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I followed, quiet, careful, my mind drifting as I fell into step behind him until he pushed through the door and into the foyer. “Your class is just down there, ma’am.”
I gave a nod and strode away, making my way along the hallway toward the sound of voices, until I lifted my head and caught sight of Lazarus Rossi halfway down, leaning against the wall. He glanced my way and that searing gaze burned right through me.
I stopped in the middle of the hallway, my heart hammering in my chest. Heat rushed to my cheeks as he slowly pushed off the wall and turned toward me. “Figured you’d turn up eventually.”
Panic filled me as he took a slow step toward me, those arctic blue eyes blazing. He licked his lips and searched my gaze. I tore my eyes to the classroom further down the hall, to the class I was supposed to attend.
“I’m guessing you thought I’d run after last night,” he whispered.
I flinched at the words and jerked my gaze to his.
“Guess you figured any man would run a fucking mile after hearing the words that came out of that piece of shit’s mouth.” He stopped in front of me, blocking my way as he leaned close. “But there’s one thing you need to understand about me, Kat.I don’t run.”
Then in an instant, he stepped around me and walked away.
I didn’t move. My heart throbbed in the back of my throat as the thud of his footsteps faded. Harsh breaths consumed me. I dropped my head, feeling a wave of giddiness sweep over me.He didn’t run…what the hellwas that supposed to mean?
I had an idea.
But I didn’t like that idea.
Not one little bit.
But the more I thought of it, the more I remembered how the hunger in his eyes burned as possessive as anything else I’d ever felt, and that made me let out a long, hard exhale and whisper, “Oh fuck.”
I swiveled, looking behind me to the faint sound of Lazarus’s steps until there was nothing but silence. Lazarus Rossi was invested in me. A tiny surge of hope tore through me like lightning. A Rossi…I bit my lip and dared to hope just the tiniest bit. A Rossi might smuggle me out of the country. A Rossi might even know where I could hide.
If Lazarus liked me even just a little, I could use that to my advantage…as long as I didn’t fuck it up.
So, just don’t fuck it up.
I turned back to the sound of the class and tried to figure out how to not do that as I stepped forward. The drone of murmurs rose as I neared the door. Through the glass panel, I caught them all rising from their seats. Looked like class was over…I was winning at all levels today. I stepped aside as the door opened, and pasted a smile on my face. Carefree Kat was back.
“Hey, Kat!” one of them called.
But there were somber looks on the rest of them, brows furrowed in concern. Baldeon’s death was weighing heavily on everyone, and Anna was no exception. She lifted her head, eyes widening when she saw me, and there was a smile of relief.
“You ready to skip the next one?” I murmured, and slipped my hand into hers. “I want to see Xael.”
There was a flicker of nervousness in her eyes. She glanced toward the others. “You think it’s a good idea to be away from the others?”
Be away from the others? Hell yeah, if it was Damon. “As long as we have security, we’ll be fine. I wanted to see Xael, but I can do that later.”
“Yeah, of course.” Anna’s brows rose as I tugged her forward, falling in behind the surge of the crowd as they gossiped and chatted. A few even glanced behind to find me. No matter where I was or who I was with, someone always wanted to pick my life apart.
I was the unknown, the secretive VanHalen who, even though I went out to parties, didn’t do drugs or hook up with as many guys as I could. I was the one who went to the gala events and came home alone. Little did they know I was battling my own war within. The wall of my fortress was my battlefield. The nights my father played poker with his friends were my own personal war. They thought my life was perfect. Little did they know what it was truly like.
“I can’t get that story out of my head,” Anna murmured, drawing me away from the stares and the scrutiny. “The one about the creation of, you know…” She glanced around, then leaned close,“The Commission.”
Anna had been rocked by what Xael said. The truth was, so was I.
Five controlling families tied to each other by lies, mistrust, and intimidation made a whole lot of sense. The only thing that was shocking…was that it had been created by the Salvatores.
I dragged her with me and slipped away from the crush of the crowd, heading toward the apartment buildings. I’d go anywhere on this damn island, as long as I didn’t run into Damon Zakharov.
We left the towering building behind and headed for Xael and Evan’s apartment, detouring around building one. There was a small army of guards standing outside. I saw the one they called The Albanian on the phone to someone. His brow was furrowed, fingers pushing back the hair from his forehead. He looked worried…real fucking worried.In an instant he lifted his head, and those dark eyes found me.
The Commander was a ruthless bastard. He was also the one the Commission held accountable for everything that went on from the moment we stepped onto the boats and left the same way after. Looked like he was in a world of hurt right now.
