Chapter 15
FIFTEEN
CASSIE
It takes my breath away. If I was cold before, it’s nothing compared to this. The water is like ice and as I surface, the shock renders me speechless. It’s a sudden rush of adrenalin I wasn’t expecting and as Frankie surfaces beside me, he grins, “Race you.”
He has spoken my language because rather than dwell on this, his challenge spurs me into action and as we take off, it’s with a determination to be the first one to reach the other side.
I am lighter and faster than him, but he is more powerful. He matches me stroke for stroke and it only increases my competitiveness. I am a fast swimmer, but the current is stronger than the pool and it takes all of my dwindling energy just to keep up with him.
The distance is deceiving and as we reach the middle of the river, my lungs are bursting. However, my determination to win overrides my body’s weakness and I suck it up and power through, matching Frankie stroke for stroke.
It’s an eternity before we reach the opposite bank and as Frankie pulls up out of the river, I’m touched when he reaches for my hand to help me out.
We catch our breath, shivering from the cold as we lie side by side and he gasps, “I consider that a draw.”
“Same.”
We share a grin and in this moment he is no longer my adversary, not so scary anymore and somebody I wouldn’t mind losing to in the challenge ahead.
He removes his sneakers and shakes the water from them and grins.
“It’s a good job I have several other pairs. These are only fit for the trash.”
I shrug, pouring the water from mine back into the river.
“They just need to dry out. Failing that, I have a reserve pair. The trouble is now–” I glance around and then whisper, “How the hell are we going to explain this when we walk back through the grounds of the academy?”
Frankie grins and it’s infectious. “Let them talk. Anyway, our house isn’t far. I’ll loan you some clothes and then you can sneak back to your dorm without anyone staring.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
Once again, he reaches for my hand and pulls me up and as I dust the grass and twigs from my wet legs, I don’t even care what I must look like. I have just had the wildest adventure with a man I never expected to share it with.
* * *
We head to the house in a companionable silence and after a while, I whisper, “Thanks for the tour. I mean that. It helps.”
“You’re welcome.”
“But why? I still don’t understand why you’ve given me more of a fighting chance?”
He shrugs, his arm brushing against mine as we limp back along the path.
“If I didn’t, you would have gone there, anyway.”
“You don’t know that.” I hide my smile because, of course, I was going there.
“And now you have. Does it change your mind about the challenge?”
I shrug. “A little. I suppose it’s taken away the mystery and the fear.”
“You were afraid?”
He chuckles beside me, causing me to snap. “Wrong word. It wasn’t fear. I just don’t want to be chained to anyone. It’s a little archaic if you ask me, and I’m only doing it to give Siri a fighting chance at an ordinary life here.”
“You say an ordinary life, Cassie.”
Frankie sighs. “None of us have that, not in the real world, and you will be doing her a disservice in showing her another way. When she leaves, her destiny will be waiting and she may resent the freedom she was allowed because it would upset the order of things.”
I make to speak and he tugs me around to face him and I’m mesmerized at the pain in his eyes.
“We don’t get to enjoy a normal life. What is considered normal, anyway?”
He leans closer, his damp skin brushing against mine as he hisses, “Our parents didn’t live a normal life; they never did. The only choice we have is how we deal with it.”
He grasps my chin between his fingers and stares deep into my eyes and says huskily, “That is why we crave adventure. The unknown – the unattainable perhaps. We live like kings with the wealth our families enjoy, but our emotions are kept firmly in the background for a reason. We are not normal and never will be, so get used to that and stop craving something you can never have and would never want if you had it.”
He releases me and moves away, leaving me staring after him in surprise. I never expected that reaction and yet if anything, I like him more because of it.
I run to catch up with him and as his house looms before us, I say quickly, “You told me you may not be taking part in The Claiming. If it was your idea, why wouldn’t you take part? It doesn’t make sense.”
He stops and turns and his mask is back in place as he smirks, “Why would I reveal all my cards before the game has started? You will soon learn, little Cass that is no way to win the game.”
He jerks his head in the direction of the house.
“Come, I’ll make you coffee and grab you something to wear. I dare you to accept my offer.”
His eyes flash as I roll mine and mutter, “You’re a jackass, Frankie.”
He shrugs and then turns, obviously expecting me to follow and somehow that doesn’t bother me, even though it should.
* * *
My second visit to The Elusive house is to visit another occupant’s bedroom.
Once again, I follow a guy up the grand staircase, but this time we turn right and not left. There appears to be nobody home because the house is in silence and my heart is racing as I consider what this would look like if anyone saw us.
Rather than stop at any of the doors, Frankie takes another staircase set at the end of the hall and as we climb them, he says as an aside, “I chose to set up home where my mom did.”
“She lived here?” I’m amazed. “With your father?”
He chuckles. “No. Mom was forced to live here with my Uncle Angelo and her friend Emma. They were to be kept away from his friends and relegated to the attic.”
“But she fell in love with your father here?”
I don’t know why I’m prying into their family business, but I’m intrigued.
Frankie nods. “They fell in lust and then in love. It didn’t end well, though.”
“Why not?”
He shakes his head. “Family secrets, Cassie. I’m guessing you have a few of those yourself. Maybe I’ll tell you a few one day – pillow talk perhaps.”
“In your dreams, asshole.” I growl, causing him to laugh out loud.
“We’ll see, little one. Stranger things have happened.”
He stops at a door at the top of the staircase and as we enter, I’m amazed at the sheer luxury in front of me.
“Wow, this is what I imagine penthouse living would be like.”
“Not even close, baby girl.” His arrogant smirk causes me to roll my eyes, especially when he adds. “We have three penthouses, and theyare all way better than this. If I was to liken it to anything, it would be a suite in a five-star hotel, anything more would be generous.”
“But it’s no frat boy’s room.”
I remind him where we are and he shrugs. “I’m no frat boy and never will be.”
“Newsflash.” I smirk. “Whether you like it or not, you are living in a house called The Elusives. If that isn’t a self-styled fraternity, I don’t know what is.”
He shrugs, my words bouncing off his ego as he disappears through another door.
I am tempted to follow him, but I’m guessing it’s his bedroom. I am standing in what appears to be a giant cinema room, judging from the huge comfy leather couch with more scatter cushions than a store. The oversized screen on the wall sits above a built in modern fireplace, with LED lighting and alcoves filed with trophies.
I wander over to one and pick up the nearest.
Winner.
That figures.
It appears to be for a triathlon which surprises me. I didn’t have him down as a jock and yet all around me is evidence to the contrary.
I pick up another and this time it’s a steering wheel, declaring him the winner of a junior Indy car race.
Frankie wasn’t kidding when he said he loves a challenge and once again my impression of him shifts in his favor.
Before I can delve a little deeper, he heads out, having changed into sweatpants and nothing else.
“I’ll take a shower, but thought you’d appreciate this while you wait. Unless you care to join me.”
His wicked grin for some reason makes me laugh and I snatch the robe he offers me with a shake of my head. “This will be fine, although I could use a t-shirt and some shorts, or something like that and then I’ll leave you to your shower.”
“Wait. I promised you coffee. I won’t be long.”
He disappears through the door and as I wrap the robe around me, it strikes me how warm it is, almost as if he plucked it from the drier.
It feels so good and I’m jealous of his shower because I’m guessing it’s just what we both need right now. However, that would be a giant step too far, so I wrap myself up and perch on the couch, glancing around me with astonishment at the tasteful décor that he most definitely had no part of.