Page 119 of The Chaos She Brings

Enzo opens his mouth, his tone commanding respect as he speaks about Nico and his death. It’s only at the end that he cracks a smile. “Nico was a reckless asshole. But he wasourreckless asshole. He will be missed.”

A cheer choruses through the group, then everyone disperses. A sea of black breaking up as they all go in their own directions.

Kai stands to my right, Nate and Carina to my left. We’re heading home today, after the funeral, but I wanted to say goodbye to Nico. He was a good friend, who gave his life to save mine and I’ll always be grateful for that. Even if he was an annoying prick most of the time.

An arm gets draped over my shoulder.

I flinch, instinctively.

Kai frowns, his arm going stiff where it rests over my shoulders. I wait for him to pull away. To say something. But he just stands there, silent, unreadable. My chest tightens, the warmth of his touch suddenly feeling colder.

I try to smile convincingly but it seems to come out as more of a grimace.

We haven’t had a chance to really speak since I left, and it’s eating away at me. He was normal with me last night, but he’s been very quiet today. I'm nervous. I thought I was doing the right thing. Theonlything. But now… Now I see the look in Kai’s eyes, and it’s like watching someone lock a door from the inside. He’s shutting me out. And the worst part? I handed him the key.

Memories threaten to drag me back under their current, but I push them away.

If I don’t think about it.

If I don’t let myself dwell on that time.

Those moments where I truly wanted to die.

I’ll be okay.

After the funeral we collect our bags from Enzo’s apartment then he drives us to a private airstrip where his jet is waiting.

One by one everyone hugs Enzo goodbye before getting onboard until it’s just me and him. I shuffle a little awkwardly until he pulls me into a hug, my face getting crushed into his chest.

“I’ll visit soon,” he murmurs. “We need time to actually get toknow each other. But I have things to take care of here. I’ve been away from my duties for too long.”

I tilt my head back to look at him. “And what exactly do you do? Besides kill people?”

A sharp laugh escapes him. “That’s actually not as big a part of it as you might think.” His lips twitch. “I own a nightclub. And I’ve been neglecting it lately.”

My brow lifts sceptically. “A nightclub?”

He grins. “It’s not all crime and bloodshed. Though... the club is a perfect front for money laundering and drug trafficking.”

I roll my eyes, stepping back. “Right. Good to know you have some honest work.”

He smirks but says nothing.

I wave goodbye one last time before climbing the steps onto the jet. Kai is already in his seat, and I slide in beside him with a sigh. The exhaustion of the past few month’s crashes over me all at once.

Across the aisle, Nate and Carina share a pair of headphones, listening to music together.

Now’s my chance.

I force out the question that’s been gnawing at me. “Are you mad at me?”

Kai doesn’t answer right away. I hold my breath.

“Mad? No,” he says finally. “I just wish you’d told me what you were planning. I could have talked you out of it.”

I groan, leaning my head back against the leather seat. “Who would’ve thought you’d be the one asking me to talk.”

He smirks. “I like it when you talk.”