Total pages in book: 146
Estimated words: 147801 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 739(@200wpm)___ 591(@250wpm)___ 493(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 147801 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 739(@200wpm)___ 591(@250wpm)___ 493(@300wpm)
“Were you sent an invitation?” I ask.
“How did you know?”
“A hunch.” I smile to myself. Carson still didn’t completely let go after all.
He seems to be under this misconception that I want to fuck Yulian—disturbing, to say the least—and he’s often displayed a desire to hurt me through that.
Inviting Yulian to the initiation, to his domain, is a clear indication that he still hasn’t given up. His destructive brain wouldn’t allow him to.
Though I should be there to witness it. Otherwise, the plan won’t work.
So how come he didn’t send me an invitation?
Hmm.
“Yulian.”
“Hmm?”
“Forward me the invitation text.”
“Why?”
“Scientific interest.”
He laughs. “I don’t know what the fuck you even gain from all of this, but I like your way of doing things.”
“Everyone does.”
He laughs again. “Will send shortly. Laters.”
As soon as I have the text that includes the admission QR code, I forward it to Jethro.
Me
Need access.
Jethro
The fuck? Some kids’ hunt?
A hunt is a hunt. Can you arrange it?
Do you need a replica access code?
No. I’m not lining up with students who can recognize me. Arrange background access. Staff or guard. They’ll have masks on, right? It should be easier to infiltrate.
Russian mafia security is NOT easy to infiltrate. Their parents placed a rock-fucking-solid security system in place.
Surely not that rock fucking solid for you.
I’ll be invoicing you for the extra hassle.
Invoice away. Prepare to control the cameras and cover my tracks while you’re at it.
Did I tell you I fucking hate you sometimes?
I’ll take that as an agreement.
Kayden.
Don’t start nagging.
I’m reminding you that you can’t escape your brother forever. He’s doubling down on his threats.
He’ll live. Besides, he knows I’m working in Europe now. Julian has been taking care of my side of the business back home, so that should keep Grant occupied for the time being.
How about Declan, then? If he finds out you’re hiding this from him, he’ll flip the fuck out.
He won’t. Stop acting like an annoying in-law and get me access.
Hope you get impaled on a cactus and suffer excruciating pain
With a sigh, I pocket my phone and head to my closet. Now, I understand why Yulian was whistling.
This is actually thrilling.
Nothing compares to the morbid excitement at the knowledge that I’ll play with my new favorite toy.
This is the most ludicrous thing ever done.
And that’s coming from someone who considers most students absurd beyond redemption.
I caught a glimpse of them lining up, being all giddy about getting chased through the woods by some other kids who get off on violence.
“Two o’clock,” Jethro speaks through the earpiece.
My steps are silent as I glide behind a tree. Jethro got me access as a staff member, and ever since then, I’ve had him in my ear, directing me through the forest.
I’m dressed in a black suit and a bunny mask, which all guards and staff are wearing tonight.
My hand rests on my tie before I loosen it. Preferably, I would’ve thrown it off, but I don’t want to stand out.
A couple of students run by as a guy wearing a red-stitch neon mask chases them with a bat.
It’s the less interesting Carson.
Jethro gave me all their identities since he saw them when they put on their masks.
But he didn’t have to tell me my prey was the one wearing the green mask. I knew it as soon as I saw the five of them standing on the second-floor balcony.
The little monster has the most erect posture out of the five, and it’s due to the bow slung across his shoulder.
He’s an archer.
A hunter.
Probably the only thing that doesn’t contradict with the rest of his image.
But I lost sight of him soon after the initiation started since everyone was running around like headless chickens in a zombie B-movie.
“Where is he?” I ask in the earpiece.
“Five o’clock,” Jethro says. “He has company.”
“Yulian?”
“No. A girl.”
Hmm.
I walk in that direction, stopping when Jethro points at approaching danger.
The sharp, earthy scent of pine needles and damp soil fills my lungs, and I crane my neck on either side. Why the fuck is this tie so tight?
The ground shifts beneath my shoes, uneven, each step sinking slightly into the mossy earth. The trees’ branches creak in the wind, their low whisper interrupted by the distant screams of students.
Sunset is settling in, its colors throttled to death by the thick clouds. The light is dim, the fading sun filtering through the tangled branches, casting long shadows that stretch and twist.
The cold creeps in, biting at my skin, but it’s not the chill I’m focused on—it’s the faintest hint of something familiar in the air.
Something that flexes my muscles and sends a rush of endorphins all the way to my cock.
Finally, I arrive at an open patch of land surrounded by tall trees and bushes. A small twitch lifts my lips.
Here we go.
I remain behind a big bush as I watch a tall man dressed all in black save for his neon green mask standing by a large tree, holding an arch with an arrow at his side. He’s right across from me. Only a few feet away.