65. Kaos
CHAPTER SIXTY-FIVE
KAOS
“ W ill you sit still?” I snap at Kovu. I’d forgotten why I hate doing surveillance with him, but it’s suddenly coming back to me.
The asshole couldn’t sit still if his life depended on it.
“Do you think Camilla’s okay?” He asks.
I sigh and turn to face him. He’s never been like this with the women he’s been with. Hell, half of them could have dropped dead, and he likely wouldn’t have batted an eye.
But Camilla is a whole different ball game for him. For all of us, if I’m honest.
“She’s fine. She’s more than capable of taking care of herself.”
“But Crew’s being a dick.”
“And she’ll deal with it. You can’t treat her like she’s made of glass, because you’ll piss her off, and I don’t know about you, but I never want to be in the doghouse with that woman.”
He chuckles. “You’re right. I’d rather be on her good side where I can have her pussy any time I please.”
I roll my eyes and turn my attention back to the guy we’re tailing.
Daniel Harding.
Thirty-four years old. Single. No family. Recently moved to New York from South Carolina. No record of criminal activities aside from breaking and entering when he was sixteen. There’s nothing to say he’s involved with Caleb, but there’s also nothing to say he’s not.
We have no idea where he’s been for the last three years, other than assuming he hasn’t been in the city, but even then, we could be wrong. In a city with a population like this, there’s any number of places to hide where no one will recognize you.
So far, Daniel has been doing mundane tasks for the five hours we’ve been following him. He’s been to the laundromat down the road from his mid-rise apartment building. He’s been to the grocery store and carried three bags of shit back, saying hello to his elderly neighbor as he passed. And now he’s taking his dog for a walk.
“Surely this guy isn’t involved with Caleb,” Kovu says as he unwraps his third protein bar. “He’s boring as fuck.”
I shake my head. I think we were both hoping to get our hands dirty today, but it doesn’t look like that’s going to happen seeing as we need to head over to the Scarlet Lounge to meet Crew, Bishop, and Camilla before everyone gets there.
We like to be the first ones to arrive and last to leave to establish our positions in the room, but today it’s extra important. After all the ways Charles and Caleb have tried to take us down recently, we can’t be too careful.
“We need to get to the bottom of where he’s been the last few years. If we can figure that out, it’ll be easier for us to track who he has working for him,” I say, pulling my phone from my pocket. I’ve had the urge to check on Camilla for the last hour, and I’ve forced myself to remain on task, but I can’t handle it anymore.
I type a text into the group chat.
Kaos: How are you doing, Princess? Ready for your first official meeting?
Camilla: I’m good. Can’t say the same for Crew, though. I’d feel more ready if we had any idea what we’re walking into.
Kaos: What did you do to Crew?
Bishop: Last I heard, she was getting herself off while he was tied to his desk chair.
Kovu: On my way to the security footage to watch that.
Camilla: He shouldn’t have tried to push me away. *shrug emoji*
Crew: You have to know you’re going to pay for that later, Little Menace.
Camilla: That would mean you’re not avoiding me, which means I won. *kiss emoji*
Crew: Brat.
I shake my head. but I can’t wipe the smile off my lips. Is this what it’s like to be happy? There was a long time where I never thought I would feel it again, but even while we’re in the middle of the biggest mess we’ve ever found ourselves in, I can’t wipe the smile off my face.
Kaos: What time are you heading to the Scarlet Lounge with the princess?
Crew: In half an hour, provided she’s ready.
Camilla: I’m ready now, Daddy Crew. Thought I’d already pushed you enough for one day.
Camilla: How’d you get out, by the way?
Bishop: You left him tied up when you were done?
Camilla: Yep!
Crew: By ruining my favorite tie. She won’t be laughing when it’s her tied up.
Camilla: Once again, that means you’re not avoiding me, which I count as a win.
I chuckle and shove my phone back in my pocket. Our group chat has never been this lively, and I realize our lives in general haven’t been.
Camilla has breathed life into every part of us, and there’s nothing I won’t do to keep her safe and happy.