Page 101 of Beautiful Chaos

A smirk formed on my lips. “The one and only.” I taunted in sarcasm.

The woman started to mumble; her words were inaudible because of the gag. She tried to test the restraints but luckily these guys knew what they were doing so her movements were small. The man was still and motionless. His eyes locked on mine. He realized this was about avenging his daughter, he surrendered, lowered his gaze to the floor, and ended our stare down.

“Oh Max, I think he’s got it,” I said sarcastically over my shoulder in the direction of the space Max occupied.

“I don’t think so, I think he needs a clear understanding.” he gritted out, itching to get his hands dirty.

“What do you think? Maybe we have Travis over there, show him a few things.” I nodded toward a huge, muscular brute of a man, If I wasn’t a skilled and heavily trained fighter I’d be unnerved by his size.

Max smiled. “Nah, too easy.” He teased. I could hear the grinding of his teeth from where I sat. It was like holding a dog back from his food.

I struggled internally, wishing I could deal with it on my own. The satisfaction of watching as life left their already dark and empty eyes, even that wouldn’t be enough to avenge what they put their perfect little girl through. It’s too bad neither of them will ever see what an amazing woman she has become. How fucking strong she is and how much stronger she grows every day.

I couldn’t have their blood on my hands. I had to keep my hands clean for Harper’s sake, especially in this situation. For once I have to step aside and trust someone else to handle shit for me. I turned and looked at Max, giving him a look that only he understood. He gave me a faint nod of understanding. I stood up and walked out of the warehouse without another word spoken.

As I returned to the SUV, Leo exited from the driver’s seat where he had been waiting. Without a word, he opened my door, the way I preferred it. No questions, no small talk. I slid into the back seat and opened my cell just as a text from Harper came through.

I miss you tonight, see you at home.

A smile tugged at my lips. It was like she knew when I needed her the most. Like she sensed the crossroads I was at and struggling with. I texted three words in response, three words that consumed my every thought since she walked into my world.

I love you.

Chapter 71

HARPER

My eyes were heavy and dry. My head pounded like a symphony at Carnegie Hall. I threw my arm over my face to block the intense sunlight that crept in from behind the curtains, letting out a groan I threw my pillow over my head.

I knew I should have stopped at two glasses last night. Jasper is right, I can’t handle my alcohol, but in my defense, I’m new to the public drinking scene. I never allowed myself to relax enough to feel comfortable doing it, until Jasper. So, it was his fault. I giggled to myself at my childish accusations.

“What’s so funny, Doll?” a husky voice boomed through the room and made me jump at the sudden interruption of my thoughts. I was quickly wrapped in the armor of Jasper’s strong, tattooed arms. I rolled straight into his brick wall of a chest and breathed in the masculine earthy scent seeping from his pores.

Could he be more perfect?

I let out a deep sigh as I snuggled in closer. Jasper cleared his throat like a man of authority commanding a room. I looked up at him through my lashes to see one brow cocked, and his lips thinned.

“Hmm?”

“Nothing, it was stupid.”

“Nothing you have up here,” he pressed the smallest, most intimate kiss to my temple, “could ever be stupid.”

I felt heat in my cheeks. The sweetest smile raised his lips as he pushed a stray hair behind my ear. He told me a million times how much he likes it when I blush, but I can’t stand it. Wearing my emotions on my face is so traitorous. I could never be a seductive vixen, because no matter how hard I tried to act confident, my face would tell on me, immediately.

The idea of wearing some sexy little number, and trying to seduce the big bad lawyer in his office, rushed through my mind, then went to all the lingerie I was forced to buy at the boutique.

“Now, please tell me what’s going on in that beautiful mind, to make your cheeks turn that lovely shade of red, that I enjoy so much.” I buried my face into his chest and shook my head. I soon found out that was the wrong answer when his hands were wrapped around my waist, and with one swift move, I was turned on my belly. He kissed my neck when a shiver went down my spine causing me to wiggle and laugh.

“Oh, you’re ticklish. yes, I forgot.” I could feel his devilish grin against my collarbone where he peppered kisses to distract me from the torture that was about to commence. His hands were at my sides, and I was done for. I laughed until tears were streaming down my face, and not the cute little girly laughs, oh no, I could never be that lucky. Sounds were coming out of me, that even I didn’t recognize.

I laughed so hard until no sounds were escaping me, and he let up.

“Are you going to be a good girl, and tell me?” he teased into my ear.

My breath was suddenly stolen from my lungs, as I was projected back eight years prior. I was trapped underneath a man who smelled of old cigarettes and whiskey as he whispered into my ear “Are you going to be a good girl and scream for me?” biting my earlobe to draw blood, just before he did unspeakable things, that no sixteen-year-old girl should ever fathom.

“Harper, Harper baby. I’m so sorry.” Jasper cried, breaking me of the horrific flashback I was momentarily trapped in. I thought those were long gone. It had been months since my last one. Aster is the only one to have witnessed them before now.

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