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But it’s not semidark this time.

It’s the middle of the fucking day.

I stare at them.

My heart is already starting to pick up speed, adrenaline whispering through my veins like it recognizes this game and wants to play. But I’m not stupid.

And I’m not going in unarmed.

Not if I play this right.

“I want a knife,” I say flatly.

Matteo’s brow lifts. “A knife?”

“It’s only fair, Bodhi had one last time,” I shoot back. “This time, I get one too.”

His mouth twitches. “And if I say no?”

I smile slow, wicked. “Then I’ll make do with your bones, sweetheart.”

Bodhi barks a laugh. “Give the girl a blade, Matteo. Let’s see what she does with it.”

Matteo walks down the hallway and then returns with a sheathed combat blade with a gleaming black hilt and leather holster. It’s smaller than theirs, like he had it specially made for me.

He doesn’t hand it to me.

He stalks close, then carefully straps the holster around my hips, tucking it under my shirt. His fingers linger—just long enough to press the handle against my spine and lean in.

His voice is a whisper against my ear, calm and cool. "Try not to stab yourself."

I just grin. "Try not to cry when I win."

Bodhi nods toward the back of the house again, where the forest waits like a living thing. “Come on then. We’ll give you a ten-second head start.”

“How generous,” I murmur, already moving toward the doors.

Matteo follows, pacing me like a shadow.

Ten seconds to outrun two men who have spent the last several years learning exactly how I breathe.

The woods stretch in front of me—dappled light, thick undergrowth, narrow paths and gnarled roots. One mile. One gate.

If I make it, I win.

If I don’t… I know exactly what kind of punishment waits.

And part of me—some vicious, twisted part—wants to lose just to feel it. But another part just wants the hiding to be over.

Every muscle in my body is coiled, heart already hammering. I glance once over my shoulder.

Matteo and Bodhi stand side by side.

Predators. Waiting.

“Ten seconds,” Matteo repeats, smiling sweetly, eyes locked on mine. “Then we come for you. Use it wisely.”

The wind shifts and I run.