Adrianna
My plan to get my revenge on Archer is backfiring.
Why the hell do I feel so excited whenever I see him?
And when he touched me earlier by the stream, he was trying to comfort me, but his touch ignited butterflies fluttering in my stomach and made my head spin. He keeps talking about feelings and how he wants us to continue after I graduate, which is insane.
I can’t work out if he’s only saying it because I’ve never admitted I want him. All the while, I’ve made sure I keep detached and cold, even when he talks about his feelings.
As I walk into the academy, I’m ambushed by my father. “Where have you been?”
I cross my arms over my chest. “I went for a walk. Is that a crime?”
He sighs heavily. “I’m here to take you back home.”
My brow furrows. “But what about the academy?” I ask, wondering why he didn’t come to get me during spring break, especially as he said he had a meeting set out for me the week before.
He yanks my wrist and drags me into an empty classroom, slamming the door behind him. The anger in his expression makes me wonder if he knows the truth. Is it possible that he, too, has found out about my deal with Hernandez Estrada? “America is dangerous right now, Adrianna.”
“Dangerous?” I confirm.
He nods, running a hand across the back of his neck. “Yes, last night, Hernandez Estrada was murdered by Adrik Volkov. It has caused unrest and chaos both here in the states and back home in Mexico.”
I shake my head. “How am I in danger here, attending a secret academy miles from any of those places?”
His jaw clenches. “You realize you attend this school with several enemies, Adrianna? Elias Morales is related to the Estrada family.”
“Yes, but what does it have to do with us?” I ask, wondering what his problem is. “We are the Vasquez Cartel and had nothing to do with it.”
“We may have given the boy a push on our end.”
I swallow hard as I stare at my father. “A push to murder the leader of the Estrada Cartel stateside?”
He nods, paling a little. “And if they find out, they will target you.”
“If who finds out, though? If Adrik runs the cartel, who will come after me?”
“Hernandez may be dead, but his sons still live and word is they want to take back their throne.”
I sigh heavily. “If you covered your tracks adequately, then they’re no threat to me. I’m not leaving.”
“Adrianna Elena Julieta Vasquez,” he booms, glaring at me. “You will do as you are told.”
I clench my fists by my side. “No. I’m eighteen years old and I will see out the end of the semester here. I won’t be torn from my last year at the academy because of fear.”
I’m surprised when he suddenly calms down and looks me dead in the eye. “That’s because you are a Vasquez and you are right. We don’t run in fear.” He nods. “I agree. You will see out the last semester here and graduate, but you will return home as soon as school is finished.”
Little does he know that this may be the last time I ever see him. I will not return to Mexico to be sold off like a prize mare. Somehow, I have to disappear just after graduation before they can haul me back home. The logistics of which I’m still trying to work out.