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Nurse Jasper has given her two crutches to aid walking as her stab wound heals. She believes Eva may have sustained some nerve damage, but only time will tell.
Eva sits at the front of the classroom next to Dimitri Jakov, staring at her like a hungry wolf ready to pounce. My stomach tightens as I clench my fists by my side.
Thankfully, Eva appears unaware of his attention as she doodles on a small notepad in front of her.
I uncurl my fists and reach for the door handle, turning it and entering the classroom. I fix my gaze on Eva, who doesn’t look up as I walk in.
The giggles erupt from the back of the classroom as they chatter together. All the girl’s eyes land on me with schoolgirl lust, except for one.
Irritation coils through my gut at how little attention she pays me.
I place my briefcase next to my desk, unbuttoning my jacket and slinging it over my chair.
When I glance up again, she still hasn’t looked at me.
The other girls in the class regard me as I unbutton my cuffs and roll my sleeves up to my arms, hating the chatter that explodes from the back of the room.
Eva’s eyes remain on her notepad as if she’s in a trance.
I clear my throat. “Get your books out and turn to page fifty-six,” I order.
Eva remains still, doodling away in her notebook. She’s in her own little world, as she doesn’t react.
I walk toward the desk, clenching my fists by my side. Even once I’m a foot from it, she still doesn’t notice me. “Eva, did you hear me?”
The moment I say her name, she breaks out of her daze, eyes shooting up to meet mine. “No, I’m sorry, sir.” I can see she’s been drawing a detailed image of a bird, labeling its anatomy as she goes.
My jaw clenches at the use of that word that seems to have the power to unravel me.
Jeanie Doyle and Anita Henderson, two girls who attacked Eva on her first evening, snicker behind her. Jeanie moves toward Anita, whispering something which makes Anita laugh. It only serves to elevate the simmering rage pulsing through my veins.
I glare at the pair. “Do you have something to say, Jeanie?” I ask, fixing my attention on her. “Or do I need to send you back to Professor Nitkin?”
Jeanine pales, shuffling in her seat under my gaze. “No, I’m sorry, Principal Byrne.”
“Good,” I say. And then I move my gaze back to Eva, who glances at me with an odd expression, her book now out on the desk. “Page fifty-six, and don’t make me repeat myself again.”
Eva’s throat bobs as she swallows as she quickly navigates to the correct page. “Yes, sir. I apologize.”
Desire rages through me like a wildfire burning through the forest unrelentingly, making it hard to turn away from her.
I grit my teeth together and walk back to my desk, subtly adjusting myself in my pants. In the five years since I bought this exclusive school, I’ve never desired one of my students. The last student I expected to desire was the daughter of my enemy. The student whose family I intend to ruin.
I grab my marker pen and write the names of three historical leaders on the board.
Attila the hun
Ghengis Khan
Queen Mary I
“We immortalize these three leaders in history because they all have one similarity.” I turn to face the students. “Can anyone tell me what that is?”
Natalya is the one who answers. “They were ruthless about what they wanted.” Natalya Gurin is one of the brightest students at this school. She’ll make a great leader, but I fear it’ll be in vain.
The Bratva is a highly misogynistic organization based on archaic traditions that I don’t believe will allow a woman to run it, even if she is Mikhail Gurin’s only heir.
I nod. “Exactly right. History was not kind to these leaders, but for us, they are perfect role models.”
