Page 120 of Theirs to Ruin

She and the two men walked up to the counter and placed their orders. My eyes lingered on Raye for a moment, a whirlpool of thoughts clouding my mind. Loss was a universal language, speaking through the silent spaces between our words, resonating in the hollows of our souls. No one talked about my mom much, not even me. The pain of losing her was still so strong, so I knew exactly what Raye was going through.

"So, are you going to Casino Night?" Simone asked.

I thought about the big event for students being held in a couple of days.

“Sure,” I said. I’d been studying so much lately I could afford to take one night off. Plus, I could only imagine how much fun I’d have with Kage.

It dawned on me then—how I was just assuming that Kage would be my date. Granted, we’d spent most of our free time together lately, so it would be a good assumption, but I remembered how troubled I’d been after we’d left the librarythat day, thinking I was giving him pieces of me I’d mourn when he walked away with them. There was no commitment, no promises, only mutual attraction and comfort in the distraction we each provided. I needed to be grounded, to ensure I didn't create castles in the sky where there were none.

I was good at that.

Ty was a prime example.

So was Dante.

After Dante had seen those bikers and left me in the quad, I’d finally used the phone number he’d given me and reached out to him. I’d called. I’d texted. I’d told him I was worried about him and to please let me know he was okay.

He’d never responded.

Chapter 49

Camille

Over the next couple of days, Ty was a ghost, slipping in and out of the chateau at all hours of the day and night. Ever since he’d visited his family, Kage walked around as if bearing a great weight on his shoulders. While our sexual connection was still off the charts and he didn’t skimp on physical contact, I still felt a growing distance between us.

I’d repeatedly asked Kage if he was okay, and he’d said he was fine, just busy with exams. But something in his eyes told a different story. There was a guardedness, a wall that hadn’t been there before. It was like a barricade had gone up, separating us, leaving me on the outside.

Surprisingly, the one topic he seemed interested in discussing was the school’s upcoming Casino Night. It was going to be held in the city at a fancy hotel. As a school-sanctioned event, the dean and faculty would be there, but they usually left early, allowing the students to mingle without feeling like they were being continually watched. I was excited to go given how Kage had also assumed we’d be each other’s date. It made me think I wasn’t the only one getting emotionally involved.

The day before the event, I thought about what to wear. I wanted to take Kage’s breath away when he saw me, and I wanted to wait until the very last moment for that to happen. I imagined myself wearing something in-your-face sexy. While my own wardrobe might be lacking in the bombshell department, I knew exactly where to find the type of outfit I envisioned: Bianca’s closet. My sister, the eternal temptress, had an array of dresses that would fit the bill perfectly.

Kage casually strolled into the living room. "Looking forward to tomorrow?" he asked, attempting a cheerful grin but failing spectacularly.

"I am," I replied. “I was thinking I’d meet you there.”

Discomfort flashed over his face. “Look, I know I’ve been a little distant, but I told you, I’ve been busy with school.”

I knew that wasn’t the whole story. “It’s not that. I’ve just never gotten all dolled up for you before. I want to surprise you.”

His eyebrows shot up but then he eyed me up and down with a heated look. “You don’t need make-up and fancy clothes to be beautiful, Rebel, but I have to admit, I like surprises.” His expression grew more serious. “I’ll meet you there, but only if you let me arrange a driver for you. If you’re going to go to the trouble of dressing up, the least I can do is get you there in style.”

I bit my lip with excitement. “Deal.”

It didn’t take me long to run over to Bianca’s dorm apartment and grab a dress. I’d texted her the day before, telling her I’d planned to raid her wardrobe, and although I hadn’t heard back, I knew she wouldn’t mind if I borrowed one of her dresses—andsome of her makeup.

The next day, I splurged on a manicure and extended acrylic nails with a classic French tip. Then, in the safety of my ensuite, surrounded by Bianca's vast collection of makeup and beauty products, I felt like I was preparing to visit a different world. I unzipped the garment bag that hung on the back of the door,slipping the pale blue dress out. The dress still had the tags on, probably because it was two sizes too small for my sister. Her impulsivity was my good fortune. I shimmied into the dress. It had a plunging neckline that showed just enough to be dangerous. It hugged my body, its silky material ending mid-calf, adorned with a high slit on one side.

This wasn't just a dress; it was a statement.

Staring at my reflection, I tackled my hair next. I chose to leave it down in loose waves. As for makeup, I opted for smoky eyes, heavy on the liner and mascara, with a nude, glossy lip.

The final touch was a pair of strappy nude heels that added inches to my height and an edge to my posture. I felt sexy, powerful, and ready to take on the night. Every inch of my body hummed with anticipation, my skin tingling at the mere thought of Kage’s reaction.

I felt like a new version of myself, a Camille that was confident, seductive, and ready to play.

Kage wasn't going to know what hit him.

I texted him to make sure he was already out of the house. When I got a confirming thumbs up, I exited my bedroom.

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