Page 51 of The Devil's Chaos

“I’m not quite sure. But Gerald here poured two big glasses of wine for the two of you. Why don’t you grab them from the counter, little lamb.”

Puzzled, I walked to the kitchen to retrieve the wine glasses as instructed and held them in my hands awkwardly while waiting for Kai to speak.

“Good girl,” his deep voice crooned, almost too intimately.

I blushed in response.

Get ahold of yourself, Haven.

“Now what?”

“Now, go ahead and give Gerald both glasses.”

Gerald looked at me confused, then tried to look back at Kai, but Kai pressed the knife to his neck. “Don’t look at me. Look at her.”

I handed him the wine glasses and crossed my arms. “What’s the plan here?”

“There’s no plan.” Kai smiled at me before turning his attention back to Gerald. “Drink them.”

“But I—I can’t.”

“Why not? Weren’t you planning on drinking a glass of wine with this beautiful girl right here?”

“That was before…but I’m not thirsty right now.”

“Before what?” he pressed.

“Beforeyoushowed up.”

At that point, I was looking at Kai for an explanation, but also at Gerald because he was talking in riddles.

“Oh, that’s right,” he leaned in for effect to whisper in Gerald’s ear. “Do you remember which one you poured the powder in?”

Gerald shook his head.

I backed away slowly, eyes darting between Gerald and Kai, trying to figure out what the fuck was happening. Kai saw my hesitation and smiled his wicked smile, one that should make my skin crawl, but instead, it just turned me on.

I’mfuckedin the head.

“Bottoms up, Mr. Beckett.”

“Please, you said you’d take the girl in exchange for my life.”

“What?” I interrupted.

“Who said your life was forfeit? I’m just telling you to drink up. You look thirsty.”

There was an awkward silence for a few moments, and then the light bulbs kicked on in my head.

“Hold on, why wouldn’t you want to drink the wine?” I turned my attention to Gerald.

“That’s a great question, Haven,” Kai responded.

“Wait, how do you know her name?” Gerald stuttered.

Kai looked up at me, allowing me to answer, but I wanted to see where this was going.

“Because I’m fucking her,” he laughed, showing off his white teeth.

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