Page 188 of Ghost Ribbon

Sasha scoffed, straightening her uniform with angry movements. “Please. Like I’d waste my time on either of you.”

Ilya stepped closer, voice dropping into something mocking and crude. “That’s funny, because last I checked you were still scraping Kento’s ass for attention like a stray cat in heat. Go back to that. Don’t touch my Marco.”

Rei’s hand cracked across the back of Ilya’s head so hard the sound echoed.

“He is my Marco, you absolute menace.”

Ilya rubbed the spot, completely unrepentant. “Ow, rude.”

Sasha’s face twisted. “You’re both pathetic. Obsessed much?”

“Obsessed with keeping trash away from him, yeah,” Rei shot back. “Now fuck off before I make it a group effort.”

I noticed Rei was…different lately. He was mirroring Dimitri’s personality a bit. I heard last week a boy tried to take Dimitri’s phone number and Rei nearly pulled all of his hair out after he jumped him. Maybe it also had to do with the fact he was going to take over his father’s legacy soon and he seemed to be in a bad mood lately because of it.

I stood there, bag still over my shoulder, watching the three of them snipe like it was a competitive sport. My mouth opened, then closed again. I had no idea where to even begin.

Then a familiar voice slid in from behind me, unmistakably possessive.

“He’s actually mine.”

A strong arm wrapped around my waist and pulled me backward until my spine was flush against a solid chest. Alexei’s chin rested briefly against the side of my head.

Sasha looked between all of us, face alternating between fury and disbelief. “You’re all insane. Completely fucking insane.”

Alexei’s voice stayed soft, almost bored, but the arm around me tightened just enough to make the message clear.

“And yet you’re still standing here. Curious.”

Ilya grinned. “Yeah, hag. Run along. Go find Kento and ask him if he wants seconds. We’re busy.”

Rei made a dismissive shooing motion with his fingers.

Sasha muttered something vicious under her breath, shot one last glare at the three of them, and finally stormed off down the corridor.

I stood frozen in Alexei’s hold, blinking between Ilya’s smug face, Rei’s residual disgust, and the solid warmth at my back.

“…What the hell just happened?” I asked weakly.

Ilya slung an arm around Rei’s shoulders like nothing was wrong. “Teamwork, baby. You’re welcome.”

Rei shoved him off. “Don’t call me baby.”

Alexei pressed a slow kiss to the side of my neck, right there in the middle of the hallway, and murmured against my skin,

“Welcome back.”

I smiled and leaned up to kiss Alexei’s cheek.

Sasha was still hovering somewhere in the background, but I barely spared her a glance. She hadn’t come to the hospital once. That told me everything I needed to know. All I wanted was to stay near Alexei, so when he turned and headed toward the far side of the academy - the side I had somehow never set foot in - I followed without question.

We reached the boxing arena. Me and Rei claimed a spot close to the ring while Alexei and Dimitri climbed in. “Do they fight a lot?”

Rei leaned in, voice dry.

“Yeah, they do this all the time. Your man stupidly wins a bit too often.” He shot a pointed glare toward the ring.

I couldn’t help the small grin that tugged at my mouth. Hearing that Alexei mostly won made something warm and proud curl in my chest.