Page 7 of Theirs to Rule

Chapter 4

Camille

The dim hospital room felt oppressive, the sterile walls pressing in on me as I sat beside Kage’s bed. My fingers clung to his, like holding him tethered to the world was the only thing keeping me grounded. Sleep wasn’t an option—not with the constant replay of the cliff edge, the car teetering, the sound of Davis’s gunshot echoing in my head. Every time I closed my eyes, I was back there, gripping the steering wheel, cold sweat dripping down my palms as the Bugatti swayed.

“You need to sleep, Camille,” Dante said from across the room, his voice low but firm.

“Not happening,” I replied, my voice sharper than I intended. “Every time I close my eyes, I’m right back on that cliff.”

He stepped closer, crouching beside me, his gaze heavy with concern. “You’re safe now. Remember that.He’ssafe now.”

I opened my mouth to argue, but the door creaked open, cutting me off. I turned, expecting a nurse or doctor, but instead, Bianca stood in the doorway.

“Bianca?” Disbelief and something sharper tangled in my voice.

She still looked like Bianca, flawless in her designer clothes, but her skin was pale, drained of its usual glow. Concern pushed me to my feet, and I almost ran to her…until I remembered how she’d left for California and completely ignored me. I doubt that if something horrible had happened to her, she’d be standing here with her hair gently curled, full makeup, and wearing her Prada jeans and Louboutin boots.

“What, no hug?” she teased, though her tone sounded forced.

I blinked. “Do you know how many times I texted you? How many calls you ignored?” My words snapped like a whip.

Her smile faltered, and she glanced between me, Dante, and Kage’s unconscious form. She sighed, running a hand through her hair. “Okay, yeah, I’ve been MIA. But I’m here now, aren’t I?”

She stepped closer, arms outstretched like she expected me to just fall into her embrace. “Seriously? You think you can just waltz in here and act like nothing’s happened?”

She winced. “I know, Cami. I screwed up. I’m sorry.”

“Sorry?” My voice rose, incredulous. “That’s it? You vanish for weeks, ghost me when I need you, and all you’ve got issorry?”

Her jaw tightened, a flicker of guilt in her eyes before she turned to Dante. “Help me out here?”

Dante shifted his weight, crossing his arms as he moved to stand behind me. “Not my fight,” he said coolly. “She’s got a point.”

Bianca’s mouth flattened into a thin line. “Fine,” she snapped. “I met someone, okay? Some guy. He swept me off my feet, promised me the world, and then—shockingly—turned out to be a lying piece of shit like most men are.”

“Wow,” I said, blinking. That wasn’t the explanation I expected.

“Are you okay?” I asked her.

“You mean aside from losing my internship, almost getting kicked out of school, having to tell dad about it and then being demoted back to Tier Three?” she asked sarcastically. “Sure, I’m just peachy.”

She’s been demoted from Tier One to Tier Three?

Holy shit.

I wanted to hug her. To tell her I was sorry, that it would be okay. But the betrayal of her silence still stung. The room filled with an awkward tension as I struggled to balance my anger and the bond we shared.

Bianca turned to Dante, offering a weak smile. “Thanks for looking out for her.”

“I always will,” he replied simply, his tone unwavering.

Bianca flinched, the unintentional knife twist visible in her eyes. She took a step closer. “Can we talk? Outside? I’ll grab an Uber afterward, I promise.”

I hesitated, glancing at Kage, still lying unconscious. Leaving him felt wrong, but... this was Bianca.

“I’ll stay,” Dante said, his voice steady. “If anything changes, I’ll text you.”

I nodded, but I squeezed Kage’s hand one last time before kissing his forehead. “I’ll be right back,” I murmured, hugging Dante tightly. His arms wrapped around me, grounding me for a moment before I followed Bianca out into the cool night air.

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