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Chapter Eleven (Libby)
Last Updated:
2026-02-14 07:59:33
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Bound By Chaos Chapter Thirty
I pull into the estate too fast. I know it the second the tires crunch against the gravel harder than necessary, but I don’t slow down. My hands are tight on the wheel, jaw locked so hard my teeth ache. Because this wasn’t theoretical. This wasn’t a bad feeling or a maybe. It was him. My men were sure. I was sure. And she missed it. I’m halfway out of the car before the engine’s even off. Libby’s just getting Emma settled inside when she looks up and sees me. Her face tightens immediately. “What’s wrong?” she asks. I don’t soften it. I can’t. “You,” I say. “You missed him.” Her brow furrows. “Missed who?” “Your father,” I snap. “He was there. Outside the school. My men saw him, Libby. They tracked him. And you didn’t notice a damn thing.” Her color drains. “That’s not possible,” she says quickly. “I would’ve seen him.” “You didn’t,” I say. “And that’s the problem.” Emma hovers by the door, eyes wide. “Emma,” I say immediately, forcing my voice to steady. “Go inside.” She hesitates, t
Bound By Chaos Chapter Twenty-Nine (Libby)
The car rider line is a nightmare. It always is. Cars inch forward in fits and starts, parents craning their necks, teachers waving laminated signs like traffic conductors in some deeply underpaid orchestra. I check the clock on the dashboard for the fifth time and drum my fingers against the steering wheel. I just want Emma in the car. I just want to get home. My phone buzzes in the cup holder. Matteo: We need to talk. My stomach drops so fast it feels like I’ve missed a step on the stairs. We need to talk. That’s never good. I stare at the screen, pulse picking up. My brain doesn’t wait for logic—it launches straight into panic. Did I do something wrong? Am I too much? Did he change his mind? Is this about Mariela? The line moves. I jerk forward, barely stopping in time as a teacher opens the back door. “Libby?” she asks brightly. “Yes—yes, sorry.” Emma climbs in, backpack thumping against the seat, braid a little looser than it was this morning but still intact. “Hi, SisterMom!” sh
Bound By Chaos Chapter Twenty-Eight (Matteo)
The bookstore is deceptively calm. Midday light slants through the front windows, dust motes drifting like everything in the world is exactly where it should be. Luca is behind the counter, sleeves rolled, helping a customer choose a cookbook like this is just another ordinary afternoon. I hate how convincing it is. The second the customer leaves, I move closer. “Anything?” I ask quietly. Luca doesn’t look up right away. He finishes tapping something into the register, waits until the bell jingles, then reaches into his pocket. “Yes.” He pulls out his phone and angles it so only I can see. The first image hits me like a punch. Libby’s father. Older than the last time I saw him in court photos. Thinner. Meaner. That same hollow-eyed stare that makes my skin crawl. The kind of face you don’t forget once you’ve seen it. The next image is grainier. A security still. Hoodie up. Side profile. “Local sighting,” Luca says. “Gas station. Two towns over. Yesterday morning.” My jaw tightens. “Th
Bound By Chaos Chapter Twenty-Seven (Matteo)
Emma is practically vibrating by the time I cut the engine. “Libby’s here,” she says, already halfway out of her seatbelt. “Whoa, speed racer,” I laugh, opening my door. “Let’s not face-plant on day one.” She bolts anyway. Libby’s outside the bookstore, sleeves rolled up, hair pulled back like she’s been working nonstop. The second she sees Emma, her whole face softens. “Hey, baby!” she says, dropping to her knees just in time for Emma to crash into her arms. “It was good!” Emma announces immediately. “Like really good.” Libby laughs, squeezing her. “Yeah? Tell me everything.” Emma does. Every single thing. She rehashes the entire day with the same enthusiasm she gave me. She talks about Mrs. Hanley, Steve the plant, Lucy and her sparkly shoes, the crayons, the lunchroom. Word for word in places. I hang back a step, watching them, smiling when I’m supposed to. Nodding when Emma looks to me for confirmation. Libby glances up at me mid-story. Her smile fades. “What’s wrong?” she asks qu
Bound By Chaos Chapter Twenty-Six (Matteo)
The door closes behind them. The apartment goes quiet in that particular way that feels too loud. I stand there for a second longer than necessary, hand still on the doorframe, like if I don’t move, the moment might rewind itself. Like Libby might suddenly reappear, flushed and smiling, and kiss me again like she did five minutes ago. Not a peck. Not a thank-you kiss. A statement. I run a hand through my hair and laugh under my breath. Jesus Christ. I’ve kissed plenty of women. I’ve been wanted. Desired. Chased. I’ve done the chasing too. None of that is new. What is new is the way my knees nearly gave out when she whispered in my ear. What’s new is the way my face heated like I was some teenage idiot instead of a grown man with a reputation. What’s new is the realization that I didn’t just like that she trusted me. I needed it. I walk into the kitchen, still half-dazed, and spot the uneven heart-shaped pancake left behind on a plate. Emma’s doing. Syrup smudge and all. I stare at it
Bound By Chaos Chapter Twenty-Five (Libby)
A week later and Emma is sitting on the living room floor in her pajamas, arms crossed, tears streaming down her face like she’s personally offended by gravity. “I’m not going,” she announces through sobs. My chest tightens. “Okay, sweetheart, I know you’re nervous, but—” “I said I’m NOT GOING,” she cries louder, kicking one sock off her foot like it’s betrayed her. I glance at the clock. We are officially behind. My hair is half in a bun, half doing its own thing. I’ve spilled coffee down the front of my shirt. My keys are… somewhere. Probably. Hopefully. “Emma,” I say, trying to keep my voice steady. “We talked about this. New school can be scary, but—” “I won’t know anyone,” Emma wails. “And what if they don’t like me? And what if my teacher is mean?” Oh god. I crouch down in front of her, heart breaking into about a thousand pieces. “Baby, I promise—” She dissolves into full sobs. I squeeze my eyes shut. I love her so much. I really do. But right now, I feel like I’m failing in ev
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