The Devil’s Chaos (The Brotherhood #2)

23. Twenty-Three

23

TWENTY-THREE

HAVEN

M y brother's recovery was miraculously swift after his quarry and warehouse ordeal. It was so swift that I found myself in an evening gown, reluctantly attending The Carnival Of Love Charity Event to keep an eye on our business partners and enemies, as he put it. Yet, something felt amiss from the moment we arrived. His unusually warm demeanor toward me was a red flag I couldn't ignore. I nervously checked my makeup in the mirror, a sense of unease gripping my stomach.

The limo stopped in front of the venue, and my brother, always the gentleman, stepped out first and ascended the stairs, leaving me behind. But not without imparting his instructions; each word carried a weighty warning I couldn't ignore.

“Go and enjoy the party. Mingle with the guests. And remember, don’t embarrass our family.”

“Is that how you see me, brother? An embarrassment?” I challenged.

“Don’t start your shit tonight or?—”

“Or you’ll punish me,” I interrupted. “I am well aware of your tactics, big brother. And I’ll be on my best behavior, scouts honor.” I held up my hand in a half-hearted salute to emphasize my sarcasm.

He rolled his eyes and ascended the stairs, leaving me to enter the event alone. Most people would be upset about being left behind, but honestly, the farther he was from me, the better.

I gathered the hem of my dark gray dress and gracefully exited the limousine. Tonight, I purposely chose a color that I hoped would allow me to blend in with the crowd and avoid standing out. The shimmery fabric hugged my curves and flowed into a flattering V neckline before cascading down to my feet. My hair was styled in an elegant braided crown, adorned with a delicate diamond headpiece woven into it.

Once I entered the venue, I maneuvered through fire breathers, scantily-clad belly dancers, and trapeze artists in tiny bodysuits flying through the air above our heads. Like many opulent events, no expense had been spared, and I planned on taking full advantage of the free-flowing champagne. If I had to attend this event, I might as well indulge in some liquid libations.

I mingled with the crowd, grabbing flutes of champagne off servers’ trays while watching in awe as the trapeze artists spun and twisted in the air, balancing on shoulders and doing shit that if they didn’t time their movements perfectly, they would come crashing to the ground. Eventually, I spotted Mila and Archer sitting at a table near the stage. Mila was downing glasses of champagne as if it were her day job. I scanned the table and saw Kai, another dark-haired man and a familiar-looking blonde.

Maddie?

No, it couldn’t be Maddie because she was head over heels for my brother, desperate for his attention. But there she was, sitting at a table with The Brotherhood like they were good friends.

“Oh my God,” I muttered under my breath.

My brother sent Maddie to get information, which is how he knew so much about The Brotherhood. Maddie was the blonde from the quarry—the one Kai fucked in front of everyone. He said he had people watching me. Was he talking about Maddie? That conniving little bitch. I had to be wrong about this because if I weren’t, that would mean she knew about Kai and me, and if my brother knew, I was a dead woman. He would have no qualms about burying me six feet under.

Feeling dizzy and nauseous, I sat at the bar to catch my breath. My phone started buzzing in my clutch, and it wouldn’t stop. With a sigh, I pulled it out and saw Unknown Caller flashing on the screen.

“Hello,” I answered.

“Meet me at the bathrooms on the second floor,” Kai instructed me.

“Kai, my brother is here.”

“I’m aware.”

“Well, then, you know I can’t just slip away to meet you without being noticed,” I whispered urgently.

But Kai had already hung up. I took a large gulp of champagne, trying to calm my nerves. My brother was watching me sternly, and everything around me seemed to be spiraling out of control. Breathing deeply, I tried to quell the rising panic in my chest as I surveyed the room. The crowd swelled around me, the music and laughter blending into a dizzying cacophony. Mila, Archer, Kai, and Maddie were still sitting at the table, but I couldn’t shake off the feeling of betrayal creeping up on me.

Whatever expression was on my face caught my brother's attention, who, just like clockwork, decided to walk toward me, and he wasn’t alone. Slithering behind him like the snake he was was none other than Gerald. His chubby face squeezed together with a grin that made me want to throw up. I stood up and pretended I didn’t see them as I headed toward the stairs to find Kai, but they caught up with me.

“Haven, look who I found,” my brother called out to me.

I stopped in my tracks, glancing at Kai’s table as I turned around to face my brother. Kai frowned when he saw me glance his way, and I’m sure the disgust that marred my expression. His eyes followed me. I met his gaze briefly and then plastered a fake smile on my face before turning to meet my brother and the disgusting amoeba that followed him.

“Ah, Mister—I’m sorry, what was your name again?” I pretended I couldn’t remember who he was when, quite to the contrary, I couldn’t forget him, even if I tried. Powerful men—men like Gerald—were not used to disrespect in any form. And I’d be lying if I didn’t enjoy how Gerald’s jaw ticked as he clenched his teeth, irritated by my question.

“Beckett. Gerald Beckett.”

“Yes. Mr. Beckett, that’s right. How do you like the party?”

“I like it just fine, thank you.”

“Gerald was just telling me that he really enjoyed your company at the club, but he is so disappointed that his time with you was cut short due to the unfortunate events that transpired with the fire and evacuation,” my brother said smoothly.

My stomach dropped, and my eyes snapped to my brother. He wrapped his arm around me and pulled me into a side hug.

“I apologized to Mr. Beckett and told him that you would be happy to make it up to him in one of the complimentary suites we reserved upstairs after the speeches.”

“I would?”

His grip tightened on my waist, and I winced in pain. “Yes, you would. Because if you don’t, I’ll slit your little boyfriend’s throat while he’s sleeping. And I suggest you keep quiet about Maddie, too, or I promise I will show you a hundred different ways to torture someone to within an inch of their life,” he threatened, his voice low and hushed in my ear, and slid the room keycard into my clutch.

I could feel the blood draining from my face, and I felt like I might vomit all over their pressed suits. “I—I don’t know what you’re talking about, brother. You know, I think your paranoia might be your downfall.”

He let out a low laugh, his face turning red. “As long as you understand what I’m capable of,” he threatened.

“I know better than anyone what you’re capable of.” I spat, yanking his arm off of me. “Please excuse me, gentlemen. I think I drank too much.”

“Don’t forget about Mr. Beckett. He will be expecting you in suite three.” he reminded me.

I turned without acknowledging him, hastily slipping through the crowds of people toward the staircase leading to the second floor. Each step felt heavier than the last, and I could feel eyes boring into my back as I ascended the grand staircase. The echo of my brother’s threats rang in my ears, and I knew I had to tread carefully.

At the top of the stairs, I paused to take a deep breath. I had to devise a plan, a way to get out of this situation without putting Kai in danger. I knew my brother would make good on his threats, and he admitted that Maddie was a mole, sent to infiltrate The Brotherhood right under their noses. If I told Kai, they would kill Maddie, and then my brother would retaliate, and I had no way of knowing how deep she was into their lives, their brotherhood, their business .

Maddie was one of my brother’s whores that was just as cut throat as he was. She had been clinging to my brother’s coattails for years, trying to convince him to take her as a wife. He had strung her along for reasons only he understood and used her to do his dirty work, with the false promise of being by his side when he took over The Collectors from my father. But I knew he wasn’t serious about Maddie. He enjoyed his control over her, but wasn’t planning to marry her.

I walked down the dimly lit hallway, desperate to find a bathroom far enough away from my brother's watchful gaze. His eyes seemed to follow my every move, making me feel trapped and uncomfortable. Just as I was about to reach my destination, a strong hand gripped my arm and forcefully pulled me into a hidden alcove tucked behind heavy velvet curtains. My heart raced in fear as I tried to scream for help, but the intruder's hand clamped over my mouth, muffling any sound that escaped. Pressed against their warm body, I could feel their rapid breaths against my cheek as they held me captive in the darkness.

“Shh, it’s me,” Kai whispered in my ear. “Stay quiet. You have a shadow.”

With his free hand, he parted the curtain just an inch to give me the vantage point to see one of my brother’s men walking toward the bathroom. I melted into his body, waiting for my shadow to leave.

“Okay, he’s gone.” He released his hand from my mouth. “You look so beautiful tonight.”

I let out a loud breath and turned around to face him. “We have to end this,” I said.

Kai raised his eyebrow, a puzzled look on his face. “No, we don’t.”

“Yes, we do. My brother knows about you. His little gnats have been following me around, and he said if I don’t do everything he tells me to do, he’s going to kill you.”

Kai laughed loudly, but stopped when he saw the tears in my eyes. “You’re serious?”

“I just don’t see how we can keep doing whatever this is without him knowing. And I’m not gambling with your life anymore. I couldn’t live with myself if you got hurt or killed because of me. I’m tired of having blood on my hands.”

“I don’t gamble on things I can’t win, Haven,” he replied.

“That’s what you don’t understand. You’re not listening to me.” I threw up my hands in frustration. “This isn’t a game, Kai. People close to me die. I’m cursed.”

“That’s life, Haven. If I lose my life because I’m buried deep inside of you each night, then when I make it to Hell, I’ll tell the devil how I experienced the closest thing to Heaven.”

“You really believe that, don’t you?” I asked, my voice barely a whisper.

Kai smirked, looking amused by my frustration. “Life is short, and if we’re going to spend it hiding in shadows and fear, then we’re just letting your brother win.”

“My brother never loses. He will destroy everything I care about. He doesn’t care about the body count or the destruction; as long as he has complete and total power and control, that’s all he sees. Kai, please don’t ask me to keep playing this game with you.”

“I understand your fear, Haven,” he said softly, cupping my face in his hands. “But you’re mine, and I’m not letting you go.”

“What if I don’t want to belong to you?” I challenged him.

“You can think you don’t want to belong to me, but you forget I’m not one of your pathetic, limp-dick admirers who gets off on watching you.”

“You’re not.”

“You belong to me, sweet girl,” he growled. “From the moment you screamed my name as you shattered on my cock, you were mine. Your body, mind, and soul willingly chose me.” His words dripped with possessiveness and a dangerous hunger as he tightened his grip on my waist.

“Look, the sex is great…more than great, but I can’t do this anymore,” I sighed, knowing that he wouldn’t change his mind.

Kai’s eyes flashed with a warning, a storm brewing behind his irises. “You can try to deny it, but you know the truth. You crave me just as much as I crave you.”

His fingers traced invisible lines on my skin, flickering between my neck, down my arm, and back up to my face. The heat from his touch was intense, yet I couldn’t bring myself to pull away. It was as though a part of myself had been drawn to him, bound to him, and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t extricate myself from the tether that connected us.

I tried to look away and distance myself from the truth of his words, but my body betrayed me. His fingers danced and coaxed a response from my skin that I couldn’t contain. A whimper escaped my lips as his touch sent shivers down my spine, pooling between my legs.

Kai's expression remained unreadable as he leaned closer, his breath hot against my forehead, "I won't let you go, Haven. You know what I'm capable of. I'll tear this world apart to keep you."

Swallowing hard, I whispered, "Who are you, Kai?"

His eyes darkened, the storm fully taking hold in their depths. "I am a force of nature, Haven. I am chaos, love, and pain. I am both your savior and your destroyer.” His gaze never wavered as he slowly traced the outline of my face, his fingers soft yet firm. "I'm the storm that rages within you, the fire that burns deep within your soul. I am the darkness that surrounds us, the fear that keeps us hidden, and the hope that keeps us alive. I am the silence that echoes in your heart, the secrets that linger on your lips, and the pain that your eyes hide. Haven, I am everything and nothing at the same time. I am the answer to your every need and the reason for your deepest fears.”

“And you,” I began softly, “are the only thing standing between my salvation and my destruction.”

“You are a part of me, and I will protect you with everything I have. I will burn the world for you.”

His words carried a sense of finality, leaving no room for argument. Despite the fear in me, I knew he was something to lean against, something violent, tragic, and unmoving. He offered me chaos, rebellion, and protection from the world I was trapped in.

At that moment, I felt the tug of submission, the desire to give in to his power and let him consume me. It was a strange and unfamiliar feeling, one I never thought possible. But there was no denying the truth in his words—he was a force to be reckoned with, a force that could either save me or destroy me.

As his lips met mine, it was like a bolt of lightning striking through my veins. I wrapped my hands around his neck, savoring how his lips felt on mine.

“Why don’t we bounce so I can take this dress off of you, piece by piece, and show you how much I want you,” he breathed against my lips.

“We can’t. My brother is up to something. You need to help Archer keep an eye on Mila.”

“There’s plenty of guards here. It’s nothing Archer and Theo can’t handle. Even your brother is not stupid enough to try something in front of the most important people in the city.”

“Kai, we have to avoid bringing attention to each other. At least until I can see a way through this.”

The words I wanted to say were on the tip of my tongue, but I couldn’t manage to articulate them. I wanted to tell him that Maddie was playing him, but then my brother would know I was playing both sides. I needed more time to find an exit plan, so I decided to keep certain things to myself—to protect Kai.

“What aren’t you telling me?” Kai asked, his eyes narrowing.

Apparently, my facial expressions gave me away. “After the speeches, my brother promised my services to one of Winston Grey’s friends from the club.”

“Absolutely not. That fat pig you were talking to is Gerald, the one from the night we met?”

I nodded, “Gerald Beckett.”

“I know that name. He’s one of Grey’s little accounting lackeys funneling money into his own pocket and trying to undercut every other businessman in the city. You’re not fucking him.”

“I have no choice.”

“You always have a choice,” he lamented.

“You still don’t get it, do you? If I don’t fuck him, my brother will have you killed tonight.”

“Let him fucking try.”

“Kai, you can’t intervene.”

“I can,” he replied flatly.

“Goddamn it. I can’t lose you. What don’t you understand? I’ve lost everything that matters to me. I can’t lose you too. You’re the only thing I have,” my chest heaved as truth poured out of me.

“Fuck,” Kai whispered, his eyes softening as he took my face into his hands. “I won’t let you lose me. I promise.”

He leaned in and kissed me again, harder this time, as if trying to imprint himself onto me.

“I need to get back out there before he comes looking for me.”

He nodded in agreement.

“Just wait a few minutes before you come out of here.”

I had never been one to show weakness, but my emotions were spilling out uncontrollably. I knew I couldn't let Kai see me like this. He was the only thing that had been able to penetrate my armor, the only thing that kept me grounded. I needed him more than I needed air.

Kai watched me, concern etched on his face. "Come here," he said, pulling me close to him. I let him hold me, needing the warmth of his body against mine. Forcing a smile, I looked up at him.

“I will find you after the event. Everything will work out, little lamb,” he tilted my chin up, searching my eyes. “It’s you and me, no one else matters. Don’t forget that.”