The Devil’s Chaos (The Brotherhood #2)

33. Thirty-Three

33

THIRTY-THREE

HAVEN

F ucking Kai Montgomery.

I had spent the last two weeks ignoring his phone calls to almost becoming a fucking puddle on the floor in front of him. Something about being in his presence caused me to lose all my resolve. As long as we stayed apart, I could stay strong. Seeing him in my apartment, watching me so intensely, had me clenching my thighs in protest.

For once, I was thankful for my brother’s interruption.

After parking in the staff parking spot, I went to the staff entrance and went inside. The club was already bustling as the staff prepared for another night of debauchery. I descended to the basement where my brother’s suite was located. The scent of tobacco lingered in the air as I pushed open the heavy door, revealing my brother lounging on his bed with a cigarette hanging from his lips and a sly grin on his face.

My eyes immediately fell upon the figure tied up next to him—Mila, her bloodshot eyes assessing me with fear and disbelief. It was clear that Alex had not yet begun to torment her. This was the first time I had seen her up close, but I didn't think she recognized me, judging by the terrified expression on her face.

“Ah, baby sister. Right on time,” Alex greeted me as he sat up, stubbing out the cigarette in a crystal ashtray on the nightstand beside his bed. “This is Mila. Mila, this is my sister, Haven. Come on, sit. Let’s chat for a while.”

I glanced at Mila, maintaining a cold and emotionless expression. Archer would be relieved to know she was alive and seemingly unharmed…for now.

“Alex, I don’t have time to deal with your theatrics and your playthings. I have to get to work,” I stated firmly.

In an instant, Alex abruptly stood and grabbed onto my throat tightly with his fingers. He shoved me onto the bed next to Mila. “I said sit, Haven.”

The pressure on my windpipe made it difficult to breathe as he glared down at me with dark amusement in his eyes. I gasped for air, my hands gripping his wrist in a futile attempt to loosen his hold. Alex’s eyes bore into mine, a twisted smile playing on his lips as he watched me struggle. After a few agonizing seconds, he released his grip, allowing me to take a shuddering breath.

“That’s better,” he purred. “Mila will be staying with me for a while, and I think it’d be nice for you to show her how to suck a dick properly.”

I rubbed my throat, shooting him a venomous glare. “Isn’t that what Maddie is for?”

“Yes. But Maddie’s not here, now is she?” He reached out to stroke my cheek, but I flinched away from his touch.

Mila whimpered softly beside me, her wide eyes darting between us. I could see the fear and confusion etched on her face. She had no idea what kind of monster my brother truly was. But she would soon find out the longer she was his prisoner.

“If I’m late to the club, you know Dad will find out about it, and he won’t be happy if his friends aren’t happy.”

Alex clicked his tongue at me in annoyance as he stopped unzipping his pants. “We don’t want to anger Daddy. Rain check, then.”

He zipped back up and went to his desk. I chanced a glance at Mila, hoping she saw the reassurance in my eyes, but I stood before I could confirm her understanding. Alex rummaged through his desk drawer, pulling out a small baggie of cocaine. He tapped some onto the glass surface, using a razor blade to cut it into thin lines. With a rolled up hundred dollar bill, he snorted two lines in quick succession, tilting his head back with a satisfied groan.

“You sure you don’t want a hit before you go, sis?” he asked, holding out the bill to me.

I shook my head, my lips pressed into a tight line. “You know I don’t touch that shit.”

Alex shrugged, tucking the bill into his pocket. “Suit yourself. More for me and Mila here.” He turned his attention to her. “We’re going to have so much fun together, aren’t we sweetheart?”

Mila let out a choked sob, her body curling in on itself as if trying to make herself as small as possible. I felt a pang of sympathy for her, but I knew I could do nothing right now. Not yet, at least.

“The auction is fast approaching, baby sister. I want you to make sure you and the girls are ready. I expect all my patrons to be happy and satisfied while they bid. I don’t want any fuck-ups this time, and that includes the disappearance of my highest-paying customers, like Gerald Beckett.”

My mouth went dry.

He knew I had something to do with Gerald’s unfortunate demise…or disappearance.

I swallowed hard, trying to keep my expression neutral. “I don’t know what you're talking about, Alex. I had nothing to do with Gerald’s disappearance.”

Alex’s eyes narrowed as he studied me. “Don’t play dumb with me, Haven. I know you were the last one to see him that night. And now he’s gone, along with a significant amount of money he owed me.”

I held his stare, refusing to back down. “I did what was asked of me, just like always. What happened to him after he left the venue is not my concern or responsibility.”

Alex slammed his fists on the desk, making both Mila and me flinch. “Ever since you decided to fuck one of those Brotherhood fucks, things have gone to shit. If I were our father, you’d be pig food, but I’ve always been merciful. Just know, if you’re playing both sides, I will find out, and when I’m done with you, you’ll be begging for death. Do you understand me?”

I clenched my jaw, biting back the retort that burned on my tongue. Arguing with Alex when he was like this was futile and would only make things worse for me.

“I understand, brother,” I said through gritted teeth. “My place is here.”

His lips curled into a smirk. “Good. Because if it isn’t, I won’t hesitate to remind you of your place and trust me, that’s the last thing you want.”

The unspoken threat hung heavy in the air between us. I knew all too well what Alex was capable of.

“Oh, and why don’t you wear that little red dress you know I like? Understand?” he said, dangling a black bag before me.

“Understood.” I quickly grabbed it and left, knowing precisely what would happen if I didn’t comply.

Kai and Archer were waiting for me when I made it home after work, standing right out in the open outside my door. “What are you guys doing here?” I hissed as I hurried toward them.

“I called you,” Kai replied.

“You can’t be here right now,” I panicked, frantically unlocking my door.

“We need to talk,” Archer stated.

“Alex is on his way up right now,” I explained, pushing them inside my apartment and locking the door behind us. I ushered them into my bedroom, looking for the best hiding place. They couldn’t return the way they came because they’d run into him on the way down. That only left one option: my walk-in closet. “Stay in here and keep quiet. Whatever thoughts you have in your head, forget about it. If you try anything, Mila is as good as dead. Don’t come out, no matter what you see or hear. Got it?”

“Got it,” Archer agreed.

I was more concerned about Kai and shot him a worried glance, hoping he chose this moment to follow instructions. After a long stare-down, he finally conceded.

“Fine. I got it.”

I closed the door and stepped out of my bedroom just as my brother knocked. I opened the door to see him leaning against my door frame, holding a bottle of vodka that was almost empty.

He was trashed.

“Hi, sis,” he slurred, pushing himself inside and shoving me against the wall as he kissed my neck. “You smell so good. Why don’t we go into the bedroom, and you make me feel good?”

“I’m tired, Alex. Just take the money and go,” I protested his advances, shoving him off of me.

My actions sent him over the edge.

He slammed me against the wall, knocking a picture frame off, where it crashed loudly onto the hardwood floors, shattering into pieces. Then, his hand was around my throat, and he was dragging me toward my bedroom. He held me down on my bed, both hands circling my neck as he choked me. My vision started to blur as Alex’s grip tightened, cutting off my air supply.

“When I tell you to do something, you do it,” he screamed, his face inches from mine. “I own you. Or have I not made that clear enough yet? Perhaps this time, I should kidnap your little boy toy and make you watch as I carve pieces out of him?”

“Alex, pl—please stop. I can’t breathe.” I clawed at his hands, desperate for a breath, but he was relentless.

Black spots danced in my vision. I was on the verge of passing out when suddenly, the pressure on my throat vanished. I gasped, rolling to my side, and gulped in lungfuls of precious air.

Alex sat on the bed beside me and tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear—his attempt at comforting me after his outburst. “I don’t know why you always test me, baby. You know I have a temper, and you always push me. You know I love you so much, and sometimes it just makes me so crazy.”

I met his gaze. My chest heaved with exertion, and I struggled to hold back the tears swimming in my eyes. I hated letting him see my weakness.

“Do you have anything to say to me?” he asked.

“I’m sorry,” I forced out.

“That’s my good girl,” he cooed. He dug his fingers into my cheeks and pulled my face to his, forcing me to kiss him. Standing up, he unbuttoned his pants and pulled out his dick. “Now, get on your knees and apologize like you mean it.”

I wanted to fight; believe me, I did. But if I did, he might actually kill me in his drunken stupor. If I just did what he wanted, he would go, and they would see the hell I was living in. Maybe then, Archer would understand why I was willing to risk my life to save his bride and atone for the sins of my bloodline. Maybe this is what it would take to be free finally.

Slowly sliding off the bed, I kneeled in front of him and wrapped my hands around his erection. I took him into my mouth, fighting back the urge to gag. His fingers tangled in my hair, yanking painfully as he thrust into my throat. I tried to block it out, to go somewhere else in my mind, but the brutality of it kept me tethered to the present.

“That’s it, just like that,” Alex groaned, his head falling back in pleasure. “You’ve always been so good at this, Haven. Such a perfect little slut for your big brother.”

In the corner of my vision, I saw the closet door open and made eye contact with Kai, who, if not stopped, was about to make this situation a lot worse. I hoped the look on my face was enough to warn him not to do anything stupid. I shook my head once, and god help me, the look of resignation before Archer pulled him back inside broke me. I could only imagine how he felt being forced to watch me reduced to such a low level, and I wouldn’t let him save me.

Once the closet door was closed, I squeezed my eyes shut, hot tears streaming down my cheeks. I wanted it to be over, for him to finish and leave, so I hollowed my cheeks and swirled my tongue around his shaft.

“That’s it, you filthy whore. Wrap those lips around my dick and make me come.”

Alex’s thrusts became more erratic, his grip on my hair bordering on excruciating. With a guttural moan, he spilled himself down my throat, “Swallow my cum, Haven.” He held me in place until I swallowed every drop.

Only then did he release me, shoving me away like a used toy. I stayed on my knees, coughing and sputtering, bile rising in my throat. Alex tucked himself back into his pants, looking down at me with satisfaction. I cast my eyes down, refusing to look at him.

“Clean yourself up. You look pathetic,” he sneered. “I’ll see you in a couple of days, baby sister. Thank you for being my favorite fuck toy.”

I nodded mutely, not trusting myself to speak. Alex leaned down and planted a sloppy kiss on my forehead before stumbling out of the bedroom. A moment later, I heard the front door slam shut.

I remained kneeling on the floor, my body trembling uncontrollably as silent sobs wracked my frame. Humiliation and shame burned through me. The closet door creaked open, and I heard cautious footsteps approaching. I couldn’t bring myself to look up to see the pity or disgust in their eyes.

“Haven…” Kai’s voice was hoarse, laced with pain and fury. He knelt beside me, his hand hovering with uncertainty, and I knew he was afraid to touch me.

I flinched away from him. “Don’t,” I croaked out. My voice was raw and broken. “Please, just don’t.”

He retracted his hand, and the sight of his anguish only intensified my guilt and self-loathing.

I didn’t want his apologies or his sympathy. I didn’t deserve it. I was tainted—a broken shell of a person who had long since lost any semblance of dignity or self-worth. I wanted to scream, to unleash the anguish that had built up inside me over the years…but I couldn't find my voice.

Without another word, I stood, rushed toward my bathroom, and slammed the door shut. I needed space from Kai because I knew he would try to comfort me, and then I would crumble, and there wasn’t time for that. Not while Mila was locked in my brother’s room.

I locked the bathroom door behind me and turned on the shower, cranking the water as hot as it would go. Steam filled the room as I stripped off my clothes with shaking hands, letting them fall to the marble floor in a heap. I stepped under the scalding spray, welcoming the searing pain on my skin. It was a reminder that I could still feel something other than the numbing emptiness that threatened to consume me as I washed away the filth and degradation. I could still taste him in my mouth. I gagged, doubling over as dry heaves wracked my body. Tears mingled with the cascading water, and I let out a silent scream, pounding my fists against the tiled wall.

After my shower, I opened my bathroom door and was relieved to see Kai was no longer there. I dressed, wearing a loose black t-shirt and matching shorts, and took a deep breath, steeling myself before opening my bedroom door. I couldn’t hide forever, no matter how much I wanted to.

Kai and Archer were sitting in the living room, and I took a spot at the opposite end of the couch from Kai and wrapped myself in my dark gray couch blanket. The silence stretched between us. It was thick and suffocating. I kept my eyes fixed on my hands as I picked at loose strings on the blanket.

“I changed my mind.”

I felt Archer shift in his chair. He was afraid that I’d changed my mind about helping him get Mila back.

But he was dead wrong.

“I don’t want to watch you burn him alive,” I looked up at him, fire in my eyes. “I want to hold the goddamn match.”