Page 149 of Ignite

“Phase two is where I enter The Chase. You’ll spend the night in the woods. Survive. That’s all you need to do. Rest, recover, and get ready for nightfall. Because that is when I will be hunting my prey. If I catch you…” He takes a purposeful pause.

I get the gist.

I swallow the bile rising in my throat. I can’t imagine another man inside of me other than Conan. All that means is I cannot be caught.

“The contestant who is last to be caught, or remains to be, will be the winner of The Chase.”

How is this legal?

Tears threaten to erupt. Less than three hours ago, I was the happiest I’ve been in years. Life was falling into place. And now? Now it’s going up in flames.

All I can do is try not to end up in the ashes.

“You’re never alone in the woods of Decadence. Even in phase one. Show me your skills to survive. I want to see your hunger to live.”

I look down at the flimsy green lace bodysuit I have on, down to the black lace-up boots. Like some sort of sexy military getup.

I’m hoping this is all a fucking nightmare I wake up from soon. This cannot be reality.

“Good luck, Contestant Ten. Hopefully, I’ll see you in phase two, and I’ll be chasing you soon.”

My eyes flutter closed, picturing being in the woods with Conan. How good that felt. How alive I was with him.

The thought of never seeing him again is so excruciating, but it’s also my fuel.

I will win this game.

I will find Conan.

And we will burn this place to the ground.

Chapter 52

CONAN

Reclining back in my seat, I let out an exhale.

Hallie hasn’t replied, I guess she’s getting ready for work. Declan strides into my cabin and tears off his mask. We take extra precautions during our Decadence Games to remain anonymous.

“You ready?” he asks, grabbing the whiskey.

“Yeah,” I answer, glancing down at my phone on the desk.

“Pass that here.” He holds out his hand.

“What? No.” I grab the phone.

“Conan. You can’t concentrate if you’re constantly thinking about Hallie. Or trying to contact her. I know you, brother. I haven’t seen you like this over a woman before in our whole life. The more you speak to her, the deeper you’re treading into lying to her. It’s just a couple of days. Just send a quick text saying Keller is taking your cell so you can concentrate on training. Then after this is done, we move the fuck on and never talk about it again.”

I swear to God I’m almost sweating at the thought. No contact? Sounds like hell. But I know he’s right.

Damn, Declan is always right. That’s why he’s the boss.

“Fine,” I huff.

Declan chuckles.

“It’s like we’re kids again. You want me and Finn to go beat up some bullies for you again?”

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