Corrupted Chaos

by Shain Rose

“You kissed him?” A low voice full of gravel hissed from the side of my parents’ house. Shit. My stomach dropped, my heart leapt, and my thoughts scattered a million different ways at the sound.

Them? He’d come for them? Not me. I don’t know why that was a surprise and why my ego deflated a bit from the thought.

He hummed low, not moving back even an inch. “If you get kidnapped, I’m leaving your ass with them.”

Everyone said I was such a grown-up now, but most days, it felt like I was simply tired. Keeping a lid on so many emotions would do that to a person. Still, I accepted my lot and hoped I could go home soon for a nap and reset. “Thank you for the opportunity,” I told her, the words as sour as limes in my mouth.

Cade’s eyebrows raised. “That’s it?”

I swear, he wanted a fight, but I wouldn’...

Cade: Stop trying to hack into government property.

Me: OMG get a life and stop watching what I’m doing.

Cade: Technically, I’m doing my job. It’s national security and you’re breachi...

Me: Still, you’re watching wh...

Cade: Me watching what you’re doing is knowing you sold your condo to move to Greene Liberty Apartments where t...

Me: Seriously...

Cade: Stop sifting through confidenti...

Me: Get over it. It’s only for information on...

Cade: That’s not ...

Me: I’m quite aware of your reassigning ...

Cade: Yeah, about that … Cade: I’m waiting for a “thank y...

Me: Fuck you ve...

Cade: You’re welcome to ...

Me: I wonder if you think that actually w...

Cade: I don’t have t...

Me: You do realize you’re my boss. This wouldn’t look...

Cade: I’ll take my chances if you...

Me: I’m not. I have a boyfriend that’s actual...

Cade: You sure? Want me to hack his ...

Me: You bett...

Cade: Yeah, we’ll let him have his fun while he’s ou...

Me: How do you know h...

Cade. I know everything … Stop p...

Me: Fine. Wh...

My fault? How was him cheating on me my fault? “It’s me?” I squeaked out, the lid of the jar that kept my dark side locked away turning just a bit. “Let me guess, I drove you to message this Lucy girl your dick on a platter. A platter, Gerald! Really?”

“Good riddance? I gave you everything. I just needed a little something in return. Not a whore going to a costume party with her big ass out. That should be for me to see only anyway.”

“Ah, the real Izzy’s out to play tonight, I see.”

His eyes narrowed at my tone. “Upended? You got a bonus, more time off, and your team moved with you. I’m still waiting for my thank you.’”

“And you know I’m still going to say, ‘fuck you, asshole,’” I said, stepping right up to him and lifting my chin so my words hit home loud and clear.

He rolled his lips between his teeth. And he grew bigger, darker, meaner. Then the smile that spread across his face was wide, showing his teeth as if ready to inflict harm. That was what men in power got: everyone’s fear. I could tell he wasn’t used to my tone, used to someone pushing back at him. “...

He leaned in near my ear and whispered, “I definitely deserve your anger. And I’d enjoy you throwing it at me, baby doll.”

“I definitely deserve your anger. And I’d enjoy you throwing it at me, baby doll.”

“You don’t make any sense.”

“Does your boss really have to make any sense?” he asked.

“Well, you did just try to tear me down like my ex—”

He cut me off, his voice low and muffled behind the mask. “I said your ass was hanging out. I didn’t say ...

“Even if you don’t repeat that I should be working out, we both know what he said right before. So if you want to insinuate it too, fine.” I shrugged, so over the night. I really didn’t care if he saw the tears swimming in my eyes. He wanted me at my breaking point, and now he had me there. I leaned in. “But you know what, I’m done being polite. So fuck you, Cade Armanelli. You can go to hell right along with my ex.”

He lifted his mask just to smile at me, as if he’d won, as if he’d pushed his insanity on me. That sinister smile—it was scarier than any Halloween mask could ever be. “You think I’m just like your ex?”

I shook my head and glanced away. “You’re all the same,”

Our conversation was about to cease—five levels to go. Cade pulled out his phone, obviously he was done talking. Great. I’d go to the party and get the hell out of there fast. This night was proving to be the worst, anyway. Except the elevator screeched to a stop.

The lights flickered, the...

stopped suddenly like this.

into the dark, trying to see his face. “What the hell, Cade?” “Now that we have a minute, go on, turn around and let me feel how big your ass really is, Ms. Hardy.” I’m embarrassed to admit I got wet right then, his voice filled with gravel and edge against my skin,

“Now that we have a minute, go on, turn around and let me feel how big your ass really is, Ms. Hardy.” I’m embarrassed to admit I got wet right then, his voice filled with gravel and edge against my skin, commanding me in a way I wasn’t used to. “What?” I whispered. His tone had already sent sparks through me—so much so I couldn’t focus. “I’ll show you I’m nothing like that fuckboy who didn’t appreciate what he had in front of him.”