Page 161 of Vexatious Queen

FEBRUARY 23 – MONDAY 11:42 PM

Ren

“I’m going to go, but text me if you need me,” I whispered to Chantry.

We glanced at the bed where Ivy was sleeping, and Chantry nodded. Luckily, Sabastian and Zigzag had been given a warning and told to steer clear of one another, but Ivy was a mess. I couldn’t get her to talk. We tried everything to get her to open up, but she just hid under her blanket and asked us to leave. We refused, but she didn’t fight us.

I wanted to argue and push, but having one friend tell me off for overstepping this week was too much, and Lizzy had already done that.

I wasn’t sure if it was the fact that the guys fought over her that was bothering Ivy or the fact that she was close to failing a few classes, or something else entirely. I was a problem solver, and all I wanted to do was help, but everything was on hold for the night.

Slipping out, I gave Ivy’s still form one last look and then left.

Walking as quietly as I could down the hall, I headed to the guy’s side of the dorm and knocked on Myles and Blake’s door. Myles opened it, and all the guys were sitting inside.

Nash marched toward me.

“Myles told me what you’re planning, and if you think you’re doing this, you’ve lost your mind,” Nash said, referring to Project Break and Enter. Nothing like adding B&E expert to my resume. “I can’t believe you want to put yourself in this kind of danger.”

“Nash, I’m doing this. I told you that I’m sick of letting everyone else do the heavy lifting. They are targeting me, and I’m not going to hide,” I argued. “Besides, we’re at school, how dangerous could it be?”

He lifted an eyebrow at me, and I swallowed down the sudden unease in my stomach.

“Okay, fine, it could be dangerous, but that is why Myles and Blake are going with me.”

“No, we all go,” Nash argued, but I shook my head.

“It’s way too hard to explain why we’re all skulking around in the dark hallway after curfew. Myles is used to doing this sort of thing, and Blake is the one who got us the keys, so they come with me. The rest of you stay here.”

“No, I don’t like this. Guys, back me up here,” Nash said.

“Actually, I agree with Ren,” Liam said, earning a death glare from Nash. “If she wanted to run headfirst into a firefight or meet some creep in a dark alley, then yes, I’d agree with you, but this is not that.”

“And what if Sharpe is in there?”

“Ya really think that between Blake and me we can’t take Sharpe down?”

“Not the point. He could have a gun, or a knife, or a taser, or⁠—”

“Give it up, Nash. Just let them go so that they get back sooner and we can all relax,” Theo grumbled, looking up from his laptop for the first time.

Nash crossed his arms.

“I was looking forward to a drama-free night and getting some sleep, apparently that is not going to happen.”

With a smirk, I ran my hands up his arms.

“When did you turn into the stuffy rule follower?”

“Wash your mouth out, woman,” he snarled.

Cupping my face, Nash kissed me hard. His touch was brimming with tension. When he pulled away, his lips remained touching mine.

“Be safe,” he whispered.

“We’ll be back before you notice that we’re even gone,” I said, grabbing a black hoodie and black jeans to change into from my all too bright yellow sweater of Blake’s and my blue jeans. All eyes turned to me as I stripped. I pointed at them.

“Don’t even think about it.”