Page 29 of The Chaos She Brings

“You’ve been... busy lately, haven’t you, Tessa?” His voice is casual, but there’s a knowing edge to it that sends a chill straight through me.

I swallow, my breath quickening. “What the hell does that mean?”

“Oh, nothing,” he shrugs, but his eyes never leave mine, their intensity enough to make me shiver. “Just that some things are harder to bury than others. You’ve learned that, haven’t you?”

My throat goes dry, and I fight the urge to recoil. He’s too close, too perceptive.

“Relax,” he says, the mock sympathy in his tone making my skin crawl. “I’m not here to cause trouble. Just remember—this is a small world, Tessa. You never know who’s watching.”

With a final lingering look, he pushes off the wall and strides past me, disappearing into the night. The hairs on my arms stay raised long after he’s gone, and I’m left standing there, trembling in the dimming light.

Kai

I’ve been watching Tess all day. I shouldn’t have. But I hacked into her work’s security cameras. I watched as men came in, flirting with her without shame, and jealousy churned in my gut.

I even skipped lunch. I never skip lunch. But I was too busy stalking her movements like I’m some creep.

When she steps outside, I switch the feed to the camera across the street.

I lean in, my eyes narrowing.Who the hell is that?

A man follows her. I can’t get an accurate image of his face. He moves quietly, taking advantage of her distraction to get in front of her.

My blood boils.

He talks to her for a few moments then walks off. She doesn’t move. I can’t see her face from here. I need a better angle.

She pulls something from her pocket. What the hell is she doing—?

My phone rings, cutting off my thoughts. Tess’s name flashes across the screen.

“Kai?” Her voice is so small, so cracked, it nearly breaks me. Blind rage floods my veins.

“Tess? What’s wrong?”

“I think someone saw what I did,” she whispers, her voice raw and trembling.

My heart skips a beat. “I’m on my way. Get somewhere safe. Stay there.”

I don’t wait another second. As soon as her name hit my screen, my feet were already moving.

“Okay.” Her voice is barely audible, a ghost of herself.

I curse the distance between us. I curse the traffic. London moves too slowly.

“I’ll be as quick as I can, Hurricane.” The nickname slips out before I can stop it. She’s in danger, and I’m already behind.

“Will you stay on the phone with me?” Her voice cracks again.

“Of course,” I answer, my Bluetooth kicking in as I speed out of my drive. “Talk to me. Where are you now?”

“I’ve gone back inside the gym,” she replies.

“Good. That’s good.” My heart pounds harder. “Tell me what happened?”

“A... a guy came up to me outside the gym. He said something about how I never know who’s watching, and that, um, some things are harder to bury than others.”

A small sob cracks through the phone, and my chest tightens.