Page 265 of Corrupting Camille
I swallow the sudden lump in my throat, forcing a bright smile. “I’ll explain everything when you’re here.”
Her eyes narrow. “Ominous. Love that for us. Fine. But if Kane tries to murder me and make it look like an accident, I fully expect you to avenge me dramatically.”
“Deal,” I promise with a laugh.
She blows a kiss into the camera. “See you soon, princess. Prepare Miami…I’m coming to wreck the entire fucking city.”
The call ends, and I’m left smiling at my phone, heart racing.
Because Lena’s right, I do have news. Huge, terrifying, wonderful news.
And it’s time my best friend heard it first. But not through a screen.
***
Lena’s arrival is exactly as chaotic as I expect.
The jet lands at sunset, the sky a bruise of purple and orange over Miami’s glittering skyline. Javi escorts her from the SUV to the front steps of the compound, a duffel slung over her shoulder, oversized sunglasses hiding half her face, black leather jacket falling artfully off one shoulder like armor.
She pauses dramatically at the bottom step, tipping her sunglasses down to peer at the mansion, lips parted in exaggerated awe.
“This is literally a drug lord’s Barbie Dreamhouse,” she declares. “I’m obsessed already.”
Javi’s expression never changes, stone-faced, tactical. But his eyes sharpen slightly, assessing Lena as a potential threat to his sanity rather than the compound’s security.
I hug her tightly as she barrels up the steps, laughing against her neck.
“Bitch, you smell expensive,” Lena says, inhaling dramatically. “Money and trauma. It suits you.”
“God, I missed you,” I whisper, holding on a beat too long.
She squeezes my hand gently, voice lowering for just me. “Yeah. Me too.”
Then she straightens, expression immediately shifting to wicked curiosity. “So, where’s your morally gray kingpin?”
I glance up, and Kane steps out from inside the front doors, posture relaxed, deceptively casual. Black shirt fitted over broad shoulders, tattoos peeking out from beneath rolled-up sleeves. Eyes sharp. Controlled. Dangerous.
Lena’s breath catches audibly. “Jesus Christ, he’s even hotter in daylight. Respect.”
“Behave,” I whisper under my breath, elbowing her gently.
She ignores me, lifting her chin boldly as Kane approaches. He stops directly in front of us, dark gaze landing first on me, lingering possessively, before sliding slowly to Lena.
She meets his stare without flinching.
“You’re Lena,” he says evenly, voice a low, dangerous rasp.
“And you’re Kane,” she counters, unblinking. “The man responsible for turning my best friend into a ghost and then resurrecting her with better skin and questionable taste in men.”
Kane’s expression doesn’t change, but the corner of his mouth twitches slightly, amusement he won’t admit.
“I like your loyalty,” he says flatly. “Try not to get killed.”
“I’d prefer not to,” she says brightly. “But I guess that’s more up to you than me.”
He holds her gaze for another beat. It’s a test, one she passes effortlessly. Finally, he nods, slow, respectful.
“Welcome to Miami, Lena,” he says. “Enjoy your stay.”
