Is this destiny?

In the morning, the organizers shared events that will happen during the next three days.

Aiden picked swimming, obstacle course, and shooting with a pistol and they were looking at the exact timings over breakfast and coming up with strategies.

Aiden will have swimming that same morning, and the shooting in the afternoon, while the obstacle course event is on the next morning.

Sarah frowned.

"Do you see anything wrong with this?", Aiden asked Sarah.

"By tomorrow morning you will be done, and then we have another day and a half of just sitting around with targets on our backs.", Sarah explained.

It is about being targets, but it's also that they will be stuck in the room for almost two days unless they risk their safety to sneak out. Sarah is tired of sitting and tired of avoiding other bullies just because they are undercover. If not for concealing their identities, she would burn them all.

Hong agreed with Sarah's conclusion. "With various events taking place, people will be scattered and distracted. Someone can take Aiden out in the middle of the camp and people will not know who did it."

Sarah's frown deepened. "I don't like this. Can we leave once he is done with his events?"

Hong shrugged. "I can go and talk to our handler from the organization and see if anything can be done. But don't get your hopes up."

"Mention that our concern is security and that we were attacked more than once.", Sarah reminded Hong. "If they can't ensure our safety, we will rather leave and come back when they announce the final results."

Sarah is not exaggerating. They were confronted by Iskra in the previous camp and since they reached the main base of the Voronin family, they avoided trouble only thanks to the eavesdropping through Igor's ear stud and the drones. 

After breakfast, Sarah and Aiden went toward the enclosed swimming pool, and Hong went to get a hold of their handler and to see if they can leave the base after Aiden is done with his training.

Hong made a call from his room, and Zdravko (the handler) showed up within five minutes.

"You want to leave? No one leaves until this is over.", Zdravko said resolutely.

"Can you make an exception? I have only Alex and we narrowly escaped serious confrontations several times."

Zdravko didn't think it's a big deal. "A fighter like Alex can handle attackers."

"Yes, in a fair fight. He can take care of three or four at the same time, however, what if there are more? What if they have guns?"

"Are you saying that he was held at a gunpoint?"

"I don't want to name anyone, but you should check everyone who came here for the competition. I don't know and I don't care if they smuggled guns through security, or if they got them after coming here. My problem is that they have them."

Zdravko pursed his lips while thinking about Hong's words. They are aware that some competitors have guns, and his superiors said to ignore that. They see it as a form of survival of the fittest. "I don't have the authorization to let you out and I can't stop you from leaving, but if you do, you forfeited."

"We didn't reach all the way here to forfeit. You don't have the authorization, but someone has. Right?"

"Why are you so persistent? Aren't you concerned that you will be kicked out for asking for preferential treatment?"

Hong shrugged. "How I see it, we either come to an agreement that my team can temporarily leave, and we save our lives, or I lose my main fighter. I'm confident that you are watching the competition so far. Alex is at the top, and his scores from the next three events will be excellent. Unfortunately, that will only make others be more brazen in attacking him and I fear that one of the attacks will be successful. If we leave and forfeit, Alex might lose his opportunity that this event provides, but he will still be able to contribute to our base… I asked you here to see if we can come to a compromise where Alex continues with the competition and stays safe. He is eager to see to what heights he will reach after winning here, but he made it clear that he will not jeopardize his life recklessly for a simple competition where prizes are not certain. Natalia supports his opinion as well because Alex is of more use alive than dead."

Zdravko listened attentively and nodded in agreement. "I will make some calls and let you know…"

"Thank you, Zdravko. That is all I asked for..."

…

Hong reached the enclosed swimming pool right on time to watch Aiden finish the race. He won.

Aiden propped himself out of the pool, and his body emerged from the water in its full glory, embellished by the waterdrops that sparkled on him. A breathtaking sight that made several females from the audience scream.

Aiden ruffled his hair, and his devilish smile was on as his eyes followed Sarah that approached him with a towel in her hands.

As women soaked their wild fantasies with Aiden's appearance, Sarah was not happy. She wrapped him in the towel swiftly from the chest down, how the females usually do.

"When I said fine for the swimming, I forgot that you will be undressed…", Sarah grumbled. "Cover-up, all females and several guys are staring at you. I will not allow it…"

Aiden chuckled. He was happy that Sarah is so possessive. He loves it when she claims him as hers and he paid no attention to anyone other than Sarah.

He wanted to mention that there are about a dozen other men in their swim trunks, and all of them are muscular, but he was happy that Sarah is treating him like he is the only one eye-candy present. It definitely proves that she is not checking out anyone else. She is his.

"Congratulations, Alex on winning the first place…", Vanya said while extending her hand for a handshake.

Aiden glanced at Vanya's hand and looked at Sarah, silently telling her that she can handle this.

Frustration bubbled inside Sarah. Out of three girls who are still in the competition, one of them had to be Vanya, and she picked swimming. And why is Vanya so persistent in approaching Aiden? She is either mentally challenged and not understanding that Aiden is ignoring her on purpose, or she is embarrassing herself because her mission is to seduce him.

Sarah stood between Aiden and Vanya and shook Vanya's hand instead of Aiden.

"You were fourth. Not bad for a girl. If I competed, I would be second, right after MY man.", Sarah said smugly, ignoring Vanya's outrage.

Vanya composed herself and jerked her hand out of Sarah's hold. She craned her neck to see Aiden better because Sarah was blocking her view.

"Do you want to keep your eyes?", Sarah squeezed through her teeth before Vanya could say anything.

"Ignore her, love. She is not important.", Aiden spoke to Sarah like Vanya is not there.

Sarah made a face at Vanya and turned to Aiden. "Let's put some clothes on you before you attract more flies."

Vanya gritted her teeth and watched Aiden and Sarah leave.

Dusan was toweling off his hair as he approached Vanya. "I know you are supposed to seduce him, but no matter what your technique is, it can't succeed when his girl is by his side. Even if he wants to have a go at you, he will reject in order not to offend the blonde. And trust me… every man wants to have a go at you."

Vanya ignored Dusan's lecherous gaze. She was exasperated that no matter what she tries, Aiden slips away. The boss of her base is pressuring her to succeed, and she was sure that this bikini will do the trick, yet Aiden didn't even look at her.

Vanya snorted irritably. "She is always by his side. What am I supposed to do?"

"How about we work together?"

"What do you mean?"

Dusan leaned closer and spoke only for Vanya to hear: "You can take Alex, and I will get the girl."

Vanya's lips stretched into a smile in slow motion. "Deal."

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