Their Secret Obsession (A Reverse Harem) by Pippa Moon novel Chapter 254

Chase POV

"She is impossible," Adam roared from beside me as we sped towards Knox, his voice thick with frustration.

"She's so impulsive, hot-headed, stubborn, and absolutely determined to get her own way. Acts first, thinks later—if at all!" His tone was a mixture of exasperation and bewildered respect, almost as if he couldn't decide whether to be annoyed or impressed.

"Tell us what you really think, Ad." I laughed because I couldn't help but smile to myself as Adam continued, his tirade unfurling like a banner in the wind. Inside my mind, Thor and I were mentally ticking off each attribute Adam listed, matching them perfectly to Adam himself. It was almost comical, watching him describe himself without any self-awareness. The parallels between his traits and Lottie's were striking, and yet he seemed completely oblivious to them.

"Feel better?" I asked when Adam finally paused, taking a deep breath as if to cleanse himself of the irritation; he seemed calmer, more composed. He turned to me, a puzzled look on his face.

"How are you so relaxed about this?" he barked. I wasn't. I wanted to kick her ass to Timbuktu and back, but all that would do was push her further away. I chuckled, shaking my head. My eyes glued to the road as my foot pressed the pedal harder.

"I'm used to it," I admitted simply with a shrug as I chanced a glance at him and took my eyes off the road to offer him a simple, lopsided smile. Even now, when he was angry yet trying to keep his shit in check, he was like our sister, his jaw tense, his eyes wild. Adam's confusion deepened, and he stared out the windshield, chewing over my words.

"Are you referring to Liam?" he asked the question hanging between us.

"It's my job to keep you all safe." He snapped harshly, his words cutting off my observation, so I shifted the conversation subtly, seeing my words had not had the desired effect. I decided now was the time to probe another sensitive area.

"How did you get those bruises up your back? The gash on your thigh?" I asked, my voice casual but my eyes sharp.

"What the fuck." He demanded as his walls slammed up instantly, his demeanour shifting as he retreated into himself. He remained silent, a fortress of solitude. I knew about his clandestine fights in the underground circuits over the past few months; the physical evidence was hard to miss. But why he felt compelled to fight, to bleed and sweat in such a hidden, brutal way, was something he hadn't shared with me, and it puzzled me deeply. His internal battles were just as fierce as the physical ones, it seemed, and just as private.

"Look, bro, I am not judging you; I am just worried. You vent about how irresponsible Lottie is, and yeah, I get it she is being a tad reckless, but I don't think people in glass houses should throw stones." I started to say and watched out of the corner of my eye as his lips lifted into a frown, pursed to say something. But I held my finger up and returned my eyes to the road.