Page 36 of Bad Boy Billionaire Protector

“Well then, let’s get to the bottom of it. We’ll find out who did this to him, and all the other students who died suspiciously.”

I nodded my head. “I want justice for them all.”

Chapter 17 – Mason

Threedayslater,Iwas just leaving my Classics class when Professor Owens called me over. He waited until the last student left the room before he spoke.

“How was your first meeting? Quite the eye opener, I heard?”

I chuckled. “It was definitely not what I was expecting. Is that all The Order is about?”

Owens scoffed. “Of course not. The Bacchanalia is an important ritual within The Order but it’s not mandatory to participate in. Many of us don’t. There are many layers to The Order. You just have to be in the right place to know and understand those layers. Don’t worry, you’ll learn soon enough. In fact, there is something I’d like you to do.”

Interested, I leaned in towards him. “What do you need me to do?”

“Well, as it happens, there is an inner circle in The Order and it is open to only the most elite students within the society. I would like you to attempt to join that inner circle. It’s where you will find the center of power within the society.”

Now this was interesting, and something I could report back to Andrew. I had to get involved. “What do you mean by ‘attempt’ to join the inner circle?”

“We hold a series of games for the initiates to play. Those who pass these tests will be given membership of the inner circle.”

I inhaled loudly then exhaled, taking it all in. “So, there is something more to The Order than getting drunk and having orgies.”

Owens laughed. “Yes. You will find that we have a great capacity for power within The Order and our reach goes all the way up to the White House itself. We’re not just some silly little student society. We’re the cream of the crop and we make many political and social moves right under the rest of society’s nose, without them ever knowing. It really is the seat of power, and I think that you would be perfect for it. Given your…background and already immense amount of influence. We could benefit each other greatly.”

He pinned me with an intense stare, his eyes flashing with the drunkenness of power. He really did have a hard on for it. Of course a big pharma billionaire heir would be perfect for his plans. I could imagine him in that inner circle with all of the elite, him thinking that he could rule the world.

He patted me on the arm. “So, tell me you’ll take part in the games? Make an old man happy.”

I chuckled. “You’re not that old.”

“I know, but you know what I mean.”

“Okay, well, I’ll have to think about it. When do these games take place?”

“Friday night. Oh, and I forgot to mention, during these games we also open up our ranks to let in the lesser elite of our student body. The ones who make up the rest of our numbers. We’ve got to give the little people a chance, after all. Upward mobility and all of that.”

“Mmm hmm,” I nodded, not entirely sure what he was on about but feeling my hackles rising anyway. He was a total sleazeball.

“I was thinking of that rather wonderful young lady, Amber Valentine. She would be a perfect initiate to The Order, if not for anything else, then as fodder for the Bacchanalia. Plus she already has friends from within the society.”

I had to stop myself from punching him. “What, Amber Valentine? Ah no. She wouldn’t make a good candidate at all. What made you think that?”

“Oh, you have a soft spot for her, I see. Well I’m not surprised. She is a beautiful young woman. Just like the many other beautiful young women we allow to enter our ranks every year.”

“No, I assure you, you’re barking up the wrong tree with that one. She wouldn’t be good at all. Tell me you’ll think again.”

He chuckled sagely. “You can’t keep her for yourself, you know. Not such innocence and beauty. And with a good, strong mind, so I hear. Anyway, I must go and prepare for my next class. Let me know by tomorrow if you wish to join the inner circle. I assure you that you’ll find it’s the perfect place to be.”

He left the room and I sat down hard on one of the desks. Professor Owens had his eyes set on Amber. How could I not have foreseen this? It was as if he knew all about us and wanted to test me further. But how could he know about Amber and I? He must have eyes and ears everywhere. Dammit! It was going to make things harder to keep her safe.

I headed back to my apartment to do some work. My head pulsed with pain. There was something I had been putting off and I knew now was the time to do it. I dialed the number. Adam answered on the third ring.

“Hey, what’s happening?”

“I have news for you. Professor Owens has selected me to go for the inner circle.”

“That’s good. I knew he would select you. You are the ultimate golden boy among all the other people he’s looking at. Once you get in there, you’ll be able to find out a lot more than I was able to.”

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