Page 116 of Forsaking All Others

“Yes.”

“You look a million miles away. Tonight isn’t the night to lose focus.”

“I know that. Just spit it out, Jag,” I wave my hands for emphasis, “these private chats are killing me by increments; you must know that.”

“I don’t wish to cause you any pain,” he frowns.

“Are you crazy? Other competitors are literally drawing targets on my forehead as we speak.”

“Of course, my apologies.”

“So make it quick. What deal are you offering?”

“I won’t give you immorality, Cat, I can’t. But I can give you freedom. If you look after Thorun tonight, I’ll kill your mortal enemy.”

“That’s hardly a good deal,” I scowl, although deep down I’m doing the math and a new strategy is forming. I thought I wouldn’t be happy if I didn’t deal Valentino’s death myself, but I’ve come to realise that without Valentino in the world I’d be free of the shadows of my past. It doesn’t really matter who kills him once I’m married, because even when my identity is revealed, I’ll be safe.

‘And if I fail and die, or the bachelor chooses Thorun? Doesn’t matter, Valentino is still dead.’

Still, I don’t want to give in too soon.

“You’re saying that if I protect Thorun, you’ll kill Valentino — regardless of whether I become your wife.”

“I will.”

I look him in the eye and hold out my hand. Jag doesn’t realise it, but knowing Valentino and how well he’s shielded, there’s every chance I will, in fact, get immortality. Especially since I’ve only agreed to protect Thorun for tonight. For this competition, not the last one. It’s a distinction I’m not going to illuminate for him, but that’s what he’d just said. Protect her tonight.

A deal is a deal.

“I agree. But just so you know, I still intend to marry you. I’ll give you Valentino’s last name the night we become engaged. His head will be the perfect wedding present, but…”

I hold his hand in mine as he tries to withdraw it, and he frowns slightly.

“If you fail, Jag. If you fail to do as promised and destroy him, I want your bite on my wedding day.”

He draws a sharp breath but holds my steady gaze and squeezes my hand gently as he answers.

“You drive a hard bargain. I’d expect no less. Very well.”

“We have an agreement?” I continue to gaze into his sincere eyes, finding it hard to pull away for some reason.

“We have an agreement,” he says quietly. “Good luck tonight, Cat.”

“I don’t believe in luck.”

I drop his hand and turn towards where the others wait, the presenter and director lining up the contestants ready for optimum camera angles and giving last-minute instructions.

Loping towards the group, I frown as I head towards where Thorun stands. A deal is a deal, but I can’t help but think that even though I’d signed Valentino’s death warrant, I may also have signed my own.

86

Rejoining the rest of the group, my deal now sealed with Cat, I stand beside the director as the ridiculous host, Starlen, prepares to follow his script, and I try not to catch the eye of any of the contestants.

Every season this particular challenge becomes more difficult and more diabolical. It’s well-known that this contest will likely see several of the women before me killed, either through accidents due to its sheer difficulty, or through deliberate targeting.

I clear my throat and look at my feet as Starlen begins his diatribe.

“And…Action!”