He falls silent, trudging further into the forest. Once a few minutes have passed, I'm sure he isn't going to continue the story."You say until recently. What changed?" I ask."Everything," he murmurs, turning around so suddenly that I slam into his chest.I try to take a step back, but he reaches for me and holds me close."My uncle explained why my father killed her. She betrayed the family and was sleeping with a member of the Vasquez Cartel." A muscle at his temple contracts. "I blamed the deal with the Gurin Bratva, when it had been my mother's foolish mistakes that led to her own death and the reason we had to leave Reynosa." His jaw clenches. "She had sold the cartel out and Vasquez Cartel took over the territory within days. I'll never forgive my father for taking her life, as he was a coward for not telling Don Pablo to fuck off and get someone else to do it." Alexander shrugs. "But I can't lay the blame with the Gurin Bratva any longer."I nod in understanding, but I'm pret
I walk down the corridor, scanning it for any sign of Natalya. When she asked me why I hated her so much, it took me aback. What surprised me the most was that I answered her with the truth.No one else outside my family knows about the way my mother died, but she asked me and it was like a floodgate had opened. Now an unanswered question lies between us, one I've left for five days since our hunt in the woods.Does Natalya want me to stop?I want to know what she was going to say, but she seemed almost relieved to be saved from answering by the deer and fawn appearing.It's excruciating trying to keep my distance from her, unsure how to act around her now the truth is out. The fact is, I never really hated her, but I took my rage out on her; A mistake that I fear is going to come back to bite me in the ass.Because the fact is, I don't want to stop what has been happening between us since the start of this year.Eva was right. I like Natalya. It just took me too long to see through t
I move toward her and back her against the bookshelf, surprised when she doesn't break eye contact. "You made a deal with me. You are mine for the year." I cup her cheek in my hand, making her glare angrily at me."So despite learning the truth about your mom, you are still going to treat me no better than a dog?"I search those dark brown eyes, torn between doing what's right and doing what I want. All my life I've been a selfish person since I watched my mom die, vowing to take whatever I want with force, as being weak gets you nowhere in life."No, mi reina." I press my lips softly to hers and kiss her chastely. "I'm going to make amends." I drop to my knees in front of her, making her brow furrow. "Make me beg, nena."Her brow lifts slightly. "Alexander, what are—""Make me your dog. Force me to crawl by your side. I want to make it up to you." What the hell has this girl reduced me to?She shakes her head. "It's too late, Alexander. You know it, deep down."I grab hold of her han
"Where have you been?" Adrianna asks, brow furrowed as I sit down at our usual table in the cafeteria with my dinner, over an hour later than usual.Heat slams into me at the question as I try not to think about what just happened in the library. "I had work to do."Azira sighs. "Always working too damn hard."Adrianna nods. "Yeah, with you hardly around and Eva, it feels weird." And then she glares at Azira. "And Azira is practically in full-time detention."I take a sip of my coke and shrug. "Sorry, I just take my studies seriously," I say, despite the guilt tightening in my gut. I glance at Azira. "What did you do now?""What didn't she do?" Adrianna asks, shaking her head. I kind of zone out as Adrianna reels off a list of all the crazy shit Azira has done that landed her in detention in the last week alone.My mind can't stop returning to what happened in the library. It made no sense, but it felt so damn good. Alexander was on his knees for me, begging for forgiveness. I never t
Eva looks a little irritated as she sits on the edge of my bed, tapping her foot on the floor. "What's so urgent that couldn't wait?"I raise a brow. "I apologize for interrupting your newlywed bliss, but I have something to come clean about to all of you."Azira gives me an encouraging smile."Since winter formal, I've been sleeping with Alexander."Adrianna gasps, eyes wide.Eva, on the other hand, just looks at me like I told her it's going to rain tomorrow. "About time," she says.Both Azira and Adrianna gawp at her."What do you mean, about time?" Azira asks, looking shocked at Eva's flippant response.She shakes her head. "No one could see it, but that boy is fucking head over heels for Nat.""He's always treated her like trash," Adrianna says.Eva shrugs. "Haven't you heard boys are always assholes to the girls they like?""Is that how Byrne roped you in?""It's different," Eva says flippantly. "They've known each other since they were teenagers.""How did it happen?" Adrianna
"Hey, Alexander, hold up," Rizzo shouts from across the courtyard.I've been in the library for a couple of hours since Nat left, contemplating what the fuck is going on with me. The time alone was welcome and necessary.What is it with Rizzo and always appearing when I don't want to see anyone?"What do you want, Rizzo?"He catches up to me and shrugs. "Just seen you leave the library. Visiting Gurin?" he asks, eyebrow raising."What the fuck is that supposed to mean?"He smirks. "Nothing much. Did you enjoy hunting the other day?"My stomach churns slightly as the way he's talking makes me think he might actually know I'm fucking her."Cut the shit and be straight with me."He chuckles. "You were giving it to her good. Me and Azira stumbled on the two of you fucking like animals." He holds up a hand for me to high-five.I grind my teeth and ignore him. The fact he saw any part of Natalya even remotely undressed makes me uneasy."You shouldn't spy on people you creep."He laughs then
"Alexander!" Natalya's voice echoes through the corridor as she runs toward me, shaking her head. "What are you doing?" Her hand lands on my arm and she squeezes, forcing me to look her in the eye.And the moment I do, it brings me back to reality. I release his throat.Finn falls to the floor on his knees, gasping for air. "What the fuck, Morales?"I snatch the file out of his hand while he's down, but I realize now I'm backed into a corner with nowhere to go."What the hell is going on here?" Nat asks, glancing between the two of us.Once Finn recovers, he manages to stand and then glares at me. "I was just telling Alexander that I know all about your secret, Natalya."Natalya's eyes widen and then move to me, searching my face. "How?" she asks.I don't know if she's asking me or Finn, but Finn is the one to answer. "Broke into his bedroom and found that file." He nods at it. "It's very valuable information. If my uncle knew the truth, he'd use it against you."Natalya meets Finn's
My phone rings and I glance at the screen, seeing it is my brother.Mikhail rarely rings me while I'm at the academy, so I pick it up. My heart pounding hard against my rib cage as I wonder if Finn Murphy has already let the cat out of the bag. I don't trust that Irish scum as far as I can throw him.If our grandfather were to learn the truth, we'd be in immediate danger."Hey," I say, unable to keep the anxiety out of my tone."Hey Natalya, I'm ringing to tell you to get your butt to Boston.""Why?" I ask.There's a pause on the other end of the line. "This might be a bit of a shock, but I'm getting married to Sienna tomorrow afternoon."I squeal down the phone, perhaps a little too loud. Thank God he's calling with good news. It's as if Mikhail knew I needed some right about now."Ouch," Mikhail says.I chuckle. "Sorry, that's just such exciting news! Have you cleared it with Principal Byrne?" I ask."Of course. Popov is outside with the car."My stomach churns a little as it has co
Archer holds my hand as we pad barefoot through the sand, the sun just setting beyond the horizon and casting a warm, orange glow over the beach.Natalya's wedding was beautiful. And even though I still can't believe she's married the man that tormented her for years, I'm happy that she is happy."It's beautiful, isn't it?" I ask, stopping to watch as the sun dips slowly lower.Archer smiles at me. "Shall we sit down and watch?"I nod in response. "Sounds good." I sit down in the sand and he sits behind me, placing his legs on either side of my thighs and his arms around my waist. "This is nice," he murmurs into my ear.I lean back into him. "It is.""Did you enjoy the wedding?" He asks."It was beautiful, even though I still can't quite believe that Nat ended up with Elias after he was such a bully."Archer moves my hair to the side and skims his lips over the back of my neck. "Is it any different to you being with me after I blackmailed you?"I stiffen at the reminder. "Not sure it'
Motherfucker.I search the closet for something to pick the bedroom lock with. If Archer is facing my father and his goons, then I need to be by his side.Another shot echoes through the air, making me tense. I work even harder to focus on the lock, knowing I need to get out of this room. Finally, the lock clicks and I'm thankful I took the class on safe breaking two years ago when it was being taught.Quickly, I run out of the room and down the corridor, hardly thinking about what I'm doing.My heart skips a beat when I see my father and Archer standing outside of the window, each pointing a gun at one another. "No." I rush out of the cabin without a second thought. "Stop!""Adrianna," my father growls, pointing the gun at me. "What the fuck are you doing?"I freeze at the other end of his gun, knowing that he would without a doubt shoot me dead. "I'm not coming home to Mexico," I say.He growls. "Like hell you aren't.""I don't want to be married off to some mobster.""No, you want
I pull my jeep off the main road in the middle of nowhere, driving down an unmarked track. It may be secluded, but I know the path to this place like the back of my hand. After all, I spent just under two years living up here in my cabin.I notice Adrianna shudder."Are you cold?" I ask.She shakes her head. "No, this place just gives me the creeps.""The creeps?" I never thought of it as creepy."Yeah, like maybe you are actually a serial killer and this was your elaborate plan all along."I laugh, shaking my head. "You have a wild imagination." The woods open up to a clearing where my cabin is, and it's not just any old cabin. It's modern and sophisticated."Wow, do you own this place?" Adrianna asks.I nod. "I bought it when I needed to remain low while my family was looking for me." It was a difficult time in my life. One fraught with loneliness and a little too much alcohol, but this place saved me. "It's actually how I met Oak. He owns a cabin near to here and we met while we we
I approach Adrianna, who is standing with all her friends. My nerves are fried, mainly because I'm practically kidnapping the princess of the Vasquez Cartel. Thankfully, I saw Damien Vasquez leave ten minutes ago in his armored SUV. I'm pretty sure he hardly even said a word to Adrianna after the ceremony.I clear my throat. "Adrianna, can I have a word?""Stil not giving up?" Natalya teases.It's clear no one knows about us among her friends, except for Azira, and that was my fault.She meets my gaze and nods. I can tell from the look on her face that she's just as nervous as me. "Sure."I nod toward the exit of the hall and she follows me out of it."What's up?" she asks, as I lead her into an empty classroom and shut the door."I just wanted to double check you are all set for the plan?"She nods. "Of course. I'm packed, only essentials and no tech.""Good. And your father has gone. I watched him leave."She purses her lips. "I don't even know why he bothered to come. He didn't say
My father is standing at my door half an hour before the ceremony."Hey, Adrianna." He looks at my outfit. "You look well."I swallow hard. "Thanks for coming." I glance down the corridor. "Where is mom?"He shakes his head. "Your mother couldn't make it."It hurts a bit, I must admit. Out of the two of them, I'd expect my mom to be here over my father. She may not have ever been emotionally supportive, but she's always been a little less cold than him."Oh, is she busy?""No, but I don't enjoy traveling with your mother. You know that."I clench my jaw. "I know that." He doesn't like to travel with her because he likes to pay hookers whenever he stays away from home. The man disgusts me, but my mother isn't much better. Their marriage is a sham, and it has been all my life. Exactly what I want to avoid by escaping, as that was my future. My mom was married by arrangement to my father, hence the toxic relationship between them."Shall we get going then?" I say.He nods. "Lead the way.
Adrenaline has been racing through my veins since I woke this morning.It's sickening, but today is the day. Graduation is this afternoon and then all my friends and I will go out to celebrate. My father agreed to my plan and told me he'd booked into a hotel twenty miles away in the nearest city, as he's above the little inn in town and the motel near here. It actually makes the plan easier, as he won't be nearby when I make a run for it.However, after the celebrations are through, Archer and I will disappear. Our friends will know that we've left for good, but not where we are going. No one knows that, not even I do. I've let Archer figure the entire thing out and where I'm going to go.It's been hard trusting him in this way, as I've always relied on myself alone. He can't disappear with me, though. He has a life here at the academy, and so he's going to set me up with my new life and then leave. That's the part I've been trying to avoid thinking about entirely.I'm not sure how I'
I walk up to the door of Archer's apartment, my heart thumping at a hundred miles an hour.Am I crazy for being here?Perhaps. I knock on the door and wait a few moments and then I hear the thud of footsteps descending the stairs. Archer opens it and smiles at me with a smile that could stop most women's hearts. "You are here."I smile back at him. "I didn't get murdered.""I'm glad," he says, stepping aside to allow me in.I pause for a moment, knowing that now I'm coming to him of my free will rather than because he's blackmailing me. I'm not sure how to feel about that. It changes everything.His brow furrows. "Are you going to stay there or come in?"I purse my lips. "Still trying to decide."He laughs and grabs my hand, yanking me into the apartment and against him. "Don't be an idiot.""I'm normally the one saying that to you."He leads me up into his apartment, where he has a table set with candles alight. "I was prepared since I hadn't heard of any murders on campus." There is
My plan to get my revenge on Archer is backfiring.Why the hell do I feel so excited whenever I see him?And when he touched me earlier by the stream, he was trying to comfort me, but his touch ignited butterflies fluttering in my stomach and made my head spin. He keeps talking about feelings and how he wants us to continue after I graduate, which is insane.I can't work out if he's only saying it because I've never admitted I want him. All the while, I've made sure I keep detached and cold, even when he talks about his feelings.As I walk into the academy, I'm ambushed by my father. "Where have you been?"I cross my arms over my chest. "I went for a walk. Is that a crime?"He sighs heavily. "I'm here to take you back home."My brow furrows. "But what about the academy?" I ask, wondering why he didn't come to get me during spring break, especially as he said he had a meeting set out for me the week before.He yanks my wrist and drags me into an empty classroom, slamming the door behin
I sense Adrianna isn't used to relying on anyone for anything."Seriously, Adrianna. Let me help." I need to help her as I need to know her plan. She's so pigheaded. It wouldn't surprise me if she disappeared forever and I couldn't find her. It's the only way to ensure I keep tabs on her."Fine, you can help."I smile, relief coursing through my veins. "Good, as I have quite a few ideas.""Such as?"I pat my lap for her to come and sit on it.Her eyes narrow, but she sits anyway."Your father is coming to graduation, and that's a complication, but not the be all and end all. I mean, you dictated to your father before, so do it again.""What do you mean?""Tell him that you are going to celebrate with your friends. They're all going to be celebrating, right?"She nods. "Yeah.""Then tell him to book a motel and you'll leave with him the next morning."A crease forms in between her brows. "I'm uncertain it will work, but I can ring him beforehand. It's an option, I guess.""Well, tell m