Page 102 of Theirs to Rule

“We need to tell Ty, Bianca, and Dante.”

I felt my expression close off at the mention of Dante.

Kage sighed. He sat down on the couch and motioned for me to join him. I did, curling up in his arms. Kage leaned down and kissed me then lifted my chin so I was looking at him. “We can’t keep Dante out of the loop. He has connections to the administration, but even if he didn’t, he cares about the students.”

I nodded, knowing he was right. “I can’t stop thinking about him.”

“You think you can work past this?” he asked, linking his fingers around mine and giving my hand a squeeze.

I shrugged. “I don’t know. I’m just not sure I can live with his choices.”

“Let’s talk this through, then. How do you feel about drug legalization?”

“No way,” I said. “How can making drugs more accessible possibly help the problem?”

“Because people will get it anyway,” Kage responded. “At least if it were legal, people would know what they’re getting. Do you know the leading cause of drug-related deaths is what the drug has been cut with? Fentanyl. Xylazine. Plus, a whole bunch of other shit that should not be ingested by the human body.”

“It doesn’t matter,” I muttered. “Clean drugs. Dirty drugs. None of it fucking matters. It’s still addictive as hell and ruins people’s lives. My mom...”

I trailed off. I couldn’t bear to finish that sentence. Sometimes, even thinking about her felt like a stab to the gut.

“I’m not minimizing what happened to your mom, Rebel. Or what happened to Ty, for that matter. I’m just saying maybelook at this from Dante’s point of view. I believe him when he says he’s trying to fix the same problem you are. You disagree with him, but maybe instead of bailing on him, you can help him figure out a better way to help."

"I don't know if I can do that. I'm sorry."

Kage sighed. "Don't be sorry."

I nodded, then realized it was Friday night. Kage's birthday was tomorrow, and we were heading into the city for our weekend away. "I need to pack.”

“I mean, if you want to. You’re going to be naked most of the time, though,” he teased.

“In front of your friends?” I fired back.

“No fucking way,” Kage murmured. He cupped my chin and kissed me passionately. “I share you enough as it is. This weekend, you’re all mine.”

Chapter 46

Kage

Saturday morning, I couldn't help but chuckle as I watched Camille's reaction to the Lamborghini parked out front. The way her eyes widened, her fingers twitching as if she wanted to touch it but was holding herself back, made my chest tighten with satisfaction. Her excitement was contagious, lighting up her face with pure joy.

"You like?" I teased, tossing our bags into the trunk.

"It's gorgeous! I can't believe you're doing this for your birthday, taking me to Manhattan in this beast," she said, her eyes taking in every curve of the Lambo with unabashed awe.

"Yeah, well, after the Bugatti's unfortunate demise, I figured we deserved a bit of luxury for the trip. Plus, this car," I ran my hand over the hood, feeling the smooth, cold metal beneath my fingertips, "holds a special place in my heart. It's the one Aiden drove you in to Casino Night, remember?" I watched her cheeks flush, the pink tint spreading as the memory hit her, just as I’d hoped. "The same one I ate you out on the hood of while Dante watched."

Her blush deepened, but the sparkle in her eyes told me she remembered the night just as vividly as I did.

"Kage," she warned, though her tone was more playful than admonishing.

I closed the distance between us, my thumb brushing the side of her neck, feeling the pulse beneath her skin quicken. I leaned against the car, my gaze locked on hers. "I know, I know. But I can't help it. You get so turned on by cars. By anything, really." I paused, my voice softening. "And hell, Rebel, I'm so fucking possessive of you, but watching you with Dante... It was hot as hell.”

She moved closer, her fingers tracing the line of my jaw, and I tilted my head slightly, giving her better access, though my eyes never left hers.

"And now?" she asked, her voice a whisper.

"Now," I said, taking her hand and kissing her fingertips, my grip tightening slightly, a subtle reminder that she was mine. "Now I get you all to myself. And I plan to make the most of it." The possessiveness I felt for her was always there, simmering beneath the surface, but for these next two days, it was all about us. No sharing, no watching. Just Camille and me.

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