Page 23 of Seduce & Destroy

I wasn’t sure what she was asking.

“I would like to shadow you.” She finally said.

“Everyone must complete basic training.”

Kenna took a step toward me, leaning down to whisper, “But I want to be close to you.”

“No!” A booming voice announced behind us. “Return to training.”

For a moment, I thought he was talking to me, but his eyes were locked on Kenna. She didn’t say anything, but she appeared to scan his body, as if sizing him up for a fight. Her shoulders are pushed back, and perfectly still, unafraid. While I know her strength, Father’s speed was underestimated for a middle-aged man.

“Now!”

Kenna gave me a pleading look before taking off to the west wing.

I watched her leave and shut my eyes.

“What did I tell you about not trusting anyone? And immediately I find you fraternising with the cadets. Again, might I add. Stay away from her.”

I don’t even want her. “I didn’t seek her out, Father. I listened to what you said.”

“Remember what you are protecting.”

“I do!” I replied. “But it’s not rational for me to ignore the cadets that I teach.”

He extended his hand. I was confused for a second until I reached for it and felt the soft metal of jewellery. My attempt at concealing a gasp failed as soon as I unwrapped our hands to reveal a locket on a chain. It held a singular image inside.

The sight made me choke on air.

“Remember what’s at stake.”

I shook my head. Tears collected on my chin, a drop landed in my hand– on the locket.

Inside was a picture of a newborn baby.

Georgia.

Chapter 8

KENNA

Richard Ravencroft was the last person I expected to be a cockblock. As I passed him in the hallway, I paused for a moment to give him a cordial nod. I’m not suicidal enough to get on his bad side, at least not outwardly. Dylan’s disappearance wasn’t coincidental. It hadn’t been addressed but I knew.

He had watched me, but his expression gave nothing away. He was stoic and so uninterested that it almost made me feel small. Instead, I treated it as a challenge. His days were numbered. If only he knew.

With my head held high, I strode with faux purpose in the direction of the training room. At the end of the hall, I turned left, not right. I hoped that would show him my strength, but a look over my shoulder confirmed he’d already left.

I went outside. I was going to have to circle back to Laney. She had to be my mentor; it was the only way.

Reaching the treeline of the perimeter woodland, I dug my phone from my pocket. My other phone. The number I called connected to the first tone.

“Status report.”

“Hello to you too, Mama.”

“Don’t start with me, this is a focused mission. Failure is not an option. What have you got so far?”

“Not a lot. Just a stray henchmen gone rogue. Why didn’t you tell me there would be others here?”