Page 144 of Theirs to Ruin

Kage shrugged then dragged his knuckles down my cheek. “Maybe I’m just getting soft. Or maybe it’s because I want every student at school to know what he did before he gets what he deserves. Either way, try not to worry about it.”

Ishouldworry about it, but honestly, after what Phillip had done to Kage, I couldn’t find it in me. Kage could have died, and for that, Phillip would be beyond lucky if Kage left the matter in the Student Council’s hands.

Kage reached into his pocket and pulled out a phone—my phone—and handed it to me. “You left this in the car last night. Callum drove it back last night.”

“Thank you,” I said, staring at the phone and remembering how frantic I’d been for Ty to give me his passcode.

7-9-2-6

I wondered if the number had any significance to him.

I pocketed my phone and took Kage’s hand again.

“I slept in your bed last night,” I confessed. “I needed to be close to you.”

“I’m glad.” Suddenly he grinned, but the expression looked forced. “So is it safe to assume you and Ty weren’t fucking up there while I was out?”

My head snapped back as I flinched.

Kage winced. “Shit, Camille…” he said, “Honestly, I was just joking.”

I crossed my arms over my chest. “Your jokes are shit, Kage.”

His hand caught mine, refusing to let go when I tried to break free. “I meant what I said before,” he said, his voice firm. “You should be with whoever you want to be with. It doesn’t mean I can’t feel a little possessive or jealous, does it?”

That he was admitting he was jealous so easily calmed me a bit. “Well, there’s no need. Ty doesn’t want me.”

“I don’t believe that for a second, Camille. And neither do you. But can we forget I said that? Let me get you breakfast.”

I stared at him silently then finally snorted. “You’re recovering from being punched in the head, remember? I’ll have breakfast, but I’ll make it myself. And while I’m at it, I’ll make something for you.”

He didn’t protest. Releasing my hand, he slowly moved to the dining table and sat down. “Just some toast for me. And coffee?”

“I’ll do my best, but it won’t be as good as yours or Ty’s,” I warned.

“If you make it, it’ll be delicious,” he said.

I smiled at him, and started rummaging through the refrigerator. I pulled out butter and jam, as well as a carton of eggs. When his toast was done, I brought it to him. He immediately caught me around the waist and drew me downinto his lap. I loosely wrapped my arms around his neck and returned the kiss he gave me.

He rested his forehead against mine. “Now I feel better.”

“Me too,” I whispered.

I went back to cooking and was soon seated next to him, picking at my scrambled eggs. Kage ate his last bite of his toast, then leaned back in his chair. “So, tell me about Ty.”

I almost choked on my food. I drank some juice then said cautiously. “What do you want to know?”

“Believe me, nothing intimate. How about his hobbies? Likes and dislikes. Stuff like that.”

I gave his question serious thought. “He had this obsession with pistachio gelato. Every tiny town we visited in Italy, he’d find a way to get his hands on some, swearing each time it was the best he’d ever had.”

“Go on,” he said, watching me carefully.

“He’s a stickler for details when he paints. There was this one day when we found this secluded bay. He spent hours taking in the water, silently cataloguing every shift of color, every flicker of light...”

Kage nodded, a glint of genuine amusement in his eyes.

“What?” I questioned, his shift in mood catching me off guard.

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