Page 111 of Hidden Empire

I don’t hold my breath for his approval, but I brace myself in case he decides to take a shot at me. Out of respect for my girl, I won’t hurt him, but I won't let him hurt me either. I’ve got a reason to stay in shape, and injuries are not advisable right now.

“You want to marry her or something?”

“Would you try to kill me if I did?” I counter, tilting my head at him.

“No, actually,” he says, twisting his lips like he’s surprised himself. “I might approve, that is, if she wants you too.”

“You approve?”

“She’ll marry someone,” he states plainly. “It might as well be a man who knows what I’ll do to him if he hurts her. Or pressures her. Or does anything she doesn’t like.”

I know what he means. I’d want the same for Anya.

If she recovers like I hope and that light returns to her eyes, I’d want someone who I know has no choice but to treat her like she deserves. He’d have to cherish her the way I do Jade, and he’d have to know that I’d go to the ends of the earth to avenge her.

“Alright,” I comment, nodding. “Good talk.”

“Good talk,” he echoes.

At least I’ll have one of her brothers on my side. Well, sort of.

Chapter 30

Jade

Six Weeks Later

I’m totally ditching this godforsaken class.

Each day in fight class, it’s even more tempting to leave than the last. I seriously don’t like sparring. Half of the time it’s just Ana and I pretending to hit each other and knock one another down while the instructor is watching. The other half of the time we just work out with a few other girls, avoiding the inevitable time where we have to demonstrate that we’ve actually learned something here.

Today the temptation to leave is fueled by the sight of my boyfriend. I see him all the time, but never as much during the day. Every time I do, there’s the desire to run to him raging inside of me. My self-control is never more tested than when I find him watching me, and I can’t do anything about it.

Minutes ago, Dmitri caught my eye in the hall, going down to the pool with Ivan. It doesn’t seem like the class that takes place below us is very big or very strict. Ivan once compared it to a free period but with swimming, and if that's true then I doubt they’d notice if I stopped by.

Oh, what the hell, I sneak out nearly every night, what’s one class skipped?

“Hey, Ana,” I whisper, approaching her. Class hasn’t begun yet, so Cole is still glued to her side like a guard. Luckily, he’s a master of ignoring everyone but her, so he just glances at me and glances away.

“Something wrong?” she asks, keeping her voice low as well.

“I’m leaving?—”

“The island?” she gasps.

“No, no,” I reply with a laugh. “Class.”

Her eyes light with surprise. “You’re ditching?”

“Uh-huh,” I agree. “I’m not asking you to cover for me or anything, but if anyone asks, I’m really sick. Fever and everything.”

She pauses, scanning my face. “Are you?”

Smirking, I clear my throat in a fake cough. “So sick.”

Ana grins. “Feel better soon.”

“I plan to,” I say sweetly. Flicking my eyes to her stepbrother, I nod at him. “Is he going to say anything?”