We have a lot to talk about and plan, but it can wait until tomorrow. Beck kisses my head again. “Night, baby.”
CHAPTERTWENTY-FIVE
Beck
I’m still really fucking pissed about this entire situation, but I’m trying to channel all of my energy into fixing it so that I don’t jump the gun and storm into Viktor’s office to confront him.
I don’t see that going well, and we need proof if we’re going to stop him from continuing to hurt people.
Cody and I both agree that keeping up with our routine is going to be the most important thing. If Cody suddenly stopped showing up to his fitness classes or skipped dinners at the Old Mill, it would draw attention to him, and that’s the last thing we want when he’s going to be gathering potentially damning information on Viktor and Kyla.
We still make our way to the fitness center for Nick’s eight a.m. spin class and decide to wait until we’re back at Cody’s to kick off our plan. Waiting gives us plenty of time to explain things to Jordan and my brothers before we need to be at dinner tonight.
“I wish I could tell Nick what we suspect,” Cody says when we get into his car after the class.
“I know,” I sigh sympathetically. “But I think the fewer people we involve in this, the better. We don’t know what Viktor’s capable of, and we don’t want word getting back to him somehow.”
“I just hope it doesn’t take us too long. The faster we can expose him and stop him from manipulating everyone, the better,” Cody says, sounding determined.
When we’re back at Cody’s house, we set up my laptop at his kitchen table and call Jordan.
“Hey, man, how’s Montana? We miss you in Chicago.” His deep voice calms me as he greets us on the video call. I didn’t realize how much I miss him.
“Not great, actually,” I answer honestly. “Cody and I need to talk to you about some weird things happening here to see if you might be able to do some digging into it from the outside to find out more.”
“Shit man, what’s going on? You know I’ll help however I can,” he answers, looking worried.
I knew he’d want to help, not just because of his career, but because my friends are amazing, and I know they’d do anything for me. Still, actually hearing his offer eases some of my stress.
We launch into the whole story, starting with all the red flags I ignored while I was too focused on Cody. I tell Jordan about the outrageous cost of the classes, and the way they practically worship Viktor and praise the city. I describe the overly familiar touches I first noticed at the Florida retreat, and how eager Viktor has been to have me join because of my family’s name and potential influence.
Cody cuts in, adding details I hadn’t known. “As a coach, they push the idea of cutting out ‘toxic’ friends and family,” he says, using air quotes. “But ever since I visited you guys in Chicago and saw firsthand how amazing Beck’s family is, I’ve realized how few people here talk about their relatives.
“I started asking around. It seems like I have one of the best relationships with my family of any of the people here. My parents never cared enough to ask for details about Kyla or how much money I was spending on it. They were just happy I seemed so happy and had a job,” he explains. “But I’ve found out most people in Linna have stopped talking to their loved ones who ‘don’t support their success’.” He uses air quotes again on that last part, and it’s strange to see how he’s already distancing himself from the teachings that have been his life for years.
I love how confident he is in himself. Just like he was able to quickly embrace his attraction to a man, it seems he’s already accepted Viktor’s teachings as manipulation and is making a conscious effort to separate himself from it. I hope that he knows how much I admire him, how fucking strong he is. I squeeze his thigh under the table next to me, and try to focus on what he’s saying.
“When I asked Viktor about it, he brushed off the topic and told me that those people are lucky to have found the Kyla family to replace their unsupportive ones,” Cody says.
“That’s horrible,” Jordan responds, and I nod, a bit shocked. I can’t imagine not talking to my family. I know that mine is better than most, but from what Cody’s describing, it’s obvious that Viktor encourages them to cut out anyone who questions Kyla. That means people have probably stopped talking to their loved ones simply because they were worried about them.We seriously need to stop this asshole.
I take a few deep breaths to center myself before describing the things I’ve noticed since coming here—the strict diets and exercise programs enforced with fines, the loyalty to Viktor to report other members who don’t follow the rules. The communal dinners and long work hours. How everything is packaged in this pretty facade; Linna as a utopian city, with Kyla being the epitome of a perfect place to work.
Cody’s cheeks turn pink, and he sounds embarrassed when he explains the necklaces and collateral, but Jordan, being the amazing friend that he is, responds with support.
“Cody, I hope you know none of this is your fault. It sounds like this Viktor guy is a master at gaslighting everyone into thinking his ways are normal,” he says fiercely, like he really wants Cody to believe him.
“Thanks,” Cody murmurs, sitting up a little straighter. “It’s been difficult to accept that everything I thought I knew is basically a lie. But, like I said, I already had doubts about what was happening here since meeting Beck. I bet I’m not the only one. But they build up Linna as this amazing place where everyone is always happy, and even being here, it does come across that way. Now I’m wondering if people are just afraid to break that mold. I was starting to think there was something wrong with me for noticing these things when everyone else didn’t seem bothered by it,” he admits.
I squeeze his thigh again, wanting him to know I’m here, that he isn’t alone in any of this. He places his hand on mine, aiming a small smile my way before turning back to Jordan on the screen.
“It definitely sounds like a herd mentality situation,” Jordan agrees. “I absolutely want to help. I’ll start to do some research on Viktor and Kyla and maybe see if I can find anyone who’s left the company. Cody, can you think of anyone who’s moved away from Linna?”
He thinks about it before answering. “Yeah, it’s very uncommon for people to leave here permanently, so I remember their names. It’s usually sudden, though. Viktor always has a story, like a family member died and they needed to help take care of things, or that they got a dream job opportunity they’ve always wanted and had to leave quickly, stuff like that. He always made it seem like a positive thing that they had to leave, never that they didn’t want to be here anymore,” he explains.
Cody texts the list of names to Jordan from my phone instead of his own. We’re afraid to use his devices just in case Viktor somehow has access to them. We’re pretty sure his house is safe, Viktor’s never doubted Cody’s loyalty, and there’s no security system he could have access to.
“I’ll start digging right away,” Jordan promises. “If it’s alright with you both, I’d like to see if I can get my boss’s approval to investigate the story officially so I can use the company resources too,” he adds, and we both give him our consent.
