Page 133 of Property of Chaos

The lawyer’s jaw pulses. Abraham slouches into the seat with a sigh.

Check-fucking-mate, cunts.

“Best behavior from now on, remember?” I stride from the room, arm slung out beside me with my middle finger raised. “See you later, fuckers.”

FORTY-FIVE

VANESSA

As soon asthe door shuts, I flop face-down into the bed, all the composure I’d held in place with iron grit falling away to exhaustion. “Holy shit,” I mumble into the bedding. “Holy, fucking shit.”

I’ve done it. I’ve faced the fucking devil and survived.

“How are you feeling?” The bed dips beside me under Chaos’s weight.

A strong palm connects with my back between my shoulders, rubbing up and down rhythmically.

“Strung out but good.” I lift my head and crane my neck to look at him. “I just… When you…”

He swallows as though expecting the fallout. My anger at his behavior.

“Thank you.”

His hand stalls before resuming the soothing touch, brow dipping slightly. “Only wish I’d done it for you sooner.”

“But you were there now.” I press up on my elbows. “That’s what matters.”

“You aren’t mad that I said what I did?” Chaos gently shifts my hair from my face.

I roll to my side and set a hand on his jean-clad leg, walking my fingers along the muscle below. “I mean, it sounds so much better coming from you, don’t you think?” I peek up at his face and find a grin. “I wouldn’t have sounded half as scary.”

“I meant it.” He coaxes me to roll to my back, positioning himself over the top, elbows braced on either side of my face. “I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you safe. There’s no fucking line I won’t cross.”

I set my hand to the side of his face. “I know.” And I do. I understand just how dangerous Chaos’s love can be, and I want that.

I fucking crave it.

“I can’t believe Gage was there.” My throat thickens, words hard to form.

“Neither.” Tender fingers sweep the hair from my forehead as he studies my face, gaze settling on my lips. “But can we talk about that later?”

I sigh.

“Right now,” Chaos rumbles. “I want to reward my good girl.”

Sparks fire, heat rushing south. I never knew I needed him to say that until he did. Those were words Abraham used as he harmed me. Words shaped as weapons forced into my young mind.

Hearing them from Chaos? A man I adore and trust.

It heals something inside of me.

It takes the power away.

“Call me that again,” I whisper, thumb caressing his bottom lip.

“Good girl?”

I close my eyes.

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