Master of his heart (Brielle and Max)

Chapter 816

Brielle was pacing restlessly around her apartment, nerves on edge. Despite the gnawing worry, she didn't know any of Dustin's friends well enough to call and check on him. All she could do was fret.

In the dead of night, a nightmare jolted her awake, leaving her chest tight and heavy. She shuffled to the kitchen, poured herself a glass of warm water, hoping it would soothe the unease gnawing at her heart. But just as she took a sip, her phone rang. Thinking it might be Dustin, she quickly answered.

But it wasn't Dustin. It was Kenzo Barnes, who had been MIA for days.

"Hey, Brielle? *cough* *cough*"

Kenzo's voice was raspy, punctuated by a bout of harsh coughing.

"Kenzo, where are you?" "Home."

"Are you sick?"

But all she got in response was more coughing and then the unmistakable sound of a phone hitting the floor.

Brielle's heart sank. "Kenzo?" she called out, but there was no reply.

Grabbing her keys, she dashed to her car, determined to check on Kenzo. Being a celebrity, his address wasn't exactly a secret.

What she didn't expect was to find Kenzo staggering along the roadside before she even reached his place.

"Kenzo?"

over and saw him clutching his shoulder, looking pale as a ghost. A few men were chasing him, and without thinking twice, she flung the car door open.

pulled out her phone

"Don't tell anyone."

see blood spreading across his

"No hospitals."

was still gentle but

into her eyes and managed a weak smile. "Can we go to your place?" She was

"Yes, but your wound-"

go to your

closed his eyes, ending

to her apartment

making sure the

Brielle helped Kenzo

are you sure

the others? It might be better to handle this

just coughed in response, sidestepping

her apartment, Brielle fetched the first aid kit and filled a basin with clean water

ghostly white

his blood-soaked clothes. Brielle thought about the recent mess with the Barnes family. Maybe someone was holding a grudge against Max for revealing that Kenzo wasn't a blood relative, and now

tinge of guilt, she