Page 87 of Broken Princess
I stopped and waited for a few seconds as a nervous titter went around the room.
“Liz told us about the safe and gave up the code just before she died. A last-minute bout of remorse, I suppose,” I finally went on. “We made copies of everything in there and brought them to show you today. It’s all right here in this box.”
“Why did you bring it?” someone asked. There was a distinct edge to their voice.
I smiled. “Just in case,” I replied. “We don’t want to run the Order the way Liz did, because loyalty based on fear and blackmail isn’t our style. So we originally planned on telling you that we intend to destroy every member’s confession. That way we can really start things off on the right foot. However, we realized that we might run into a little bit of opposition in the early stages, so for now, we’ve decided we aren’t above using the secrets in this box. We don’t want to do it, of course, but if push comes to shove, we will.”
Nicholson’s eyes narrowed. “What will you do, exactly?”
“What do you think?” I asked, lifting my brows.
“I want to hear you say it.”
“Fine.” I lifted my chin. “Like Logan said before—if anyone isn’t happy with the new arrangement and they want to leave, that’s fine. No hard feelings. Your secrets will remain safe and hidden, and eventually, they will be destroyed. I can promise you that. However, if you want to threaten us, we’ll have to defend ourselves with the only weapon we have at our disposal.” I focused on Nicholson again. “For example, I’m sure the media would love to know all about your secret.”
His face blanched. “You wouldn’t dare,” he muttered.
“Wouldn’t I?” I replied. I crouched next to the box and opened it up before leafing through several manila folders. Then I pulled out a thin white envelope and opened it up. “You made this confession thirty years ago, Nicholson, so there are a lot of members here today who’ve never heard it. I’ll read it out to them now, just so you know how serious I am about handing this over to the media if you ever threaten the society again.”
I paused to take a deep breath, and then I held up the piece of paper from the envelope and unfolded it. “During his confession on Pledge Night, Nicholson stated that—”
“Enough!” he snapped, holding up a hand. “I see your point. There’s no need for you to continue.”
I smiled sweetly. “Are you sure?”
“Yes,” he replied, shoulders slumping. “You have my word. I won’t say anything to anyone beyond these walls, and I’ll give you and Logan a chance to lead for a few months before I make up my mind. If I’m still unhappy then, I’ll leave quietly.”
“That’s all we’re asking for,” Logan said with a solemn nod. “Like Willow said, we really don’t want to use anything in this box. It’s an emergency defense mechanism only. Not a constant, looming threat for everyone, like it used to be.”
“What about the rest of the nay-sayers?” I asked, scanning the crowd. “Will you do the same as Nicholson? Will you give us a chance before you make up your mind?”
The dissenters were silent for a moment. Then they all nodded grudgingly.
“So it’s settled,” Logan said. “You’ll give us a chance, and we’ll show you what we can do.”
“I hope we can prove ourselves worthy,” I added. “Thank you.”
One person started to clap, followed by about five others. Then ten. Slowly, more and more members joined in until the whole room echoed with applause.
“You did well,” Chuck murmured when the meeting was finally over, patting me on the back. “Didn’t back down.”
“After everything that’s happened to me this year, it’ll take more than a crowd of angry secret society members to make me back down,” I said with a wry smile.
Chuck’s brows gathered together, and he pulled me aside. “I haven’t said this yet, but I probably should’ve,” he muttered, rubbing his chin. Then he fell silent.
“What is it?” I asked, eyes widening.
He lay a hand across his chest. “I don’t ever expect you to forgive me, and that’s fine. I just want you to know that I’m sorry about the way you were treated when you first arrived at Thorne Hall. I’m sorry about the contract, too,” he said gruffly. “It was wrong. I was wrong.”
I swallowed hard before nodding. “It’s okay, Chuck. I forgive you.”
I would be a hypocrite if I refused to forgive him. After all, I forgave Logan for doing far worse things to me.
Besides, I understood Chuck’s motivations a lot more now that I knew the truth about everything. He’d been forced into a loveless marriage with Liz and remained trapped in it for over two decades, and all of those years with a woman he despised had chipped away at his soul. He’d developed a general disdain for women as the result of his hateful feelings toward Liz, and he wound up treating them accordingly. Me included. Chloe was the only one who escaped his sexist wrath, because she was his daughter, and he couldn’t help but love her unconditionally despite everything.
He nodded, gave me a sad smile and stepped away. Despite the forgiveness I’d offered him, I knew he would never forgive himself for the things he’d done. Not only to me, but to every other baby he’d brokered a contract for down here in the Order Hall. Even if he got out of prison in just a few short years, he’d have to live with that guilt and shame forever.
Most of the society members were filtering out of the ceremonial chamber now. Next to me, Logan was resealing the cardboard box. I crouched to his level and whispered in his ear. “What do you think would’ve happened if anyone realized the box was empty?”
