Page 91 of The Chaos She Brings

But now? Now that I’m really thinking about it? It feels like I’m choking on air and my vision blurs.

I’m not okay.

29

Left Behind

Nico to Kai: She’s special. Don’t fuck it up. [delivered]

Tess

Nicoisinfullbusiness mode today, now that Enzo’s given us the heads up that they’re moving against the Russians.

Me? I haven’t stopped pacing.

I’m worried about Enzo. I know I don’t really know him yet, but I want thechanceto know him.

It’s now late in the evening, and we’ve been on a communication blackout since the morning while everyone in the outside world plays their part.

Today is the day.

Nico is also pacing now, the two of us moving in synchronised circles like we’re performing some sort of dance.

“It’s going to be fine, right?” I ask for the tenth time today, and I don’t even realise how much my voice trembles until I hear it.

Nico’s face is a little pale. “Yeah, yeah. This is what we do.”

“Take out an entire section of the Russian Mafia?”

He lets out a huffed laugh, trying to ease my nerves. “Maybe not something we do every day, but yeah, it’s not unusual.”

That actually does make me feel a little better. It’s crazy, this world I’ve somehow been dragged into—a world where this is just another Wednesday.

Nico turns to look at me with a serious expression, then eats up the space between us in a couple of strides until he’s standing directly in front of me. He cups my cheek with one of his palms, his eyes holding a hint of longing.

“Tess,” he begins, stroking his thumb over my skin. I should pull back, but I don’t—yet. “These past two weeks, and the ones before that, have been the best of my life.”

I pull back to look at him with a startled expression. “Uh… were we experiencing the same thing? Because I’m pretty sure all this time has been spent hiding in safe houses.”

He sighs, frowning at the ground before he looks back up at me with determination. “Tess,” he groans, as if I’m exasperating. “I’m in love with you.”

My lips part.

Nico rushes on. “I know you’re with Kai, I know that you don’t feel the same. I just… I need you to know that. After today, you’ll go back to your life, and I couldn’t let you go without telling you.”

Before I can think of anything to say to that revelation the door to the safehouse flies open with a loud crash, and gunfire starts all around me. Pain lances through my side. I look down, my vision blurring as blood stains my top.

I freeze, staring at the blood, my body paralyzed.

Nico jumps into action, pulling his gun out and firing in the direction of the door, positioning himself between me and the danger. He moves fast, like he’s done this a thousand times, while I’m still stuck in place, too stunned to do anything.

Nico shouts, voice frantic, “Grab a gun.”

I snap out of my shock and grab one of Nico’s guns from his holster. I’ve never used one before, but I don’t have a choice.

The sharp pop of gunfire continues around us; Nico backs us both up then pulls me down once we’re behind the sofa.He pops his head up every now and then as he fires back.

“How the fuck did they find us? Goddamn it,” he mutters, shaking his head. His eyes soften as he looks at me, then he notices the blood. “Fuck, Tess. You got hit?”