Page 24 of Surviving Love

“Yep.”

I sighed. “Well, I need to think about it some more.”

“What is there to think about?” Luciano looked incredulous. “We’re giving you the opportunity to get rid of someone you loathe. It also means one less person who would get in the way of you winning a million dollars.”

“I realize that, but these sorts of decisions can come back to bite you in the ass.” I glanced at Harold again. “You really don’t think it’s way too early to vote Jack off?”

Harold shrugged. “I think this is the right decision.”

“I see.” Anxiety swirled inside of me, but I did my best to keep my expression blank. By letting me in on their little plan, I was now in a precarious position. If I rejected their idea, they’d hate me and want to get rid of me too. I thought their plan was dumb, but maybe it was smarter for me to at least pretend I was on their side. I didn’t want to become their target.

“You’re either in or you’re out.” Luciano’s tone was vaguely threatening.

“Yeah,” Rob muttered. “To put it another way, you’re either our friend or our foe.”

I winced. “Y… you really think getting rid of Jack will help me get further in the game?” I did my best to look innocent. Trusting. It was best if they underestimated me.

Luciano cooed, “Of course. Put your faith in us and we’ll have your back all the way, Mason.”

Lying snake.

“So, what do you say?” Harold nudged.

Keeping my churning emotions tamped down, I said what I figured they needed to hear, “I definitely trust you guys more than Jack. I’m… I’m in.”

Rob gave Luciano a knowing smile.

I frowned. “The only thing is, we’d need six votes against Jack to make this happen. There’s only four of us.”

“No need to worry about that. I have Julia, Mary, and Lydia on board too.” Rob glanced around. “With you and Harold, that gives us a majority of seven.”

“I didn’t know about Mary.” Harold nodded. “I’m glad we have even more people on our side.”

“Julia is willing to vote Jack out?” I narrowed my eyes. That tidbit definitely threw me. Julia followed Jack around like a puppy. I’d never have dreamed she’d turn on Jack this early in the game.

“She is. Harold brought her to us.” Rob nodded. “And I’m tight with Lydia, so we’re golden.”

“Okay.”

Harold met my gaze. “So then, it’s agreed? If we lose the challenge tomorrow, you’ll vote Jack off?”

I nodded slowly, stress eating at me. “What do we do if we win the challenge? We wouldn’t go to the Fire Council then.”

“Unfortunately, if it looks like we’re winning, we need to throw the challenge,” Luciano said.

“Seriously?” I asked, startled.

Rob lifted one shoulder. “It’s just one challenge.”

“Still… throwing the challenge feels… wrong,” I muttered.

Harold said, “It’s a necessary evil.”

“Yeah.” Luciano nodded. “Jackie-Boy needs togo.”

“Yep.” Harold sighed. “It’s just how it is.”

“He’s not going to see this coming,” I murmured, still in shock at the idea that Harold was fine with selling out Jack.