Chapter 7: Bankrupt

Amy Stone

My heart skips a beat as Kael grabs my hand tightly.

I glance toward the parking lot.

Of course it’s Chad. Standing there like a maniac, swinging a baseball bat with the kind of reckless joy only a total asshole could have. And Kael’s car—his shiny, pride-of-the-fleet baby—is taking every hit.

“This is what you get, old man!” Chad yells, laughing like a psychopath.

Kael rumbles beside me. I swear I can feel the anger pulsing through him like electricity. His hands curl into fists, tight enough that I can see his veins standing out. I know he’s seconds from doing something catastrophic.

I glance between Chad and Kael, trying to calculate which disaster I want less. Neither looks appealing.

“Sir, should I call the police?” Marcus, Kael’s bodyguard, asks nervously, his phone gripped like a lifeline.

“No,” Kael growls, low and dangerous. I feel the vibration through his arm. That tone. That don’t move, don’t even breathe the wrong tone.

Shit.

I tug on his bicep. “Better idea,” I say, my arms barely wrapping around his massive muscles. Gosh, he’s so big. My fingers dig into him, and I swear I can feel him tense beneath my touch.

He stiffens, jaw tight, before letting out a slow, controlled breath. It feels like taming a wild beast. And holy crap, I’m actually doing it.

“Just a minute,” I whisper, letting go.

I have to move fast or Kael will turn Chad into something resembling minced meat. And as much as part of me would enjoy it, we have a plan.

I pull out my phone. “Peter, initiate phase two of our plan. It looks like we are about to bankrupt this fucking jerk.”

There’s a pause. Then, “Phase two initiated. Prepare to watch him cry like a baby,” Peter’s voice says through the line.

I smirk. Oh yes. Sweet, delicious chaos is coming. Chad thinks he’s winning, but by tomorrow, he’ll be wishing he’d stayed in bed and never touched that bat.

I turn back to Kael. Calm, but I can see the anger still simmering beneath the surface. Sparks tingle inside me as I look at him, and my eyes drift down to his fists. My chest twists. I miss his smile.

“Let’s go,” he says, voice flat, eyes locking with mine for a split second that makes my stomach do somersaults.

“There’s another car waiting,” he adds, and before I can protest, his fingers curl around mine. Big, strong, possessive fingers.

Butterflies erupt in my stomach. Oh shit. This isn’t what I was aiming for. Whatever tiny little demons live in my gut, I silently beg them to stop flapping.

He opens the door for me. I hear Chad’s laughter fading behind us. Poor asshole. He probably thinks he’s won.

……

By morning, the hotel glows with a golden light, the kind that makes everything feel bigger, brighter, and completely cinematic.

I glance at the clock. Eight a.m. Good.

I grab my phone and scroll through the headlines:

Millionaire Chad Woods loses 50% of his property to an unknown investor after a deal gone wrong.

I chuckle aloud. Pure,satisfaction bubbles up in me. I swear I can hear faint muttering from the staff around me, they’re busy preparing for my wedding, but it’s impossible not to notice the little ripple of chaos I left in Chad’s life.

I glance at Kael. He’s already dressed for the wedding. His suit hugs his body perfectly, molding over muscles I can’t stop noticing. Damn. Today is going to be a big day.

“Chad just lost 50% of his property,” Kael says, adjusting his cufflinks. “Karma seems to be moving fast these days.”

I grin. “Guess so,” I reply, smirking. My phone buzzes again, a small message from Peter: Phase two completed. Enjoy the show.

Perfect.

As wedding preparations unfold, everything moves at lightning speed. The staff bustle, dresses are fluffed, flowers arranged, menus confirmed. But I can’t stop sneaking glances at Kael. He’s calm, precise, but there’s a storm in his eyes that makes me shiver—just a little. And maybe, just maybe, I like it.

I lean closer to him as he adjusts his tie. “Feeling smug, huh?” I tease.

Kael smirks faintly. He walks over to me, brushing my chin lightly with his thumb.

"I know what you did," He smiles.

Well it's not like I am sorry for it.

"You're welcome," I wink. Smashing my lips against his.

My phone rings, snapping me from my deep thoughts.

I blink twice, making sure it's exactly who I know it is.

Melissa.