"You wouldn't," Neil said. "Not in front of all these people."

"I do not care if they see," Riko said. "A dog who bites his master's hand deserves to be slaughtered. The location and audience are inconsequential."

"I am not a dog. I'm a Fox."

"You are nothing but what I tell you to be."

"We talked about your delusions."

"I warned you to learn your place."

"Let go of me, King."

"I am King," Riko agreed, "and you are going to spend Christmas at my castle. You're coming to Evermore for winter break. Don't," Riko said when Neil opened his mouth to argue, "push me again. I am the only thing keeping you alive."

"No, you're not," Neil said.

Riko stared at him for an endless minute, then smiled. Neil's stomach dropped at the sight of it; he knew what was coming before Riko opened his mouth but he refused to believe it. "You must be referring to that goalkeeper. You know which one I mean, I'm sure? The miniature one with the disgusting attitude who thinks he can take my things. That reminds me, I haven't seen him lately."

Riko looked over his shoulder as if expecting Andrew to materialize from thin air. He let go of Neil but Neil couldn't breathe, much less move to put space between them. Two teammates, Riko had said. Neil's insolence had cost him two teammates, but Seth was only one.

Riko turned back on Neil and wagged a finger as if just remembering. "Ah, but that's right. I heard they carted him away. Something about his brother fucking him brainless, yes? How scandalous. How traumatizing."

"Don't," Neil said.

Riko ignored him. "Drake was an interesting man, wasn't he? I should thank the police for leading me straight to him. I might not have discovered him otherwise. Did you know, Nathaniel? Oakland lawyers are some of the cheapest to buy off. It only took three phone calls to arrange the whole thing."

"You set Andrew up."

"That isn't even the best part." Riko smiled when Neil shook his head and continued. "Did you know I've bought one of the doctors at Easthaven, too? Unless you want these little therapy sessions of his to turn into therapeutic reenactments, you will be on a plane to West Virginia tomorrow morning. Jean will give your ticket to Kevin. Do you understand me?"