I squeezed the top of his leg and popped open the door. On my way to the house, I looked in the lot at my Mustang. It was still there, pretty as ever. At least no one messed with it.
Drew sat on the road and waited for me to make it to the door. I knew he’d never just drop me off in a parking lot and drive off ever again. I couldn’t even blame him. I would do the same.
Everyone was already gathered in the dining room for the meeting when I pushed open the front door. The familiar nerve-grating sound of Conner’s voice set my back teeth on edge.
“…Just saying when he steps down, we need to make sure Jack is ready to assume the role as president.” He spoke to the room.
You know how I said I was too tired to fight?
I just got a second wind.
This guy was really pushing me to my limit.
I dropped my chin and closed my eyes for second. Then I took in a deep breath and calmed down.
It wasn’t the deep breath. It was the fact I caught Drew’s scent. I opened my eyes and looked at the shirt I was wearing. His shirt. It smelled like him. Maybe it was weird, but having his shirt on, being able to feel connected to him in some way, was all I needed right now.
I moved around the corner and filled the doorway of the room.
“Who says I’m stepping down?” I boomed across the room.
Everyone turned toward me. Some low curses went through the room.
“Trent!” Jack gasped from beside Conner.
“What the fuck happened to you!” another brother yelled.
I made a point to place a palm over my ribs when I walked through the room to the podium. They still hurt like hell, but in any other circumstance, I wouldn’t have acted like they did.
Con was watching me with fear and wariness in his eyes. I made sure when I looked straight at him, he would be able to see the anger and promise of revenge.
He moved out of the way immediately, and I turned away, dismissing him like the trash he was.
Jack stepped up to my side instantly. “Man, you look terrible.”
“Let me guess,” I said to him but spoke loud enough the entire room could hear. “Con here was making yet another case against me for not being here all weekend?”
Jack nodded, and some of the others shifted uncomfortably.
“I was being disloyal?” I asked, glancing around the room and then back to Jack.
One of the guys in the room cleared his throat. “He told us you were stepping down as president.”
I lifted both my eyebrows. “Now where would he get that idea?”
I locked eyes with one of the men who helped jump me. He looked away immediately, a flush coloring his cheeks.
Aww, what’s the matter? Is it hard to look at the damage you caused?
Good.
“Who did that to you?” the guy next to him demanded. “Were you in an accident?”
I glanced behind me at Con. A nervous expression crossed his face.
I balanced both hands on the podium. “This wasn’t an accident. I was jumped by four men last night.”
Everyone started talking at once, exclaiming and cussing.
I held up my hand, and the room fell quiet. “It was right outside, on Omega property. Right out there in the parking lot.”
Looks of outrage became a common theme as I kept talking.
“I didn’t see their faces.” I shook my head sadly. “But I’m pretty sure this was a blatant attack on this fraternity. They were trying to send some kind of message, ignite some kind of war with this house and our brothers.”
“They come after our president, they come after us all!” someone roared.
I nodded. “It’s a sad fucking day, brothers.” I called them that on purpose, reminding them we were united.
“This frat is being targeted. I don’t know why yet. Or by whom. We can’t let anyone on this campus think we’re fair game.”
“Omega rules!” one of the younger charters yelled, knocking over his chair in the process.
“I look worse than I am.” I went on. “Some swelling, some bruises. A couple cracked ribs.” I paused to meet two more sets of eyes… those of the men who were there last night.
They were looking very apprehensive.
I smiled, showing all my teeth. “They didn’t do a very good job with their attack. You’d think four guys could work me over better than that.”
“Pussies!” someone hollered.
“Oh, they definitely were.” I agreed. “They had to gang up on me, hold me down, to get the job done.”
“This is a bunch of horse shit!” one of the men I went through rush with exclaimed and stood. “We need to pay back these motherfuckers! No one messes with Omega and gets away with it!”
I let them all talk over each other while I stood back and watched them all whip themselves into a frenzy of anger.
What can I say? Men are predictable. Especially when their egos are at stake.
It was working to my advantage.
“I agree. We need to spread the word. Make it known that the attack on me and everyone in this house will not be brushed under the rug. We will not go crying to the dean.” I glanced at Con, making sure he heard that part. “Here at Omega, we serve justice on our own terms!”