Page 55 of Theirs to Ruin

“Exactly.”

Kage scowled and shook his head. “And you called me crazy.”

After a brief hesitation, he grabbed the note from me, stuffed it in his pocket, then strode out of the room.

Chapter 23

Camille

Isat on my hospital bed, dressed and ready, waiting for Bianca to pick me up. I was finally leaving, and it felt bittersweet. It had been three days since Ava died, but it felt like a lifetime. While I was feeling better physically, mentally I was a wreck. All I could think about was Ava and Kage and how I managed to get caught up in such a mess. Yesterday, Bianca had told me she saw Kage hanging around the hospital.

Why hadn’t he confronted me?

Taking out my phone, I stared at the text I’d written to Kage after unblocking his number.

Kage, I’m so sorry about Ava. I can’t imagine what you’re going through. I didn’t hurt her, I swear. I would never have wanted this to happen to her or to you and your family.

My fingers itched to send it, to let him know that I’d been thinking about him, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. Contacting him seemed selfish and suspect on my part. As if the only reason I would do it would be to proclaim my innocence or ease my guilt.

Kage’s family certainly thought I was responsible. Bianca told me they had gone to the dean demanding I be expelled. While they’d failed to make that happen, I couldn’t help but wonder if I was in danger. Kage’s family had told the dean they’d stand down until more evidence could be gathered, but they could change their minds at any time. Then again, maybe they’d keep their word for fear of retaliation from theVita Dura.

Once you were an ally under their watch, they doled out insane punishment for transgressions against one ally by another, and that included their kids. Forget forfeiture of that million-dollar bond. Unauthorized action against another ally could be tantamount to signing not just your own death warrant but that of your entire family.

Even if I was safe from them and Kage, who knew what waited for me on campus. I’d been sheltered from what had happened here at the hospital. Now I was supposed to go back to school and just start living my life again as if nothing had happened. I had pushed for this, but maybe Dad and Bianca were right.

Maybe this was a bad idea.

The nurse came into my room carrying a stack of papers and a wide smile. “These are your discharge papers. Your ride is here but it’s hospital policy that I take you out in a wheelchair whether you can walk or not. You ready to leave, hon?

I took a deep breath and nodded.

The nurse must have sensed my trepidation because she said, “Think of it as your royal exit. All you're missing is the tiara."

I laughed lamely as I sat in the wheelchair and then the nurse walked me out. As soon as we passed through the hospital’s automatic front doors, I stiffened.

Waiting at the curb was a shiny black Range Rover. Leaning against it, arms crossed, was Kage.

He wore a grim expression, his jaw set, his hair messy, like he hadn’t slept in days. And yet he was still gorgeous, wearing a white shirt stretched across his chest, revealing the outline of his sculpted muscles. The shirt’s sleeves were rolled up and paired with dark jeans that fit him like a glove.

Where the hell was Bianca?

Panic crept up my throat as I fumbled for my phone to text her.

Just as I was about to unlock my screen, Kage's voice sliced through the air. “There’s my girl.” The words sounded affectionate, but there was an edge to them. “How are you feeling, Camille?”

The smile he flashed was completely fake, a slap across the face. As I gaped, he leaned in, pressing a kiss to my cheek. His scent, all earthy woods and spicy undertones, surrounded me. Before I could react, he smoothly slid my phone out of my hand, his fingers brushing against mine. He whispered, close enough that his lips brushed my ear, saying, "Don’t make a scene. I just want to talk.”

It was then I realized I had no other choice. He held all the cards and we both knew it. One way or another, he was leaving with me. I nodded slowly, trying to mask my fear.

"Where's Bianca?" My voice trembled, but I forced the words out, trying to keep calm.

“She’s fine,” Kage he said, his eyes never leaving mine. “She was just behind me until she got pulled over for speeding. So we don’t have long.”

Speeding? Okay, her ten previous tickets suggested it was plausible, but I got the feeling there was more to it. That Kage was somehow responsible.

Memories resurfaced of the night at The Roost. How swiftly Officer Davis had arrived after Kage had made the call, but more importantly, how the officer had known Kage by nameand deferred to him, a mere student. The realization hit me: the Crimsonvale PD might work for theVita Duraas a whole, but Kage had his own inside man.

The nurse started to help me up and Kage stepped in to take over.

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