“Us,” I agree, love for Abbie warming my heart.
The pilot announces that we’re landing soon and to fasten our seatbelts.
I glance at our bodyguards, who will only escort us to St. Monarch’s before returning home. The only time a bodyguard is allowed on St. Monarch’s grounds is when they’re training. The facility is secure, and no additional guards are needed on the grounds.
I check my seatbelt before smiling at Abbie. “At least we won’t have shadows following us around.”
She nods eagerly. “The next four years are going to be amazing. Our suites are right next to each other. It will be like the old days.”
“I never thought I’d live to see the day you admit to missing school,” I tease her.
She scrunches her nose. “I don’t miss school, but I do miss seeing you every day. The last two years, I got withdrawal symptoms from not getting to be with you every day. I swear, I did backflips of happiness when my dad told me I’d be going to St. Monarch’s.”
“Aww,” I coo. “I missed you too.”
We only got to see each other whenever our families had a get-together. Honestly, I was just as happy as Abbie when my parents told me about St. Monarch’s. Sure, living there will be an experience, but I’m just glad I get to see Abbie every day again.
“Remember what your father said,” Elio, one of my guards, says. “St. Monarch’s isn’t some five-star resort.”
Abbie rolls her eyes, but it doesn’t stop Elio from continuing. “The best of the best are trained there.” He pins me with a harsh stare. “Your enemies will be crawling all over the place. Even though no killing is permitted, other shit can happen that might make you wish they’d killed you instead. Watch your back at all times.”
“Jesus,” Abbie mutters. “What a buzz kill.” She scowls at Elio. “We’ve already had this speech from our parents, we don’t need it from you too.”
He shakes his head at Abbie, and luckily we touch down on the tarmac before the two of them can get into a fight.
Elio really didn’t have to remind me that St. Monarch’s isn’t as rosy as Abbie is making it out to be. Dad drilled it into my brain that members of the bratva and Italian mafia are currently training there, and I have to avoid them at all costs.
My parents are letting me attend St. Monarch’s because they know they can’t hide me from the real world forever. At some point, I’ll have to learn how the criminal world works, and now is as good a time as any.
After our guards make sure it’s safe to descend the plane, we make our way to the armored SUV. The St. Monarch’s emblem is engraved on the passenger and driver’s doors.
I feel a spark of excitement as I climb into the backseat with Abbie. She grins widely at me, her brown eyes sparkling.
While the guards load our luggage into another SUV, Abbie asks, “What are we doing after we’ve unpacked?”
“We can walk around and just see where everything is.”
“Okay, after that, we’re making an appointment for a massage.” A mischievous look fills her eyes. “I hope they have a male masseuse. Carved abs and a rough touch would be fantastic.”
“Jesus,” I laugh. “I seriously doubt St. Monarch’s has those kinds of services.”
She lets out a huff, pretending to be disappointed. “A girl can hope.”
The guards pile into the SUVs, and soon Abbie and I are gushing with happiness from being back in Geneva. We both love Switzerland with its snowy alps and picture-perfect cities and villages.
When we’re able to see St. Monarch’s from a distance, my stomach spins with excitement and nerves. I know the castle has been renovated, and seeing it standing proud at the top of a hill, I can’t wait to explore it.
We lose sight of the magnificent grounds when we drive up a road lined with trees, and a moment later, large imposing gates loom in front of us.
“Holy shit,” I gasp.
“You can say that again,” Abbie murmurs.
St. Monarch’s is more than a castle. I have no words for how grand and monumental the place is. It looks like a photo straight from Pinterest.
After the guards at the gate have checked our IDs and verified our details, the gates slowly swing open, and we’re driven onto the grounds.
“Oh, my God,” Abbie laughs. “I’m going to love it here.”