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“That’s young to be in charge.”
“He was twenty-one when our father died.”
“And he’s been in charge ever since?” I ask.
Natalya nods, a sad look in her eyes. “It forced him to grow up fast. Few twenty-one years olds have that much responsibility thrust onto them.” She sighs. “I’ve always felt bad for Mikhail. His life isn’t his own.”
“Won’t he have an heir, anyway?” I ask. “Someone who can take over?”
“I always said that to him, but he’s adamant marriage and children aren’t what he wants.” She smiles, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. “Although I hope he finds a girl to make him happy. He deserves some happiness in his life.”
It’s hard for me to think that men like her brother or my parents deserve anything but suffering. They hurt, kill and maim daily, so how can someone like that deserve anything? They’re criminals.
Instead of voicing my disgust, I nod in response. Natalya may be a good friend, but I know we’ll never see the world the same way. I’m thankful that she can understand why I want to leave, and she’s willing to help me. It’s more than I’ve ever had before.
15
OAK
What the hell have I done?
Five years of planning could all go to shit. I kissed Eva Carmichael. A terrible act that I can’t stop replaying over and over. It has consumed every waking thought for the past three days.
Thankfully, it happened on a Friday, so I had the weekend to sulk in my cottage over it, but now it’s Monday.
Somehow, I’ve avoided running into her since I don’t have classes with her on a Monday, but tomorrow I will have to face her in leadership strategy class and law.
The despair was written all over her face when I threw her out of my office and canceled the rest of our one-on-one lessons. Her little speech shocked me to the core and for a horrible reason.
It made me realize why I’m so drawn to her. She reminds me of myself at her age, desperate to escape by any means necessary—desperate to be better than the people who raised her.The innocent daughter of my enemies reminds me of myself.
How can I destroy someone so innocent, so utterly against all that her parents stand for?
I’ve been running through all the ways I could destroy the Carmichaels, hellbent on destruction as the primary aim, but I never considered a different angle. Help Eva be free of her parents and rub it in their faces before murdering them, of course. The question is, would Eva stand by me if she knew what I wanted to do to her family?
She may declare to hate what they’ve done to her, but how deep does that hate run?
I push a hand through my messy hair, shaking my head. It takes a certain person to stand by the murder of the people who brought you into this world, and I’m uncertain Eva is that kind of person. She’s good and pure.
Archer gives me a nod as he enters the staff room. “Alright, Oak?” He calls.
I’m so distracted that I mumble my response, which catches his attention.
“What’s up?” Archer asks, slipping into the chair opposite me.
I meet his gaze and shrug. “Nothing.” I rub a hand across the back of my neck. “Just trouble with a pupil.”
He nods slowly, watching me intently. “Is it the Carmichael girl?”
I clench my fist at the mention of her. Archer is one of only two people who knows why I bought this school and my plan to get revenge on Eva’s family. Gavril is the other. “Yes.”
“Are you still intending to send her to me to…” He trails off rather than saying it.
“No,” I practically growl.
He raises a brow, a small smirk on his face. “Why not?”
I glare at my friend, gritting my teeth. “Because I’m not, okay?” I snap.
