Chapter 26: Naughty Girl Rhea [18+]
Kael stood outside Freya's locked door, hazel eyes glinting with a flicker of frustration. Rhea's voice still rang in his ears—sharp, defiant—her fists pounding the air as she'd stormed back toward Freya's room moments ago, hellbent on reopening the fight.
He'd grabbed her arm, dragging her kicking and cursing to her own room, the door slamming shut despite her yells—"Let me at her, you bastard!"—echoing down the hall. Now, silence hung heavy, broken only by the faint hum of Freya'sllar behind her door and Rhea's muffled snarls from hers.
Kael leaned against Rhea's door, voice low, steady through the wood. "You've been a bad girl, Rhea. Reflect on it."
Her response came fast, rough with heat. "What the fuck did I do?" The door rattled—her fist, probably—scarred knuckles testing the lock.
He exhaled sharp, rubbing his jaw—stubble prickling his fingers. "I was this close to cracking Freya, getting her to open up. Then you attacked her. Could've gone worse—way worse—if I hadn't stopped you."
"She started it!" Rhea snapped, voice rising, thick with indignation. "Called me your bitch—your fucking lapdog! I wasn't gonna let that icy cunt walk over me! If anything, you are my lapdog!"
Kael's lips twitched—a ghost of a smirk—but his tone stayed firm, cutting. "Thought you were tougher than that, Rhea. Thought you wouldn't get triggered so easy. I brought you in there 'cause I trusted you to handle it. Guess I was wrong." He paused, letting it sink in, then added, "From now on, I'll deal with Freya solo. You can rest in your room."
A beat of silence—then a low growl, her voice simmering. "You're a dick, Kael."
"Yeah," he muttered, turning away, boots scuffing the tiles. "Reflect on that too." He left her stewing, the lock holding firm, and headed for the kitchen—dishes from breakfast still piled in the sink, grease crusting the edges.