Page 119 of Ruthless Chaos

“Hunted by who?” There’s a sharp edge to his voice.

I wish I knew. “My father has enemies. I don’t know for sure. My uncle sent me here for protection while they figure it out.”

Alexander sighs. “And that’s why he’s had you lie about who you are. In case someone here would want to kill you too.”

I nod and he lets go of my face. Immediately, I miss the feel of his skin against mine. He takes my hands in his.

His mind is elsewhere.

“Have you told anyone else?”

I shake my head. His shoulders sag and he releases a breath.

“Good. Keep it that way.” His expression has grown harsh, but he’s staring at something beyond me. “This is royally fucked up. Do you know what happened to the last—” He trails off, eyes widening. “Your family must suspect that you’re being hunted by some powerful people ifthiswas the best place to send you.” He runs a hand through his hair. “But if we’re careful, we can keep this secret.”

My throat goes dry, and my eyes burn.

We. He said we.

Once or twice, I’ve fantasized about what would happen if I told someone my secret. In every instance, it ended with my death.

But Alexander thinks that this problem isours.

It’s a spark of hope that maybe this life I have could be worth living.

Alexander brings my knuckles to his lips, pressing a soft kiss there. “I will never let anyone take you from me, Alize.” He kisses my hand again, this time more fervently. “Never. They’ll have to kill me first.”

“You’re not upset at me?”

His eyes hold a question.

“For lying to you,” I say sheepishly, looking down at our joined hands.

Alexander raises my face with a finger on my chin. “No. In fact, it makes sense why you seem so out of place here.” He laughs, and I’m amazed that he can find humor here. “I think it’s stupid, to put you at risk like that, but I’m not angry. I understand the decision. You didn’t have a choice.”

I nod, my eyes watering.

I didn’t. I was supposed to go to Harvard and experience my first taste of real,normal, life. I wouldn’t choose this in a million years.

I start to spiral again, but Alexander catches me before the panic takes over.

“Hey,” he says. “Don’t you trust me?”

Alexander has been a fixture in my life since my very first night here.

But his presence doesn’t scare me like it used to. In fact, I’m grateful to him. He’s fucked up, but he has a moral code—at least when it comes to me.

There’s a method to his madness.

The people here make his savagery seem like decency.

“I do,” I say after a long minute.

“Good,” he smiles, kissing my palm. “I’ll keep you safe. I swear it. It will be our secret. We will figure this out.”

I lock his words away in my heart.

His promises matter to me. Probably more than I’ll ever admit to him.