Page 174 of Ruthless Chaos

Keller laughs like an unhinged maniac. “What is he going to do? Attack me again? He has too much to lose.” He shrugs, standing with his palms flat against the conference table. “At least this time, you should make it fair, Duke. Instead of ambushing me right as I’m about to get some cheap pussy.”

That’s my last straw. I lunge at him over the table, but Ezra and Vance hold me back. I squirm against their grip, but they hold me firmly in place. My hand moves to my waist and comes up empty.

If I hadn’t left my gun in the room. I could end this right here.

“Let’s hope that fucking amulet you gave her is enough to save her from what’s coming,” Keller spits.

He doesn’t expound on what he means, only gives me that sickening smile I want to punch off his face. I strain against Vance and Ezra again, but they won’t let me go.

In fact, their hold gets tighter.

“Anyway, just get Strinati in,” Keller says, turning towards the door. It’s just like the coward to run away. “It’s in you and your family’s best interest.” He leaves the room after that, strolling down the corridor with his hands in his pockets.

Did the beating he got fuck with his brain?

He must have amnesia. It’s like he has forgotten who I am, what I am capable of, what the Duke name means. Does he know how far I will go to keep the people I care about safe? Keller’s insubordination in this meeting will come to haunt him and his family.

I will make sure of it.

“He’s gone, you can let me go,” I huff, shrugging Vance and Ezra’s hands off me.

Their faces are an odd mix of anger and pity. I could do without their sympathy right now. If they are not going to help me bash Keller’s face in, the least they can do is stay out of my way.

I get up from my seat, forcing my way past Ezra, who seems reluctant to let me leave.

“You can’t do anything to him, Alexander,” he says, his face solemn. “Not on this trip at least. You got away scot-free the last time. Do you really think they are going to let it slide this time?”

Whose fucking side is he on? “If I give them a funeral to plan, they’ll be too busy.”

Cesare laughs and my eyes snap to him. He pales a little and looks away.

“You won’t be able to protect her from them if you’re not here,” Vance says. Those are the words that remind me that I thought of all this before.

Alize needs me.

Well, unless I kill Cassidy and Keller at the same time. Then there would be nobody to antagonize her.

But if I get kicked out of SFU, I lose my chance at becoming a part of the Kingmaker Society and I would loseher.That is the worst punishment of all.

I run a hand through my hair, moving towards the exit.

“Where are you going?” Ezra is hot on my heels.

Turning towards him with a scowl, I say, “I’m not going to hurt him.” He doesn’t believe me. “I’m going to my fucking woman.” I leave before they can say anything else to me.

She’s my solace.

FORTY-THREE

ALIZE

The warm soapywater stings my thighs.

I close my eyes, focusing on the pain, willing it to overtake the numbness that has invaded my chest. My hands hang off the side of the clawfoot bath. The blade trembles between my fingers.

I sit silently for a few seconds, too scared to even breathe.

Usually, by now the pain would have cut through the cacophony of my thoughts. It should feel like I’m seeing through the haze, and my feelings should be in perspective. My skull throbs mercilessly from all the crying. Fresh tears gather in the corner of my eyes, and I let out an exasperated sob.