Chapter 12
Chapter 12
Brooks headed straight for my table.
I froze mid–bite, my spine locking tight.
Behind me, the kitchen door flew open.Natalia must have seen him coming. She marched out, eyes locked on Brooks, arms crossed, looking like she was ready to throw hands.
He stopped right in front of me. Jesus.
He looked like a rotting eggplant. His left eye was swollen shut, a nasty purple bruise. A fresh scab on his lip cracked every time he
twitched.
“Tessa p>
His voice was rough. He didn’t dare look at me. Instead,his terrified
gaze locked onto the window behind my shoulder.
I followed his stare. And there was Declan.
He didn’t even glance up. He was just swirling his coffee. But the air around him felt heavy. The whole corner of the room had gone dead
quiet.
Declan tapped his finger against his mug. Tick.
Brooks flinched like he’d been hit.
“I apologize for my inappropriate behavior last night. I was drunk p>
“What kind of bullshit excuse is that?” Harry roared from the grill.
Brooks shrank back, his face turning red with shame. “I crossed a line. It won’t happen again. If there’s anything I can do… tell Natalia p>
Natalia stared at him, cold as ice, then nodded.
“I’m sorry,” Brooks muttered. “I won’t bother you anymore p>
He turned and ran. He didn’t just leave; he scrambled out the door like he was being chased.
The door slammed shut.
Only then did Declan move. He stood up, threw some cash on the table, and walked out without looking back.
I sat there, my stomach churning. He did that.
I shoved my chair back and ran after him.
The wind outside hit me hard. Declan was already near the garage, walking fast.
“Declan p>
He didn’t slow down.
“Why are you following me?” His tone was flat.
“I haven’t thanked you.” I caught up, shivering in the cold. “And I know Brooks’s apology had something to do with you. So… thanks p>
Declan spun around.
The boredom was gone. He looked annoyed.
“Don’t insult me by thanking me for basic decency,” he snapped.
Chapter 12
I was stunned. “Insult you? I’m just being polite p>
“I didn’t do anything for you.” He stepped closer. The air between us felt thin. “I just stopped my cousin from being an embarrassment. It was the Aunties who taught him a lesson. Don’t flatter yourself p>
I stared at him. My gratitude turned into rage. He just humiliated
me, not Brooks.
“I don’t know what your problem is, Kovak,” I said, my voice low. “But I promise you, I will never confuse your ‘basic decency‘ with kindness again p>
I turned and walked away.
Back inside, I stormed up to my room.
I sat there, heart still racing, thinking about his lie.
The Aunties taught him a lesson? Yeah. Right.
But what really burned wasn’t his lie. It was my own stupidity.
For five humiliating seconds out there, I’d actually softened. I’d
looked at that cold face and thought, Maybe I was wrong. Maybe
he’s actually one of the good guys.
Ha. I was wrong.
He was just an arrogant jerk who saw me as a nuisance.
And I had thanked him? I’d practically swooned over his “basic
decency p>
Even now, the second I closed my eyes, my brain was filled with that moment–him stepping into my space-
Chapter 12
Oh, shit. Stop it, Tessa!
He is the one man in all of Alaska who wants you gone! What the
hell are you thinking?
ARGH!
I face–planted into my pillow and let out a muffled scream.
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Chapter 13
Chapter 13
Cedella
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.