Page 64 of The Chaos She Brings

We both fall silent. The weight of my words settles over us like a blanket.

Then Tess nudges my shoulder playfully. “I think this is the most you’ve ever spoken to me.”

A laugh bubbles up before I can stop it, my chest and shoulders shaking with the force as my head tips back, my lips pulling upwards.

I pinch her side and she yelps.

“Don’t expect it to become a regular thing.”

20

Worst Possible Scenarios

Enzo to Kai: If she’s hurt I will gut you and bury your body somewhere no one will ever find it. [delivered]

Kai

Downstairs,Istripintomy running shorts and step outside, trying to burn off the steam that’s been building in me all day.

I love running.

It’s the only time my mind stops running wild. For a few minutes, I forget all my issues. All the shit I’ve buried.

But Nico’s on my heels. Fucking prick.

“You’ve been running for an hour already,” he calls out, his voice dragging through the air, his heavy breathing matching my pace. “What’s got you in your head?”

The guy just doesn’t quit. He’s got a fucking persistenceabout him. Keeps trying to be my friend. But then he flirts with Tess. Make it make sense.

“Nothing,” I grind out, the words slipping through my teeth as I pump my arms harder. Sweat coats my skin, my lungs burn, but I push myself.

“Alright. Keep your secrets. I’m going to find Tess.”

That fucking stops me in my tracks.

A growl builds at the back of my throat. “Stay the fuck away from her.”

He grins, unphased. “No can do, my man. She’s under my protection.”

I mutter a curse and break into a sprint back toward the house. I’m not leaving him alone with her.

It’s a friend thing.

I tell myself that, over and over.

When I get back inside, I find Tess in the kitchen, humming along to Rita Ora’sPoisonwhile she’s making lunch. Of course, the entire kitchen looks like a warzone. Every pan’s in use. Sauce splatters everywhere like it’s some kind of art.

She doesn’t even realise I’m standing there, watching. But her hips? Damn. Every little sway makes my pulse race.

The mess she’s made? I should be twitching with irritation, but seeing her so carefree, so happy with herself... it softens the blow. The anxiety isn’t so prominent.

“Smells great in here. Whatcha cookin?” Nico’s voice cuts through the calm, and Tess jumps, clutching her chest like she’s had a mini heart attack. She’s always so wrapped up in whatever she’s doing that she’s oblivious to everything around her.

Rage coils inside me, bunching my shoulders, turning my knuckles white as Nico strolls into the kitchen like he owns the place. He doesn’t live here. He’s got no reason to be here unless he’s playing bodyguard. But somehow, he’s always around. Always finding reasons to be near her.

Tess catches my eye and smiles softly. Her gaze flicks to me, then back to Nico.

“Bolognese,” she answers, turning back to Nico.