i-Spy | A Stalker Romance

Chapter 29: Shadows and Scars

Stella's P.O.V.

"It's empty"

The tension in the room shifted as Kairo's laughter filled the space, a sound that seemed out of place given the weight of the revelations. Luca's expression was a mix of disbelief and frustration, while Kairo's smirk only deepened, his eyes glinting with a dangerous amusement.

"Well played, Stella-mia," Kairo said, his voice tinged with mock admiration. "You really caught me off guard with that one."

A flush of embarrassment crept up my cheeks, the room suddenly feeling stifling. The faint smell of vomit lingered in the air, a reminder of the chaos that had unfolded moments earlier. I shifted uncomfortably, trying to regain some semblance of control.

"I didn't know your... story," I admitted, my voice quieter. "So I couldn't risk it."

Kairo's smirk remained, while Luca scoffed, his expression a mix of irritation and resignation. The room seemed to pulse with a strange energy, a mixture of tension, disbelief, and something unspoken.

"We'll talk about it tomorrow," Kairo said, his tone unexpectedly soft. "It's already been a long day. I'll drop you home after your wounds are taken care of."

Right my wounds. I totally forgot. 

I glanced down at my arms, realizing for the first time that they were scraped and bruised from the chase. The adrenaline had masked the pain, but now it was beginning to seep in. I noticed Kairo's own injuries, his sleeves ripped in places, revealing cuts and abrasions.

A part of me wanted to resist, to assert my independence and insist that I could handle it on my own. But another part, perhaps... staying a bit longer might be the wiser choice. There were still too many unanswered questions, too many things I needed to understand.

I met his blue eyes. 

"Fine."

~~~

Luca left after that, whispering something to Kairo as they exchanged a knowing look. Once Luca was gone, Kairo pulled out his phone and made a quick call. Moments later, a man entered the room, dressed in a black mask and a white baseball cap. With practiced efficiency, he removed the trash bag and replaced it with a fresh one, then sprayed a subtle air freshener with a scent like ocean breeze, filling the room with a calm, soothing fragrance.

I drank more water from the bottles on the table, trying to steady my nerves. The revelations about Kairo's and Luca's pasts still swirled in my mind, leaving me unsettled and full of questions.

As the man left and the metallic sound of the door clicked shut, Kairo turned to me, his eyes filled with an intensity that seemed to pierce right through me.

"Sit on the couch," Kairo's voice was gentle, yet firm.

His command made me knit my brows together in confusion."Why?" 

"You ask too many questions," he gave me a once over and then sighed. "I'm asking you to sit so I can tend to your wounds."

I don't know why I stayed rooted to the spot, feeling like a fool just standing there. He ran a hand through his hair, another sigh escaping him.

"You still don't trust me do you?" he asked, his eyes searching mine for an answer

I... I didn't know. Yes, I felt bad—horrible, really—about what had happened to him and Luca. There was this gnawing guilt, knowing my family was behind it. And I was willing to help them, to turn against my own blood because I was done with it all. Utterly horrified and disturbed by the atrocities they'd committed. Not just to them, but to me, to Jenna... and probably countless others.