To Capture a Thorn (The Society 2)

“Not only that, people wouldn’t want to join. Four men, one girl, sounds like a dream, but to others, it’s not.” Lucas ran a hand down his face. “The Society is many things. Sometimes good. Sometimes bad. You need to learn to accept both parts of it. The good and the bad.”

“What’s the good?” I asked.

“Huh?”

“I already get the bad parts. I’ve seen that firsthand, but what the fuck is the good parts? Do you even know?” I felt lost, like I was drowning in an ocean with no way to get out. Heather died. My life as I know it was fucked up, and here Lucas was trying to tell me there was good and bad.

“You want to know some of the good? They handle the pieces of shit and scum that roam this earth,” Lucas said.

“Come again?” I asked.

“Humans are the worst creatures on this planet. We all know that. The shit we do to other beings, let alone each other, it is enough to make a person sick. The Society … helps to purge those that shouldn’t have taken breath.”

“You mean like murderers, rapists?”

“Pedophiles, dirty cops, that kind of thing. They provide the opportunity to bring them down. Then of course it is finding certain people across all walks of life and making them shine. No one knows why the girl from the wrong side of the tracks went to a prestigious school, but the next thing you know, she’s an up-and-coming actress, or a lawyer, or running for politics. The Society is everything and everywhere. It is good and bad, and it is in all of the obvious places, and where you never think to look.”

“I need some air.” Turning on my heel, I left the room. This was too much information. My brain was on overload. I made my way straight toward the door leading out into the gardens.

I took a huge gulp of breath as I got outside. There was a slight chill in the air, and I wrapped my arms around myself, trying to ward off all kinds of bad shit. I missed Drew so much. I missed my mom, or the few good memories I had of her where she wasn’t out of it.

My dad had taken her from me one time too many. He’d gotten away with so much, and I hated it. Hated him with a fiery passion.

Someone cleared their throat, and I spun around to find Dante had followed me.

“Don’t you have more information to get out of him?” I asked.

“There’s nothing more we can do. Coach Bilson has been removed from the school. He won’t harm anyone else.” Dante came to me, looking so sad. “How are you holding up?”

“I’m here, aren’t I?” I asked. “I’m still surviving.” I blew out a breath. I didn’t know how I was doing it.

To be honest, I felt like I was dangling on a very thin rope. Running my fingers through my hair, I felt the odd ends of my hair, and for some reason, I laughed.

“Can you believe everything that’s happening? My plan when I started school was to work my ass off so I could get into a good college. I was going to take the necessary classes to appease my mom and dad, but my focus was going to be on English. I love writing stories and since I’ve been around you guys, I haven’t put a single word down.” I shook my head at how messed up my life had gotten.

No writing. No Heather. No future.

Dante came toward me, but I shoved him away and took off down the steps, kicking off my heels as I ran through the grass.

Like everything in the guys’ homes, it was all neat. Nothing was out of place. They were the epitome of cleanliness, and at that moment, I needed to be anything but. I didn’t want clean-cut or sterile. I needed mess. I needed to feel like my world wasn’t falling apart all around me.

Was this how my mother felt?

Chasing after something that might never be? Hunting for answers?

My mom had been happy with her men. She’d gladly been initiated. She had been happy. My dad made her unhappy. Kept her locked up in a tight prison with no way to escape. Holding her hostage in her own mind. Giving her drugs to keep her subdued.

I came toward a large tree and leaned against it, panting for breath. Dante caught up with me and placed his hand on the tree above me.

Staring up at Dante, I couldn’t help but look at his lips. My heart raced and I suddenly felt on fire with a need that struck me hard.

I was doing everything everyone was telling me to do. My dad, Drew, their parents, teachers, The Society. I had to wait to be fucked until the right moment.