Page 205 of Ruthless Kings of Havoc

“Huh?” I look at him. “What you mean we’re the only ones here? This is Leighton’s property.”

“Yes,” Ares agrees with me and points to Matteo. “Leighton’s property, meaning Matteo’s cottage mansion. Was the closest one to Leighton. The other one was a private jet far, and we didn’t want you to realize we were planning this.”

“Planning… this?” I look at him in disbelief before staring up at Matteo, who’s taking another go at his cigar. “So the challenge…”

“Was the least suspicious way to get you away from Leighton for a one-week vacation here at the cottage to relax and be off the grid,” Matteo announces.

“Off the grid,” I repeat those words. “So…”

“No paparazzi, no stalkers. No fucking Domino. None of that shit,” Ares summarizes.

“B-But… I thought…” I hold my tongue because I don’t want them to realize I overheard them when they said we couldn’t take time off. “Won’t we get in trouble for missing school?”

“I made a special request to Leighton myself,” Matteo reveals. “Said I needed a week off to train in solitude, and it’s best to bring you guys along, so there isn’t any suspicion. He didn’t mind my ambitious request. Approved it and ensured there’ll be no penalty to use against us.”

“Did you paint yourself like you have multiple personality problems just to get us a week off?” Zander asks, and I see him walking to the deck to stand next to Matteo. “You want him to think you’re crazy?”

Matteo shrugs.

“It worked. Plus, you can’t use it against me when he deals with the same shit. That’s hypocritical, and frankly, Leighton isn’t two-faced unless he’s dealing with an identity crisis.”

I’m reeling it all in, realizing one striking conclusion.

“You guys…” I find it hard to say the words as I look at Ares. “You guys planned a getaway so we can have a break together?”

Ares pulls me close as he lays a kiss on the top of my head.

“Was long overdue, Sweet Canary. We’ve been going hard for weeks. You attend photoshoots, keep up with your grades, and are acing everything, maintaining your meal plan and fitness regimen, even after the fight club incident, and still doing yourbest to be a Maiden with your duties. That includes satisfying our needs,” he summarizes. When he says it like that, it does sound like a lot.

“Plus, Zander wanted us to give you a survival gift. You mentioned always wanting to go up to a cottage to relax like teenagers in summertime. The weather has been bipolar with the hot and cold nonsense, but this whole upcoming week is the perfect temperatures. Not too hot to be drenched but not too cold for us not to swim.”

He moves a few strands of my hair back before brushing his thumbs along my cheeks, making me realize I’m crying.

“Matteo stopped by a convenience department store when you were sleeping in the car and grabbed a bunch of shit, so we can all sit before the fireplace and make vision boards.”

“You weren’t supposed to say it was me,” Matteo mutters but carries on smoking his cigar. “But, yes. That and something about S’mores making.”

“That was my idea,” Zander claims with pride. “That’s what teenagers do over the fire and shit. There’s a fire pit outside here, so we can use that after we finish our vision boards and wait for them to dry.”

I peer at them before looking at Ares, as if this all can’t possibly be true.

“You… my Kings… did this for me?”

“We did, Sweet Canary,” Ares assures me and cups my cheeks so he can kiss me tenderly. “You’re worthy of this and more. You’ve deserved a reward for a long time. This was just the best way to go about it without you suspecting anything.”

“Though it was a close call since she almost hit me with Knifey,” Zander points out and shows off the knife.

“Hey… give Knifey back!” I huff and watch him smirk as he spins it between his fingers like it’s not dangerous.

“Come make me, Sweet Dynamite,” he teases and walks away into the house.

“Ugh!” I huff, but I turn my attention to Ares before giving him a tight hug. “Thank you. Thank you so fucking much!”

He hugs me back before he scoops me up with ease.

“You’re welcome, Verena,” he replies with a stunning smile. “You deserve to be pampered, Eva,” his voice is so low, I’m sure only I can hear his next words. “Now we get a week to learn more about each other. Not just physically, but really learn about all the aspects we love and dislike.” He lays a kiss on my cheek. “Like how I like gold and orange.”

“I knew that one,” I huff and giggle. “Guess mine.”

---