Page 103 of Chaos at Westbrook High

He might not have seen anything—Wren and the others wouldn’t have allowed it—but I know he knows exactly what we were doing in there.

Taking another step, I cock my head at him. “Are you in love with her?”

Instead of recoiling and denying it like I expect him to, he stands his ground, not breaking eye-contact. “Are you? Is that why you’re so threatened by me?”

Laughing quietly, I peek over my shoulder, checking to make sure Hailey’s not watching before I grab her employee and pin him to the side of my car.

“You’re quitting,” I say.

He panics at that, his eyes widening slightly as he searches mine. “What?”

“Not now. Tomorrow. Call her in the morning and tell her you quit.”

“I…” He pauses. “Fuck, I can’t.”

“Why not?”

“How is she supposed to run this place without me? She needs me, Kai.”

“No.” I shake my head. “You’ve got no fucking clue what she needs.”

He lifts his chin, the brave little shit. “I won’t leave her.”

“You will,” I tell him. “Because if you don’t, I’ve got no problem beating your ass until you’re gone.”

“She won’t let you do that to me.”

“Wanna try me and find out?”

Another curse. “Why are you doing this?”

“Because I don’t like you,” I say simply, moving my eyes over his face. “I don’t like the way you look at my girl. The passing touches like you have the right. I don’t want you near her anymore.”

“So you’re just gonna toss me out like trash?”

I grin. “Exactly.”

His jaw locks, and I release him with a shove, making a point to watch him walk away.

He shakes his head at me in disgust. “She deserves so much better than you.”

I shrug, because fuck if that’s not the truth.

“You’re right,” I agree. “But she’s not getting it.”

He gets into his car, and I keep one eye on him as I walk toward James’ SUV, leaning my elbows on the door to look at him through the open window.

“Can you have someone follow him?” I flick my eyes to Wyatt and back.

James nods, pressing his phone to his ear.

Chapter 33

KAI

Hailey straight up refuses to come to the party, but when I tell her I’m taking Derek with me, she glares and pushes herself off my lap to take a shower. When I follow, she makes a point to shut the door in my face, making me pout as the lock clicks into place.

I don’t need or even want Derek to be there—knowing him, he’ll find a way to fuck us over the second we let him out—but I’m a manipulative bastard, and I knew this was the only way I’d be able to convince Hailey to come with us. Besides, it’s either force her to come or leave her here with Derek, and there’s not a fucking chance I’m doing that. I don’t care that he’s her brother, I don’t trust the guy as far as I can throw him. He’d probably try to run off with her as soon as I turn my back.

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