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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Chapter 50

later. Yes or

it on with jerky movements. My heart hammers against my ribs–not from fear but from something else. Rage. Pure, brutal rage that’s

entrance. 20 minutes. Don’t be

pocket and yank open my bedroom door. Pierce is

“Jessica? What are you–”

off,

chair scraping. “You’re not

call.” I whirl around, facing him.

His face pales.

laugh, harsh and sharp. “Nothing. That’s

twisting it

“You can’t just-”

with a strength that surprises us both. “Don’t

stumbles, eyes wide. “Jessica,

then.” I step closer, my voice dropping to something dangerous.

silence tells

I

calls as I step outside. “If

cold smile forming. “Let them try. I’ve

me as I stride into the night. My ribs ache with each step. But I’m done crying, done waiting for

that goddamn frown

pavement. It skitters away into darkness like my

ago.

been calling me. I don’t care about

decline and

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

wiping

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11:17 Tue, 12 Aug

Chapter 50

on the street for two minutes when I sense it—a shadow shifting

The streetlights flicker, casting long, dark fingers across the pavement. Fuck,

pick up my pace, boots scuffing against concrete.

I call out, hating how my

Nothing.

grab it, something–someone–slams into me from behind. A

د

low voice

muscle, pinning me effortlessly. My heart hammers so loud I swear he can hear

me around, and I find myself staring into the coldest

Theo.

“Shut. The fuck. Up.”

bite down on

hell!” The pressure releases for just

but he twists, catching my thigh

for two goddamn seconds?”

off me,” I

on either side of my

don’t give

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