It barely shows when I’m standing, but when I walk, it’s obvious with the flowing lift of my skirt.

A reminder of claimed territory.

“Truthfully, I’m not sure,” Matteo confesses and looks deep in through. “I’ll have to look into it. If Theo is involved, I can see why he’s a bit anxious.”

“Theo?” Ares inquiries.

“Savage Heirs leader.”

“The one people were calling a prince? The tall fucker with that tall girl who was yelling something to him before she stomped off?” Ares inquiries for clarification. “Looks like a real royal. As in birthright royalty.”

“He is.” Matteo doesn’t seem open to releasing the details compared to when he was with Keir and Theo privately. “Just know not to mess with him.” He pauses and quickly adds, “Don’t let Precious be close to him, either.”

“Me?” I blink innocently. “He has a Maiden.”

“Just because one has a diamond in their grasp doesn’t mean they aren’t willing to get a shinier diamond in their possession, Eva.”

Oh…

Does that mean Theo is willing to cheat if it means he’s able to ascend to the next level?

It sounds disgusting, but then again, what is loyalty if not earned?

Right now, it looks like Theo and Anastasia don’t love each other. It’s strictly out of benefit to one another. Similar to how I became a Ruthless Maiden.

I hadn’t anticipated falling for anyone here.

To be willing to cooperate and listen to my Ruthless Kings.

This makes me feel a tad grateful because my Kings, despite their flaws, seem committed to me.

Except for Domino. He enjoyed chasing Barbieri like a panting dog, which didn’t get him far.

A ringtone catches our attention.

“Hmm.” Ares pulls out his phone and stares at the screen with a frown. “I have to take this.” He doesn’t seem satisfied with taking it here as he scans around.

“Go ahead,” Matteo encourages. “Zander and I will walk with Eva.”

“Okay,” Ares seems relieved before looking my way. “I’ll meet you at your locker, Sweet Canary.”

“Okay.”

When he leaves, I look at the two who are essentially “chaperoning me.”

“I can get to my locker, you know? I remember the way.”

“We know you can, Dolcezza,” Zander admits, but there’s something tense about his stature. “It’s just not safe today to do so.”

“What do you mean?” I question a little lower. “Is it over the attempted assassination?”

“No,” Matteo replies as his phone seems to buzz to life. He stares at the screen, looking just as dissatisfied with whoever is reaching out to him.

“Who is it?” Zander asks when Matteo keeps letting his phone ring.

“Father,” Matteo admits.

The phone stops ringing, but not three seconds later, another call is coming through.