Page 157 of Vexatious Queen

I shrugged again.

“Would it be so terrible?” I leaned my arms on the table. “You have to admit that we have managed to help keep order since we arrived.”

“Yeah, and you’ve also been a walking ulcer. If I find out you’re encouraging Camden to fight…”

I held up my hands.

“I didn’t, I swear. That was all him, but it was for a good cause. I thought you didn’t tolerate bullying?”

“You know, Nash, one of these days…” Dean Henry muttered, but the rest was lost to the noise of the room as he turned and stalked away.

“Think he’ll punish the kid,” Liam asked.

I shook my head. “Slap on the wrist at most. Maybe a day in detention. He won’t admit it, but he likes Camden. I can see it in his eyes. Come on, lunch is almost over, and I want to get to class early.”

Myles stopped chewing and stared at me.

“Are ya feelin’ alright?”

“Shut up.”

Liam laughed as we stood and walked out of the cafeteria. King transference was officially underway. And I had to admit, finally removing the crown and letting it be someone else’s problem was sounding more and more appealing.

FEBRUARY 23 – MONDAY 2:34 PM

Ren

As soon as Ivy went to the front to talk to Mr. Sharpe, I turned to Zigzag.

“So, what have you found?”

“Not much, I got the number easy enough, but it’s a burner. The last time it was used, it pinged off a tower near town and then went dark. I can’t even get it to turn on remotely.”

“So, they know what they’re doing, at least to some degree. I think that worries me more,” I said, wringing my hands. “Was there anything on our phones?”

He shook his head.

“Clean, and I put a few extra security measures in to notify me if something changes.” Zigzag leaned closer and looked in Ivy’s direction. “Do you think I screwed things up, telling her why I don’t trust Sabastian?”

“Honestly, I don’t know,” I said, sighing. “She normally tells me everything, but she’s been really quiet about this.” I looked him in the eyes. “I know you love her, and I sort of get why you broke up with her. But why double down on the hurt and flaunt girls in front of her?”

Zigzag crossed his arms.

“I don’t know. I’m stupid. I thought dating other people was what I needed, but then I liked seeing the jealous look in her eyes, so obviously it wasn’t helping.”

“Yeah…you’re stupid.”

He pressed his lips together, brows drawing down low over his eyes.

“What? It’s true. You gave Sabastian all the room he needed to win Ivy over.”

“Will you help me?”

“Oh no, no, no. I’m staying out of this. Sabastian and I are already working through our own family drama, and besides, you made this mess. You’re the one who needs to figure out how to fix it,” I said.

“Fix what,” Ivy asked, appearing at the table like an apparition.

I glanced down at the project and tapped his idea.