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Even so, the first touch of my bare skin against the snow is horrifying, sending pins and needles up my legs. A silent sob tears from my throat, but I keep moving, almost running, even though I’m barely strong enough to stay upright. The faster I move, the sooner this will be over. In the swirl of snowflakes, I can make out lights up ahead and soon the outline of a helicopter. I focus all my willpower on it, determined to get there even as my feet go numb. Maybe that’s a blessing.

By the time we reach the helicopter, and I somehow climb inside, they’re frozen, my toes caked in frost. My new captor, whoever he is, glances down at them before turning his face away to look out the window. I rub my feet together, grinding my teeth against painful sobs that threaten to tear their way out of me once the feeling starts to come back. Now they’re on fire, my nerves sizzling. But at least I still have feeling in them.

Once we’re in the air, he sees fit to speak again. “My name is Lucas Diavolo.” The name sparks recognition in the back of my mind, and I clutch it tight to me. It’s something to think about besides the agony of my feet. “I am taking you to Corium University.”

Corium. That’s where Nash and Matteo went. The thought of walking the same halls Nash walked when he was alive makes emotion swell in my chest, even if I’m not quite sure why. I guess it’s one final thread connecting us.

But it’s not all sunshine and roses. Corium isn’t a sanctuary. It’s a school for the children of criminals—mobsters, murderers, thieves. The rich and powerful make their money the way my father made his. Which was why Matteo was a student.

What do you think about that, asshole? Your forgotten sister attending the same school?I almost wish he was alive to see it, even if I know he would’ve made life miserable for me there.

Maybe it’s finally breathing fresh air or the way the snow startled me back to my senses, but whatever it is, it gives me the strength to speak. “But why? Why would you take me there?”

He doesn’t bother looking my way. Instead, he stares out into the darkness, where I’m sure he can’t see anything. “You’ll be taking classes there soon. And I’ll be keeping an eye on you.”

I might be close to starving to death and exhausted, but I’m not stupid. He’s not doing this out of the kindness of his heart. Hell, he won’t even put his coat over my shoulders. He’d rather have me sit here with my teeth chattering, half freezing to death.

He’s out of his mind if he thinks he’s going to keep me there. I’ve been a prisoner long enough. I’ll bide my time for as long as it takes me to get my strength back. I mean, I hope he’ll at least let me eat and sleep.

But then? I’m out of there. I don’t care what it takes.

I catch sight of the school before we begin our descent. It would be difficult not to, the fortress rising up from the snow and sprawling outward in all directions. A castle for the wealthy and powerful.

A far cry from a double-wide in a trailer park. Of course, when we land, I’m given no greater consideration than before. Lucas descends from the helicopter and begins walking toward some kind of tunnel without offering me a hand down.

I follow him, once again willing myself to ignore the shock of the snow on my bare feet. At least it keeps me moving fast. By the time we’re inside, I could weep with relief. It’s warm, at least once the doors are closed. It’s also quiet as a graveyard.

Everybody must be asleep; perhaps it’s the middle of the night? I don’t know why I feel like I have to tiptoe as I follow Lucas down a long, wide hall. It’s not like anybody would hear us.

As I trot behind him, I try to remember anything I’ve ever heard about Corium, but it’s not like anybody wanted to have a conversation with me about it. I heard the building was originally some kind of castle or fortress or something, and there’s a lot more going on under the surface, but that’s it. I guess I’ll have to learn what I can as I go along.

Like how to get out without anybody seeing me.

We take an elevator down below ground level. Never once does Lucas look at me, not even standing together in a little box. I can tell from the way he wrinkles his nose that my smell disgusts him. How does he think it makes me feel?

“You’ll be staying in my apartment so I can keep an eye on you.” He opens the door but doesn’t let me take more than two steps inside before holding up a hand. “Don’t touch anything, and for the love of God, don’t sit down. Not until you’ve had a shower. I won’t have you ruining my things with your filth.”

A shower. Oh, thank God. Not even his nasty, condescending attitude can ruin my relief. Once I’m clean, rested, and fed, I’ll be in better shape, and then, I’ll get the hell out of here and never look back.


Tags: C. Hallman Romance