Page 186 of Ruthless Kings of Havoc

“Mhmm.” I let out a yawn. “A nice nerd. He fixed my glasses when Domino broke them.”

“Did he?” Ares inquires.

“Yup…” I get more comfortable against Zander as my head rests on his shoulder. “He liked when I wore bows in my hair. Still made me look like a nerd with the glasses… but he liked it.”

Fingers trail through my hair, comforting me.

“What is your favorite hairstyle with the bows?” Zander asks. He speaks a lot quieter now, which I appreciate.

I’m so close to falling asleep. The nice hum of the car driving along this endless road and listening to Zander’s tamed breathing are soothing. When it gets really quiet, I can hear his heartbeat.I almost forget to answer him, but I catch myself as I fight the strands of sleep.

“Pigtails,” I remember because he said it was one of his mother’s favorite hairstyles. “Mom loved those pigtails. Their Mom. We did matching styles one day.” I think about it while I further relax. “She couldn’t do the style anymore.”

“Why, Dolcezza?” Zander ponders.

“Her hair fell away…” It feels like such a distant memory, or maybe it’s because I’m falling into the clutches of sleep. I don’t know which one it is, but the silence follows for a long time.

“She needs a brain scan.”

Hearing Matteo’s quiet voice makes me wonder what he’s talking about.

“Did the Doctor reveal the damage that seizure had on her?” Zander asks, his voice much sterner than usual.

“It was an intense one. She stopped breathing twice. Lack of oxygen to the brain is damaging enough. I want her to starttreatment immediately, but if we miss any more classes, we’re in jeopardy. We’ve only got an exception because Leighton’s waiting for the inquiring royal gossipers to fucking move on from the incident brewing in the shadows.”

“Everyone’s still talking about the deaths,” Ares notes.

“Do you blame them? Yes, Leighton Royals University is an academic institution that allows for death based on instigated fights and self-defense. If someone attacks you, you’re allowed to attack back if you survive,” Matteo reminds. “It’s exactly why everyone is allowed a weapon, and for those in royal hierarchies, additional security measures are allowed. When that assassin attempted to shoot me the first day, it gave me or anyone in my circle the right to defend themselves because we were all at risk if the shot struck any of us. Defense is defendable in court in our crazed society. Intentionally murdering a group of vulnerable female students with a tactic as low as drugging their water is an automatic no.” Matteo sounds angry now.

“That’s what gets you a one-way ticket to Black Dolphin’s prison in Russia and never be let out to feel the sun against your flesh again.

“Do you guys think Domino did it?” Ares ponders. “He confronted Wright. Tried to prevent him from leaving with Sweet Canary.”

“I’m looking into it,” Matteo admits.

“As am I,” Zander also confesses.

“Hmmm. You two might as well put your research together. Probably be faster.”

There’s a moment of silence.

“No,” they say in unison.

“Stubborn,” Ares says in defeat. “You two cause trouble for yourselves for no reason.”

Quietness descends upon them, but even with me half asleep, it doesn’t feel tense. The silence is comfortable, all of them in their own thoughts as we head to this challenging destination.

I must have fallen asleep again when a light kiss on my lips makes me stir.

“Dolcezza, we’re here.”

“Hmm.” I force my eyes open, despite my exhaustion. The car is stopped, and the front doors are open. I’m still in the back with Zander, but Ares and Matteo aren’t around.

“Where did everyone go?” I croak and have to force myself to pull from Zander, so I don’t fall right back to sleep. He’s so comfortable to lean against, it’s dangerous.

“They’re figuring out the instructions. It’s like a puzzle. Push one button, and the envelope drops into some sort of contraption in that tree. It’s connected to the property, but it’s not hackable.”

“It’s not?” I rub my eyes, realizing I need to be awake and serious if this challenge involves puzzles. It reminds me of a video game, which ignites a bit of excitement in me. I enjoy solving crazy puzzles in video games.

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