Page 77 of Ruthless Chaos

“Why not?” Ezra says. “You’ve already chosen her as Courtesan. Every person in Kingmaker House knows she belongs to you.”

“I think it’s high time you admit that you’re smitten by her,” Vance adds.

“Not everyone seems to understand that she’s mine.” My mood darkens.

I ignore what Vance has said. I’m not fuckingsmitten.

They both look confused at my words.

After all, who would dare risk my ire by touching what belongs to me? Making a move on the Head Kingmaker’s Courtesan is unheard of—even I knew not to even look at her when I was a freshman.

Only one person could ever have the unmitigated gall.

“Keller,” I say.

They both take a step closer, tightening the boundaries of our conversation.

Instantly, the lightheartedness changes into something more lethal. I’m reminded why I love these fuckers—we’re ready to go to war for each other at a moment’s notice.

“What has he done?” Ezra asks.

Vance has set his glass down, his arms folded across his chest.

“I caught him walking her to class a few days ago,” I say. “He’s trying to win her trust to use her against me, I suppose.”

“What does he want?” Vance says.

Ezra rubs his fingers together. “She can’t help him get Head Kingmaker.”

“It feels like a more complex plan. He’s so bold. He has to believe it will work,” I say. “I can’t figure it out, though, and that bothers me.”

They’re quiet, pensive.

I scan the crowd again, looking for the girl in the shit-colored dress.

When I finally find Allie, she’s rushing out of the party. Her back is turned, but there’s a shakiness to her steps that makes me think she’s upset.

A twinge in my chest makes me want to follow her.

I suppress it, but apparently I’m not the only one who had the idea.

Nearby, I see the snake in question, Keller, weaving through the crowd toward her.

He hurriedly sets down his champagne flute, adjusts his clothes and hastens his steps. If he was so quick to notice her departure, then he must have been watching her, waiting for an opportunity.

He knows better than to try to speak to her in my presence.

If she’s alone, I can’t protect her.

Just the thought of him breathing the same air as Allie gets me upset, and if he touches her…I can’t even allow myself to think of it. I would kill him if he did.

I excuse myself from the company of my friends.

Allie’s taken the secluded path that winds between the faculty buildings and the stone garden. The next time I see her, I’ll have to warn her about routes like these.

It seems everyone here knows to be cautious but her.

Her naivety never ceases to amaze me.