Page 20 of Forsaking All Others

No doubt when they arrive they’ll be on their best behaviour. It’s nice, though, to know there are some real personalities among them. After all, if I’m going to have to marry someone, it might as well be someone with wit and a sense of humour. Apart from the Italian I hadn’t heard any evidence of this from the others, until tonight.

As they arrive I can’t help but raise an eyebrow at their clothing. The evening is not freezing, but certainly not warm, and I would have thought given the nature of the challenge they are about to face, that sturdier clothing and some basic footwear might have been in order. Only two of them are wearing dresses; the rest are in very revealing swimwear.

‘But then, what does it matter? They’ll die no matter what they wear.’

The thought sobers me, and I nod to each of them as they array themselves around me and await my instruction. I want to detail this challenge like I want a hole in the head. I’m literally about to tell them how to murder one another.

‘At least I don’t need to kill them, though, there’s that.’

I flick my eyes to Cherry and she gives me a knowing smirk, turning her neck to the side and revealing my bite marks. I may have agreed to nip these women, but seeing the marks on her neck, no matter how much I dislike her, makes me sick.

‘Fucking director with his fucking rules. Fucking Falcon. Fucking Game!’

I turn and nod to the director to get started. The less time I have to be here, the better.

‘And…Action!’

“Good evening, ladies.”

They murmur their replies, and I wait until they’re quiet before continuing. The only one not focused on me as I start talking is the Italian. She seems busy studying the water, looking for something. I don’t know why she’s bothering; surely they’d been told that the challenge involves the forest on the mountainside above us?

“Let me begin by saying that I hadn’t expected you to come straight from the pool to your first challenge, but that I’m not at all averse to how you’re dressed.”

Giggles and flirty comments abound, but the Italian turns from the water to frown at me.

I go on, ignoring for the moment her intense glare. There’s something about her eyes that has disturbed me from the moment I met her.

“I feel I should tell you that the director was mostly joking about the snakes.”

“Thank Christ,” the Australian whispers.

“The snakes in the water are garter snakes and bullsnakes. They’re not venomous. They might give a nasty nip, but that’s about all.”

“I’m all for the nip,” the Mexican giggles, winking at me.

A few nod their agreement as I go on.

“But you don’t need to worry about them because you’re unlikely to be in the water tonight.”

There’s a collective gasp as the women all look at each other. The Georgian and the Mongolian, the only two not wearing swimwear, shoot each other satisfied looks.

“You do, however, need to be aware of the rattlesnakes. This area is known for them, and they are venomous.”

“Crap,” the Australian mutters.

“Your task tonight is to reach the top of the mountain and solve a puzzle. The clues to the puzzle and tips on how best to get to the top quickly are provided in these packs, along with some water,” I point to a pile of tiny khaki green backpacks stacked nearby. “Each of you has a different clue. Whether you proceed as teams or individuals is up to you, but the more clues are shared, the easier it will be to solve the puzzle.”

“Cut!”

I frown and turn to the director.

“Yes?”

“Ah, Viscount, if you could just stick to the script we would very much appreciate it.”

“If you wanted the script to be read out you should have brought in that facetious little bastard, Starlen,” I scowl.

The director licks his lips nervously.