Page 78 of Cease and Desist

“Is your key a fake?” Archer asked.

She shook her head.

“Then you don’t have to worry about the consequences.”

“Yes, but—"

Archer gave her the stare, and she suddenly understood why the world shut up when he looked at them. It was a cold stare that promised nothing good if he was not obeyed. So she stayed silent, her heart beating rapidly against her ribs.

Archer looked down at the key Remy had given him. He didn’t touch it. He didn’t take it out of the case.

Shit! Did they mix them up in the bathroom?Did they give Najeddine back the right key? What the hell were the consequences?

“Mr. Najeddine, your key, sir, is the fake.” He threw the key across the room, and it landed in a garbage can. “You have no claim to the chair.”

“What?” Najeddine’s face lost all its color. “But—" Then he looked up. “You!” he yelled and lunged at her. Remy moved backward too quickly and stumbled over her dress. She was falling. Hawk caught her and immediately righted her, putting himself in between her and Najeddine.

“You bitch!” Najeddine bellowed. “She tricked me!” He lunged again, and Hawk dropped the man with one massive right cross to the jaw.

Remy blinked. How the hell had Hawk gotten across the room so quickly? How had she stopped her from falling? She stared up at him. He merely nodded at her and then stepped back against the wall.

Archer looked at Hawk and gave a curt nod of approval. “It appears Ms. Tanger has claimed her family legacy and her seat at the table.” He gestured toward the empty seat at the head of the table.

Remy pulled the chair out and sank onto it.

Archer then gestured to the two security guards. They walked over, picked up Najeddine, and carried him out of the room.

“We need to vote on the acceptance of Remington Tanger the Fourth as board member and founding family member. All in favor?” Archer’s voice carried across the room and resonated in Remy’s chest. If this was what she wanted, then why did she feel terror clawing its way up her throat?

Slowly, every person at the table raised their right hand except Archer and Austin Davis. Finally, Davis raised his hand, but he glared at Remy, hatred in his eyes. What the hell had she done to him?

“It is settled. Ms. Tanger, Remington, you are now a member of the Lock and Key Society until death do us part.”

A chill went down her spine at Archer’s words. His gaze suggested he was serious. What the hell had she just done?

“Now,” Archer said, “on to other business.”

“But, Archer…” the congresswoman spoke. She indicated Hawk and Dragan with her chin.

Archer let out a sigh. “I can ask the gentlemen to leave, but given what’s transpired, chances are good they won’t, and then it will all turn ugly.” He looked down at the table. “I’m not in the mood for ugly tonight. We will reconvene in two weeks at our usual location. All rules apply.”

People stood and made their way out of the room, exchanging a few words on the way out. Every single person came up and congratulated Remy before leaving the room. Everyone except Davis. He just walked out. Najeddine was hauled out by the same two burly looking men who took their earbuds and weapons earlier.

Remy stood up. “What happens now?” she asked Archer. He was the only other member left in the room.

He studied her for a moment. “Your grandfather did you a massive disservice.” He stood and moved down to her end of the table. “He should have told you everything. Instead, you just signed your life away to something you know nothing about.”

Despite the cold sweat breaking out on her body, she squared her shoulders. “It wasn’t like I had a choice really. It became pretty clear I either joined or I died, so here I am.”

He nodded. “It’s true. Your grandfather was of the old ways. The last of the dinosaurs. He was also the collective conscience of the society. With him gone….” Archer let out a sigh. “Well, let’s just say the days ahead will be challenging.”

“You still haven’t really told me anything.” Remy was tired and scared. She just wanted answers.

“I can’t.” He looked over at Hawk, who stood a few feet away and then over to Dragan, who was posted by the door. “There are rules that must be obeyed.”

“I get that. You all seem to favor death as the punishment for breaking them.”

Archer nodded. “In many circumstances, yes.”

---