by G. Bailey
I’m not stupid enough to think there is any point to my thoughts regarding them, other than desire. Each one of those boys is bad for me and I would be bad for them if they only knew what I really was.
Together we could destroy the entire world without meaning to.
I don’t get a chance to ask Charlie what it says before she‘s telling me.
“In one week, we all are going to the South of France for the next month!” She squeals in excitement and claps her hands, causing a few people to look our way curiously.
Where are the other two members of Charlie’s Angels today?
I miss Anne, but last week she caught a cold and that meant her ass is in hospital for another week and no one is allowed to visit.
A week is a long time when there isn’t much time left with her.
“Everyone?” I ponder, wondering if my parents would have signed off on that.
“They take us somewhere every year while refurbishments are done to the academy,” she explains.
“Cool,” I mutter, feeling more eyes on me.
I turn around, knowing what I’ll see long before I actually see them. Josh, Ethan, Lucas, and Nathan are all sitting together and each one of them is looking my way while they talk between themselves. I say goodbye to Charlie before leaving the cafeteria, barely looking at Rory as I come outside. I get to my room but before I can go inside there is a note on the door.
“We best go,” Rory suggests, even when I just want to ignore it. “Probably a flu shot because of Anne.”
I know it would be hard for Anne to come back to the academy with all the bugs going around anyway, and the flu could quite literally end her life. I rip the note off the door, stuff it in my blazer pocket and walk out of the corridor. It’s a short walk to the nurse’s office and Rory waits outside the corridor as I step in. Three of the doors I try are locked and only the open one is right at the back of the room. I knock once before grabbing the handle and stepping inside.
“Regan Hall, here. You left me a note?” I search the empty room. Other than counters full of random things on the one wall and a bed in the centre with a white blanket covering the thin mattress, there isn’t much else here.
“I always leave you notes,” Ethan softly murmurs from behind me.
Hidden well behind the door, he steps forward and the door slams shut.
“Creepy much?” I cross my arms and don’t take a step back when he comes closer. I’m not backing down. “Haven’t you got the message I don’t want to talk to you?”
He laughs and I hate so fucking bad that it’s sexy. I hate how his blazer is missing, and his crisp white shirt sticks to his fit body. I hate the sexy tilt of his lips, the burning desire and obsession in his eyes.
I hate it all.
I don’t love it. No. H.A.T.E. Not love. This can’t be love. It’s too messed up.
“Too late, Regan. You’re ours now, you passed the test,” he announces but he’s smart enough not to touch me. “So fucking hate me all you want. You and I aren’t over. We are fucking forever and you know it.”
“I do not,” I protest, though my voice cracks.
The arsehole just laughs at me. “Yeah, you do.” His voice is deep and sexy, somehow luring me into forgetting how batshit crazy Ethan is. My breaths are laboured as he leans down and reaches behind me, cupping my neck and pulling my head towards him. He doesn’t kiss me. No, that would be too easy. He wants me to give in. He wants me to be the first to admit to our fucked up attraction.
“I hate you,” I spit out.
“Yeah, well, I’d hate to be a disappointment and let you leave without making you hate me some more.
He slams his lips onto mine, taking everything as always and no doubt cutting another inch of my frozen heart and taking it as his own. He kisses me like a man possessed and I can’t think of anything else as I rip his shirt off, and he does the same to mine, my buttons popping everywhere. His hands disappear under my skirt and he lifts me up onto the bed. In seconds, my panties are torn off and thrown across the room. Ethan lowers his head and presses face is in between my legs. I moan at the first lick of his tongue against my clit, and then I spiral out of control as he sucks, nips, and teases me with that wicked tongue of his. Holy shit, he’s good… so fucking good. He keeps going until I’m just on the edge.
“Make me come,” I demand and he chuckles as he slides up my body, undoing his trousers as he goes. He strokes his thick cock and guides himself to my entrance. In one swift move, he thrusts into me, filling me up and God it feels so good. His lips find mine again as we lose control of each other, both of us only focused on the ending. I moan as I feel close to coming already and he speeds up, hitting my sweet spot while seizing my bottom lip with his teeth. I cry out as an orgasm explodes through me and he comes in me a moment later. He kisses me one more time before pulling out, and basking in that perfect ‘just fucked’ hue I love so much, I even let out a little protest. Thank fuck I’m on the pill.
I sit up and watch him climb off the bed. He grabs his shirt off the floor, pulls it on, and turns to me with a sexy smirk on his wet lips.
“Tell yourself you hate me all you want, Regan, but we both know you fucking love the shit out of me. I fucked up and I can’t take it back. I wouldn’t anyway. Life is shit for people like us, and yet here we are, living the life of the rich and playing their dirty games.”
“What’s your point?”
He places his hand on the door handle, his eyes cutting into mine. “We played their games and you played mine. Now we’re even but you, my pretty little liar, are my prize. My group’s prize. We like you and want you to give us another chance. Maybe then you won’t ever need to be alone again.”
He walks out and I lie back on the bed, letting out a huff directed purely at my vagina and hormones.
Sex was not a good idea..and neither is hating Ethan Remington.
Love and hate are too fine a line in my books.
“Let’s make one thing clear,” I state as I slam my bag onto the guys table and all four of them stare up at me. “I don’t forgive any of you for shit but I’m willing to call a truce.”
“I didn’t know we were at war, babe,” Josh jokes, but there is evident relief in his gaze.
“Oh, we were,” I counter, sitting down. “But there is no point of a war between us when all of us have something worse to worry about. My parents.”
“Ethan filled us in,” Nathan says, his voice cold. I bite down on my tongue, wanting to ask him a million questions but none of them seem like a good idea. At least not right now.
“Yeah, well, the fact still remains that my mother wants a sacrifice and you four are the candidates.”
Nathan crosses his arms. “We should have kept Hunter alive and used him.”
“Do you hate him all that much?” I ask, but he just smirks before eating his toast and making it clear we aren’t talking about Hunter anymore.
“What is our next move?” Ethan probes and I’m surprised he’s letting me take charge of our weird little group I’ve found myself added to.
Maybe he was telling the truth. Maybe they all do want a second chance.
“We have time to figure something out, but I’m not sure yet,” I answer honestly. “My parents aren’t like anyone you’ve ever met. They always win.”
“Not this time!” Lucas slams his bottle of water down on the table, and a few of the others nod and grunt in agreement.
Then they all look at me, and for a second I imagine us somehow outsmarting my parents and surviving.
Winning.
But the second passes and reality is there like a snake in the grass, always waiting, always watching until the perfect moment to strike.
And not everyone is going to survive.
That I am absolutely sure of.
It’s time for Winter Break and the snow has started to fall as if on cue. I peer out the window, my hand pressed against the cold glass, and my eyes following the snowflakes dissolving
into puddles along the pane. I used to love watching the snow fall. For a long time, there was nothing more therapeutic to me than watching the icy droplets descend from the sky. Not anymore. It all changed this time last year.
My mother caught me laughing with my trainer, Marco. He was always telling funny stories while we trained and he’d been my first real friend, besides Anne, who was permitted on my parents’ estate. Unfortunately, Mother told Father of our friendship, and that night I was ordered to kill Marco in the snow-laden garden.
I couldn’t bring myself to do it.
My father called me weak and slit Marco’s throat before I could even blink away my tears. Watching Marco’s blood stain the crisp white ground not only made me hate whenever it snowed, but it changed me. It killed the last bit of hope I ever harbored for my parents.
Friendship is a liability.
My father’s words still echo through my mind as I turn from the window and gather my suitcase.
“You ready?” Josh calls from the other side of my door. “Your guard keeps giving me evils.”
I hear Rory huff under his breath and a smile tugs at my lips. Friendship might be a liability for assassins but it’s one I’m willing to have. Maybe this Winter Break will be a good time for all of us. I’m actually a little excited.
My smile fades as I remember Anne and Lucas won’t be there.
When Anne called me last night before bed, we both agreed it would be better for Anne to remain at hospital while she undergoes some treatment. Her health comes first before anything. I even told her I’d stay with her at the hospital, but as always, Anne refused and said have fun before hanging up on me.
“I’m just coming,” I call back, pulling on my pink v-neck poncho, fluffy white gloves. I look in the mirror and pull on my hat. “How do I look, Daisy?”
“You look beautiful as always, Miss Hall.”
I snort at the generic response. “Oh, yeah? Then what am I wearing?”
“Today you have chosen a shell-pink woolen shawl with sky blue jeans, tan leather boots, a pair of faux fur mittens and a matching hat.”
I gape at the little tablet on the wall. “Now that’s just plain weird. Can you really see me, Daisy?”
I think she answers, but Josh bangs on the door again, shouting, “Come on, babe! Everyone’s leaving.”
God, he’s so impatient.
“You’re lucky you’re handsome, Josh,” I snap at him after opening my door. “Also, Daisy just told me what I’m wearing down to the fabric and colour. Soon these robot overlords are gonna take over the world. Just you watch.”
Joshua’s lips spread into a lopsided smile as he looks me over. “You look hot as fuck, babe.”
“So romantic.”
“Lemme take your case.”
“I’ll take it,” Rory says, reaching out to take my Gucci suitcase. “It’s my job to take care of her.”
Even so, Joshua is quick to stand in his way and grabs the suitcase before Rory can even touch it.
“Yeah but my muscles aren’t just for show,” Joshua spits out, flashing me a wink.
Rory glares at him like he’s trying to burn a hole into the back of his skull.
Sensing things are about to get ugly, I step out into the hallway, saying, “Don’t we have a plane to catch, boys?”
“Already boarding.” Rory nods to the door where a girl drags her suitcases through. “Let’s go.”
Joshua gestures for me to go first. I lead the way out of the dorms, well aware they are both checking me out from behind. A quick glance over my shoulder confirms that. At least Rory has the decency to look away. Ugh, men. Can’t live with them, can’t live without them.
We follow everyone out into the main field. A private plane is waiting for us on the neatly trimmed grass. Only the best for Holly Oak Academy. Mrs Beach is talking to the pilot at the bottom of the stairs while Mrs Anderson, Mrs Lyons and Mr Fleur usher the students inside. Joshua hands our suitcases over to petite airhostess, and before I know it, I’m sitting with three of the guys in comfy leather chairs with complimentary fruit pots and bottles of water.
I take a long drink of mine. A few droplets escape my mouth and slide into the valley of my throat. In the corner of my eye, I catch Ethan, Joshua and Nathan watching, their eyes following the droplet right down to my cleavage. There’s something heavy in the air that reeks of testosterone. It’s like the three of them are waiting to pounce on me and tear my clothes off with their bare hands. The thought sends a shiver through me and I clench my legs, my insides turning wet at the prospect. I wonder what’s got them so tense.
“Is everyone seated? Malcolm—Malcolm! Seatbelt. Now,” Mrs Fleur demands, clapping her hands. “It’s a full moon, children, and I don’t want any funny business while we’re ten thousand feet from the ground.”
Full moon? That explains it. My boys are going to be wild tonight.
“Wait! There’s two more,” the hostess calls out, standing by the door.
To my utter surprise, Anne and Lucas board the plane. I stand up and wave them over, shocked to see them.
“I thought you weren’t coming,” I say to Anne in particular once she reaches my side. I hug her as gently as I possibly can. I know her bones are hurting even if she won’t admit it.
Anne smiles weakly. “I wouldn’t miss this for the world. I’m excited!”
She removes her fluffy hat and I can see more of her face now. My heart squeezes in my chest. She’s ghostly pale and turning increasingly frailer by the day. It’s like she’s lost an entire stone since I last saw her. Lucas helps Anne into the chair beside me and I take her belongings and slide them into the compartment above our heads. When I drop back into the seat beside her, Lucas is handing over a small bag.
“Your meds,” he tells her, and she smiles her thanks before tucking it under her chair.
A silence threatens to emerge, but Joshua mutters something to Nathan about Mrs Bitch, and Nathan, who was drinking his water, bursts out laughing. Water explodes out from his nose and mouth and the rest of us laugh while he gasps for air and tears stream down his face. Anne quietly giggles into her hand and it makes my cheeks hurt to see her happy. Now we can all forget the reality for a while and have fun together.
No sacrifice. No blood. No Veil Council. Just me and my friends.
The coach comes to a crashing halt, the wheels skidding in the snow that falls heavily around us. I’m surprised the coach got us this far up the mountain in the first place but here we are. Anne’s excited face greets me the second I look away from the snowy mountain outside.
“Isn’t it beautiful?” She lets out a dreamy sigh as she, too, looks away from the landscape. Typical Anne. She always looks at the world for the beauty it is, never seeing the shadows, never wanting to know what lies beneath.
She’s good. And kind.
And so much more than any words could ever describe.
Yet she’s the one dying and not me. It should be me. I’ve killed. I’ve fucked up my life and my future is less than rosy. Anne should be the one able to admire the view without being in pain. She should get to live her life to the fullest and achieve everything her heart desires, including love.
I gulp down the sadness clogging my throat as Anne gets up, swaying a little, but she doesn’t let me guide her as she follows everyone out of the coach. My guys surround us the second we get out. My boots sink into the snow and the cold breeze lifts my long hair. Rory just reaches my side when Mrs Beach claps her gloved hands, gathering our attention.
“We have a five-minute walk to the lodge and I expect all of you to stay in line. When we get there, you may choose your own rooms.” She turns to walk away but looks back. “Girls and boys are not allowed to room together.”
There are some low chuckles from all around as she huffs at us and starts walking up the footpath, the only part that has been shovelled. Everyone walks in silence for most of the trip and I start to suspect this isn’t a five-minute walk when at least ten minu
tes pass. I hope Mrs Beach hasn’t got us lost. I almost slip when I step on some ice and an arm wraps around my waist, holding me up. I lean my head back a tiny bit to see who it is. Nathan stares down at me, his face void of emotion.
“How did we get like this?” I ask him, my voice softer than usual.
To my surprise, he smiles at me as I straighten up.
Without saying a word, his hand slips into mine and he links our fingers. Anne looks back right at that moment, seeing our hands and wiggling her eyebrows at me. She winks and I know there will be a million questions later on about Nathan.
Thankfully, we come around a corner and the lodge appears within view. Large grey stone and dark wooden exterior make the main building with dozens of black-rimmed windows, roofs made of slate and a long triangle-shaped entrance with the Holly Oak Academy logo above it. Surrounding the lodge are lines of snow bikes of all different colours and beyond that is a huge forest with snow-capped trees.
“It’s enchanting here,” Anne says as we get to the front door and the automatic electric doors swing open for us. “Wow.”
Turns out the inside of the lodge is just as impressive.
We all gaze in awe at the pinewood ceilings, the arches held between the thick stone with exposed beams and the dark wooden floors look old and hella impressive. In the centre of the excessively big room is a stone made fireplace with little archways to showcase the fire inside. The stone travels all the way up to the ceiling, through the three floors, and the balconies made of glass swing around it. Two large wooden tables with dozens of chairs fill the back of the room, and the back wall is lined with glass doors showing three hot tubs outside. All our suitcases are already by the staircases on either side of the room.
Everyone makes quick work of grabbing their suitcases and running up the stairs to claim the best room. Lucas helps Anne with hers and Nathan grabs mine before I can get to it. He grins at me as he carries it up the stairs. Ethan and Josh take the first room they find, with Nathan and Lucas taking the one next to it. Anne and I find a room three doors away from them, right beside Charlie’s Angels’ room, and we head inside. The room looks sweet with two large double beds, a faux fur white rug in front of a lit fireplace. The bedsheets are white with red tartan throwovers, matching the fire painting above the beds. We find two closets, one large bathroom, and a balcony. We head out to the balcony after putting our clothes away and I admire the view.