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“They took my phone,” I replied, shooting a look at Kian.
She tucked her hair behind her ear, looking at Kian and then at Jace. “You two are aware that kidnapping is a crime, right?”
Jace crossed his arms. “Kidnapping? She’s here in her dorm.”
“She’s been sick,” Kian added, not sounding believable at all.
“Really?” Alicia frowned. “Then, since everything’s fine, I’m taking her out for lunch.”
She reached forward, grabbing my arm. Before I could say a word, Kian stepped forward, yanking me away.
“Rynn will have to go another time,” Jace murmured, danger lurking in his voice. “She’s still sick.”
I laughed. “Don’t insult her, Jace. She’s not dumb.”
“Then she should know how dangerous it is to meddle in our business.” Kian still had a death grip on my arm, and he was trying to tug me closer, as if he was worried I’d bolt.
Alicia poked Jace’s chest with two fingers when he got in her way again. “You can’t threaten me. You two think you can run the school? I fucking own it alongside Rynn. And I can have both your asses locked up before you can go running back to your little city.”
My heart swelled at the way my friend was trying to protect me, but I quickly stepped forward, wanting to keep her as far from all of this as possible. Who knew what Grimrose and the Disciples would do if they found out her dad was the police chief. I wasn’t risking it.
“I’m okay,” I promised her, ripping my arm away from Kian. “Don’t get involved, Alicia.”
She closed the distance between us, wrapping me in a tight hug. “You need to get off campus.”
She whispered it, but not quietly enough because Jace mumbled a protest as he backed up to stand in front of the door.
“I will,” I said, loud enough for them all to hear. “Just not yet. I’m fine here. Don’t worry about me.”
“They’re holding you hostage,” she gritted out, glaring past me at Kian.
Jace chuckled. “Time to go, Alicia.”
She squeezed me tighter, her next words not even a whisper. “Gage says it’s taking longer than expected. Leave if you can.”
“What did you say?” Kian asked suspiciously, his footsteps coming up behind me.
“She says you should go put a shirt on,” I answered as she pulled away and strode to the door. After she was gone, both of their stares were on me, and I rolled my eyes as I went into my kitchen area.
“She told you something important,” Jace accused. “What was it?”
Glancing over my shoulder, I gave him a sweet smile. “She wants to know why you two are so focused on me when you already run campus. I could leave, and all would be the same. So why the hell am I still here?”
“You know why,” Jace shot back. “Two reasons. One—if you’re not here, then you’d be with Chris. Because he still has a fucking interest in you. And two? You leave campus, and whoever you’re with is going to make a play for Little Haven.”
My smile faded. “They’re going to do that anyway. Whether I’m here or with them.”
“We’ll see if that’s true,” Kian muttered, falling onto the couch.
“That’s not what Alicia told you,” Jace said, his stare still on me.
“Don’t believe me?” I sneered. “Torture me, then, Jace. I am your hostage, after all.”
He scrubbed a hand down his face, looking at Kian. “I’m going to shower. You good with her?”
Kian nodded, his eyes going to the door to make sure it was locked. The only time the two of them talked was when it concerned me. I had planned on fucking around with both of them so they’d get under each other’s skin, but they hadn’t left me alone to do anything. Jace disappeared into the bathroom, and I grabbed the loaf of bread, acting like I was going to make a sandwich.
With only one of them watching me, this was my best shot. I grabbed the peanut butter and snagged a bottle of sleeping aid pills I’d bought months ago. Moving carefully so the bottle wouldn’t rattle, I set it on the short counter where Kian couldn’t see from the couch. He was glancing at me out of the corner of his eye, but with the door locked up tight, he wasn’t hovering as much as they had been in the beginning.
