038

SHATTERED TRUST

~KADE POV~

{Playlist Suggestion: "Ghost" by Justice Crew}

My knuckles are still bleeding from punching that vase.

I flex my fingers, watching dried blood crack across split skin. Dad's threat echoes in my head: "Would you like me to pay a little visit to your new interest?"

I should have left anyway. Should have walked out and damn the consequences.

But I know what happens when people cross Warren Kingston. I have seen the news reports, the mysterious accidents, and the way problems simply disappear.

I won't let Chelsea become another casualty of my father's control.

My phone buzzes against the passenger seat. Knox again, probably checking if I'm planning to do something stupid.

Too late for that.

I pick up the phone, finger hovering over Chelsea's contact. We were supposed to meet after school. That was two hours ago.

She's probably gone home. Probably thinks I stood her up like every other asshole in her life.

The truth is worse. I'm sitting in my car like a coward b