i-Spy | A Stalker Romance

Chapter 24: Repercussions

Stella's P.O.V.

I was still trying to steady my breathing, my pulse racing from my encounter with Kairo, when Sophia and Matteo burst into the library. Their sudden arrival made me jump, and I quickly tried to compose myself, hoping they wouldn't notice how shaken I was.

"Stella, did you find anything?" Matteo asked, his voice tinged with frustration and urgency.

I shook my head, struggling to keep my voice steady and calm. "No, nothing. It was just... quiet."

Sophia stepped closer, her eyes narrowing as she studied my face intently. "Are you alright? You look a bit... flushed. And you're shaking."

I forced a smile, trying to appear nonchalant. "I'm fine. It's probably just from searching around in the dark and all. Maybe it's the adrenaline."

Matteo let out an exasperated sigh, pulling out the map we had been using to navigate the campus. He scrutinized it again, his frustration evident in his furrowed brow. "This is useless. We're just wasting time. We haven't found a single clue."

Sophia put a comforting hand on his shoulder, her voice soothing. "We'll find something eventually, babe. These things take time. Let's not lose hope just yet. For now, let's head back and regroup. Maybe we need a different approach."

As we made our way out of the library, I couldn't help but glance over my shoulder, half-expecting to see Kairo's dark figure lurking in the shadows. My mind was racing, trying to make sense of what had just happened. The familiar scent of musky mint and leather still lingered in my nostrils, a haunting reminder of his presence. And his hands, his body pressed against mine and, the bruise on my wrist.... It still felt like he was holding me. His hands still traveling down my body. 

"Stella," Sophia said, snapping me out of my thoughts. "Are you sure you're okay? You seem really out of it."

I nodded, trying to sound convincing. "Yeah, just a bit on edge. This place gives me the creeps at night."

Matteo glanced at me, concern flickering in his eyes. "I'll figure this out. We just need to be patient and careful. Let's get out of here and come up with a new plan."

As we stepped into the cool night air, I took a deep breath, trying to clear my mind. Kairo's voice echoed in my ears, his whispered command still sending chills down my spine. I knew I couldn't let fear paralyze me. I had to stay strong, for myself. For my siblings. Whatever Kairo was doing, if he indeed was going against the Order, I couldn't stay still like a doll anymore. 

I couldn't let him toy me around. 

~~~

I returned to my apartment, barely making it to my bed before collapsing onto it. Staring at the ceiling, my mind raced with thoughts of what I could do next. This situation couldn't continue; I had to find a way out.

As much as I tried to focus, my thoughts kept drifting back to Kairo. The way he had been so close, how he had held me with such intensity, his breath warm against my ear. The memory of his hands on me sent shivers down my spine, and I couldn't help biting my lip at the thought. His presence was intoxicating and dangerous, and it made my heart race for reasons I didn't want to examine too closely.

But I had to concentrate. I couldn't let these thoughts distract me. There were bigger issues at hand, things I needed to resolve. I forced myself to push Kairo from my mind, to focus on the more pressing matters.

I needed a plan. This situation with Kairo and the Order couldn't be allowed to continue. Too many people were at risk, especially my family, and my siblings. If I didn't find a way to stop it, I feared what might happen next.

~~~

For the next few days, I isolated myself from everyone. I stopped going to college, ignoring the messages and emails from my professors. I would show up at the trattoria for my shift, but as soon as it ended, I would rush back home. I barely spoke to my coworkers, avoiding their concerned looks and questions. My life became a monotonous routine, a blur of repetitive actions.

My mind was working mechanically, the only thing I could think about was how to get out of this situation. I went through the motions of my day, but my thoughts were always elsewhere, turning over the same questions again and again. How could I stop Kairo? How could I protect my family? How could I keep my brothers from being dragged into this life?

Luca called occasionally, his voice a small comfort amidst the chaos. But even he had no new leads. 

"We're working on it," he would say, his tone frustrated. "But there's nothing yet." It felt like everything was coming to a halt, like we were stuck in a never-ending loop with no way out. Luca was still skeptical about the whole camera hacking situation, which only added to my frustration. 

"Are you sure about it Stella?" he had asked once, and I could hear the doubt in his voice. I hadn't imagined it. I knew what I felt. But convincing Luca was proving to be another challenge.

Jenna had left, her absence creating a void that I couldn't fill. I missed her energy, her relentless optimism. 

I had a strong sense of needing to protect my cousins and siblings. To keep them away from the ruthlessness of our family. It was just a matter of a year now before Duncan and Castor got tested too. The thought of my two playful twin brothers being caught up in ruthless tasks to prove their loyalty made me sick to my stomach. Their innocence would be replaced by trauma. Nightmares that both Jenna and I had to endure. And I couldn't let that happen.

Every night, I lay awake in bed, my mind racing with thoughts and plans. I couldn't let this go on. I had to do something, find some way to protect them all. But no matter how hard I thought, the solution remained elusive, just out of reach. It was as if I was missing something. Something wasn't adding up. Out of my sight.  

Kairo couldn't be a god or a ghost. Then how was he so ahead? How did he manage to stay so undetected?  

And then, one night, an idea finally came to me. It was risky, and it might not work, but it was the only thing I could think of. The thought sent a cold sweat down my spine, but I composed myself.

Come on Stella, you used to be a badass bitch. You can do this, even if it's unhinged but it's better something than nothing. 

Besides I had to act, and I had to act fast. Because if I didn't, I feared the consequences would be too much to bear.