Craving My Brother's Best Friend (Bailey and Kaleb) novel Chapter 61

### Chapter 61

**Kaleb’s POV**

A tempest of rage surged within me, a raw, electric fury that threatened to consume every rational thought.

**Ten vouchers.**

The moment my gaze fell upon Marco, his back turned to me as he sauntered away, I could sense the insidious web of lies he had spun, ensnaring Bailey in his deceit.

That bastard. I had made it abundantly clear that he was to keep his distance from both me and her, yet, as expected, Marco had chosen to disregard my warning completely.

My fingers clenched tightly around the steering wheel, my knuckles turning a ghostly white as I sped through the dimly lit streets, each bump in the road only adding fuel to the fire raging within me.

The Serpent mafia’s stronghold loomed ahead, an ominous fortress shrouded in shadows, and all I could picture was Bailey’s innocent face, her wide eyes clouded with confusion,

her lips trembling as she dared to inquire about the identity of that man.

She didn’t deserve to be dragged into the murky depths from which I had fought so hard to escape.

As I pulled into the lot outside the syndicate’s warehouse, the massive steel doors stood like sentinels under the flickering glow of ancient lamps, shadows swirling ominously around the perimeter of the building.

A group of men congregated outside, their raucous laughter mingling with the smoke that twisted around them, tattoos glinting under the feeble light. They paused their banter as soon as they caught sight of me.

Some nodded in acknowledgment, while others quickly averted their eyes, sensing the storm brewing within me. I slammed my car door shut, the sound reverberating through the tense atmosphere, and strode into the chaos that awaited me inside.

The moment I crossed the threshold, the acrid stench of smoke, alcohol, and gasoline assaulted my senses, wrapping around me like a shroud.

The ambiance was a cacophony of noise—pool balls clattering, cards slapping against tables, and laughter that rang hollow, devoid of genuine joy.

My eyes locked onto Marco, lounging in a tattered leather chair as if he owned the entire establishment.

He was lean yet muscular, his arms inked with intricate tattoos, hair slicked back, and that infuriatingly arrogant grin plastered across his face.

As soon as our gazes met, his smirk widened, revealing a glimmer of amusement. “Kaleb, you’ve returned.”

Without a moment’s hesitation, I propelled myself forward, my fist connecting with his jaw before he could even rise from his chair.

The sickening crack of bone echoed through the room, a sound that brought a momentary hush over the chaos.

Marco’s head snapped back, and he stumbled, colliding with the chair behind him.

The boys around us sprang to their feet, their bodies tense, ready to intervene, but Marco raised a hand, his voice cold and commanding.

“Stop. Everyone get out.”

A brief moment of hesitation hung in the air as they exchanged glances, uncertainty flickering in their eyes.

“You heard me,” Marco growled, his tone brooking no argument.

“Out now!”

One by one, they began to disperse, the air thick with tension as they filed out, leaving us in a bubble of hostility.

“Motherfucker!” Marco roared, gripping the edge of the table to steady himself.

Blood dripped from his lip as he regarded me, a manic smile creeping across his face. “So she told you, huh? Your little princess.”

I remained silent, my anger boiling over as I charged at him again, my fist crashing into his face.

This time, he was prepared. He blocked my punch with his arm, retaliating with a swing that landed squarely in my ribs.

Pain flared through me, but I pushed it aside, shoving him hard, sending us both crashing into the table.

Cards and glasses flew in every direction, chaos erupting around us, but no one dared to step between Marco and me; they understood the gravity of the situation.

“You son of a bitch,” I snarled, grabbing his shirt and hurling him against the wall.

“I warned you to keep the hell away from me. Stay away from Bailey!”

Marco laughed, blood trickling from his lip, a twisted grin spreading across his face. He shoved me back, spitting right at my feet.

“You’re a fool, Kaleb.

Do you even know who she is? Do you know what her family did?”

“Shut the fuck up!” I yelled, swinging again, my fist smashing into his cheek. He grunted but remained standing, a testament to his stubbornness.

“Her dad,” Marco hissed, his eyes igniting with fury.

“Her dad killed your father, and you’re here defending her?

You’re a goddamn joke!”

His words struck me like a physical blow, freezing me in place, my chest heaving with disbelief.

“What did you just say?”

“You heard me,” Marco spat, pushing me back with brutal force.

“You’re dating the daughter of the man who murdered your father, and you’re acting like you’re in love.

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