The Devil’s Chaos (The Brotherhood #2)

10. Ten

10

TEN

HAVEN

A s the last rays of sunlight kissed the horizon, I parked my car in the small clearing near the quarry. The lot was full of luxury cars and sleek motorcycles. Before leaving my car, I checked my makeup in the visor mirror. It took me some time to conceal the bruises, but they were practically invisible before I left my apartment—just a faint shadow left behind. Inhaling deeply to calm my nerves, I exited the car and smoothed down my skirt anxiously. I chose to wear a black leather crop top that exposed my midriff and a loose white skirt that fell to my thighs. My boots were tall, black, and laced up to my shins, with black socks peeking over the top. If this was what dressing like a “slut” looked like, then I suppose I fit the stereotype. As I joined the crowd of people making their way into the forest, I realized I blended in perfectly with the groups of half-naked girls hanging onto each other's arms, chatting and laughing loudly as we walked through the dense trees.

Fucking rich kids.

Eventually, we reached the open space of the quarry, where music blared and pulsed through my body as I pushed past the dancing bodies on the dance floor. Fairy lights above twinkled and swirled, casting playful patterns across everyone's faces. The air was thick with excitement and anticipation, mixed with the aromatic scents of alcohol, cigarettes, and a heavy smell of weed. I searched the crowd for my target, eyes scanning each face intently. And then, I spotted him.

Archer King.

Sitting near the crackling bonfire, he wrapped his arms around a dark-haired girl. She was beautiful, but how he stared at her made it seem like he was the hunter, and she was his prey. I went to the makeshift bar to get a better view of them.

“Hey, pretty lady. I haven’t seen you at our parties before.”

I looked up to meet the gaze of a blond jock that was operating the bar and drunkenly smiling at me. His teeth were perfectly white, and he grinned in a way that made my skin crawl. He was one of those frat boys who always had girls flocking to him, but I wasn’t one of those girls. However, that didn’t mean I couldn’t have fun while I played reconnaissance for my brother.

I plastered on a fake smile and leaned in closer, playing the part of the seductive mystery girl. “I’m new in town,” I purred, lightly running a finger along his arm. His eyes lit up in interest, and he moved in closer, his cologne overwhelming my senses.

“Well, welcome, beautiful. What can I get you to drink?” he asked, trying to keep his eyes from wandering down to my exposed midriff.

Glancing over the options quickly, I confidently replied, “Surprise me.” As he turned away to prepare my drink, I discreetly glanced back at Archer and the dark-haired girl. They were still entwined, lost in their own world by the fire, while the crowd around them thinned out. I noticed the girl’s eyes were fixed on another couple.

The jock slid a drink toward me, and I took a small sip, feigning interest as he grinned at me. “What brings you to the quarry?”

I forced another smile, trying to appear friendly yet disinterested. “Just thought I’d check out the scene,” I replied casually, glancing over his shoulder to ensure Archer hadn’t left his spot by the bonfire.

“You picked a good night for it. This party is insane. There’s alcohol, weed, and babes. My bros at The Brotherhood sure know how to throw a perfect party if I do say so myself,” he boasted.

“You’re close with The Brotherhood?” My interest was piqued.

“Yeah. Archer, Kai, and Theo are my boys. We’re tight.”

“Impressive. Well, I think that’s pretty cool.” I responded coyly, taking another sip of the very strong drink he made me. It was vodka and…what was that…an energy drink? It tasted like Red Bull.

“Yeah. They are a good group of guys. They always get the first pick of all the hot chicks,” he sighed, looking over at the group Archer was a part of. “Like this one!” He gestured toward the group. “Kai is literally fucking that chick in front of everyone. What a stud!”

My eyes snapped in the direction of Archer and the others mentioned, and I was drawn by the explicit scene he described. A naked blonde girl was on all fours, her face hidden behind a curtain of hair as this Kai thrust into her with wild abandon. My stomach churned as I took in his chiseled jawline, piercing blue eyes, and tattoos snaking up his neck.

Kai .

It’s him.

The man who haunted my dreams and invaded my thoughts.

My mystery stalker.

I say “my” like he’s somehow mine, but he’s not. And if watching him have sex with this random blonde chick told me anything, it was that he wasn’t anywhere close to being mine. I was filled with conflicting emotions as I watched him ravage the blonde, jealousy, and desire coursing through my veins in equal measure. It’s not like I had an unrealistic expectation that because he snuck into my apartment and flirted with me that he wouldn’t be out there fucking other women. And yet, the thought of being in her place, on all fours as he took me in front of everyone, sent an electric current through my body, ending at my core.

As he brought himself to climax with closed eyes and a distant expression, my thighs clenched together in anticipation. When he finally pulled out of the blonde, she turned around to kiss him, but he pushed her away, zipping up his pants without a second glance. She didn't seem bothered by his lack of affection, but it only fueled the fire burning inside me.

The jock’s voice broke through my private thoughts. “Everything alright?”

I played along with my role, responding with a coy smile and a shrug. “Yeah. I’m going to mingle,” I lied, trying to look nonchalant. “Thanks for the drink.”

“Wait, I didn’t catch your name.”

I turned back around, keeping up the fa?ade. “Haven,” I replied, pushing through the crowd and disappearing into the tree line to catch my breath. My phone buzzed inside my purse, and I sighed when I saw Alex’s name flashing across the screen.

“Hello.”

“Hey there, baby sister. How’s the party? I haven’t heard from you yet. Did you find Archer?”

“Yeah, he’s here. I just stepped away to text you. He’s currently preoccupied with some dark-haired girl by the bonfire. Everyone’s pretty drunk or high at this point.”

“Perfect. The girl is Mila Grey, our little friend from the club’s daughter.”

“Winston Grey’s daughter is hooking up with Archer King? How do you know that?”

“I have my ways.”

“You have someone else here watching them.”

“And also watching you, little sis.”

“Why did you need me here if you already had one of your goons watching them? I could be binge watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer on Netflix right now.”

“I needed to test your loyalty. And now I know I can trust you,” he laughed. “Oh, and heads up, I’m on my way there to shake things up, so if I were you, I’d make myself scarce, just in case things get… bloody. ”

“Alex, you can’t. There’s too many innocent people here.”

“Collateral damage isn’t my concern in the grand scheme of things. I want Archer, and now’s the perfect time while he’s distracted by pussy.”

“God, Alex.” I glanced around and realized how far away from the party I had wandered.

“I’ll see you soon, baby sister,” he said before hanging up.

I threw my phone back into my purse. My brother was about to commit mass murder, and I knew there would be casualties. Alex didn’t care who got hurt as long as he accomplished whatever fucked up goal he was headed toward.

I needed to do something.