Page 37 of Bulletproof Love

“What is this?” Jasper’s voice stays level, although I catch the slight tension beneath his mask.

“Typically, we provide… arrangements for this part of the ceremony.” Fairfax’s creepy gaze slides over me with curiosity. “But it seems you’ve brought your own tribute tonight. Our brotherhood is built on three pillars of power, as you know—wealth, blood, and…” He pauses, letting the words hang heavy in the air.

My eyes flash to Jasper’s and somehow he’s managed to stay calm. I know he’s reeling on the inside though, just as much as I am.

Money, blood, and what?

Three offerings. Three sacrifices.

My skin crawls imagining what this means for us.

Another man in a ski mask comes from out of nowhere, handing a bag to Fairfax. I stand stock still, my mind trying to process what’s happening. Every part of me wants to shirk away from the hard eyes of all these men, staring at me like I’m a piece of meat. But I can’t blow our cover.

Fairfax pulls out an ornate dagger. Its blade gleams in the dim light. He holds it above the flickering flame, the metal seeming to absorb his darkness. A low murmur begins in his throat, and within seconds the assembled men join in a haunting chorus. The words slither through the air, some archaic tongue that makes my body tense.

“What the hell?” I grit through closed lips for only Jasper to hear. His fingers find mine in the darkness, gripping tight as Fairfax turns to face us. When he speaks, his voice fills the room with commanding authority.

“This covenant has bound the powerful for generations. World leaders, philanthropists, celebrities. To be chosen is to join the architects of history itself. Brennan Whitaker and Mischa Orlova, do you swear upon your fortunes and futures to honor the brotherhood, to guard its secrets until death claims you, to place your brother’s interests above all other loyalties, and above all else, maintain absolute power through lifelong secrecy? Our prosperity depends on the shadows we cast. Should our true faces ever see daylight, should you ever break this chain of silence that binds us, you will lose everything. Your wealth, your influence, your very identity will be erased. Do you accept this covenant?”

Fear spreads throughout my body, stiffening my limbs. Jasper straightens out beside me, and without hesitation, he nods. “Yes, I do.”

Fairfax’s eyes are on me now. I know I need to open my mouth but my lips refuse to move.You can do this.My gaze meets Jasper’s, his eyes holding a promise that it’ll be okay.For Bailey.“I do.”

“The time has come for tribute,” Fairfax says, his voice commanding. He holds out a black velvet pouch. I’m mesmerized by what’s happening in front of me, the mystery of what’s inside the bag seems to suck the air from my lungs. “Place your first offering in the vessel.”

Money.My heart stutters. I hadn’t thought to bring cash to whatever this was supposed to be.

Jasper’s hand finds mine in the darkness and he presses cool metal into my palm. Relief floods through me as I watch him step forward, adding his coin to the pouch. It clinks softly as it drops onto the countless others. I follow, trying to keep my hand steady as I make my own offering to whatever darkness I’m stepping into.

Fairfax inclines his head and hands the pouch to the masked man beside him. “And now, we come to the blood binding.” He raises the dagger, its metal catching the firelight again as he presents it to Jasper, hilt first. “Each initiate must mark the other. Whitaker, you will receive Orlova’s offering, and she yours. Your shared blood will forge your bonds to our brotherhood.”

Jasper’s hands shake as they wrap around the dagger’s hilt. This is nothing like how he held the gun against Wayne. That was justice. Ridding the world of evil. But this? I see the struggle in his eyes, and I don’t want to make it harder for him. Before he hesitates, I hold out my palm, steeling myself for the bite of pain to come. His eyes meet mine, shadowed with fear and regret as he cradles my palm in his. “I’m with you,” I whisper.

He draws a shaky breath, then drags the blade across my palm. A sharp hiss escapes through my teeth as crimson wells up in the blade’s wake.

Fairfax takes the dagger, performing some ritual with the pouch as I hold back tears. Once he’s done with his creepy shit, he hands me the hilt. I feel sick. I’d imagined too many scenarios where I’d get to draw Jasper’s blood, paying him back for his maddening arrogance. But not like this. Nothing about this twisted ceremony is fun. He extends his palm and I make the cut quick and clinical, not wasting time in dragging out his pain.

My hands shake so badly, I almost drop the dagger as I pass it back to Fairfax’s waiting hands.

Two offerings down, one to go. Money, blood… What fresh hell could they want from us next?

My eyes find Jasper’s and I see my own dread mirrored in his expression.

“Now for the fun part,” Fairfax says with cruel delight.

CHAPTERFIFTEEN

JASPER

I knowwhat he wants from us before he even opens his mouth. I can’t. I refuse to do that to Falin. Fuck this creepy initiation. I’d rather put a bullet in each of these prick’s skulls than take advantage of Falin like that. I don’t care if it lands me in a jail cell. It would be worth it. My body stiffens as he begins to speak.

“The final offering—” Fairfax’s voice is so damn ominous, it gives me chills. “—is the most intimate. You see Whitaker, secrets bind us, but sharing sins… that binds us tighter. Every initiate must surrender all pretense of virtue. Your wealth has been given…” He gestures to the pouch. “Your blood has been spilled…” His eyes drift to our bloody palms. “And now, you’ll prove there’snothingyou won’t sacrifice for our brotherhood. No lines you won’t cross. No boundaries you won’t break.” His lips curl into a sinister smile. “After all, power knows no shame.”

Falin’s chest heaves while she glances at the lounge behind us. I’m sure she’s caught on to what Fairfax wants. I lock eyes with Fairfax, showing him I don’t back down.

“And if I refuse,” I say, my tone deadly serious.

Fairfax laughs and a few of the men in the crowd join him. “I think you’re smart enough to figure out what happens if you refuse.”

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