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I smile and nod. “Of course, I should expect you need help with your bags.” Out of the three girls, she has the most luggage for a two-week break. “I’ve never seen someone pack so much for two weeks.”
She shrugs. “I don’t know what events I’ll be attending while I’m home, so I had to pack for all possibilities.”
I laugh, shouldering a backpack and grabbing the handle of one of her heavy suitcases, leaving her to grab the other two. “Lead the way.”
I follow Natalya out to her car as the last few students get into cars. The driver swiftly takes the bags from us and places them in the trunk.
Natalya turns to me. “I mean it. If you get bored, you call me and come down to Boston.”
I nod. “I promise,” I say, despite knowing it’s never going to happen.
“Good, now one more hug.” She wraps her arms around me and squeezes the life out of me before turning and slipping into the back of the black town car. I stand and wave her off, feeling a prickle of excitement race down my spine at the thought of heading over to Oak’s cottage later.
We both agree it’s safer to wait until night to ensure all the students are gone. I turn to go back into the building to find Dimitry standing in my way. His nose still looks a mess after Oak practically broke it.
“Dimitry, what are you—”
“I hear you’re staying here for the break. Is that true?” He asks, raising a brow.
I nod in response. “Yeah, my parents don’t want me home.”
He moves close to me, smirking. “Why don’t you come home with me?”
I shudder at the thought, remembering the way he touched me without my permission at the party in the ruins. “Over my dead body.”
His eyes flash, but he smirks at me. “You can deny it all you want, but I’ve seen the way you look at me.” His voice lowers, and he steps close. “I know deep down you’re a dirty little whore.”
I straighten and slap him across the face, which stuns him.
A car pulls up behind us, and the driver gets out. “Are these your bags, Dimitry?”
Dimitry looks irritated at the interruption, his fists clenched by his side as if we were going to hit me.
I step away from him. “Have a great break, asshole,” I say, walking back into school.
He mutters something in response, but I don’t care what. It’s winter break, and I’m going to spend two blissful weeks with Oak, and not even Dimitry Jakov can bring me down.
29
OAK
Eva sits in my living room, her legs curled under her as she reads a book. It’s Christmas Eve, and I’m surprised to say that her parents haven’t once inquired where she is. She’s received no text or phone call from them.
My instincts were right from the start. Eva is as much a victim of her parents’ cruelty as I was, which is why I can only hope she will understand when I tell her the truth, but that can wait until after Christmas.
I swallow hard, realizing that I’ve never felt so at ease with another person before. With Eva, every interaction is so natural, so effortless.
She notices me and places a bookmark in the book she was reading, setting it down on the coffee table and looking at me. “Any news?”
I swallow hard, knowing that the mystery of the blackmailer is eating away at her. Unfortunately, whoever sent the message isn’t an idiot. They used a burner phone, and Ainsley’s contact is still trying to track down the owner. He assures me it’s possible but that it’ll take a couple of weeks. “Not yet. It’s Christmas, and I don’t expect to hear from him until the New Year.”
Eva sighs. “How about from the person blackmailing you?”
I shake my head. “No, I made an initial payment. I’m sure they will remain quiet until the start of next semester.”
Eva relaxes slightly but shakes her head. “This is all my fault. If I’d listened to you and refused Dimitry, maybe–”
“This isn’t your fault.” I sit down next to her on the sofa, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. “It’s the asshole who took pictures of us who is at fault.”
