Losing Your Memory ° Kai Parker

Chapter 36

11 months later - we continue the story after chapter 19

The cold night air bit at my skin as I practically ran through the empty streets. My mind was a chaotic storm—every possible scenario spinning like a dark carousel. Kai had been here. Right in front of me. In the bar. And he hadn't just shown up casually; he'd come for a reason.

I had to warn them. Especially Caroline. The twins. Whoever else was caught in his orbit. I couldn't—wouldn't—let him get close to them again.

Nate was already waiting at the Salvatore house when I arrived, pacing near the front door. His brow furrowed the moment he saw me.

"Jennifer," he said, but his voice carried a sharp edge. "What happened?"

I barely had time to catch my breath. "Kai... he's here. In town. At the bar tonight."

Nate froze, and for a split second I thought I saw his jaw clench. "You... saw him?"

"Yes!" My voice was sharper than intended. "He came up to me. He was... he was asking questions. About Caroline, the twins, everything. Nate, he's dangerous. We can't let him near anyone—especially not the twins."

Nate's hands curled into fists at his sides. "Did he... touch you?" His voice was low, protective, but I saw the shadow of something else—jealousy, maybe even fear that I hadn't told him sooner.

"No, he didn't touch me," I said quickly. "I told him to leave, and I left. I ran, Nate. That's all that matters."

He exhaled, tension still high in his shoulders, and grabbed my hands. "You're not going anywhere alone again. Not tonight. Not ever."

I wanted to agree, but a small, stubborn part of me still fought against that. I wasn't helpless. I wouldn't be.

When we got inside, the group had already gathered—Caroline and Bonnie flanked the twins in the living room, Elena pacing near the window, Stefan in his usual chair, arms crossed. Alaric stood by the staircase, his face etched with worry.

The moment I spoke Kai's name, the room shifted. Eyes darted to me, some suspicious, some wary.

"Jennifer," Elena said softly, though her voice carried an edge. "Are you... sure he's here? And you saw him?"

"Yes," I said, swallowing my fear. "He came into the bar tonight. He was asking about the twins, about Caroline—he's looking for answers. We have to be ready."

Bonnie frowned. "Jenn, are you sure this isn't... I mean, you've known him too long. He could be playing with your head—"

"I'm not talking about me," I snapped, anger and fear burning through me. "I'm talking about them. He's dangerous, and if he wants answers, he won't care who gets hurt."

Stefan exchanged a glance with Elena. "She has a point," he said. "But you... do you think you're involved too much? Your history with him—"

"I don't care about my history!" I snapped, voice rising. "Do you think I want him in my life? Do you think I ever wanted him to touch me like that? He's a monster!"

Nate stepped forward, hand brushing mine again, grounding me. "She's right. You saw him. He's here. That's what matters."

Caroline's eyes narrowed, protective and sharp. "We need a plan. But we also need to make sure Jennifer doesn't—"

"Don't what?" I interrupted, heat rising in my chest. "Don't what? Stay involved? Care about what he does? You think I'm still in love with him? You think that's why I ran here tonight?"

The room went silent. Elena bit her lip. Stefan looked down, unsure. Bonnie's hands clenched in her lap.

"I hate him," I said, voice shaking but firm. "I hate everything he did to me, everything he made me feel. But he's dangerous, and I won't let anyone else—especially the twins—pay for it. If staying involved makes him angry, fine. If it scares you, fine. But I'm not stepping away."