Page 168 of Ruthless Chaos

“Who is going to fetch that motherfucker?” I ask.

Cesare volunteers and agrees to meet us in the conference room.

As much as I know I should put it out of my mind, I can’t shake the feeling there is a deeper story to Tara’s dislike of me. Usually, I have an idea of what it is about me that ticks people off—my abrasiveness is by design.

This time though, I can’t place it.

Has Alize said something to her that I don’t know about? Are they hiding something from me? What Alize and I have is unconventional, but shouldn’t she understand? She’s fucking aprofessorafter all.

The longer I think about it, the crazier the possibilities get in my mind.

I need to get to the bottom of it quickly.

FORTY-ONE

ALIZE

Callingthis a hidden wonder of the world was an exaggeration.

I’ve seen two of the actual wonders of the world. They are more breathtaking than this, by far. It’s nice, though. I dip my toes into the steaming water excitedly.

It is a natural hot spring, nestled in a crag located a short trek from the hotel’s main building. The hot water gathers in a hewn-out crater, with tall trees and aromatic flowers growing all around it—the smell of sulfur isn’t even that noticeable. It looks like the kind of scene you would find in an enchanted forest. String lights glimmer in the trees, and a few lanterns illuminate the walkway and perimeter.

Tara and Nya are already submerged to the shoulders, and I join them quickly. It’s chilly out tonight, and we decided to make the trek in just our swimwear.

The warm water is a welcome relief.

I close my eyes as the heat soaks into my bones.

“This is amazing,” Nya’s voice is breathy. “Exactly what I need after the day I’ve had.”

I agree with her quietly.

The break seems to have made us nearly insatiable—I can barely keep my hands off him. I’m as sore as I was two days ago, and the skin on my neck and chest tell the story of his devastation.

I’m already excited to see him later tonight.

“You’re taking engineering,” Tara says. “Of course, it’s going to be stressful.”

Nya snorts. “I wish that school was my only stressor,” she says. “That would be manageable.”

I crack an eye. The gleaming light from the lanterns make Nya’s dark skin glow and brightens her cheekbones. Her hair is caught atop her head in a bun.

“So, you’re just going to say you’re stressed, but not tell us what’s stressing you?” I ask cheekily, already invested in the story.

“I don’t want to talk about him,” Nya says with a sigh. “Vance is too intense.”

Tara perks up at her words. “It’s bothering you though, obviously.”

“Yes, but.” She flails her hands, splashing water on my face. Nya lets out a frustrated groan. “Ugh, fuck him. He’s just so frustrating.”

“Isn’t every man,” Tara says bitterly.

“Yes, but I’ve never felt this way before, I think." Nya chews on her lip. “One moment, we’re arguing and agreeing never to talk to each other again. The next, he’s inviting me on this fucking weekend trip that is very much like a couple-y thing.”

My jaw drops. “You guys aren’t together?”

She scratches the back of her head, averting my gaze and focusing on the bubbling water. “No, and that’s what’s driving me crazy. We had sex once a while back, but we both agreed that it was a mistake and that we would put it behind us.”