Page 31 of The Chaos She Brings

Kai’s jaw clenches so tightly I hear his teeth grind. His expression hardens, the temperature in the room seeming to drop.

“What is it?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

“The men who broke into your flat,” he says slowly. “They were the Russian Mafia.”

“What?” I shriek, leaping to my feet.

“This is why I didn’t tell you before,” he says, standing as well. “I didn’t want you to freak out.”

“Of course I’m freaking out, Kai! The fuckingMafia?”

“Do you have any idea why they’d be interested in you?” His eyes pin me in place, sharp and unyielding. “Tess, I need you to be honest.”

“What the fuck?” My voice rises. “No! Why the hell would I have anything to do with the Mafia?”

“You need to calm down—”

“Calm down? Fuck you, Kai!” I shout, my chest heaving. “I can’t believe you didn’t tell me this sooner!”

Before he can respond, I whirl around and storm upstairs, slamming the bedroom door behind me. My legs buckle, and I slide to the floor, my back pressed against the door as the weight of the evening crushes me.

What the fuck is happening?

TheMafia.

This isn’t real. This can’t be real. I’m a fucking gym receptionist, for fuck’s sake. I haven’t done anything to deserve this kind of attention.

Tears spill down my cheeks, and a broken sob escapes my throat. The events of the night swirl in my mind, too overwhelming to process.

“Tess?” Kai’s voice comes from the other side of the door, softer now.

“Go away,” I manage, my voice shaking.

“Please,” he murmurs. “Don’t cry.”

“Leave me alone,” I snap.

There’s a long pause, then I hear a quiet thunk, like he’s rested his head against the door.

“Goodnight, Hurricane,” he says softly, his voice filled with something I can’t place.

I don’t respond, but I sit there for a long time, his words echoing in my mind as my tears continue to fall.

Kai

I shut myself in my office and dial Enzo. It’s late, but I’m praying he answers.

“Kai,” he answers immediately, his tone brisk. “I was just about to call you.”

“Tell me you’ve got something,” I demand.

“Did something happen?” There’s an edge of urgency in his voice that’s not like him.

“One of the Russians threatened Tess today.”

“Bastardi,” he spits. There’s a tense pause. “Yeah, I’ve got something. I’m heading to England now.”

“What?” I sit up straighter. “Why?”