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Somewhere on this island, my prey awaits.
I started Ava on the beach about a mile away from me. My morning was spent watching her through the hidden camera I put in her backpack, just to make sure she was safe while she slept. But I closed the feed the moment she got up. I do want to play fair, after all.
She’s had about an hour’s head start. I put on my hat and boots, picturing Ava’s soft, naked body hiding from me somewhere inthis deserted stretch of tropical paradise. If I were in her position, where would I be hiding?
Exiting the beach house, I get onto the quad bike ATV that’s waiting for me outside. She may be naked and helpless, but there’s no reason I have to be.
The game is on.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Ava
I inhale as the rumbling of a motor fills the air. Immediately, I duck, every muscle tense. It sounds like it’s in the distance. But it’s the first sign I’ve had of Alessandro’s presence.
It makes more sense to stay where I am than to move. Keeping myself low, I scan the wilderness around me for somewhere to hide.
The motor gets louder, revving as it approaches. I’m surrounded by trees, but they aren’t thick enough to be sure I’m invisible. Scooping up some dirt from the ground, I mix it with water from my bottle and form a dark sludge that I proceed to smear all over my body.
Natural camouflage.
I press myself to the ground as the rumbling engine gets so loud that it’s almost deafening. Through the trees, I watch as Alessandro passes by on a quad bike. He’s wearing fitted gray cargo pants with combat boots and an open shirt, going slow, eyes searching from side to side.
Then he slows down, staring in my direction. Shit. Does he see me? He definitely sees me. He’s getting off his quad. Why else would he be getting off his quad? I stay still, my heart pounding. He’ll know where I am for sure if I try to run and make a bunch of sound.
Alessandro spins around as a loud rustling comes from behind him. I watch a flock of birds take flight, shaking the trees.
And that’s my moment. Covered by the sounds of the birds, I dash in the other direction, trying my best to be quiet but prioritizing speed. I don’t stop until I reach a small pond with brown, murky water. Catching my breath, I listen for the sound of Alessandro following. I don’t hear the quad bike.
But then my heart sinks. I do hear something.
Someone crashing through the woods in my direction.
Well, fuck.
I look around desperately, my stomach tingling.
***
Alessandro
IswearI saw Ava. And then I heard her. I crash through the trees as I give chase, various tools of restraint jangling in my pack. Where is she? Where the hell is she?
I’m so laser-focused that I almost tumble headfirst into a pond. Oops. Don’t need to fall into that murky-ass water. I’m about to keep jogging when I notice something:
That’s Ava’s backpack hanging from a tree.
“Got you,” I murmur, searching the area with my eyes. I don’t see her anywhere, and so I look upward. Is she hiding in a tree? She must be.
But she isn’t. I walk around the pond, baffled, scanning every branch, every trunk. Nothing. Finally, I return to my ATV. Foiled.
That was clever. I have to give her credit. Leaving the backpack got me to stop and investigate instead of continuing to chase. It bought her enough time to get away.
I won’t fall for it next time.
***
Ava
