Chapter 92: Two can play this game

Chapter 92: Chapter 92: Two can play this game

Everyone around them had stopped whatever they were doing. Conversations died mid-sentence. Phones were discreetly raised.

Kate took a careful steps backward.

Amelia whispered under her breath, "Don’t leave me alone."

"Nah-ah."

The three men reached her.

Reid lifted the insulated lunch box in his hand that amelia thought was something else, with an easy smile.

"You left the house without eating. We brought you something."

Amelia knew she had to act according to the rules. She forced her expression into something soft and sweet. "You really shouldn’t have. I was going to eat at the canteen soon."

Enzo’s replied gently. "Their food isn’t good enough. You deserve something more nutritious after what you went through. Your body still hasn’t fully recovered. You know you stayed up almost all night and woke up late "

A ripple of understanding—completely wrong understanding—moved through the students nearby. The implication was obvious to everyone listening, and Amelia knew Enzo had chosen those words on purpose.

Two can play at that game.

She tilted her head slightly, matching his tone with something just as sweet and twice as pointed.

"Oh, you’re right. I am tired. Especially since the three of you couldn’t seem to keep your hands off me for hours... you couldn’t help yourselves. I am irresistible."

None of the brothers looked ready to back down. If anything, the corner of Enzo’s mouth twitched. Reid’s eyes brightened. And Dean...

Dean reached out, slipped his fingers between hers, and locked their hands together. Then he smiled that was devastatingly soft around the edges.

Amelia’s thoughts short-circuited for a full second.

Has he ever smiled before? This is so new. Is the earth about to be sucked in a blackhole rn?

A few girls nearby actually squeaked. "I’m so jealous she has all three of them..."

"She’s not even that pretty."

"They really treasure the one Dylan rejected, huh?"

Amelia could hear every supposedly whispered comment. She was also uncomfortably aware of how much she liked the warm weight of Dean’s hand around hers.

Reid smoothly took her bag from her shoulder. "Come on."

They walked toward the canteen together. Students parted without being asked.

Once they reached the entrance, Amelia tried again. "The canteen isn’t really fit for the three of you. Wouldn’t it be better if we just went home?"

Reid leaned in slightly, still carrying her bag.

"We can handle it. We’re with you, after all. Don’t you want our company?"

Amelia pushed his face away with the tips of her fingers, smiling tightly.

"I would rather eat cold cafeteria noodles alone than sit through an entire meal with the three of you."

Enzo’s voice was mild. "That’s so bad of you. We could always eat in the car instead... but then the other students might start wondering why the vehicle is rocking for hours. We will definitely be tempted if were are alone with you...for hours..."

A full-body micro-shudder ran through Amelia.

She recovered almost immediately, forcing her expression back into something sweet and public-friendly.

"Fine. I don’t mind if my lovely partners actually join me in the canteen."

They stepped inside.

The handful of students already seated froze mid-bite, staring as if the three Ellington brothers were an illusion that might vanish if they blinked too hard.

Amelia led the way to the farthest corner table. The brothers followed without comment, though the distance did nothing to stop the eyes or the cameras.

A canteen lady hurried over almost the moment they sat, her expression equal parts nervous and honored.

"My lords... Miss Amelia. Whatever meal you want, just say the word. It’s an honor."

Woah.

Amelia shouldn’t have been surprised by the sudden upgrade in service, but it still caught her off guard.

The three men looked at her, clearly waiting for her to decide.

She turned back to the woman with a bright, shameless smile.

"Then I’d like the braised short ribs, the truffle cream pasta, the herb-roasted chicken, the seafood risotto, the honey-glazed salmon, the wild mushroom soup, the garlic butter lobster tails, the slow-cooked lamb shanks, the citrus-glazed duck, and the double chocolate lava cake." She glanced at the brothers. "Hope you don’t mind. I have a stomach the size of a pig."

Enzo reached over and gently pinched the bridge of her nose.

"I love my cute hungry pig."

Who is he calling a pig?

The canteen lady left in a hurry.

Less than ten minutes later, tray after tray began arriving—rich, steaming, and far too elaborate for a college canteen. The smell alone was enough to make nearby students stare harder.

Amelia blinked at the spread.

How did they put this together in minutes?

She reached for a fork.

Enzo’s hand closed gently but firmly around her wrist before she could touch anything. He shook his finger once.

"Nope. Let me."

He selected one of the dishes, picked up the proper utensil, and brought a carefully portioned bite to her lips.

Amelia turned her face away.

Reid and Dean watched in silence, both of them wearing the quiet, satisfied expressions of men who were thoroughly enjoying the show.

Reid’s voice floated over, light and whimsical.

"Everyone is watching, you know."

Amelia shut her eyes, resigned, and opened her mouth.

Enzo fed her.

The food was excellent—rich, perfectly seasoned—but it did nothing to ease the tangled mess of nerves, shyness, and irritation twisting in her chest. He continued offering her bite after bite, until she finally managed to speak around the next mouthful.

"I can continue from here."

Enzo ignored the protest. Instead he lifted his thumb and brushed something from the corner of her lips, the touch lingering just a second too long. Amelia went completely still.

"I like feeding you," he said simply.

She forced herself to swallow, pulse jumping under her skin, then met his eyes.

"What’s the actual reason you three came to the college?"

Reid rested his chin against the heel of his hand, smiling.

"We obviously missed you. Have you already forgotten we said we’d make you feel better?"

Amelia gave him a flat look. "And this is your idea of making me feel better?"

Enzo didn’t look away from her.

"Of course. Because we want every person in this place to see exactly who you are to us."