Page 5 of The Honor Society

He grabs Lilah’s hand and then nods his head to Charlie.

She opens her mouth like she wants to say something. A tear slides down her cheek before she can stop it. At least she has a heart. Though I’m not sure if she’s crying right now because she feels guilty or because she feels sad that I’m in this situation.

“Get me a sandwich, not my nurse with pretty hair?” I wink for good measure.

“Sure.” She speaks. “I’ll make sure there’s no tomato.”

She knows I hate tomato.

Is she baiting me?

“Wow you read minds? Cool trick.”

“Come on,” Jude doesn’t let her respond. They leave the room while Dorian ignores them. The shift in his demeanor is immediate. Slowly, he rolls up the sleeves of his black button-down shirt and then silently closes the door to the room.

“Cozy.” I mutter under my breath. “Can I help you with something?”

His eyebrow shoot up to his forehead. “You don’t know me?”

“Should I? Are you a model? Oh fuck did I date one of your exes? Worse yet, did she cheat on me with you? Wouldn’t be the first-time man, I’m sorry, but sometimes they just can’t help it you know?”

“Still a piece of work.” He sighs and cracks his knuckles. “Nineteen days mean anything to you?”

I school my features. “I’m not stupid, The Convocation’s in, what? Nineteen days and because you walked into my hospital room wearing a Rolex with a hefty price tag, and a custom suit that costs more than this x-ray machine over here, I’d venture to say you’re from one of The Four Horsemen families and getting ready to shoot your shot at gaining The Ledger of all the names, debts owed, crimes committed. Am I getting warm?”

I shrug then immediately regret it as pain slices through my entire body. Have I mentioned getting shot sucks? “Trust me man I had good intentions too, now look at me.” I gesture towards the hospital bed and the multiple IV’s poking out of me. “Zero stars, do not recommend. Information is deadly. And it’s not worth your life.” I cross my arms even though it hurts and stare him down. “They frown upon it.”

“What?”

“Extra credit.” I explain. “The rest of the families, the higher ups, they don’t like it when the bottom feeders try to claw their way to the top, take a look at Edward Hale. Trying to obtain The Dean’s List didn’t necessarily work out in his favor and now nobody knows where the fuck it is…again.” Easy lie.

He barks out a laugh. “Rumor mill says The Proctor has both The List and The Ledger, and that The Proctor was conveniently shot the same day you were, besides I left Famine, I work for another Horseman now who’s promised a lot if I just make The Proctor go bye-bye.”

“Convenient that The Ledger and List are both missing and I’m here then, hmm?” I fight not to clench my teeth. “Your theory has holes. If I were The Proctor you’d bet your ass I’d have more security in here than the president. If I had that sort of information I wouldn’t be asking for a sandwich from the cafeteria or giving you advice on how to stay alive and avoid ending up like me.”

He flicks my IV bag. “Or you could be a very good liar.”

I shoot him a smug grin. “You think in my last moments before death I grabbed flash drives and shoved them up my ass in hopes I’d survive?” I roll my eyes. “My shits over there in a plastic bag compliments of the hospital, see for yourself how guilty I am.”

When he turns around I see it, part of his pistol in the back of his pants. Man’s not even trying to hide it. Not good. He wants me to see it.

He wants me to know.

This isn’t a visit.

It’s an execution.

So much for flying under the radar.

He grabs the white bag and digs through it then tosses it to the ground when he finds nothing. He sees my shoes and digs through them then throws them as well.

I’m already on my feet behind him, gripping the IV I’ve just pulled out in my hand. “Temper, temper Dorian.”

“You remember me?” He turns around.

I grin. “Fuck you, I’m The Proctor, I remember every face, every blood debt, and I was so looking forward to coming for you, guess, this is your lucky day.”

He snorts out a laugh. “Your injured, you have no weapon. What? Are you going to talk me to death or something?”