Free Schooled in Revenge by Jesse Lasky

wanted it. That maybe he wanted to walk the rows of grapes alone or sit on the terrace sampling the new Pinot.
    But he didn’t care about it at all.
    She thinks of her grandmother, a wave of sorrow and regret nearly pulling her under. Sylvie would never have let this happen. Never
did
let it happen, despite all the offers thrown her way.
    Ava sits up straighter, thoughts of her grandmother bringing her to something else.
    “Tell me who purchased it,” she demands, looking at the accountant.
    He walks back to the desk and picks up a file, handing it to her. “A man by the name of William Reinhardt.”

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
    The horizon was tinged pink when Ava exited her
washitsu,
scurrying along the perimeter of the shooting range. She moved confidently across the cold, hard ground. Now that she’d made the decision to join the others, there was no room for indecision. They had agreed to leave separately to avoid detection, meeting on the beach where they would make their way to the other side of the cliff.
    All they could do was hope the plane was really there.
    She had just rounded the corner of the training room when a voice broke through the faint light of dawn.
    “Going somewhere?”
    Ava turned toward the training room, seeing only shadows.
    “Who’s there?”
    Emily Thorne stepped into the morning mist, draped in a white robe and holding an épée, one of the swords they used for fencing.
    “I could use a dueling partner,” Emily offered, twirling her épée in her hand. “I’d say I’d go easy on you, but that’s never been my style.”
    “Thanks for the offer, but I’m actually heading out.”
    Emily nodded coolly. “Must be important. Don’t let me keep you.”
    Ava shrugged. “See you around.”
    “That’s going to be hard to do if you leave here,” Emily said.
    Ava stopped in her tracks.
    “I have to say that I think it’s a bad idea, Ava.”
    “You can’t change my mind,” Ava said stubbornly.
    “I’m not trying to,” Emily explained, “but it’s a mistake to abandon this place before your training is done. Before you’re ready.”
    Ava walked back to where Emily was standing; she didn’t want to draw attention to herself by talking too loudly.
    “We have a lead on the people who forced us down this path. And all of our missions are connected. We’re going after our enemies as a team.”
    Emily hesitated. “I get that you’re angry. I do. But being here will provide the guidance and discipline necessary to truly enact revenge.”
    Ava shook her head. She didn’t want to hear it. She’d already agonized over the decision. Now that it was made, she didn’t need Emily making her second-guess herself.
    Emily met her eyes. “Ava. Trust me.”
    “I’ve trusted enough people,” Ava hissed. “It’s time to trust myself.”
    Emily seemed to consider Ava’s words. “I think you know, deep down, that being here is what’s best for you right now. It was for me.”
    “You don’t get it,” Ava said. “Do you know what it’s like to trust someone and have him completely destroy your life?”
    Emily nodded. “My father did. He trusted everyone. And because of that, both of our lives were ruined.”
    Ava shouldn’t have been surprised by the confession. Why else would Emily be here if not for revenge? Isn’t that why they were all here?
    “I’m sorry,” Ava said. “Your father… where is he now?”
    Emily’s eyes were unreadable as she shook her head. “It’s been nearly twenty years, and thanks to Takeda, the people responsible for tearing down my father are finally beginning to get what they deserve. To do it right, to truly get your revenge, you have to do something even harder than figuring out how to trust again.”
    “What?” Ava asked.
    “Have patience.”
    Ava thought about it, the logic of Emily’s argument warring with the emotion that had mobilized her back in the meditation room. Everything Emily said made sense, but it didn’t change anything. Ava had