Chapter 29

JULY 4 – TUESDAY 12:03 PM

R en

The last two weeks had been…peaceful. I didn't know what to make of it. There was no chatter of anything strange in the area. Nash and Myles were working with me daily, and my skills were still terrible when it came to fighting, but I was improving. Theo had been over almost every night for dinner to visit. Each time he showed up, I could see Myles and Blake relaxing until they just expected him to be around. That did lead me to Liam. I hadn't mentioned what Liam said to me to Theo, but Liam also hadn't returned to the cabin since. At this point, I wasn't sure I wanted him to, which made things awkward for me on so many levels.

Today was Lawrence's famous family picnic. It was always held on the Fourth of July, which I found ironic. The holiday celebrated independence, and every single family involved with Lawrence was forced to attend. Nothing screamed, "I'm an arrogant asshole," like that.

That was why I was here. The guys didn't trust leaving me alone at the cabin, and it had been very eye-opening so far. I'd seen so many of these students at school and had no idea that they were connected to Lawrence in any way. Myles's warnings about knowing who you were talking to were ringing loud and clear.

The one person I hadn't seen slinking around the massive property was Owen, and it was a good thing, too, because I didn't know if I'd hold myself back from attacking him for what he did to Myles. But his not being here also worried me. What was he up to that he got a hall pass?

Cheering erupted at the finish line as Liam crossed with no one else even close to beating him. I'd never seen anything like this. All the guys had been busy with one challenge after another. From target shooting with guns that I was positive would draw an entire swat team down on us to knife throwing, hand-to-hand combat, tug-o-war, and the latest, a cross-country obstacle course.

July 1 st was our holiday back home, and I was used to backyard parties at Lizzy's and Nadia's, or they came over to our house. We ate barbeque and enjoyed the sun as much as I was able without burning to a crisp. We'd play music and drive to one of the local spots to watch fireworks. There were no survival games for amusement.

"Are you enjoying yourself?" I startled when Lawrence spoke behind me. I would know his voice anywhere. Even from the little I'd seen of him in person, the sleaze oozed off him. Composing myself, I turned to face the monster. "My, you do look delightful today, Ms. Davies. That dress really suits you." He brushed a piece of my hair out of my face, and it took every ounce of willpower I possessed not to smack his hand away. I already had enough enemies trying to kill me. The last thing I needed was for Lawrence to give Nash the order to end my life or my father's, wherever he was. My cute summer dress had a scooped neck and almost covered my knees. It didn't scream sexy, and yet the lewd lust in his eyes made me want to vomit.

He smirked. "Although I am surprised that you chose not to participate in any of the challenges. The water sports are about to start if you'd like to change your mind."

"Unfortunately, I'm not much for swimming, and it has been a lovely day to this point, but we shall see," I said, and his eyebrow cocked. There was no way in hell I was telling this slimy dick monger that I didn't know how to swim.

"Are you expecting it to end on less of a lovely note," he asked.

"I guess I've just learned to expect anything." I smiled sweetly, and his cool eyes felt like they were trying to suck my soul from my body. I gestured to the large group of people. "I am curious, though. Why isn't my father here? I thought of all the days you would've given him today off to attend this…gathering," I said, lost for a better word.

"Your father is a very busy man and was too tied up at the moment to attend, but I assure you he is alive and well," Lawrence said, and my calm slipped slightly.

"Why wouldn't he be alive and well? Do you happen to have anything to do with him vanishing into thin air and ignoring my texts and phone calls?" I crossed my arms over my chest and ignored his eyes, dropping to the top of my dress.

He licked his lips and took a step closer. He wasn't so close that it would draw alarm, and the look on his face was still pleasant, but his eyes screamed another story altogether. It was like watching a snake shed its skin to reveal what was underneath, and what I saw chilled me to my core. As angry as I could get with Nash, I couldn't imagine living with this man. The things he'd done, and the things that Nash might not have told anyone…. But I wasn't letting him intimidate me.

"Now, Ms. Davies, that is quite the accusation. I've been nothing but hospitable to you and your father since the tragic events of your mother's passing. I even wrote a recommendation so that you could attend Wayward for your continued safety. Why would I want to hurt your father?" He folded his hands over one another, and the Collier crest on his finger glinted in the bright July sun.

That was information I didn't expect him to divulge, but I'd take it. I touched my chest and put on the show of my life, feigning shock. "I merely meant that you work him too hard, and he might simply be exhausted or out of service to reach me. I was getting very concerned by his lack of response and planned to call the police, but Nash said that he was most likely busy. I'm happy to hear that he was right." Nash hadn't said a word to me about my father, but any cookie I could toss his way to help him deceive his father, I would throw.

Lawrence smirked. "You are quite intelligent, aren't you, Ms. Davies?"

I didn't know where this was going, but I chose to play along. "Wayward placed me second only behind Theo in ranking, so I like to think so."

"Then be very careful that you don't go around thinking you know more than you really do. That can be deadly, and tragic things happen to people who do that."

"What exactly are you referring to, Mr. Collier?" I wanted to spit on him instead of addressing him with any respect.

"Oh, I think you and I both know what I'm referring to." He reached out and placed his hand on my shoulder. "Maybe you should come over and visit sometime. I can show you my company, and you can see if there are any lucrative positions that interest you." I couldn't handle his touch and stepped back. Lawrence's eyes flared with anger.

"Thank you for the offer, but I'm looking at forging my own path as soon as I graduate. Move to another country, perhaps. I heard that Russia is an interesting country to visit."

He made a noise like a snarl and reached for my arm but froze as someone slid their hand into mine. I'd definitely hit a nerve, but what about Russia bothered him? The fact that I might get killed? Seemed unlikely. He didn't strike me as the type of man that gave a crap about students dying unless he had something to gain.

"Ren, there you are," Theo said, and I'd never been so relieved to see his face. "We are just getting ready for the three-legged race, and I'm partnerless. Will you please help me out," he asked, a sad look on his face that was so not Theo. I blinked for a second, wondering if he and Blake had swapped places to mess with me.

"Happy to help. Lawrence here was just encouraging me to get involved." I looked at Count Dick and smiled tightly. "Thank you for the lovely conversation and the job opportunity. You never know. I may change my mind." That was never fucking happening, but best to keep him thinking there was a chance. Men like him didn't like being told no.

"We'll talk again soon, I'm sure," he said as Theo dragged me away.

"What the hell are you doing talking to him alone," Theo growled under his breath, all the typical arrogance back again.

Nope, it was definitely Theo.

"I didn't have a choice. He snuck up on me, and all of you were out there doing stuff. Running off seemed like a bigger flag than just talking to him," I said.

Theo dragged me around the backside of one of the pavilions where we were out of sight. "There is no such thing as just talking to him. Trust me. If you happen to be alone again, find my mom or dad." With a little shove, my back was pressed up against the pavilion wall, and Theo braced his hands on either side of my head. "Even in public, I don't trust him. What was that about a job? You're not seriously thinking of working for him?"

"God, no. I mean, it might be a way to find my father…." Theo's jaw twitched. "No, I won't. I know he would drag me into a supply closet or something."

"You're right. He would and probably worse."

"I told him I was planning on traveling after graduation, and I might start with Russia."

Theo cringed. "Why?"

I shrugged. "I wanted to see how he would react, and it was a big reaction. It's obvious that he doesn't want me talking to anyone in Russia, but I don't know why. I mean, if they are trying to kill me, what does he have to gain by keeping me alive?"

"Maybe to sell you to them for information or more power. Not sure, but no matter what the reason is, it won't be anything good. Don't poke at him again. We have no idea how he'll retaliate." The breeze picked up, and he groaned. "Stop looking at me like that. I already want to take you against the wall."

"What happened to the three-legged race," I asked and bit my lip.

He chuckled as he kissed a line down to the side of my neck, making me sigh. "Do I seem like the type who would take part in a three-legged race? Unless, of course, you're counting what's between my legs." Theo's teeth grazed my ear, and I looked around to see if anyone could see us. "I only said that to get you away from Lawrence."

I shuddered as he closed the distance, and the heat from his body licked over my skin. Placing my hands on his chest, the thump of his heart danced under my fingertips. I sucked in a ragged breath as he slid his hand down my side and teased me as he brushed over my hip and then around to my ass.

"Fuck, I want you." Theo nipped at my lower lip. "It's been too long."

"Jealous of Myles and Blake?" I smirked and then bit back a moan as he pressed himself up against me.

"I'd never admit it to them, but yes." Theo kissed me hard as he lifted one side of my dress and slipped his hand underneath.

"What if someone sees?" I panted as he ran his finger teasingly over my clit.

"Let them watch. Nothing turns me on more than being watched. I'd fuck you in the middle of Times Square if you let me," he groaned, and I gasped as he pushed my panties aside and slowly pushed a finger into me. "Damn, you're so wet."

"I'm not sure I'm ready for the entire school and their parents to watch us. Is there someplace we can go here?"

"No, but we have tomorrow night. You still good for our date?" He pumped his fingers a little faster, scattering my thoughts, but I managed to nod. Theo kissed me again, harder and more demanding this time. The teasing was gone, and I gripped his shoulders as his finger drove me higher. I was so close that I could feel it coming, and just like that, Theo pulled out. I glared at him while he smirked as he slipped the finger into his mouth and sucked it clean.

"Until tomorrow." He turned and started to walk away but then looked over his shoulder at me as I stood there in disbelief. "Are you coming?"

"Not anymore, apparently," I grumbled but pushed away from the wall to walk around the pavilion with him. Jerk knew exactly what he was doing to me. My body was hot and bothered, and even the soft material of the dress brushing against my legs was enough to drive me insane. I'd get him back. I didn't know how yet, but I would.