over them. Thirty men, all bound to DSN’s legacy, but every one of them capable of turning on me if it served their interests.

There’s a low murmur running through the crowd, uncertainty rippling like a current. They’ve heard about Levi’s arrest. They know what’s going on, but no one has all the details, and they’re looking at me to provide some answers.

I take a deep breath, my hands balling into fists at my sides. I glance at Kai off to the side, quiet, staring at his phone, still searching for answers. Dayton, on the other hand, is pacing in the back, restless energy radiating off him. He isn’t coping well with the fact that his brother is being held captive and his girlfriend, our girlfriend , isn’t answering his texts, calls, and incessant bothering.

But this is it. We either unite now, or we fall apart. There’s no room for middle ground.

“All right, listen up. We need to talk about Levi.” That gets their attention. All eyes snap to me, and the room falls into an uneasy silence.

“I know you all saw what went down at the Halloween party.” I continue, “Levi was arrested by the Syndicate.”

I see a few of them confused, others solemn. They know what it means when the Syndicate gets involved.

“Levi’s one of us,” I say, louder now. “We don’t turn our backs on our brothers. DSN isn’t just some fucking frat—it’s a duty. And we protect our own.”

More murmurs. Some guys nod, but others exchange looks, whispering under their breaths. It pisses me off more than I want to admit. I can see it on their faces. They’re not sure. They don’t trust Levi. Hell, they don’t trust me.

I grit my teeth, trying to hold my shit together.

Suddenly, Victor stands up, his chair scraping loudly against the floor. His movements are the kind that draw attention whether you want to give it or not. He’s tall, broad-shouldered, with dark brown hair that’s always styled with too much hair gel. His jawline could cut glass, and his suit—because of course, he’s wearing a tailored suit instead of casual clothes like the rest of us—clings to him like it was made for his body.

Victor’s piercing blue eyes lock on mine, and the smug look curling on his lips makes my blood boil instantly. The room goes dead quiet, everyone waiting for the inevitable clash.

“Protecting our own, huh?” Victor sneers. “We’re supposed to believe Levi’s innocent just because you say so, Silas? How do you know he didn’t do it? The Syndicate doesn’t make fucking mistakes.”

Victor is a legacy, just like me. His father sat in the same room years ago, held the same title, and made the same speeches. If it weren’t for my father’s influence in deciding who would take up leadership, he would’ve been an officer right alongside me this year. But he isn’t, and that eats at him more than he’ll ever admit.

I narrow my eyes, barely containing the urge to rip into him right here. “Levi didn’t do it. The Syndicate just took him in for questioning.”

Victor steps forward, his arms cross over his chest. He’s pushing, testing me. “Really? How do you know? How do any of us know? Maybe he’s been hiding shit from us all along. Maybe he’s guilty as hell, and you’re too blind to see it.”

I glance around the room and see agreement flicker across a few of the guys’ faces. The tension shifts, thickening like a storm cloud ready to burst. Victor’s not just questioning Levi—he’s questioning me. My leadership. My judgment.

And worse? He’s planting seeds of doubt, and I can feel them taking root.

The whispering gets louder now, and my heart’s pounding, anger flaring hotter with every second.

I step toward him, fists clenched at my sides. “Levi’s one of us. We don’t fucking turn our backs on our brothers. You got that, Victor?”

Victor doesn’t flinch. “Or maybe you’re dragging us all into your shit, Silas. You think you can take on the Syndicate? You think we’re going to stand behind you while you play some goddamn hero? You’re gonna get us all killed. Just like Levi’s father did back in his day.”

My pulse pounds in my ears, drowning out the subtle tick of the antique grandfather clock standing sentinel in the corner. My fingers curl tighter, nails digging into my palms. I’m ready to snap, to slam my fist into that smug face of his, to wipe that grin off his lips permanently.

“You think I’m playing games?” I growl, stepping closer. “This isn’t about me, it’s about Levi. He’s our brother, and we’re not abandoning him. If you don’t stand with us, then get the hell out.”

The room falls silent. Even the whispers that had been rippling through the group like an undercurrent of doubt are gone. All eyes are on us. On me. Victor’s jaw tightens, his fists clenching at his sides. He’s about to push back, I can see it. He’s right on the edge, just like I am.

One word. Just one more goddamn word, and I’ll put him on the ground until he is bloodied and begging for me to stop.

“Will you two stop having a fucking pissing contest?” Dayton steps between us, his hands up like he’s trying to hold back two bulls about to charge. His eyes flicker with annoyance as he looks between me and Victor. “We’ve got bigger problems than whose dick is bigger. Knock it off.”

Victor’s eyes flash with anger, but he steps back, his chest heaving like he’s barely holding it together. I’m no better. Every muscle in my body is coiled, ready to explode, but I force myself to back off, to let Dayton’s interruption cool things down.

Dayton gives me a hard look, silently telling me to calm the fuck down. I meet his eyes, my hands trembling with the need to hit something, someone. But I know he’s right. Not now. Not yet.

Victor glares at me one last time before turning back to the room. “You’ll regret this, Silas. You’re playing with fire, and it’s going to burn us all.”

I don’t respond, my jaw locked tight, watching him as he takes his leave.

“If any of you think Victor’s right, if you think I’m not the one who should be leading this, then speak the fuck up now.”

Silence. Uneasy, but solid.

“That’s what I thought.” My gaze sweeps the room, daring anyone to challenge me. “We move forward—my way. Or you walk. But don’t think for a second I’ll tolerate snakes in my house.”

A few nod, some exchange glances, but no one speaks up. Good.

“Meeting’s over.” I don’t wait for a response. I just turn and walk out, leaving them to sit with their fucking doubts. I head to the office. The cracked leather chair creaks as I sink into it. I pour myself a drink, the amber liquid catching the faint glow of the brass lamp on the corner of the desk.

My head is spinning, replaying the confrontation with Victor, replaying the doubt I saw in too many of their eyes.

I can’t afford to lose control. I can’t afford to lose them. But it feels like everything is slipping through my fingers.

Sable is slipping through my fingers.

I need to sink into her and forget about all of this.

Kai and Dayton join me after a while. Kai drops into the chair across from me, spinning it around so he can lean his arms on the backrest. Dayton doesn’t sit, instead leaning against the bookshelf, arms crossed, his expression unreadable.

“Victor’s a problem,” Dayton says bluntly. “He’s not gonna let this go.”

“I know,” I mutter, swirling the drink in my hand. The ice clinks against the glass, the sound grating against my nerves. “But what the hell am I supposed to do? He’s already got half the frat questioning Levi.”

“We’ll deal with Victor later,” Kai says, his voice calm but firm. “Right now, we focus on clearing Levi’s name. The Syndicate’s tough to track. They never use real names. But I’ll figure it out.”

I nod. “Get it done. I don’t care how messy this gets.”