50

Adrianna
My cell phone rings, and I groan when I see it’s my father.
“Yes?” I answer.
“Why has my jet just taken off from the private airstrip near your academy empty?” he growls.
Unbelievable. It was a while ago now when I told him I wasn’t coming back, after he canceled me coming back a week early to meet some guy. “I already told you a couple of weeks ago I’m not coming back for Spring Break.”
He growls down at the phone. “Insolent girl.”
“What is the problem? It’s not like you are around, anyway. I just sit in that house alone. At least this way I can chill out with a friend for the break at the academy.”
There’s a pause on the other end. “You are remaining at the academy and not leaving the premises?”
“Yes, except maybe to go shopping a couple of days or go out to the movies in the nearby town.”
“Fine,” he barks. “I will call the principal to confirm that he keeps an eye on you.”
I shake my head as my father is ridiculous. “At eighteen years old, I hardly need to be babysat.”
“Quiet.” There’s some noise on the other end of the phone. “I will call and inform him or you can get on a commercial airline flight back home tomorrow morning.”
“Fine, call him,” I say, shaking my head. “I have nothing to hide.”
There’s a few moments of silence. “We will see you at your graduation, then?”
I shake my head. “You are going to attend my graduation?” I ask, not expecting him to say that.
“Of course.”
“You didn’t even attend Eric’s graduation. Why would you attend my graduation?”
Eric is my eldest brother and the heir to the entire Vasquez empire, so I can’t see why he’s attending my graduation. In fact, my plan always hinged on him not being there.
“Because I want to see my youngest daughter graduate and I have someone I want you to meet at your graduation.”
I sigh heavily, as he always has an ulterior motive for everything he does. “Don’t say it’s a potential husband.”
“Listen, Adrianna. I know you are a very independent girl and you would like to do whatever the hell you want, but your duty to this family is to marry and strengthen our control in Mexico.”
Duty to the family, my ass.
I don’t owe them shit.
“Whatever, I’m sure by then you will have fallen out with that guy’s father, too.”
He growls. “When did you become so insolent?”
“I’m not being insolent. It’s just a fact.”
All I hear is a frustrated sigh on the other end. “Enjoy your break, Adrianna.” He ends the call.
I clench my phone so hard it’s a wonder it doesn’t break in half and let out a frustrated noise.
“Someone sounds like they’re in a bad mood,” Azira says from behind me, approaching with all her bags.
I turn to face her and force a smile. “Father being his same old self.”
“Oh, ignore him. He’s an idiot for not coming here himself and bringing you home.”
“Thank fuck he didn’t do that.”
She laughs. “So, if you get bored once Eva’s husband is back, the offer stands for you to come and stay with us. We’ll have loads of fun and my driver can come and pick you up.”
It’s strange that while her offer is inviting, something, or someone, is tempting me to remain at the academy.
Archer.
He’s going to keep me company once Oak is back, and I’m kind of looking forward to it, even if I wouldn’t admit it out loud. We have a lot in common, from interests to our family history. I may never forgive him for blackmailing me into sex with him, but I can’t deny I’m enjoying spending time with him, not just the sex which I never expected.
It changes nothing, though. The simple fact is that Archer Daniels blackmailed me into having sex with him, and that’s something I can never forgive him for.
“I’ll think about it. But a week to myself sounds quite good right about now.”
There’s a flicker of hurt in Azira’s eyes, no doubt because she hoped I’d agree. And to be fair, it is offensive if I were declining just to spend a week alone, but that’s not the case. I can’t tell her that, though.
“Okay, just call me if you change your mind.” She pulls me into a tight hug. “See you in two weeks. I’ll miss you.”
I return the hug. “I’ll miss you too.”
And then she grabs her bags and walks toward the exit. Nat already left last night, which means it’s now just me and Eva left here. I’m due to meet her in forty-five minutes, in the cafeteria for lunch, and then we’re going to catch a movie this afternoon.
My cell phone rings and I take the call. “Hello?”
“Get your butt over to the gym right now.”
I swallow hard at the sound of Archer’s deep, gravelly voice on the other end of the phone. “Sorry, I’ve got plans.”
There’s an animal like growl on the other end of the phone. “I said, now.” He ends the call, and I realize I can either disobey him and he’ll come and find me and embarrass me in front of Eva, or I can just see what he wants.
Sighing, I check my watch. As long as I’m quick, I’ll still be on time to meet Eva for lunch. The gym is obviously empty when I get there, except for Archer, who is sitting on the bottom bleacher, waiting for me.
“Come here,” he demands.
I purse my lips together. “I told you I have plans. What is this about?”
“Now, Adrianna.” The tone of his voice sends shivers through me, even though I wish it didn’t.
Who knew that after years of opposition to authority that I’d love being bossed about by a lover?
I still give him my best glare as I walk over to him. “What?”
He pats his knee, and the desire to disobey him claws at me.
“Do you think I’m like five years old or something?”
His eyes flash with irritation as he reaches out and grabs my wrist and instead of sitting me on his lap, he pushes me face first over it. His hand teasing over my ass, which is only covered by the hem of the skirt I wore today. My nipples are hard peaks against the fabric of my shirt already at the slightest of touches from him.
And then he spanks me, making me yelp.
“When I tell you to come to me, you come without question. Do you understand?”
I bite my lip, not intending to answer his question. Which results in him lifting the hem of my skirt up and slamming his hand down on my bare ass. The evidence of his erection presses incessantly into my stomach.
“I said, do you understand?”
I wriggle in his lap to break free, but he keeps a firm grip on me.
“Answer me, baby girl.”
I grit my teeth together before submitting to his demand. “Yes,” I murmur.
He spanks my ass hard, and I yelp at the stinging sensation. “You are being naughty,” he murmurs, his fingers teasing at the sensitive flesh between my thighs. “Now be a good girl and stand up.”
I stand up, breaking free from his grasp. And then I turn to make my way toward the exit.
Archer grabs me by the back of the neck and forces me around to face him in one swift move.
My body tenses at the sudden force of being grabbed like that. “Don’t walk away from me, Adrianna.”
“Or what?” I ask, staring him out.
He pulls me closer, his lips mere inches from me. “Or I’ll spank your ass red.”