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The bus stops in a clearing at the center of the woods where we’re going hunting. It’s the first time we’ve been on an excursion like this, and I’m a little surprised that they think it’s a good idea. Getting together a bunch of mafia heirs and arming them seems like a recipe for disaster.
Unfortunately, Coach is the one leading this trip, and he won’t stop looking at me in a way that sends a shiver down my spine.
He stands, eyes lingering on me as he clears his throat.
“The rules are simple. I’m going to pair each of you off and you will walk the woods together.” His eyes narrow. “No one will split up under any circumstances. You will return here in three hours with whatever kills you make. And under no circumstances do you shoot your classmates.”
“No fun,” Nik says.
Coach glares at him, shaking his head. “If you’ve got a problem with the rules, Kushev, I’ll send you back to the academy on your own.”
Nik falls silent.
“Here are the pairs,” he says, and I hold my breath, knowing that we’ve got an odd number on the trip, and hoping he doesn’t pair me with him.
“Camilla and Rizzo, Eva and Nik.” He continues on and Nat groans when he pairs her with Elias, which is terrible luck.
“Great,” she murmurs.
I glance at her. “Maybe you should ask to swap? I don’t think you should be alone in the woods with him when he’s armed. The guy is crazy.”
Nat shakes her head. “I can handle myself.”
I know she can handle herself, but he’s stabbed her before. The boy has spent years trying to torment her. It just seems dangerous.
Coach continues calling names until there’s only three of us left. “Rosa and Jax.”
He smirks at me. “And that just leaves me and Adrianna.”
I frown at him. “Can’t I go with Rosa and Jax?”
He shakes his head. “It’s pairs only. Now, everyone get off of the bus and into your pairs. And grab a rifle on your way.”
As everyone gets off the bus, I want to go back to the academy. Three hours alone in the woods with this man will be pure torture. “I think you should swap me with Elias, as he might kill Nat in the woods.”
He shakes his head. “Nice try, Vasquez, but you are with me whether or not you like it.”
I grunt in frustration and shoulder my rifle. “Whatever. Let’s get this over with.” The rest of the students are already heading into the woods, so I march after them, knowing he’ll follow.
I can hear his boots crunching on the frosty ground behind me as I try to keep close to the other pairs, knowing that if he gets me alone, he’ll try something. And the shameful thing is I’m not sure I can resist his advances, not considering how good he makes me feel when he touches me.
I hate how much I enjoy it.
“Adrianna, wait,” he calls.
I come to a stop and glare at him over my shoulder. “What? Can’t you keep up?”
“Don’t be an idiot.” He nods to the ground. “We’re on the wrong trail. There are fresh tracks leading that way.”
I hate that he’s right, but the tracks are clear and definitely fresh. They are leading away from everyone else. “Great,” I murmur.
“What was that?” he asks.
“Okay, you lead the way.”
He nods and walks in front of me, following the tracks. My heart pounds erratically in my chest the moment we’re entirely alone. The drone of other students chatting is no longer audible, but to my surprise, Coach just follows the tracks without a single glance back at me.
He wouldn’t even know if I slipped off in the opposite direction. It’s like a light bulb goes off in my mind at that moment. Turning around, I head back the way we came.
