Page 44 of Theirs to Ruin

Regardless, I had to play this right. If I gave any hint that I cared about Camille, I’d be putting her life in danger. Either that, or Seamus would see her as a weapon to use against me.

“Ifwe find proof Camille is responsible for Ava’s death, she’ll suffer the consequences,” I said calmly. And I meant it. I might want her, but if she really did kill Ava, I’d choke the life out of her myself.

My mother, her pale face streaked with tears, stared at me with accusing eyes, like I was killing her daughter all over again. “What other evidence do you need? Your sister lies here cold and lifeless,drowned, and Camille was dripping wet beside her. She did it. There is no other explanation. The monster needs to die.”

I stepped forward, pulling her in for a hug. While she initially resisted, her arms beating against me, she quickly collapsed against my chest and hugged me close. Her sobs broke my heart.

“You know as well as I do things aren’t always what they seem, Ma.” My voice was thick with emotion as I choked back tears. “Give me time to learn the truth before we condemn someone.”

“I won't have her attending that school another day,” Seamus said, his voice low and dangerous. "Ava was your sister, for Christ’s sake. Where’s your loyalty?” He pulled out his phone, his thumb hovering over the screen. "I'm calling Zahn," he said, his voice chillingly final. "This ends tonight."

Gregor Zahn, with his hawkish eyes and clinical precision, was a legend in the shadows. His name was tied to quiet disappearances, sudden accidents, and solutions to many of my family's problems over the years.

And now Seamus wanted to unleash that on Camille.

"You won’t do a thing to Camille unless I authorize it, do I make myself clear?” I gently passed my mother into my brother’s waiting arms and stared coldly at Seamus. “And you will never again question my loyalty to this family.”

Seamus stiffened as he stared me down. "You think you can challenge me, you little shit?”

My mother inhaled loudly at my stepfather’s audacity just as I clutched him by the front of his shirt, drove him across the room and slammed him into the cold, sterile wall with such force he cried out.

The bodyguards tensed and shifted, hands moving subtly to their weapons. Yet we all knew the truth—they moved to protectme, not Seamus. If Seamus so much as touched me, they would kill him.

I leaned in close so that only Seamus could hear. "I'm the 'little shit' who could kill you right now, and no one would do a thing to stop me. You’ve grown cocky, old man. The only reason you’re not dead is because my mother is about to bury her only daughter. If you don’t want to be next, you’ll remember who the fuck is in charge.” I tightened my grip on his shirt, causing him to gasp for air. “That means if Camille suffers so much as a paper cut that is linked back to you, you’ll be begging for death before I’m done.”

Seamus stared at me, fear flashing in his eyes, but then his eyes hardened. "You think you're so much better than me, don't you?" Seamus hissed quietly. "But you'rejustlike me. Tough. Ruthless. Except when you’re being led around by your balls by the right girl.”

I pushed him away and stepped back, feeling the sting of his words.

Was he right?

Was my attraction to Camille making me blind to her treachery?

I shook off the unsettling thought. "Camille is under my protection because she was Ava’s friend and she brought Ava alive in ways none of you ever saw,” I told him. “Other than that, she means nothing to me.” The lie tasted bitter on my tongue,but I had to convince him, and maybe even myself that my sister’s life meant more to me than Camille. "No woman will ever have that power over me. I'm loyal to our family, and I will doeverythingto protect it. Including dealing with my sister’s killer. If Camille killed Ava, then Camille will die. I promise you that.”

“Kage!”

My mother’s sudden wail caught my attention, and I looked over to see a guy in scrubs standing next to a gurney.

"Not now... It can't be now," my mom murmured, her eyes fixed on Ava as if willing her to wake up.

Next to her, Callum stood silently, tears streaming down his face. My brother reached out and touched Ava’s arm. “I’m going to miss you, Ava,” he whispered.

I felt myself crumbling inside.

Ava. My sister. Dead.

The reality of the situation was unbearable. I had to be strong. Push aside my grief until I was alone. Only then could I shatter.

I walked up to Ava’s body, my mind on the last time I had seen her.

Our fight.

The harsh words I’d said to her.

The anguish in her eyes.

I smoothed back her hair, kissed her forehead, then whispered into her ear. “I’m sorry, Av. I love you so much.”

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