The Devil’s Chaos (The Brotherhood #2)

45. Forty-Five

45

FORTY-FIVE

KAI

M y father’s disrespect had me fuming the entire drive home. I felt like a hypocrite preaching to Archer about duty and responsibility when I would forsake it all for her. Haven sat silent, staring out the window, and I worried about what was going on in that mind of hers. As I pulled into the driveway, my anger had not abated. The tires screeched against the stone as I slammed on the brakes, stabbing my finger into the ignition button. I threw open the car door and stormed toward the house, my fists clenched at my sides. Haven trailed behind me. Her footsteps were soft and tentative. I burst through the front door, intent on having a conversation with Archer and Theo.

The house was quiet, but I heard muffled voices from the living room. I strode down the hallway, Haven’s gentle footfalls echoing behind me. As I rounded the corner, I saw Archer and Theo engaged in a heated discussion, their faces drawn in tension.

They both looked up as I entered, Archer’s eyes narrowing at the sight of my clenched jaw and tense shoulders. “What happened?” he asked, his voice cautious.

“My father summoned Haven and me.”

“Uh oh,” Theo sighed, looking over at Haven and then back at me.

“He had the audacity to question my commitment to The Brotherhood, to my responsibilities because of my relationship with Haven.”

“My father mentioned it when I saw him earlier too,” Archer mentioned nonchalantly. “Her ties to her family are of concern to our fathers, and admittedly, they were to me at first too. But that’s because I didn’t see the two of you together.”

“You’re saying you understand where they’re coming from?”

Archer held up his hands in a placating gesture. “No, that’s not what I’m saying at all. Just hear me out.” He glanced at Haven, who had moved to stand beside me, her hand resting gently on my arm. “When I saw the two of you together, I realized that your bond goes beyond mere infatuation or rebellion. There’s a depth there, a connection, like what Mila and I have.”

Theo nodded in agreement. “I’ve seen it too. They just need more time with her. Then they will see what we see.”

“We’re a team, a family. We stand together no matter what.”

“Yeah, fuck the patriarchy,” Mila’s voice sounded behind us as she walked into the room. She went to Archer, standing on her tip-toes to kiss him. “I love a little plotting before lunch.”

I felt Haven’s hand slip into mine, her touch soothed the rage that burned within me. I squeezed her fingers gently, grateful for her presence and the support of my brothers.

“Prepare for The Ceremony,” I stated. “It will show everyone, including our fathers, the strength of our bond. They’ll have no choice but to accept it.”

Theo and Mila voiced their agreement, their faces resolute.

Archer clapped a hand on my shoulder. “We’re with you every step of the way.”

Now, I needed to explain the specifics of The Ceremony and what would be expected of Haven. All I hoped was that she wouldn’t run away after she heard what I had to say.

On the eve of The Ceremony, I found her standing alone on the balcony in her room, her gaze distant as she stared out into the night. I wrapped my arms around her from behind, pulling her close.

“Having second thoughts?” I murmured, my lips brushing her ear.

She leaned back into my embrace, shaking her head. “No. I’m ready. I just hope it’s enough.”

I turned her in my arms, cupping her face in my hands. “It will be. The Ceremony is sacred. Binding. Once we complete it, no one can question our commitment to each other, not even our fathers.”

“The sooner we eliminate my brother and father, the better. Maybe then, they won’t consider me a threat to The Brotherhood.”

I brushed my thumb across her cheek. “The Ceremony will only solidify what we already know in our hearts. I’ll fight for you, for us, with every breath of my body. You’re my forever, Haven. I’d rather forsake everything—my title, my duty, even The Brotherhood itself—than lose you. Nothing and no one can change that.”

“Who knew you were such a romantic, Kai Montgomery?” Her eyes sparkled with mischief and adoration as she teased me. Her ability to bring levity, to see the man I was beneath my hardened exterior, was one of the many reasons I loved her so deeply.

“Only for you,” I replied. “But if you tell anyone, I’ll have to kill you.”

“Oh, is that so?” she smirked as her fingers toyed with the collar of my shirt. “I’d like to see you try. We both know I can kick your ass six ways from Sunday.”

I grinned. I loved the fire in her eyes and the bold confidence in her voice. “Is that a challenge, little lamb?”

“Damn straight it is.” She shoved playfully at my chest. “Think you’re man enough to take me on?”

In a flash, I had her pinned against the balcony railing, my body flush against hers. “Oh, I know I am,” I growled, dipping my head to nip at her neck.

She let out a breathless laugh that morphed into a moan as I found that sensitive spot just below her ear. Her fingers tangled in my hair as she tugged me closer. “Prove it then.”

“Careful what you wish for, sweet girl.”

Her fingers toyed with the hair at the nape of my neck, sending delicious shivers down my spine. “I think I can handle you, Kai Montgomery. In fact, I’m counting on it.”

I scooped her up into my arms, her surprised squeal music to my ears as I carried her back inside. Her laughter turned breathy as I laid her down on the plush bed and covered her body with mine.

"You're playing with fire, little lamb," I warned, my voice a low rumble against her throat. "You sure you're ready to get burned?"

Her hands slid under my shirt, nails raked lightly down my back. "I'm ready for anything when it comes to you. Burn me to ashes."

I groaned, capturing her mouth in a searing kiss that left us both gasping for air. My hands roamed her curves, committing every dip and swell to memory. If tonight was all we had before facing the unknown of tomorrow, I'd make damn sure it was a night she'd never forget.

Clothes were shed in a frantic rush, skin seeking skin as we lost ourselves in the heat of our passion. Every touch, every kiss was both a promise and a prayer—that our love could withstand any storm and overcome any obstacle.

As I moved over her, within her, the rest of the world fell away until there was only us, only this moment where we were one. Her cries of ecstasy were muffled against my shoulder as I drove us both to the edge of oblivion and over, shuddering in the wake of our shared release.

I gathered her close as our racing hearts gradually slowed, pressing reverent kisses to her damp brow, her closed eyelids, and the tip of her nose. She burrowed into my embrace with a contented sigh.

"I love you, Kai," she whispered. "No matter what happens tomorrow, never doubt that."

"I love you too, Haven. More than my own life. More than anything."

We lay entwined as the moonlight spilled across the bed, both reluctant to let sleep steal these last precious hours. But as much as I wanted to stay awake, holding her, the events of the day soon pulled me under.

I dreamed of a future where we were free—free of the weight of our family legacies, expectations, and the constant threat of war. A future where I could love her without fear, out in the open instead of in stolen moments behind closed doors.

It was a beautiful dream, one I clung to as dawn crept ever closer, heralding the arrival of a day that would change everything. The Ceremony awaited, and with it, the chance to claim the life we both so desperately desired.

Our forever.