Chapter 41 Chapter 41
Tessa
I didn't hear a door open, and there was no footsteps; he just appeared. He wasn't there, and then he was there.
He came around the corner, this massive, dark shape that literally blocked the light. He was wearing just a tight, simple black T-shirt and dark sweatpants. Holy shit, he was huge. He was built like a literal brick wall, and those clothes didn't hide anything. He was seriously hot and utterly terrifying all at once. My breath got stuck, and the wine glass froze halfway to the counter.
His entire body was covered in danger. Every bit of skin showing his arms, his neck, and his shoulders was covered in dark, crazy tattoos, snaking everywhere like venomous things. He looked like the most expensive, highly specialized weapon you could imagine. And his face? Gone.
He was wearing something black, a mask or a thick cloth. I have no idea what the hell it was that covered his nose, mouth, and jawline, making him completely anonymous. He was wearing a hat. He was a quiet, terrifying shadow, a ghost in the apartment. Only his eyes were visible.
They were the only things that were visible. They were this horrifying, glowy, silver color. They were shining, cutting right through that mask, right through me, like two razor blades. They were completely empty no kindness, no apology, just pure, hard, scary focus.
He was actually here. Physically. And he’d just broken the only rule I thought I could count on. He didn't move and didn't say anything. He just stood there, letting the silence and the cold weight of his presence freak me out. My little win was gone, replaced by sheer panic. That was his dinner. His power move.
"You cooked enough for two," he finally said, his voice coming out low and smooth, shattering the silence.
I slowly set the wine glass down. I was fighting the urge to jump up and sprint. I just stared back at those terrifying silver eyes, realizing this wasn't a game anymore. He was here. He was physical. And he was claiming his meal.
I stood up from the island and made my way over to the stove, my back to him. “Do you want to eat here or to go? ” I asked, surprised I could still speak. He didn't answer. I was about to turn around when I felt him behind me, and my entire body froze. I could feel his warm breath on my neck.
“Did you think I wouldn't show up? ” he asked, his hands locking around me, trapping me in front of the stove. I couldn't answer. He was tall, as tall as Zaiel. I have seen Zaiel’s tattoos, but Kai’s were different, including his eye color.
“The food is going to get cold; I need you to move,” I said, but he didn't move. Suddenly he put a box in front of me. I hurriedly dished out the food and put it in the box. I turned around but couldn't look at him. He pulled away and leaned down so he was looking me in the eyes. I looked away, but he turned my face back towards him. Those eyes staring into mine. Suddenly he pulled away.
My phone began vibrating, and I pushed his hands away and hurriedly grabbed my phone. I saw it was Anthony. I answered it.
“Thank you for dinner,” he said before walking out.
“Anthony, how is Christine?” I asked frantically.
“What? Oh god, I’m… I’m so sorry, Anthony. Okay,” I ended the call and sat at the island. Christine was gone. She suffered a major heart attack. I poured myself another glass of wine.
I was sad about Christine. She and Anthony were the first two genuine people I have met that I considered friends. I sat there drinking the wine. I don't know how long I was there. I heard a knock on the door; when I looked up, I saw Jax walk in.
“Mr. Bryce is here to see you,” he said, walking away. I stood up and walked around the corner to the living room. Anthony was standing there.
“Sorry to bother you, Tessa,” he said softly. I walked over to him and hugged him.
“I’m sorry for your loss, Anthony. I considered your mother a friend, and you also.”
I led him over, and we sat down. “What can I do for you? Anything I can do to help you?”
“I just… My sister can't make it; she is pregnant and extremely sick, and the doctors forbid her from flying. You are the only person I trust. While I make arrangements for her funeral, could you…?” He stopped.
“Anything, Anthony; you don't need to be afraid to ask me,” I said quietly.
“Could you help me pack up her belongings? I just… I don’t…” he trailed off.
“Of course. Thank you for trusting me enough to ask me. I’ll do it.”
“Thank you. The boxes have already been delivered. I just…. I can't stay in the apartment anymore…. I need a fresh start,” he said.
“That’s okay, I understand.”
He stood up and handed me the keys to the apartment. “I need to get back to the hospital. I’ll let you know the time and place of the funeral and wake. She was fond of you, Tessa; she really was,” he said softly.
“I was fond of her too.”
After he left, I just sat there. I went back to the kitchen and grabbed my phone. I texted Kia.
TESSA: Can I go up to Anthony’s apartment?. He asked me to help him pack away his mother’s belongings. I’ll take Rob or Jax with me.
I kept staring at the phone; the phone vibrated, making me jump.
KAI: Sure, Beauty, go ahead.
I pushed the phone in my pocket and headed out. Jax came with me. When I stepped out into the hallway, Zaiel was leaving.
“Tessa, I heard. I’m sorry,” he said.
“Yeah.”
“Can I have your number? I need to talk to you about something,” he said. I folded my arms and looked at him. “You lied to me.”
He didn't look surprised or shocked. “About? ” he asked,
“The microwave,” I said, staring at him, and he smirked. “It got you through the door, didn’t it?” he asked.
“Come down to my apartment tomorrow and we’ll talk.”
“Apartment?” he asked.
“Yes. I live below you,” I said with a smirk as I walked to Anthony’s door. I opened it and walked in with Jax behind me and left him standing in the hall. I turned on the lights in the apartment and opened the balcony doors. There were boxes in the living room.
“You can relax out here, Jax,” I said before walking into the room and switching the lights on. I stood looking at the room before me. I walked back out of the room and looked at Jax.
“Jax?”
“Yes, Ms. Tessa?” he asked, looking at me.
“What is Kai’s last name? I asked, and he looked at me and smiled.
“You know I can’t tell you that,” he said with a smile. Of course he couldn't tell me.