Page 89 of Theirs to Ruin

Ty let out a harsh laugh. “Yeah? You can swim like a fish, too, but look what happened the night of the lake party.”

Ty's words stung, a precise strike at a still-stinging wound.

“Watch what you say about her, especially about that night,asshole. And how do you know she can swim like a fish?” Kage glanced between us. “You two know each other?”

“No,” I began.

“Yes,” Ty said. “We dated a couple of years ago.” After dropping that bomb, he turned and headed back into the house.

Surprise then understanding washed over Kage’s face. His gaze became heavier as he no doubt remembered what I’d said in my room about fooling around with someone in high school.

“This box is heavy,” I murmured then quickly headed inside the chateau.

I heard Kage’s footsteps behind me before he strode past me. “You’re in here,” he said. He led me to a staircase and before I could protest, he took the box from me and carried it upstairs. I followed him as he led me to the middle of three doors. He stepped into the bedroom and set the box on the bed.

The large room’s décor was perfect for me, modern yet vintage. Exposed wooden beams contrasted with sleek, muted gray walls. There was a four-post king-sized bed with an upholstered velvet headboard and layers of soft, inviting bedding in varying shades of deep blue and soft gray. On the opposite wall, a vintage-style fireplace. A corner reading nook with plush seating and a window offered a view of the trees out back. It was the kind of space you’d curl up in on a rainy day with a cup of hot cocoa. I could imagine myself lost in a book there, forgetting the world outside and the mess my life had become. I let out a slow, involuntary sigh, surprised at how the room, for all its unexpected luxury, felt oddly cozy.

“It’s beautiful. Where did all this stuff come from?”

“I hired a decorator.”

I frowned. “When? I literally just found out I was moving here today.”

“For enough money, you’d be surprised how fast people can get shit done.”

So his thoughtful gesture was shit now? Not to me. “Thank you, Kage,” I said. “I’ll pay you back.”

“No, you won’t.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “Let’s get to what’s important. Why didn’t you tell me you and Mateo used to date?”

I sighed. “I know him as Ty. And it’s complicated. He broke up with me. I hadn’t seen him for two years before he came here.”

“Must have been quite the shock.”

You have no idea given he showed up at the river after I almost drowned.

I was choosing to trust Kage, and I didn’t trust Ty at all. So why was I still protecting him from Kage? What if Tyhadkilled Ava?

Again, I remembered my previous reasoning—why would he have killed her only to pull her out of the river and try to resuscitate her. Why show his face at all when I’d been passed out? He’d have no reason to reveal himself at that moment.

No, Ty killing Ava didn’t make sense but he clearly had a major beef with me, and I was going to find out why. I was also going to figure out where he’d been before he’d suddenly shown up at the river. Then I’d tell Kage about seeing Ty that night.

“I’m over Ty, Kage. Come on, let’s get another box.” I grabbed his hand and tugged. Together we walked down the stairs and back outside.

With one last squeeze, I dropped Kage’s hand but before I could grab another box from the car, Kage said, “If you still have feelings for him, Camille?—”

The sound of footsteps on the gravel caught our attention. Ty walked out of the chateau carrying two water bottles now.

Looking straight at Ty, I said loudly, “I meant it when I said I’m over Ty. He means nothing to me now.”

Ty’s scarred face was unreadable just before he grinned, and I was so surprised I gasped.

His genuine smile…I’d always loved it. Even if this one was edged with a mix of amusement and challenge rather than joy, it was still beautiful.

“Good to know.” Kage said, wrapping his arms around my waist, pulling me close. “Because the only sounds of fucking I want to hear in this house are ours.” He looked at Ty, then said, “Hope you won’t mind.”

Ty’s smile flickered then turned cruel before his face went blank. “Don’t mind at all. Been there. Done that.”

“From what I heard, you didn’t.”

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