God Of Desire

catching up

Anastasia :

The bell finally rang, signaling the end of the day. I walked through the crowded hallway, the noise of chattering students blending into the background as my thoughts drifted back to Aaron's cryptic words. "We've already been digging." What the hell did he mean by "we"?

Shaking it off for now, I pushed through the front doors and stepped outside into the cool air. As I approached the school gate, I could already see the heads turning. People were staring...no, gawking...at Tolya.

He stood by the gate, arms crossed, looking every bit as intimidating as usual. His tall, broad frame towered over most, and that scar running across his lip, paired with the tattoos snaking up his neck and hands, didn't exactly scream "approachable." His cold, piercing eyes scanned the crowd as if daring anyone to come too close. He wasn't just my bodyguard; he was the shadow that followed me everywhere, ensuring no one ever forgot who I was.

Whispers and stares followed me as I walked toward him, but I didn't care. Let them talk.

Tolya's gaze softened slightly when it landed on me, and he dipped his head in a respectful nod before opening the car door.

"Miss Volkov," he greeted, his voice low and gravelly, though it held a hint of warmth only I would recognize.

I slid into the backseat, the leather cool against my skin as Tolya shut the door behind me. The car pulled away from the school, and I let out a small sigh, the tension from the day beginning to melt away.

Even though I promised myself I wouldn't get involved in school drama, a little research didn't exactly count as diving in, did it? As the car smoothly pulled away from the school, I cleared my throat, drawing Tolya's attention.

He glanced at me through the rearview mirror, his sharp eyes instantly alert. "Yes, Miss Volkov?" he asked, his tone respectful but always laced with a readiness to act.

"I want you to dig into something," I said, keeping my voice calm but firm, already knowing he wouldn't question my request.

He raised an eyebrow slightly, his expression unreadable as usual, but his grip on the wheel tightened. "What are we looking into?"

I leaned back against the plush leather seat, crossing my legs. "The school. Specifically, the families who seem to have influence there. The ones who think they run it...students, teachers, whatever." My gaze flickered out the window as the world passed by in a blur. "I want to know who's connected to what. If there are any...alliances."

Tolya's eyes darkened with understanding, but before he could say anything, I added, "And don't inform my father. This stays between us."

There was a pause, a small beat where the only sound was the hum of the engine and the faint buzz of the city outside. His gaze met mine in the rearview mirror again, sharper this time, like he was weighing the consequences of my request.

"Understood," he finally said, his voice steady. "I'll get on it right away."

I nodded, satisfied. "Good. I need everything, and I don't want to wait too long."

Tolya gave a curt nod, already shifting into action-mode. I could practically see the gears turning in his head, mapping out exactly how he would approach the situation, who he'd contact, what he'd find out.

This school wasn't just a place for kids to learn. There was something more going on beneath the surface, and I had every intention of figuring out what...and who...was behind it.