Page 96 of The Devil's Chaos

“Love is always complicated,” she said sagely, taking another sip of her drink. “But that doesn’t make it any less worth fighting for. Trust me, I know a thing or two about forbidden romance.”

I smiled, thinking of the way Mila and Archer orbited around each other, like two stars caught in each other’s gravity.

“How did you and Archer manage to make it work, with him being the heir to The Brotherhood throne, and you being the daughter of the man who betrayed them?”

“It wasn’t easy,” she admitted. I watched her twirl the engagement ring around her finger as she continued. “There were times I thought the obstacles between us were insurmountable. But at the end of the day, I realized that a love like ours is a once-in-a-lifetime thing. Something worth risking everything for. And fuck anyone who tries to tear us apart.”

Her words hit me like a punch to the gut, resonating deep within my soul. Isn't that exactly what Kai and I had? A love so profound, so all-consuming that it eclipsed everything else?

I thought back to all the stolen moments we'd shared—the secret smiles, the brush of hands, the searing kisses that left me weak in the knees. Even amid all the chaos and danger swirling around us, Kai had been my port in the storm. My safe haven.

“I love him,” I whispered, the words tumbling from my lips before I could stop them. “I love him so much it terrifies me.”

Mila reached across the space between us, grasping my hand in hers. “That's how you know it's real. When the thought of losing them is more frightening than anything else you can imagine.”

I squeezed her hand, drawing strength from her reassurance. “I just don't know how to reconcile the life I want with Kai with the reality of who I am, who my family is.”

“You’re not your family, Haven. You’re your own person, with your own heart and your own dreams. And from where I'm sitting, your heart belongs with Kai.”

Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes, and I blinked rapidly to keep them at bay. “I want to believe that. More than anything.”

“Then believe it,” Mila said firmly. “Believe in the love you share. Believe that together, you and Kai can weather any storm, because I guarantee you that man will move heaven and earth to keep you safe and by his side. I know this because the way he looks at you is the way Archer looks at me. That man would burn the world if I asked him to.”

As if on cue, the door to the sitting room opened, revealing Kai and Archer. Kai's eyes immediately found mine, his expression softening as he drank me in.

In a few long strides, Kai crossed the room and pulled me up from the chair and into his arms. I melted against him, burying my face in the crook of his neck and breathing in his comforting scent.

“Everything okay in here?” he murmured, his lips brushing my temple.

“More than okay,” I assured him, pulling back just enough to meet his gaze. “Mila was just giving me some much-needed perspective.”

Kai glanced over at Mila with one eyebrow arched. “Oh really? Do I even want to know?”

Mila laughed, waving a dismissive hand. “Just some girl talk. Nothing for you to worry your pretty little head about.”

Archer snorted, shaking his head as he crossed to Mila's side. “Why do I get the feeling that you two conspiring together is going to mean trouble for us?”

“Because you're a smart man,” Mila retorted, grinning up at him cheekily.

I couldn't help but smile at their playful banter, feeling a warmth bloom in my chest. This was what a real familylooked like—love, laughter, and unwavering support, even in the darkest of times.

And timeswouldget darker.

42

FORTY-TWO

KAI

Isat in the corner watching her.

Waiting.

It had become a routine since I moved her into the manor.

3 a.m.

Despite the late hour and my exhaustion from Theo's city fights, I found myself unable to sleep. My mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, so I remained in the corner, my vigilance unwavering, watching over her as she slept.

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