Chapter 45 He's Hurting

Chapter 45 He's Hurting
Alina’s POV

How was he acting so smug after what had just happened? And why the hell was I this worked up over it?

My gaze stayed fixed on Kai as more murmurs rippled beneath the canopy. Phones were still raised in his direction, recording him, while a few girls openly continued gawking, whispering to one another as though nearly drowning had somehow made him even more irresistible. 

The music had started playing again, but at a much lower volume, as if even the DJ wasn't sure it was time for the party to return to normal.

None of it felt real.

I couldn't stop thinking about the moment he'd disappeared beneath the water.

What if he hadn't come back up?

I had been scanning the party for Kai back at the grand hall, my stomach fluttering with a nervous excitement I wasn’t used to. 

After the toast at the hotel earlier, I’d slipped away from the main group hoping to find him, to share a quiet moment, maybe even thank him properly for making me feel seen…for putting Dorothy in her place. But he was nowhere. And now this.

Blake's voice lashed through my thoughts.

"Have you lost your damn mind?" he snarled, taking a step toward Kai. "Or do I need to fix that attitude for you?"

My heart lurched as I watched him close the distance, every line of his body radiating fury.

I caught his arm before he could reach Kai and pulled him back with all the strength I had. "Blake, stop it," I hissed through gritted teeth.

He didn't move another inch, but his eyes never left Kai. The murderous glare he leveled at him was enough to make my stomach knot.

Kai, on the other hand, looked completely unfazed.

Water dripped steadily from his dark hair, soaking his shirt and tracing slow paths down his face, yet he merely gave a small nod, as though risking his life to retrieve some rich guy's ring from the bottom of a pool was the most ordinary thing in the world.

My gaze drifted to the blanket draped over a nearby chair. Without thinking, I grabbed it and started toward him.

I mean... it wasn't any of my business, but every other girl here was practically staring holes through him. If he had a girlfriend, she probably wouldn't appreciate half the attention he was getting…right?

Wait... Does he have a girlfriend?

The thought hit harder than it should have.

For some ridiculous reason, the idea of Kai with another girl sent something sharp twisting in my chest, and I hated every second of it.

I was just about to hand him the blanket when Blake snatched it out of my hands and tossed it aside.

Before I could even react, his fingers closed around my wrist, stopping me in my tracks.

“What do you think you're doing? Helping this rat?” He snarled furiously.

“Blake, have you lost your mind? Let me go!” I snapped, yanking at his grip on my arm. His fingers dug in harder, possessive and angry. 

I tried again and managed to pry Blake’s hand off me with a strength I didn’t know I had. Anger burned hot in my chest as I looked at Kai again…his fists were clenched so tight.

He was still watching me…that usual confident spark dimmed by something like remorse…like a puppy who was abandoned under the rain.

It twisted something deep inside me. ‘Why does seeing him in a situation like this hurt so much?’

I wasn’t ready to name it. This wasn’t the light affection I felt for everyone around me…the polite smiles, the expected kindness. 

Kai had been different from the start. He listened. He made me laugh at rules I’d followed my whole life. He was the closest thing to a real friend I’d ever had. That was all. It had to be.

“Don't touch me again. Ever. You’re such a disappointment, Blake,” I said, my voice shaking but clear. “Is this really what you’re all about? Humiliating people for fun? Does it make you feel powerful?” 

I glanced quickly at Kai, then turned on my heel to storm away.

Blake moved fast again. His hand clamped down on my arm again, rougher this time, fingers bruising as he dragged me back. “Don’t you walk away from me, Alina. You'll stand right here beside me until…”

I didn't let him finish. I resisted, twisting hard. My heel slipped on the wet stone tiles near the pool edge…slick from splashes and spilled drinks. The world tilted as I felt myself falling, arms flailing, and a scream caught in my throat. 

The ground rushed up. But I didn’t hit it.

I landed on something solid. Warm. Someone. My head didn’t crack against the stone…Kai had thrown himself there in a blur, cushioning my fall. His body took the impact instead as a sharp thud echoed.

For a second, everything froze…even the murmurings. I pushed up, staring down at him in shock. His face was inches from mine, water and sweat mixing on his skin. “Kai? What were you thinking?” I said quickly.

Then someone nearby screamed, high and piercing. “Blood! Oh my God, there’s so much blood!”

My head whipped around. A dark red pool was spreading on the tiles beside Kai’s head, seeping from a gash where he’d hit the edge. 

Panic exploded in my chest, raw and choking. The metallic smell hit me, mixing with chlorine and perfume. My hands trembled as I pressed them against the wound, blood warm and sticky on my fingers, staining the white of my sundress.

“Call 911!” I shouted, voice breaking over the party noise. Heads turned in erupting panic as whispers exploded into murmurs. “Someone call right now! Kai, stay with me please. Don't close your eyes. Help is coming, okay? Just stay awake.”

He smiled up at me, that crooked grin I’d come to know so well, but I didn’t miss the flicker of pain tightening his eyes. “It’s probably just a minor cut. I’ll be fine, Queenie. Really.”

“Don’t move,” I whispered fiercely, clutching his hand. Sirens wailed in the distance just a few minutes later…someone had listened. 

The crowd pressed closer, a mix of morbid curiosity and fake concern from the other kids who had been laughing at him minutes ago. 

Paramedics burst through the throng and began lifting Kai onto a stretcher. I ran alongside, refusing to let go of his hand even for a second. 

My dress clung to my legs, soaked in blood and utterly ruined, but I didn't let it slow me down. The only thing that mattered was making sure he was okay.

And where on earth was Ryder when I needed him most?

Just then, Blake shoved his way through the crowd and reached for me again.

"Alina, I'm sorry he got hurt," he said, his voice almost pleading. "He'll be fine. You don't have to go with him. Stay here... stay by my side."

My head snapped toward him, disbelief crashing into me so hard I almost laughed.

Stay by his side?

Did I look like his personal assistant?

His obedient little pet?

Or worse… His trophy wife?