Page 50 of Brutal Kingdom

“They’ve been really decent about this. I make sure it’s empty, and stay fully dressed and lock the door before I use it.”

“You shouldn’t have to take those kinds of precautions in the place where you live.”

“I know. They’ve already gutted the space, so maybe the shower on my floor will be fixed soon.”

“If it’s not, then you need to start making noise and cutting a fool.”

That’s the last thing I need to do. “Kass…”

“I don’t even know why you’re letting Bella get away with this shit. Last year, you were all up in her face, being Jordanna bad-ass. What’s going on with you this semester?”

I need to tell her before she starts a war, trying to give me a humane space to live. “I’m not rolling over. I just need to get some things in order first.”

“What things?”

Looking around, I say, “I can’t talk about it here.”

She stands, grabbing her purse. “Fine, then we’re going out in town for dinner.”

When we’re in the car, heading towards the gate, she says, “Something tells me whatever you need to say is a long story. Start talking.”

“What do you know about Elijah Summers?”

TWENTY-ONE

LOGAN

I’m in my studio, sketching a design for a new sculpture, when the PI’s name and number flashes on my phone screen. I answer with a distracted hello. He gives me weekly updates and they’ve all been the same. At this point, I’m answering out of habit.

“Yeah?”

“Logan, I tracked down that document you asked about.”

I sit straighter in my chair. I didn’t know he was gonna go after it this soon. “Have you seen it?”

“Yes, and it’s not an NDA or contract like you thought. It’s addressed to the Will and Probate office.”

Will and Probate? “Jordanna’s father’s will has already been processed, and I’ve seen her birth certificate. He’s listed on it. Are you saying there’s somebody out there claiming he was their father?”

“I think you should read it for yourself.”

I stand, shoving my wallet in my pocket. “I’ll meet you in the usual spot in twenty minutes.”

I pull into the underground parking garage five miles from campus. Lex is standing outside his car waiting for me. “When this comes up missing, is there any chance it’ll trace back to me?”

“This is a copy of the original.”

He hands me the envelope and walks off. This is why dad loves him. He’s trustworthy, finds the deepest buried secrets and never waits around for his money. He doesn’t need to because he knows dad and I are good for it.

I slide behind the wheel of my car and transfer his payment before opening the manila envelope. Scanning the cover sheet of the document, I quickly flip to the first page. It’s not a paternity test or a will for Marcus Felding, but an application people file to establish a familial relationship and entitlement to a trust. Jordanna’s name is at the top of the form, requesting to validate her identity as a direct descendent of Elijah Summer.

You know what they say. You go digging for the truth and what you find may be much worse than what you expected. My hands shake as I read through the forms. Understanding dawns and rage slides through me like an old friend. Is this even a valid claim? When did Jordanna find out about this? And why is she doing this now?

She said whatever she had on us would stay buried unless we came after her. In little tiny ways, Bella has been on the attack. This has to be Jordanna’s way of fighting back. She’s coming at us by trying to establish herself as a member of a founding family. That would put her on level with me. If any of this is true, I’m not sure it’s a fight she can win. If I never would have played with her, never would have pushed her, her life would have stayed comfortable and safe. Because as ruthless as the games we play at school are, nothing’s more dangerous than a Kingsley elite who’s in danger of losing their status and money.

I feel this illogical need to warn Jordy. To intervene and protect her, and also this sick need to watch her fail and step over her rotting corpse. It all comes down to one word.Loyalty.Should I tell my friends about this? Collectively our connections can shut this down before the ink dries on the application.

Do I owe my allegiance to them? To Bella. Someone whose family is about to be tied to mine. My intended. The devil I know. Or is it to Jordanna? The girl who destroyed my legacy and rocked my world without so much as a reach around to see if I was still breathing.

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