“What is this?” Chris looked like he was going to throw up at any moment.

“When I pledged this fraternity, I had my financial adviser investigate the finances of the house,” I replied, smiling. “It’s called due diligence. I wanted to know what I was getting into—and stupidly, I thought if the house had financial trouble, if I made it through and was initiated, I could help out.” I shook my head. “This house has been very poorly run from a financial standpoint for quite some time. I was shocked to discover that not only is the house years behind in dues payments to the National Chapter but also years behind in making payments on the mortgage held by the National Chapter. The National Chapter, apparently, has been in a quandary for years about what to do about this chapter—which on the surface is flourishing but doesn’t understand the concept of fiscal responsibility. They were more than happy to sell the back debt to me, as well as the mortgage. They were delighted that a brother from this chapter cared so much about this house he would actually take over the financial burden from them.” I exhaled. “What you are holding is the agreement between me and the National Chapter. I own the mortgage on this house. I own the back debt of this chapter. And I am well within my legal rights to demand repayment of the back debt, as well as the outstanding mortgage payments, or take possession of the house. And evict Beta Kappa once and for all.”

I picked up my backpack and slid it over my shoulder. “Decide what you want about the hearing.” I walked to the door. “I really don’t give a rat’s ass anymore. I joined this house because I wanted to be a part of it. I believed all the bullshit you drilled into my head as a pledge, about brotherhood and honor. I believed everything this house supposedly stood for. What an enormous disappointment to find out it was all just a bunch of bullshit. Fuck you all.”

“What are you going to do?” Chris asked hoarsely.

“When this nonsense first came up, I couldn’t believe how stupid all of you were, thinking I would come in here and cower, beg, and plead not to be thrown out. I thought I’d blackmail you, since I hold all the cards. I thought, well, I can force them to kick out my accusers, I could make them kick out Chad, and maybe we could purify this house and make it what it was intended to be from the beginning. And you people had the nerve to question my character?” I laughed. “But the more I thought about it, the less I cared. Do I want to be a part of a house where this kind of bullshit masquerades as brotherhood? Do I want to be a part of a brotherhood that simply pays lip service to the ideals it supposedly upholds? And the more I thought about it, the less I wanted to.” I opened the door and smiled. “So, you can all just stew for a while and wonder what I’m going to do. And by the way, fuck all of you.”

I slammed the door behind me.

I took a deep breath.

That felt good.

And now, there was just one last piece of business to attend to.

The house was silent as I climbed the staircase and walked down the upstairs hall to Chad’s room. His door was open, and I stood in the doorway. He was still sitting in the window, looking out. I cleared my throat, and he turned his head. He gave me a nasty smile. “So, is the hearing scheduled for tomorrow night? I can’t wait.”

I shook my head. “No, Chad, there’s not going to be a hearing. I’m sorry to disappoint you.” I smiled. “In fact, I would imagine the Executive Council is pretty much shitting themselves right now, terrified about what I’m going to do next. I’d say it’s pretty safe to say I put the fear of God into them—and I’m God.”

His smile faded.

“You’ve lost, Chad.” I stepped into his room. “Not only this battle, but you lost the entire war.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he replied. “And get out of my room.”

“Dante and I are back together, so you failed there, too,” I went on. “He loves me and wants me to move in with him. I know someone as twisted and soulless as you can’t comprehend love, but he does love me. And he hates you for what you tried to do to us. But I’m pretty positive that doesn’t really bother you much—you’re used to being hated, I’m sure.”

“Go to hell.”

“Good comeback,” I mocked. “Congratulations, though. I’m sure when you launched your little scheme to get me thrown out of the brotherhood, it never once occurred to you it might blow up in your face. I bet it never occurred to you—because you’ve undoubtedly pulled this kind of bullshit before—that wimpy little Jordy Valentine was not only a worthy opponent but more than willing to fight even dirtier than you were, was capable of going for the throat and being even nastier than you are.” I laughed. “It’s actually sad how pathetic your little games really are. I warned you yesterday that going up against someone with a lot of money at his disposal was a huge mistake. I gave you a chance to call this whole thing off, to get your little puppets to withdraw their stupid charges against me, but not you! Not the great Chad York! You would never back down and admit defeat. Not to nerdy Jordy.” I shook my head. “I not only beat you, Chad, but I can bring this whole house down.”

“What are you talking about?” He stared at me. “You’re not making sense.”

“I won’t bore you with the details of my enormous triumph.” I folded my arms. “You’ll hear all about it soon enough. But there are a few things you need to know.”

“You’re already boring me, so go away.” He waved his hand and looked back out the window.

“I always thought it was interesting how contemptuous you were of your family.” I ignored him. Time to go for the jugular. “I remembered how you said your dad acted like you thought you were better than everyone else because you wanted to go to college. So, I did some checking—or rather, I had some of my people do some checking. You see, I wondered how on earth you were paying for college without working, if your family was as working class as you claimed. How were you paying for everything? Imagine how shocked I was to find out your father, the one you trashed whenever you talked about him, had actually taken out a second mortgage on your home to send you to college. That your siblings, whom you hold in such contempt, were all contributing and helping out to send you to college, so you could get a degree and make something of yourself. Do you have any idea, do you even care, how hard they are struggling to pay those monthly mortgage payments so you can be here and talk shit about them?”

“That’s none of your damned business.” His face had drained of color, and his voice was shaking.

“Your mother works in a diner,” I went on. “On her feet all day, waiting tables, so you can be here. Your father takes extra shifts at the garage so he can put food on the table and try to stay ahead of the huge financial burden he’s taken on, so you can be here. And you don’t even appreciate it. Not. One. Bit.” I shrugged. “I don’t know why that surprises me. You are probably the most self-absorbed, arrogant piece of shit I’ve ever met in my entire life.”

“You don’t know a thing about me.”

“Maybe. Maybe not. Who’s to say?” I took another step forward. “But here’s what I do know. Tomorrow morning, my financial adviser is buying the garage where your father works—and the diner where your mother works. By tomorrow afternoon, they will be closed down and your parents will be unemployed.” I stroked my chin. “Now, I wonder how they’re going to be able to keep up with those mortgages? How are they going to be able to keep you in school?”

“You wouldn’t dare!”

“I wouldn’t?” I smiled at him.

“Why would you punish them?” he yelled. “They haven’t done anything to you!”

“Kind of like how my trainer did nothing to you? But you were willing to ruin his life.” I took another step closer to him. “And what did Dante ever do to you? Oh, yeah, he dumped your ass because he saw what a shallow, worthless piece of garbage was wrapped up inside such a pretty package.” I barked out another laugh. “Oh, yes, did I forget to mention that my financial adviser is also buying up the paper your parents’ bank holds on their home? We’re offering twice what they’re worth—no bank will be able to turn down such a profit.”