Page 72 of The Devil's Chaos

“So that’s it? You’re just going to give up on what we have?” His voice was raw with emotion, a stark contrast to his usual composed demeanor.

I swallowed hard, forcing myself to meet his gaze. “What we had was an illusion, a temporary escape from our fucked up realities. But it was never going to last. We come from different worlds, and those worlds will always be at war with each other.”

“I don’t care about any of that,” he insisted. “I care about you, Haven. I want to be with you, no matter what obstacles we have to face.”

“My brother will come after you, after the people you love. You have duties and traditions with The Brotherhood. Can you really turn your back on all of that for me?”

Kai’s expression faltered, and I could see the conflict warring in his eyes. He knew I was right, that his loyalty to The Brotherhood ran deep, as deep as the blood that flowed through his veins. But there was also a part of him, however small, that wanted to fight for what we had, to defy the odds and the expectations placed upon him.

“Haven, I…” he started, his voice trailing off as he struggled to find the words.

I gave him a sad smile, my heart breaking even as I stood firm in my resolve. “It’s okay, Kai. I understand. Your place is with The Brotherhood, just as mine is with my family, no matter how twisted and broken we may be.”

He shook his head, frustration evident in the tense set of his jaw. “It doesn’t have to be this way. We can find a way to make it work.”

“And then what?” I asked. “We run away together? Start a new life somewhere far away from the reach of my family and The Brotherhood? It’s a nice dream, but that’s all it is—a dream.”

“You’re just going to let your brother win?” His words were sharp and tinged with anger and disappointment.

“He’s already won, Kai. He’s been winning since the day I was born. Every move I make, every breath I take, is just another step in his plan to keep me under his control. Trying to fight against it, to break free, will only result in more pain and suffering for everyone involved.”

The sound of his phone ringing interrupted any response he may have. He glanced down at his phone, his jaw clenching as he saw the name on the screen. “I have to take this,” he muttered, turning away slightly.

I watched as he answered, his voice low and terse. I couldn't make out the words, but from his body language, I could tell it was important, likely something related to The Brotherhood.

After a few moments, he ended the call and slipped his phone back into his pocket. When he turned to face me again, his expression was unreadable, a mask of cold detachment sliding into place.

“Duty calls,” he said simply, his tone flat and devoid of emotion.

I nodded, understanding all too well the weight of responsibility and expectation. “Of course. You should go.”

He hesitated for a moment as if torn between staying and leaving. But ultimately, his loyalty to The Brotherhood won out, just as I knew it would. He took a step toward the door, his movements stiff and mechanical.

“This isn't over, Haven,” he said, pausing with his hand on the doorknob. “I meant what I said. I'm not giving up on you, on us.”

I gave him a sad smile, my heart heavy with the knowledge that there could never truly be an “us.” Not in the way he wanted. “Goodbye, Kai,” I whispered, my voice barely audible over my heartbeat pounding in my ears.

He held my gaze for a long moment, and his eyes searched mine as if trying to memorize every detail of my face. Then, witha curt nod, he turned and walked out the door, the soft click of the latch echoing in the stillness of my apartment.

I stood there, frozen, as the weight of everything that had transpired crashed over me like a tidal wave. The tears I held back finally broke free, streaming down my face in hot, salty rivulets. My legs gave out beneath me, and I sank to the floor, my body shaking with the force of my sobs. I don't know how long I sat there, huddled on the cold hardwood, my arms wrapped tightly around my knees as if I could somehow hold myself together. The pain in my chest was a physical ache, a gaping hole where my heart used to be. I had pushed away the one person who had ever made me feel safe, the one glimmer of light in the suffocating darkness that was my life. But it was for the best, I tried to convince myself. Kai deserved better than the broken, damaged mess that I was. He deserved someone whole and untainted by the sins of their family.

32

THIRTY-TWO

KAI

It had been nearly two weeks since Alexander infiltrated our masquerade ball and murdered Lacey. Haven had been avoiding my calls, and I hadn’t had the chance to go to her with the plotting and scheming we were doing to end his reign once and for all. Archer had been in a frenzy, juggling meetings and caring for Mila; he looked worn down. He barely slept, and it was starting to show. When he wasn't tending to Mila, he called us in for impromptu discussions about various topics. Frankly, it was draining. I needed to discuss Haven with him, but every time I tried, he would redirect me to another task that needed to be done first.

Archer knew about my female informant, who provided intel on The Collectors, yet he didn’t ask any questions. He relied on me to collect the necessary information but showed no interest in the details. As a result, I kept Haven's identity vague, adding an extra layer of tension and uncertainty between us.

MaybeIwas the coward, not her.

I idly flipped through a file resting on my lap while Theo stood beside me, his arms crossed, lost in thought. I’d learned long ago that it was best to let him be when he was deepin contemplation. He was the mastermind behind most of our operations, and this was how he devised foolproof strategies to advance our objectives.

Since Haven wasn’t answering, I cornered her friend Olivia for information. She wasn’t very forthcoming, but once I flashed her a big wad of cash, she sang like a canary. Haven hadn’t been candid about what had happened between us, but Olivia had noticed a change in her. She revealed that Haven had been working harder than ever at the newly renovated club and appeared emotionally detached as she complied with whatever Alexander demanded of her. Just thinking about her entertaining her brother’s vile associates while I was absent made my blood boil.

I understood why she did it, but every fiber of my being screamed at me to punish her for not choosing me. God knows I wanted to.

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