Page 60 of Reckless: Chaos

I make it to the bathroom before my hands start shaking. Not from grief—though there’s plenty of that burning through mychest—but from rage. The kind of cold fury that makes you think clearly, lets you see the code behind everyone’s actions.

The water runs hot enough to steam the mirror as I slide down against the door. Let them think I’m crying, processing, having a proper beta breakdown. They expect it, after all. Poor little hacker, in over her head.

Idiots.

A knock at the door. Gentle. Calculated. Finn, then.

“Cayenne.” So much understanding in those three syllables. “Let me explain.”

“What’s to explain?” My voice catches just right—not too broken, not too bitter. “You did what you thought was right. Protected the weak little beta who can’t handle herself.”

“That’s not?—”

“Did he even hesitate?” The question slips out before I can stop it, too raw to be part of the act. “When you planned it, did Theo even pause before agreeing to seduce me?”

Silence stretches like corrupted code.

“I thought so.” I press my palms against cool tile, grounding myself. “You know what the real joke is? I actually believed it. Believed him. Believed all of you.”

“The pack bonds are real.” His voice carries that beta steadiness, the kind that usually calms storms. “The connection?—”

“The connection is exactly what you needed it to be.” I let my head fall back against the door. “A perfect way to keep me compliant while you handled the real work.”

More silence. Even Finn, with all his diplomatic skills, can’t spin this one.

“I’ll be out soon,” I offer, layering vulnerability into my tone. “I just need... time.”

“Take all you need.” His footsteps retreat, measured and precise.

I wait until they fade completely before letting the mask slip. Time. Such a funny concept. They think I need it to accept their protection, to understand their reasons.

What I need it for is planning.

They want to play protector? Fine. I’ll let them. I’ll be exactly what they expect—grateful, understanding, properly chastised. I’ll let them think their plan worked perfectly.

Right up until I burn it all down.

A soft thud against the door tells me someone’s slid down to sit on the other side. The scent of night-blooming jasmine seeps under the crack—Theo, coming to work his omega magic.

“I know you’re hurting.” His voice carries all that artistic grace, the same tone he used last night when he was taking me apart. “But we were trying to protect you.”

I bite back a laugh. They really are committed to this protection narrative. Like I’m some damsel who needs saving rather than the person who discovered the fucking conspiracy in the first place.

“You have an interesting way of showing it.” I keep my voice carefully neutral. Not too angry, not too broken. “Tell me something—was seducing me your idea, or did they have to convince you?”

“It wasn’t seduction.” The hurt in his voice sounds almost real. “What we shared?—”

“Was a perfectly executed distraction.” I cut him off before he can spin more pretty lies. “I have to admire the technique, really. The timing, the passion, the way you made me feel special. You’re quite the performer.”

A low growl from further down the hall—Jinx, probably. Good. Let them all hear this.

“Come out,” Theo pleads. “Let us explain properly. About the facility, about the hostage?—”

“We’re past explanations. You made your priorities clear when you chose violence over trust.” I stand, checking my reflection. Eyes red but clear. Perfect. “No thanks. I think I understand perfectly.”

“You came to me,” Theo’s voice drops low, intimate. “Last night, holding the hat Jinx made you, needing connection. That was real. Your need was real.”

The reminder hits like a sucker punch. Because he’s right—I did go to him, vulnerable and seeking comfort. And he used it. Used me.

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