Page 204 of Filthy Elites

“Good,” Royer says, “I want someone with him until the final phase. We can’t have him running off and squealing on us until it’s over.”

“I’m not going to squeal,” I say, hating him even more. “I signed up for this, just like everyone else. I told you I wanted in on the traditions and yeah, that was a fucking awful one, but I survived it. How many other members can say the same?”

There’s a beat of silence, the whole room engulfed in Royer’s paranoia. I force myself to breathe normally, and both Miller and Knox seem completely calm. The last person I expect to break it is Rat, but he slaps Royer on the ass with the paddle and says, “Dude, chill out. You don’t trust anyone, which is not the point of this exercise. He’s come this far; I think he’s pretty solid.”

Rat thrusts his hand out and I shake it, using the skills Grayson taught me. Firm grip, eye contact. “I know your ass and your pride hurt right now, forty-seven, but trust me, one day you’ll see this for what it is: being a legend.”

Miller grins, and Knox rubs the top of my head. A strange feeling fills my chest, one that horrifies me when I finally recognize it for what it really is: pride.

* * *

Although Royer backs down a little,he held firm on someone being with me all the time. Knox is the one that says, “Forty-seven, you’re coming with me.”

I turn to Miller for confirmation. He nods his approval. “I’ve got a few things to do to get ready for tonight. Stick with Knox.” He gives his friend a pointed look. “Take care of him.”

“Got it, bro.” They bump fists and I fight the apprehension of going off with Knox alone. I barely know him and have no idea what to expect. With Miller, it’s definitely a case of the devil I know. My body grows hot and anxious as we climb the stairs to the second floor. My heart pounds against my ribcage as we pass Miller’s room and Knox opens the door to his own. His space is clean—tidy—impersonal since it’s just a temporary lodging, but his bed is made and his belongings put in place.

He unzips his hoodie and hangs it on a hook behind the door. “Get undressed,” he tells me, walking into the bathroom. A moment later, I hear the rush of gurgling water.

I’m frozen in the middle of the room, consumed by panic. I have no choice but to do whatever this man wants me to do, but also… I can’t help but wonder if Grayson is trying to find me. Does the whole council know what happened to me today?

“Th—Reagan,” Knox says, sticking his head back in the room. “Strip and come in here. Now.”

His tone is forceful enough that I snap into action, dropping my pants and pulling off my shirt and tank. Naked, humiliated, and feeling like my ass is on fire, I shuffle into the bathroom where Knox is bent over the full tub, pouring in a white powder from a box.

“Epsom salt,” he says, placing the box on the counter. His eyes stutter over my tits and pussy before making it back to my face. “It’s good for sore muscles.” He nods at my lower body. “It’ll help with the pain.”

“Oh,” I say, completely shocked. “That’s… that’s very nice of you.”

“I have some experience with muscle soreness. That’s why I insisted on the room with the tub.” He offers me his hand to assist me in getting into the tub. I take it, hissing when my toe hits the hot water. I try not to wince at how the high step tugs at my asshole and rely on him more than I want to keep steady. With his guidance, I slowly ease into the water, letting it come all the way to my neck. It both burns and feels good. Knox sits on the toilet, resting his elbows on his thighs, watching me.

I cross my arms over my chest. His eyes narrow and he motions for me to keep them uncovered. Releasing them, my tits float just at the surface. He doesn’t stop staring at my face.

“What?” I ask, feeling beyond self-conscious.

“I’m just trying to reconcile you being a female.”

“What we did in there wasn’t enough?” I lift my tits, pushing them above the waterline. “These aren’t enough?”

“Those,” he says, with an amused grin, “are outstanding. No, just… I totally bought that you were a guy. Never crossed my mind.”

“It’s not like we were around each other much,” I say. “Not like Royer. He seems clueless.”

God, I hope he is or this whole thing is for nothing.

“He’s got a one-track mind right now. Well, maybe two. The gauntlet and shoving his cock into warm pussy. That’s it.” I make a face and he shrugs. “I know he hurt you and obviously it was enough for you to come up with this crazy scheme. But if you thought you ever saw a good guy in Royer, you were fooling yourself. That guy is a supreme prick. One of my best friends, but when he gets focused on something destructive, there’s no stopping him.”

“And that’s why you’ve agreed to work with Miller to take him down?”

He stands and moves to the edge of the tub. My heartrate had finally slowed with the warm bath, but it kicks back into gear with him so close. He reaches over my head and grabs a bottle of shampoo.

“I love Royer, but Miller’s right. He’s out of control and he’s going to bring down this frat.” I hear the sound of him squeezing shampoo from the bottle and then the press of his fingertips as he starts massaging my scalp. “That stunt today with the paddle? He’s lucky it was you. Anyone else would have gone running to the council and burned us to the ground. We’re already on thin ice, but he doesn’t give a shit. He’s more focused on his vendettas than anything else.”

His hands are big and feel so good. The tension in my shoulders and neck slowly unwinds.

“So what happens next?” I ask. “Royer gets kicked out and you and Miller take over?”

I haven’t asked for a lot of details. It would only make me look suspicious. Also, it doesn’t matter to me. My plan isn’t to save Miller or anyone else. It’s to bring down the whole house.

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