Page 69 of Corrupt Me

“Looking pretty smug over there.”

“You’re not that hard to read,” she throws back.

We’re fully engaged in our heated battle of wills that not even the group groans and the occasional “Come on, guys” make us stop.

“Are you obsessed with me, Bailey?” I ask, leaning closer.

“It’s a miracle your ego fits in the van with the rest of us,” she shoots back, then pulls out and opens her laptop, ignoring me.

Our friends sigh dramatically when she starts one of her documentaries, but I scoot closer to her.

I raise a brow, fixing them with a hard look. “Shut up. You don’t care about wildlife, put earbuds in.”

The video is about the big five: lions, leopards, rhinos, buffalos, and elephants. It starts with the lion, the so-called king of the jungle. Personally, I think the lioness should get more credit for doing the actual work—hunting the prey and feeding the pride. The lion should be renamed the breeder of the jungle, strutting around, roaring, and fucking to prove he’s the alpha.

When we board the jet, I take the seat next to her, fully invested in the documentary now. The hours pass in a blur, and soon, we’re loading up in a helicopter.

After a short flight, the pilot lands atop a hill, steps out, and grins. “Welcome to Colorado.”

Once we hop off, we’re surrounded by thick trees that stretch endlessly toward the sky. Snowcapped mountains loom around us, with smaller hills circling in the distance. A valley stretches out below, blanketed in white, leading to a road in the distance. We’re completely alone in the middle of nature, trapped in the most iconic winter scene imaginable, with an impressive lake glistening below us.

To our left are four log cabins with glass facades that reflect the surrounding forest. In front of each one sits an ATV.

I hear my friends’ gasps and sounds of astonishment as they take in the view.

Before he departs, the pilot gives us a letter. Kaden opens it and starts reading aloud.

This is my present to you. Your loyalty and love for each other is astounding, so I bought this land for you as a group. When times get rough, come here and remember why life is worth it.

With all my love, Cassandra.

Kaden pulls Celine to his side, who snuggles into him and cries softly.

When the whooshing of the helicopter’s blades disappears and the snow settles back on the ground, silence ensues, making me believe we’re the only souls left in the world.

The snow crunches under my boots as I approach the cabins.

“There are only four,” Bailey says, searching my eyes.

There’s a flicker of panic and hope that maddens me as much as it eases me.

“We can just switch places every night,” Mia suggests, and the guys groan.

Bailey, because she’s just too damn good, says, “It’s not a problem. I am sure there is enough space for the both of us.”

I retreat behind a tree for a bit of privacy and call Cassandra. “We’re here, but I guess you forgot to mention something.”

“Is that a reproach?”

I grit my teeth. I hate it when she does that—she uses her position to get away with everything.

“Ma’am, there are just four cabins.”

“Which are big and comfortable enough. I don’t like to waste space.”

Sure.

“I am positive you can come up with a solution that will benefit you all.”

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