Page 18 of Painfully Merry

“Chaos, I think you’re scaring her. Thanks for the gift, but maybe go wash up,” Parker tells him.

Chaos snaps his fingers. “That’s a good idea. I should have thought of that. Since the power is back on, I’ll make waffles after.” He places Honey down and makes his way upstairs.

Parker holds onto me. “I’m sorry about your neighbour, Sabrina. But I won’t apologize for Chaos.”

Mr. Murphy didn’t deserve to die. Of all the people, he was a good one; he was unbelievably kind. My knees give out, and Parker turns me into his chest. I cling onto his shirt, burying my nose deep, letting the tears fall. Parker soothes me, but it’s not enough.

“Parker, you need to leave. Please.”

“Sorry, I can’t. I told you this already. Here sit. Some things about Chaos are hard to explain. His mind doesn’t work like ours.” He moves me to the couch, spreading my legs open, then squats in between.

“Chaos isn’t a psychopath if that’s what you’re thinking. His brain is wired differently, that’s all. But he looks out for those he loves, and I’m afraid you fall into that category now.”

I jerk my head no.

“Yes, I’m afraid he’ll never let you go.” His thumb caresses my knee. If only that could soothe me at the moment.

“If this was for revenge, haven’t you gotten it yet?”

9

Parker

Revenge, that’s what this was about. I need to remember that. I can’t let her get into my head. I still want what was owed to me, and I can’t let anything else get in the way. Why would it be up to me to find the person embezzling her company? That should be her job. It doesn’t matter that I just shoved my fingers deep inside her; I’m still pissed off.

“Have you even bothered to look into the embezzler? Or just blame me?”

She falls against the couch, looking defeated. “I’m trying. I had a notebook in my office, but I misplaced it. I had a lead there.”

Chaos stole a notebook from her office, and I wonder if it’s the same one. But she underlined my name, making me think I’m a suspect. How am I supposed to move on from that?

“Who’s the lead?”

I watch as she peers down her nose at me. “Why? So you can go after him before I do?”

My heart leapt with joy; fuckin’ rights I would go after them. I would get Chaos to stalk and torment them first. And when they finally crack, that’s when I’ll move in.

“I can figure it out, besides I have the notebook, Sabrina.”

Her head lifts and meets my gaze. “Where is it? I need that book, Parker.”

“Why? How important is this name to you?”

She closes her eyes, taking a deep inhale. “Parker, I know I should’ve fought harder, and I’m trying to make it up to you. It’s the only thing I have.”

I push away from her. I need breathing room. What a crock of shit. The only thing she has going for her. Like, I haven’t heard that excuse before. I need that notebook. Where the fuck did Chaos leave it? If she doesn’t tell me, I’ll figure it out alone. It won’t be that hard once I break down the numbers.

“Whatever you’re thinking, stop, Parker. I can’t let you get involved. It’s Chocolate Halo’s business, and you aren’t an employee anymore.”

I ball my hands into fists. The reminder of what happened slices me all over again. She wouldn’t know what that’s like. Her fall from grace has never occurred. She needs a lesson, and a little humiliation wouldn’t kill her.

I pick up the fire poker and turn to Sabrina. “Come here, now.”

Her eyes grow wide. “Excuse me?”

“I didn’t stutter. Here now. One.” I start counting. “If I get to three, it’ll hurt more. Two.” She rises, moving slowly, making my patience grow thin.

She stands in front of me, eyes like balls of fire. “What now? Finger fucking me wasn’t enough for you?”

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