Page 76 of Theirs to Rule

Placing a big hand against my back, Dante led me closer to the stuff we needed.

A couple of minutes later, Kage was leaning against the car, his arm outstretched while I played nurse.

Ty handed me the bandages, trying not to look too interested in the process, but I caught him watching out of the corner of his eye.

"Looks like you'll live," I announced, securing the bandage with a final piece of tape.

Kage grunted.

I studied where we were, spotting the coffee shop close by. "I think we should sit down and talk things over before we get back to campus. Come up with a plan."

"We don't need to talk,” Kage said. “There's only one plan, the most important part of which is you leaving town."

I flinched back, then looked at Dante.

"All the students you mentioned, they were Tier Three," he said. "Including Drew."

"I’m not leaving. I'm not hiding!"

"It's not about hiding," Ty said. "It's about protecting you."

"What? Now you're taking their sides?"

"They're right. I fucked up. I never should have brought you with me. This shit is serious, which means only one thing—you need to leave."

Chapter 34

Camille

“No,” I said, my voice sharp, as I glared at Kage, Dante, and Ty. The small, dimly lit coffee shop felt stifling with their eyes on me, all three of them staring at me as if I was a child who didn’t know better. My heart pounded, adrenaline rushing through my veins, but I wasn’t going to let them see that. I crossed my arms over my chest, forcing my voice to stay steady. “I’m not going anywhere.”

“We just want to keep you safe—” Dante started, his tone gentle, almost pleading. But I wasn’t in the mood to be coddled.

“So, shadow me,” I cut him off, my voice harder than I intended. “Track me on your phones. You’re all practically glued to my side anyway.” My fingers tapped against my arm, the restlessness rising inside me. I knew they were trying to protect me, but it felt like they were suffocating me instead. I couldn’t—wouldn’t—just sit back and hide.

Kage’s jaw tightened, his fists clenching on the table in front of him. I could see his patience fraying in the dark way his eyes narrowed. “It’s not the same, and you know it,” he said, his voice rising with frustration. “We’re trying to do what’s best for you?—”

“What’s best for me is to stay,” I shot back, standing my ground. I refused to be intimidated by him, even though his anger was rolling off him in waves. “Do whatever you need to do to feel like I’m safe, but I’m not going home.”

The tension in the air was thick enough to cut with a knife. The guys exchanged looks, silent communication passing between them. They thought I was being stubborn—irrational even. Maybe I was, but running wouldn’t solve anything. If someone was after me, hiding wouldn’t protect me. They’d find me no matter where I went. I was better off staying close, where I could keep an eye on things.

Kage’s gaze burned into mine, his frustration barely restrained. I could feel it simmering just beneath the surface. “Fine,” he finally ground out, his voice low, dangerous. “We’llalltrack your phone. But if I get even a hint that you’re in danger, I’ll kidnap you myself, Camille. Don’t doubt it.”

A shiver ran down my spine at his words, and I wasn’t sure if it was from fear or the thrill of his protectiveness. My heart thudded in my chest, my body responding to the intensity in his voice. I forced myself to roll my eyes, trying to break the tension. “Since you guys get to track me, it’s only fair I get to track you too, right?”

Their glares told me they weren’t amused. “Jesus, I’m joking,” I muttered. Then again, why shouldn’t it go both ways?

But before I could say anything more, Ty stood abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor with a loud screech that made me flinch. His face was tense, his eyes dark and shadowed. “If we’re done here, I’ve got somewhere to be,” he muttered, storming out of the shop.

My chest tightened as I watched him go. I knew the weight of what we’d discovered about his family was crushing him. The thought that his own blood could be involved in something this dark—it was eating him alive. I pushed back my chair, ready tofollow him, but Kage’s hand shot out, wrapping around my wrist in a firm grip.

“Don’t,” Kage said quietly, his tone softer now. His hand was warm against my skin, grounding me, pulling me back from my instinct to chase after Ty. “Give him time to clear his head. If you go after him now, it’ll only push him further away.”

I sighed, slumping back into my seat. He was right, as much as I hated to admit it. Ty needed space, and I had to respect that, even if it hurt to watch him walk away.

“So, what now?”

“Let’s head home,” Kage said. “It’s been a long day. We all need to recharge.”

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