Page 112 of Undisputed Chaos
He smirked, soft for just a second. “Anything for my angel.”
I flicked a glance at my phone—yikes, I had to film something before meeting his family. “I should do a haul video, or my followers will think you’ve murdered me.”
That got a genuine laugh. “Here, in my lair? Do it. Start some rumors. Let them see you somewhere new, somewhere that’s not temporary.”
That confidence sent a thrill straight through my bones. He saidnot temporary like it was a done deal, and the scariest part? I wanted it to be.
I set up my phone on his desk, positioning it to capture the dining table covered in my new purchases, with Adrian's home visible in the background.
The exposed brick walls, enormous windows, and his eclectic taste in art would definitely raise eyebrows among my followers.
“Hey, flowers!” I chirped, channeling influencer Isla, all bright-eyed and buttery sweet. “I know I’ve been off the grid this week, but I had the most insane day—so, here’s my haul!”
As I held up each piece, soft sundresses, the opulent bracelet, I couldn’t help but trace what had changed.
Every new piece was a direct replacement for something Noah had ever given me, except this time, it was perfect, handpicked, decadent, and me.
Adrian had gone out of his way to erase every trace of the past and write his name across my future.
The difference was impossible to miss on camera, and though I didn’t say it, I was sure my followers would notice.
Out of frame, Adrian lounged, eyes dark and humorous, occasionally smirking when I mentioned something he’d chosen with that big, tattooed hand.
He radiated so much energy, I half expected comments to ask, “Who set off a nuclear reactor behind your camera?”
I finished, signed off, and found him still watching me with that unblinking intensity.
“What?” I asked, suddenly bashful, smoothing my hair.
"You're different when you film," he observed, rising from the chair with fluid grace. "Like you put on a mask. Brighter, more polished."
I bit my lip, unsure if that was a criticism. "It's part of the job."
His phone buzzed. He glanced at it and grinned, happiness immediately framing his handsome features.
“Game time, angel. Let’s get you changed into something thatmakes you look like chaos in a ribbon. I want to show you off and make everyone cry with jealousy.”
Nerves tingled through me. Carnival rides, my new clothes, Adrian’s brothers, their girls, and the biggest event of my summer.
Tonight, I’d put on a brand new dress, step into Adrian’s world for all of the city to see, and let him burn everything old down.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Adrian
The carnival stretched across the field like a neon fever dream, all flashing lights and cotton candy clouds drifting on the salt-tinged breeze from the harbor.
The Ferris wheel turned lazy circles against the black sky, its gondolas glowing like fireflies trapped in a web of steel.
Screams of terror and delight echoed from the rides, mixing with carnival barkers hawking their games and the distant crash of waves against the pier.
It was the perfect night for introducing Isla to my family.
I pulled my hood lower over my face as we approached the entrance, though, seriously, three giants in matching black hoodies weren't exactly going to blend in.
Connor moved like a storm cloud beside me, his massive frame casting shadows that seemed to swallow light.
Jax strutted with that golden-boy confidence, his attempt at going incognito somehow looking like a fashion statement.
