Page 67 of Undisputed Chaos
"Who was that guy? The one with the tattoos?”
He continued, drowning me out. “The one who grabbed you like that on camera? Do you know how many people have seen that clip? It's everywhere!"
I winced, catching Adrian’s wolfish smirk and the dangerous sparkle in his eyes as he listened.
Sunlight worked magic through his unruly hair, turning him from “scary boxer” to “dangerous Greek god,” which unfortunately did nothing to help the situation.
"He’s, um… a friend," I lied—badly, because there wasn’t a universe where Adrian was just a friend.
Not when his knife slept on my nightstand or with bites from his mouth still blooming on my thighs.
Crew’s voice ratcheted up another octave. “Afriend? Sure. Letting ‘friends’ just manhandle you on stream? Half of my school is texting me about my sister’s ‘mystery man,’ and I’ve been fielding memes since I woke up! My coach sent a GIF, Isla.My coach.”
I wanted to melt into my pillow, but Adrian’s arm just flexed, holding me captive and entertained. I could feel the laughter ready to break out of him, the jerk.
“I’m sorry, Crew, I—look, it just happened and?—”
“OBVIOUSLY IT DID,” Crew literally wailed. “Mom and Dad don’t know yet, but Mrs. Pete from Mom’s club already liked it. If this is your soft launch, I’m about to send Mom a full-blown warning.”
Adrian chose that moment to nuzzle into my neck, deciding it was a great idea to sink his teeth into my skin.
I gasped and swatted at him, trying to maintain my composure. He just waggled his eyebrows.
“Wait. Isla, is he there—he’s there, isn’t he?! You don’t even KNOW this guy! Get out now—let me talk to him?—”
Before I could wrestle control back, Adrian smoothly plucked the phone from my hand.
“Actually, she knows me quite well, Crew.” His tone oozed calm, dominant and self-assured.
“I’m Adrian. Very nice to finally meet the legendary little brother.”
I scrambled after him, nearly tripping on my own sheet as Adrian pivoted to the window, phone held high and out of reach, abusing his godly height.
“Listen, kid. I get it. Brothers—very protective, it’s honestly a plus. But she’s safe with me, you have my word.” His voice was gentle, but there was iron underneath.
Crew’s screech on the other end was unintelligible.
Adrian’s grin shifted, genuine and a little vulnerable, with just enough wolf behind it that I actually felt bad for my little brother.
“Yeah, it seems sudden.” He glanced at me, and in contrast to his words, there was no apology in his eyes. "But I care about her. A lot."
Something in his tone made my heart skip. This wasn't just part of the fun anymore.
"Tell you what," Adrian started, "Why don't you come meet me? Judge for yourself."
He paused, listening. "Yeah, I'm serious. Bring your parents too, if you want."
My eyes widened in panic.
Adrian meeting my family? My sweet, normal family, who knew nothing about tattooed boxers who carried knives and looked at me like I was something to devour?
“Deal,” Adrian was saying. "Tonight at 6. Isla will text you the address."
He tossed the phone back, looking more smug than any man had a right to, standing there shirtless, glorious and thoroughly pleased with himself.
"What did you just do?" I hissed, pressing the phone to my ear. "Crew?"
"I'm meeting your boyfriend tonight,” my brother said, his voice tight but determined.
