His Trouble Maker

Chapter 50

Chapter 50

JESSICA

76%

“You should eat something,” Pierce says, setting a plate beside my bed. It’s been forty–eight hours since my discharge, and I haven’t left my

room.

I stare at the food without interest. “Not hungry.”

“Jessica…” His voice softens in that way I can’t stand–pity wrapped in concern.

“Don’t.” I pull myself up to sitting. “Just… don’t.”

When he leaves, I drag myself to the bathroom, avoiding my reflection. The shower helps, hot water scalding my skin until I feel something again, even if it’s just pain. As I’m toweling off, I hear voices outside. One of them is Grayson’s. I freeze, strain to listen.

“-shouldn’t be here,” Pierce says.

“I need to see her.”

“You’ve done enough damage.”

Their voices drop lower, and I press my ear against the door.

“There’s something you don’t understand,” Grayson’s voice sounds desperate.

“It wasn’t about failing her. The council-” The front door slams, cutting off whatever he was about to say. I slowly slide down the bathroom wall until I’m sitting on the cold tile floor.

The council?

What did they have to do with this?

A thought occurs to me–a dangerous one. What if this isn’t about me being weak at all? What if there’s something else going on–something they’re not telling me? I pull myself up, a new determination taking hold. If Grayson won’t tell me the truth, I’ll find it myself.

I grab my phone and text the one person who knows everything that happens in this pack: “Theo, I need a favor. I’ll tell you later. Pretty please?”

Damn it. I swear I won’t ever ask Theo for favors, but I need answers. My reflection catches my eye–hollow cheeks, dark circles, hair hanging in wet strands. I look pathetic. Weak. Just like they all think I am.

“Fuck that,” I growl, yanking open drawers, grabbing clothes.

I throw on black jeans and a tank top, not bothering to dry my hair. My muscles ache as I stretch, reminding me of how long I’ve been lying in that bed. Wasting time.

My phone buzzes.

Theo: “What kind of favor we talking about?

I type back while shoving my feet into boots: *Access to council records. Last meeting.”

Theo: That’s not a favor, that’s suicide. What happened to you?‘

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11:17 Tue, 12 Aug

Chapter 50

explain later. Yes or

my ribs–not from fear but

North entrance. 20 minutes. Don’t be

my pocket and yank open my bedroom door. Pierce is sitting at the kitchen table, head snapping up as

“Jessica? What are you–”

off, grabbing my keys from the

quickly, chair scraping. “You’re not

around, facing him. “I’m done being

pales. “What did Grayson

and sharp.

finds the doorknob, twisting it hard. Pierce

“You can’t just-”

a strength that

stumbles, eyes wide. “Jessica,

dropping to something dangerous. “What did the council have to do with

silence tells me

what I thought.” I turn, yanking

calls as I

back over my shoulder, a cold smile forming. “Let them

step. But I’m done crying, done waiting for Grayson to

eyes and that goddamn frown when I try

the pavement. It skitters away into darkness like my patience did about three

ago.

has been calling me. I don’t

I snarl, hitting decline and shoving it

still catch myself watching him, wanting him. I hate how he makes me feel safe even when I’m furious with him. I hate how much I crave his touch even while I’m plotting to go behind his

I mutter, wiping angrily

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11:17 Tue, 12 Aug

Chapter 50

two minutes when I sense it—a shadow shifting where it

quickens. The streetlights flicker, casting long, dark fingers across the

boots scuffing against concrete. The

I call out, hating how my

Nothing.

can grab it, something–someone–slams into me from behind. A hand clamps over my mouth, muffling

د

be out here alone,” a low voice growls in my ear, hot breath against

grip, but he’s solid muscle, pinning me effortlessly. My heart hammers so loud

me around, and I find myself staring

Theo.

“Shut. The fuck. Up.”

down on his

hell!” The pressure releases

catching my thigh with

fighting for two goddamn seconds?” the voice

hands off me,” I spit when he cautiously removes

hands on either side of my head. “No

don’t give

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