Page 32 of Surviving Love

“Who does he want you to vote for?”

“Harold,” I lied. “He… uh… thinks he’s no good in the challenges.”

“Hmmm.” He shifted uneasily. “He told me he was voting for Luciano, like we all agreed.”

I swallowed hard. “Huh. That’s weird.”

He stepped closer, and I stiffened. “You’re not lying to me, right?”

I shook my head, guilt eating me alive.

“You’d tell me if I had anything to worry about, wouldn’t you?” His voice was husky. “There were people who wanted to vote for you tonight, but I protected you.”

I winced inwardly but tried to keep my expression blank. “I appreciate that.”

“Do you?”

I nodded. “Of course.”

“I’d ask if I can trust you, but you made it clear earlier today I shouldn’t trust you.”

“I said you shouldn’t trustanyone.”

“True. You did say that.”

I started to walk past him, but he grabbed my arm. “Be careful of Rob. He’s said some nasty things about you, Mason.”

I frowned, trying to ignore the warmth of his fingers on my skin. “Knowing that guy, he’s said nasty things about all of us.”

He laughed. “No doubt.”

Slowly pulling my arm from his grip, I said, “We should head to the Fire Council soon. Wouldn’t want to keep Shep waiting.”

“Right.”

I strode toward camp, my heart beating fast. Jack had pretty good instincts, but I wasn’t sure that would save him tonight. If Harold and Julia were truly on board with Rob and Luciano and I voted for Jack too, he was going home.

****

Fire Council looked like something out of a Tarzan movie. There were thick hanging vines and torches burning all around the room. The filming took place inside a set built to look like we were inside ancient ruins. Mock stone walls surrounded us, and there were live snakes slithering just a few feet from us.

In the center of the large area, there was a big granite fire pit. Shep stood at one end of the room, behind a waist-high stone altar. The contestants sat near him on benches designed to look like rocks. As we took our seats, Shep talked with the crew. After an hour of setting up the most flattering lighting and camera angles, it was time for the council to begin.

I ended up between Harold and Jack on the upper row, and Rob and Luciano were in front of us with the others. I watched Rob and Luciano laughing and whispering to each other, and it pissed me off. I hated the very idea of giving them what they wanted, but thiswasjust a game. After a couple of days of no sleep and not enough food, it felt more serious, but it really wasn’t. Jack knew that. He’d get over the betrayal. Eventually.

I turned to Harold and whispered, “Are you sure voting Jack off is the right move?”

Harold’s gray eyes met mine. “What choice do we have?”

I grimaced. “What if we forced a tie?”

“If we do something that risky, it will be our heads on the chopping block next time.” He scowled. “Besides, if you wanted to do something like that, you should have said something sooner. It’s too late now.”

“This just feels wrong.” When I turned my head, I found Jack watching me. My pulse spiked at the intensity of his gaze. I’d never betrayed anyone before, and it felt pretty shitty.

“Everything okay?” Jack asked.

I shrugged, feeling sick with stress. “I don’t know why I thought I could play this game,” I muttered.