"No. It's an old house." I shrug. She probably wouldn’t believe me if I told her the place is haunted.
A nervous laugh trickles from her lips like music. "Okay."
"So, tell me about this person you want taken care of and why you haven't dealt with it yourself or had your brother deal with it?"
Her shoulders stiffen, and something dark shadows her eyes.
"There are some things you can't tell your brother. I have a brother-in-law I've thought about talking to. He would do this for me. But things would never be able to stay how they are now if I told him."
"You don't want them to see you differently," I surmise.
"Exactly."
"You'd be surprised what a brother is willing to do for their sibling." I’ve killed for mine.
"I have no doubt Jameson would burn the world down for me if he thought it would keep me safe, but he can never know the ways I suffered every time he sent me home after weekends I'd spend with him. He wouldn't survive it."
A tear leaks to her cheek, and she angrily swats it away with the back of her hand. Someone hurt this girl's soul deep. I know what that feels like.
"I'll help you." Her mouth pops open, forming the perfect O, her thick lips dusted in pale lipstick.
"You haven't even asked who it is or what he did." She places a hand on the table, rubbing a small smudge with the pad of her finger.
"I don't need to."
I reach across the table to place my hand on hers, but she flinches away, twisting her lips, "I don't want pity," she snipes.
"That's not what I'm offering." I draw back, leaning against the back of my chair to give her some space.
"Then what is it you're offering?"
I shrug, giving her words back to her. "A kindred spirit who recognizes your pain and is offering to help in seeking vengeance."
A silent pause hangs between us, just our breathing and the faint buzz of the TV coming from the living room.
"Why do they call you Chaos?" she asks, finally breaking the silence, her big brown eyes steady on mine.
"Because it's what I cause when anyone crosses me." I wink at her and waggle my brows.
A beautiful smile takes over her whole face, and I want to capture a picture of it to look at whenever shit gets heavy.
"So, we have a deal—I'll help you after you help me?" She holds her hand out for me to shake.
Slapping my palm against hers, I grip her hand and jerk it in a shake. "Deal."
CHAPTERSIX
Lily
This place reminds me of my grandparents’. Darkness clings to the atmosphere, clogging my throat. I need to get out.
“Pizza’s here,” Leo calls out as the front door slams, vibrating the foundation.
Leo appears in the doorway holding two pizza boxes, half a slice stuffed in his mouth. “What’s the verdict?” he asks around the food. Standing, I take the boxes from him and place them on the table.
“I’m going to help bring your woman home.” I flip the lid and take a slice. The aroma clings to my tastebuds, making my mouth water. Since getting free from my grandparents, I never miss the opportunity to eat when it’s presented, and the weight went on quick. My ass, chest, and hips are much fuller than they used to be, but my legs are still twigs.
“You sure about this?” Leo asks Zane, moving around him to take a seat on the opposite side.