Page 121 of Theirs to Ruin

As I walked toward the stairs, Ty’s bedroom door was open. Suddenly, he came into view. He was wrapped in a towel, which sat low on his hips, revealing his bronze, perfectly toned muscles and the sharp V-lines that led to a place I was trying not to focus on. The tattooed artwork that covered his torso was new to me but all I could focus on were the jagged scars crisscrossing the left side of Ty’s chest.

Pain. So much pain.

I quickly lifted my gaze until our eyes met. For a moment, the world seemed to tilt on its axis. I braced myself for the usual mockery or insulting comment. Instead, his voice was surprisingly gentle when he spoke. “You’ve always been beautiful, Camille. Tonight, you look like perfection.”

The sincerity in his tone took me off guard. Before I could find my voice to reply, or to ask him what game he was playing now, he shut his bedroom door. I was left standing there, a flurry of conflicting emotions brewing inside me. My mind raced, trying to make sense of his statement and my feelings. How could one guy evoke so much confusion in me?

Part of me wanted to confront him about what he’d said while the other part wanted to run my lips over his scars and tell him how glad I was that he’d survived his injuries. But Ty hated me and Kage was waiting. With a deep breath, I made my way downstairs and to the front door.

As soon as I stepped outside and saw the gleaming Lamborghini Huracán parked in the driveway, I gasped. The car’s sleek lines made me shiver with excitement.

Standing by the driver's side was a man, towering and intimidating, dressed in a dark suit. His frame was so massive I was surprised he could even fit behind the wheel of the car. But his grin was charming, making his otherwise stern face light up.

“Good evening, Camille,” he said, greeting me with a nod. “I’m Adrian. Kage instructed me to ensure you have a memorable ride tonight.”

I laughed. “In this beast? No doubt.”

Adrian opened the passenger door for me. After I was seated, he held out an elegantly wrapped box. “For you.”

I bit my lip then took the box. There was a small card tucked under the ribbon.

No car could compete with how beautiful you are but I gave it my best shot. You’re going to blow me away, and I can’t wait. –Kage

I laughed, then carefully put the card in my clutch.

After taking a deep breath, I unwrapped the gift then stared at the contents in shock.

It was a white-gold Cartier bracelet, the band a row of alternating links and diamonds. On either side of the band were two interlocking rings studded with more diamonds, each ring large enough that I could slip it on my finger. The piece was stunning, elegant yet modern, and it instantly brought memories of one of the pictures in the BDSM book Kage had shown me in the library. Two rings, each clasped around a woman’s slender wrists.

Handcuffs.

Was it the sexual imagery Kage had been thinking of when he bought this for me?

Or something else?

“May I?”

I jerked when Adrian spoke. I hadn’t realized he was still standing there. At his offer to put Kage’s gift on me, I carefully picked up the bracelet, handed it to him, then held out my arm. With amazing dexterity for a man so big, he undid the clasp and wound the bracelet around my wrist. When it was done, I stared at the bracelet, and the way the outdoor lights made it sparkle and shine.

“Thank you,” I whispered.

“My pleasure.”

Adrian slid behind the wheel. I loved Kage’s gift but I needed to focus on the ride. This was a Cinderella moment indeed, but instead of a pumpkin-turned-carriage, I had a Lambo.

As the car sped off, I pulled out my phone, snapped a picture of my bracelet, then sent it to Bianca without a message.

If anything got my sister to call me back, it would be that.

Before I could put my phone back in my clutch, I saw my last message to Dante.

You okay? Haven't seen or heard from you. Did you get my voicemails? Please let me know you’re okay.

To my surprise, he’d replied. I quickly opened the message.

I’m fine, Camille. I told you I’m not a good man and it’s true. Be with Kage. Let Ty go. And forget about me.

I stared at his words, shock reverberating through me followed quickly by hurt.

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