Page 139 of Ruthless Chaos

“Oh, I knew that,” she says, taking a slow sip of her lemonade. “It’s all anyone wanted to talk about this morning.”

“Really?”

She nods. “They’re speculating if you’ll be moving in with him.”

Suddenly, Tara’s weird mood makes sense. I hadn’t considered that she would feel upset about that. I put my hand on hers. “I will not be, by the way.”

Her features lighten. Was that what was bothering her? She would miss me? That’s endearing. So, shedoescare about me.

“I didn’t know how to ask you, because it’s not like I could stop you if that’s what he wants,” she says. “So, Alexander is allowing you to stay on Hemlock? I thought he would want you closer since you’re supposed to be his sex kitten.”

I nearly spit my drink out. Heat gathers in my cheeks.

“We agreed that it wasn’t necessary.” My mood sours a bit.

I’m only his Courtesan because he was forced.

“Hm,” she says with a shrug. “That’s very benevolent of him.”

Alexander is many things, but benevolent is not one of them. “Yesterday was good,” I say. “He rented out a restaurant for just the two of us.”

Tara’s eyes widen and she gasps. “That’s romantic, isn’t it?”

I nod, thinking back to Tommaso’s little restaurant. I saw Alexander at his most vulnerable. I feel like I know him a little better.

“It was,” I say. “It was perfect.” Until he told me how he really felt about me.

“So, he’s officially your boyfriend now?” she asks. “Well, I guess that necklace seals it all up.” She points at my neck with the prongs of her fork.

I grip the pendant in one hand, looking down at it. “We haven’t officially agreed on any titles, or if…we’re in a relationship.”

There’s a whole piece of the story that Tara doesn’t know. How Liam attacked me that night at the party, how Cassidy tried to auction my virginity to the highest bidder.

If she did, then she would know why that isn’t on the cards for us.

I don’t feel like reliving all of that just to explain it to her.

“That’s weird,” she says. “I guess that’s just how men are, though.” She rolls her eyes, and her words are loaded with so much emotion that I think she isn’t talking about just my situation anymore. “I just want to make sure you don’t get caught up in Alexander’s storm.”

Her words make me pause.

“His storm? What do you mean?”

Tara plays with the food on her plate, keeping her eyes low. “I heard a lot from the grapevine this morning, Al,” she says. “I know most of it isn’t true, but…” When her eyes meet mine, they are filled with worry. “Cassidy’s livid.”

I scoff. “Isn’t that her general disposition?”

Tara laughs, but the humor doesn’t reach her eyes. “This is the first time Alexander’s done something like this. I’m just a little worried about what she’ll do. Cassidy is psychotic.”

She has no idea what she’salreadydone.

“I’m not worried,” I say, mustering up as much courage as I can. “Alexander will look out for me.”

“I think he will too,” Tara watches me carefully. “I guess I’m only telling you what I’ve heard because I’m worried aboutyou. You mean a lot to me.”

I smile. “Thank you for caring about me, Tara. I promise I’ll be fine.”

My words are enough for her to let it go. The concern disappears from her face. We fall quiet, the sound of the silverware against our plates punctuating the silence.