Page 208 of Heresy

Ivy laughs her ass off.

“I’m telling you, Brin. We’ve all been through some shit with these boys. Welcome to the Inferno.”

Curious about that, I begin making my plate and ask, “Why are they called the Inferno anyway? I’ve heard people saying it, but I still can’t figure out what it means.”

Ames taps me on the arm, her mouth stuffed full. She doesn’t bother to swallow before saying, “You’re going to love this. Trust me. I can’t believe the shit these guys have pulled.”

All four of them laugh, but it’s Ivy who decides to fill me in.

Watching her, it’s hard to imagine her when she was a little girl. It’s been so long since I’ve seen her, much less had the chance to catch up.

“Okay. So this story starts a long time ago, back when we were kids. Well, for Emily and me it does. The rest of you are newbies.”

Luca tosses an ice cube at Ivy. “Shut the fuck up and get on with it. Newbies my ass. I think once you’ve spent twenty-four hours with these guys, you should be considered a pro.”

Ivy plucks the ice cube from her plate and chucks it back at Luca.

“Fair. So anyway, Emily and I grew up with all of them. Went to the same schools, you know the drill. In fact, Emily has been practically engaged to Mason since before she was born.”

I remember that and it brings up a question I’d wondered before. “Then why are you always with Ezra?”

Emily’s pale cheeks blush when she smiles, her red hair falling down over one shoulder. “Let Ivy tell the story. She can make it a hell of a lot more interesting than I can.”

Ivy laughs. “That’s because you always leave parts out. This is a twisted fucking tale and it gets confusing if certain parts are missing.”

Her aqua eyes are back on me, the color almost a perfect match with the rippling water in the pool behind her.

“Okay, so as far back as I can start… Once upon a time there was a spoiled princess and a broken prince…”

The next few hours are spent learning the details of the Inferno, who they are and the name assigned to each one. I learn the connections between their families and the women who have been adopted into the group. I learn more about Shane but refuse to answer questions they ask about personal details in return.

Those are his and mine alone, and they understand when I don’t reveal them.

By the time my stomach is full and my jaw hurts from laughing, I begin to realize what a tight-knit family this is, chosen and not by birth.

I also used to think that what Shane did to me was wrong, but after listening to these stories, I realize I may have gotten off easy.

There’s only one more piece I haven’t quite figured out yet, so while Ivy, Luca and Emily are laughing about something Gabe did, I turn to Ames.

“What’s your part in this? You’re the only one who hasn’t fessed up.”

Ames’s eyes round, and she shifts uncomfortably in her seat.

Suddenly her food is more interesting again, and I realize that getting the full story out of her is going to be more difficult than it should be.

Shane

After quickly checking with Brin to see her wave a hand for me to go, I reluctantly left the room and headed upstairs. Ezra followed close behind me, the rest of the Inferno waiting in Tanner’s office.

“Shut the door.”

Ezra slams it closed a little too hard, the walls vibrating with the force of it. I take up a position by Jase against a wall because all the chairs are filled. It’s just us guys, none of the women attending this meeting.

“What’s going on?” I ask.

Tanner taps a pen once on his desk then turns to me. “Can you pull up your home cameras on your phone?”

“Yeah.”

---