Page 67 of Beautiful Chaos

“Your girlfriend, she’s quite the entertainer,” he said smirking.

Max stiffened beside me.

“What the fuck did you say?” Rage boiled inside of me at the realization of what he was insinuating.

“We weren’t sure at first,” Havoc started, “But we heard she was hiding out here in Miami somewhere.” he continued. Then he licked his lips.

The asshole licked his lips. It was everything inside of me not to wrap my hands around his throat and squeeze until his fucking eyeballs popped out of their sockets.

“What. The. Fuck. Do. You. Want?” I growled, enunciating every word, confused about their intentions.

A low grunt of a laugh came from Malice and soon Havoc joined in. Both sets of dark empty eyes staring right past me. Max nudged my arm and gave me a pointed look. Gradually, I turned my head to glance back, that’s when our eyes locked.

I could see the terror in her eyes and the look of anguish and fear. The trembling of her hands and legs was noticeable from my position across the ballroom. I watched her face as time around me slowed. Tears began to stream down her cheeks, and at that moment, I understood. She turned searching the room and then she darted towards the exit. My security team was out there, and I nodded at Max to go after her. She would be safe in a matter of minutes.

I shook my head and turned towards the two pieces of shit in front of me.

“If anyone touches her you will die a slow and painful death alongside any of your goons who take part, am I clear?” I snarled breathing heavily through my nose, trying to calm my rage. They knew exactly what they were doing when they came here tonight and how to make their point without immediate retaliation.

Too many eyes.

Chapter 47

HARPER

Christian and Lyla were called away by some visitors from out of town. I wanted another drink, and no waiters were walking around with champagne anymore, maybe because the party seemed to be coming to a close.

I wondered if the bar was still open.

I rose and made my way to the front entrance, rounding the corner toward the bar, when suddenly, a sight so unexpected it took my breath away.

Time stilled as my mind moved faster than my body could. I was frozen unable to move, to run, or speak.

I felt warm drips falling from my eyes as my body began to shake uncontrollably.

Don’t cry. Don’t cry. Now is not the time Harper. Move. Get out of here! I screamed in my head trying to will myself to do something, to do anything.

Suddenly, all the things that I had found today came rushing to my head. The emails, the extensive background check, stalking me at my jobs.

I did this. I let my guard down and let myself become vulnerable. If I wasn’t so distracted I could have seen the signs. Maybe this wouldn’t be happening.

“Think Harper. Think. What do I do?” I whispered to myself. I attempted to muster the courage to act.

RUN.

I turned on my heels searching for the nearest exit and darted towards it. I ran faster than I thought I could in heels, nearly stumbling over myself as I approached the guards at the revolving door. I slowed my speed praying that they didn’t try to stop me. If this was the plan all along. I needed to be one step ahead of them all.

I stood up, inhaled deeply, smoothed my dress, ran my fingers through my tousled hair, wiped away the tears from my cheeks, and pushed the door open to leave.

There were two huge guards just outside the door to greet me, and in my clumsy Harper fashion, just as I felt the summer breeze hit my face I tripped over the fabric of my dress and fell right into the arms of one of them. His touch made me stiffen, and panic surged within me even more than before. He steadied me and then released my arms.

“You alright miss?” he said with deep concern in his eyes.

“Yes. clumsy me. I’ll be fine.” I walked away slowly, trying not to look any more out of place than I already felt I did.

Just around the building, there was an alleyway. Considering I was on an open, busy street, an alleyway would be the quickest and safest route to be unseen, and with any luck, I could escape safely.

I entered the dim alley where only a single streetlamp offered light, its glow flickering sporadically in the darkness. It was wet and smelled of mildew and I could hear something wrestling plastic inside the dumpster nearby.

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