Landon looked at Kingston, who pinched the bridge of his nose as he tried to work through his thoughts.
“I’m not sure, love. He’s been against Camelot Court since what happened to Desi, but I wouldn’t say he’s on any side. He has an agenda, and at times, we’re aligned. But he’ll stop at nothing for vengeance, so we don’t always see eye-to-eye.”
“Either way, someone wants me gone. I can’t just sit here and wait for them to do it. My side hurts, but I’m fine.”
They shared a look, and I frowned.
“Stop that. I know what you’re thinking, but I can’t focus on what happened if I want to win this. And winning this is the only way to stop it for good, right?”
Reluctantly, Kingston nodded.
“So, what lessons do I have left?”
“Only two.Escapewith Tristan, and…”
“Subterfugewith Max.” I sat up higher, ignoring the sting at the prospect of time alone with him to dig into his response to my attack. “I’m not missing that.”
Kingston exhaled heavily. “I worried you might say that.”
“Kingston!” Landon argued, but I squeezed his hand and he gaped at me. “Quinn, it’s not safe right now.”
“Is me being alone in this room safer?” I implored him with my gaze. “With his father here?”
Landon frowned, staring between us as he tried to think through a different solution. But eventually, the threat of Drake D’Arthur outweighed all else. He turned to Kingston. “Do you trust him?”
Kingston met my gaze and forced his best attempt at a smile. When he nodded to Landon, my eyes fell shut.
“Yes.” His voice held no trace of doubt. “I trust Max won’t hurt her. Tristan either.”
Reluctantly, Landon had to concede the point. He took both my hands in his, staring at me fiercely. “If he’s wrong?—”
“Then I am, too. If Kingston thinks there’s a chance what I overheard was wrong, I need to hold onto faith. And I need to end this, Landon.”
“Fine. But?—”
“Be safe. Be strategic.” I pursed my lips, giving him my best reassuring smile. “I know.”
He cupped my cheek and pressed his lips to my forehead. “That’s my good girl.”
After an easy lesson with Tristan, where we discussed theFawnreaction I’d just become far too familiar with, I walked up to meet Max forSubterfugetraining.
He leaned against the door to the training room, dressed in dark jeans, a crisp white T-shirt, and his bougie sneakers. He lookedexactlylike he had on our first day at the cabin.
“Why are you dressed like that?”
Glancing down at his outfit, he shrugged.
“We’re getting you off campus. Since you stubbornly insisted on attending lessons, Kingston gave me special permission.” He flicked his gaze to my stomach and frowned. “No big deal wasting my time just to keep you away from Drake D’Arthur.”
I ignored his jab and glanced down at my outfit, wondering what caused his reaction. I’d paired my matching black workout set, a front-zip sports bra and high-waisted yoga pants, with my only sneakers and a hoodie. Wrapped around my waist, it didn’t cover the bruise forming where Ben had hit me. When I saw it, I cradled my side.
Max noticed the movement and ran his gaze over me. Concern filled the onyx depths instead of indifference,and his jaw clenched. Fists tightening at his side in fierce protectiveness, he reacted genuinely.
For the first time, he didn’t hide it.
Finally lifting his head, he met my gaze and swallowed deeply. “Let’s go, Princess.”
My breath caught.
