Page 182 of Theirs to Ruin

“It means ‘you’re a fucking bad ass and I want you to show me everything you’ve got.’”

Fifteen minutes later, I was behind the wheel of the Bugatti. I drove sedately until we hit the main highway then I let loose. With every mile, I pushed the car's limits, taking tight turns and soaring on straight stretches. Kage's impressed laughs and shouts filled the cabin as I expertly navigated the winding roads.

“Damn girl. Didn’t I say you were full of surprises?” he said when I exited the highway to take the rural roads leading back to campus.

“Want another surprise?” I said, thinking of giving him a roadside treat.

He caught my meaning and laughed. “Do you really think I’m going to say no to that?”

I spotted the perfect place to pull over—a scenic overlook that showcased the rolling hills below and the vast expanse of the sparkling blue horizon. It wasn't the spot that Dante had taken me to, but it was still beautiful.

When I parked, we both stepped out of the car. "This is beautiful," I said, "but there's another place with an even better view. It's not too far from here, up a steep and rough road. Definitely not Bugatti-friendly."

"Well, for today, this view will do." He wrapped an arm around my waist, pulling me close.

The low rumble of a car engine broke through our quiet moment. We turned to see a police car approaching. A wave of anxiety washed over me when I recognized Officer Davis behind the wheel.

Davis pulled up alongside the Bugatti then got of his patrol car. "I'm glad I ran into you two."

"What is it, Davis?" Kage asked.

"The third attacker was Officer Conroy."

Holy shit. I turned to Kage, trying to gauge his reaction. The muscles in his jaw ticked.

"Where is he?" Kage said, his voice edged with menace.

I reached out and took his hand.

"I have him detained,” Davis said. “I figured you'd want to deal with him yourself."

“You were right. Keep him comfortable and text me the location.”

Davis nodded. “Also, I checked with the coroner. You were right. Silas Prescott had a tattoo of an oak tree on his hip.”

I sucked in a breath and looked at Kage. Holy shit, my theory of Ava getting matching tattoos—her a yew tree, Silas an oak tree—had been right.

“There’s something else,” Davis said. “Have either of you heard anything about a missing gold bar?”

I froze, dread pooling in my stomach. I turned back to him. "Why?"

"The officers found it with Mateo Serrello’s things after he overdosed.”

The world spun around me. I staggered back. Kage reached out for me.

Tyhad stolen the gold bar? Had he been working with Silas all along?

Kage muttered a curse under his breath.

Behind Kage’s back, Davis eyed me intently.

I felt like a mouse caught under the gaze of a predatory cat.

I blinked.

Something was off.

“Officer Davis?”

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