The Devil’s Chaos (The Brotherhood #2)

49. Forty-Nine

49

FORTY-NINE

HAVEN

I t was the night of Archer and Mila’s rehearsal dinner, and I was introduced to Laurent, the live-in stylist for their household. I had caught glimpses of him around the manor and at previous events, but we had yet to have a proper conversation. He was a slender man with light brown hair, dressed impeccably in a periwinkle blue suit. His eyes were lined with subtle brown eyeliner, and his cheeks had a touch of rosy blush that gave him a youthful appearance. When he spoke, his voice had a hint of a French accent.

“Haven, this is Laurent. He's incredibly talented and certainly the sweetest stylist I've ever known. He'll turn you into Cinderella for the evening,” Mila beamed as she led me to her closet vanity. “I'm going to check on Archer now, so let Laurent work his magic.”

With a squeeze of my shoulders, Mila whisked away in her glimmering white dress, leaving me alone with Laurent. I looked into the mirror and noticed that he was studying me intently. He seemed lost in thought.

“It's lovely to meet you, Laurent.” I cleared my throat to break the silence.

He snapped out of his thoughts and smiled warmly at me. “The pleasure is mine, Miss Benson.” He circled around me, his keen eyes took in every detail. “Mila has told me so much about you,” he said while his fingers lightly grazed the red fabric of my dress. “She speaks very highly of your character and your beauty. I can see why.”

I felt a blush creep into my cheeks at his words. “That’s very kind of her to say.”

“Kindness has nothing to do with it,” Laurent replied as he met my gaze in the mirror. “It’s simply the truth.” He paused while he tilted his head slightly. “Now, let’s see what we can do to enhance your natural radiance.”

With deft hands, he began to work, applying a light foundation and dusting my cheeks with a soft, rosy power. He chose a shimmering eyeshadow that made my eyes sparkle and a lipstick that perfectly complemented my skin tone.

The soft bristles of the brushes tickled my skin, and the scent of the powders and creams filled the air. As he worked, Laurent hummed a melodic tune, seemingly lost in his own world of artistry.

As he worked, we fell into a comfortable conversation and discussed the upcoming nuptials and the excitement surrounding it.

“Mila and Archer are so in love,” I remarked while I watched as Laurent finished curling my hair.

“Indeed they are,” he agreed while he stepped back to admire his handiwork. “Voilà! You, my dove, are a vision.”

I turned to look at myself in the mirror and gasped. The woman who stared back at me was stunning, her features enhanced by his skillful touch. My eyes were adorned with shimmering shades of gold and bronze, making them appear larger and more alluring. My cheeks were dusted with a soft peach blush which gave me a healthy, radiant glow. And my lips, painted in a deep, rich red, looked full and inviting.

When I moved, both my skin and dress sparkled in the light. I hardly recognized myself.

“Wow. Thank you, Laurent.” I breathed as I stood to face him.

He bowed his head graciously. “It is my pleasure, Miss Benson. You wear it well. Kai won’t be able to keep his hands off of you.” His eyes lingered on me for a moment before he turned to tidy up the vanity.

Mila burst into the room as if on cue, her eyes widened when she saw me. “Oh, Haven! You look absolutely stunning!” She rushed over to me and clasped my hands in hers. “Laurent, you’ve outdone yourself.”

Laurent chuckled softly, “I merely enhanced what was already there, my dear Mila. Much like I did with you.”

“I don't know how to thank you,” I whispered, my voice barely audible over my heartbeat.

Laurent chuckled, a low, melodic sound that resonated throughout my entire being. “Your smile is thanks enough, my dove.”

Mila turned to me, her eyes sparkled with excitement. “Are you ready? The guests are arriving, and Archer and Kai are waiting for us downstairs.”

I took a deep breath and nodded. “I’m ready.”

As we made our way down the grand staircase, my stomach fluttered when I caught sight of Kai laughing with Archer and Theo. As I stood at the bottom of the stairs, his eyes locked on mine. He looked dashing in his tailored black suit, his dark hair perfectly styled. His lips curved into a smile, making my heart beat wildly. Would this man ever not have this effect on me?

Kai extended his hand to me. “You look…breathtaking,” he whispered, his voice filled with awe.

I placed my hand in his, “Thank you.” I suddenly felt shy under his intense gaze.

“Don’t do that,” he whispered in my ear.

“Do what?” I asked, confused.

“I won’t have the most beautiful woman in this room look away shyly. You are my goddess. Embrace it.”

Warmth spread through my body at his words.

I felt my cheeks flush at Kai's words. His hand tightened around mine as he led me into the gardens behind the manor. The space was transformed, adorned with shimmering lights, elegant floral arrangements, and opulent decorations. The air buzzed with excitement as guests mingled, their laughter and chatter filling the air.

Kai's eyes never left me as we walked through the crowd. His gaze was filled with adoration and possessiveness. He wanted to let everyone know I was his. We sat down at the table next to the head table, where Archer, Mila, Cassian and Evelyn King, and another male and female who looked a lot like Archer and his parents. Did he have siblings? Because that gene pool was strong. I would have to ask him later.

There was a clinking sound as the unknown male at Archer’s table stood up, tapping his champagne flute with a fork to get everyone’s attention. The chatter died down as all eyes turned to him. He had the same chiseled features and dark hair as Archer but had gray eyes instead of green.

“Good evening, everyone,” he began, his voice deep and commanding, much like Archer’s. “For those of you who don’t know me, I’m Atlas King, Archer’s older brother. It’s my pleasure to be here tonight to celebrate the love between my brother and his beautiful bride-to-be, Mila.”

Atlas raised his glass toward the couple, an ornery smile played on his lips. “Archer, I've watched you grow from a mischievous boy into the remarkable man you are today. Your strength, loyalty, and kindness never cease to amaze me. And Mila, you are the perfect match for him. Your grace, intelligence, and unwavering love have brought out the best in my brother. I know that together, you two will build a life filled with happiness and adventure."

He paused, his eyes swept over the crowd. “Archer, Mila, your love story is one for the ages. The way you two look at each other, the way you support and cherish one another—it’s truly inspiring. I will admit I didn’t expect that my baby brother would be married before me, but here we are. I love you, little brother, and I can’t wait to be a part of your wedding and watch the two of you grow as husband and wife. To Archer and Mila, may your love continue to flourish and inspire us all. Cheers!”

The guests raised their glasses, echoing the sentiment. I took a sip of my champagne, the bubbles dancing on my tongue. Kai's hand found mine under the table, and he gave it a gentle squeeze. I turned to him as my heart swelled with emotion.

As Atlas took his seat, I leaned in close to Kai, my breath tickled his ear. "I didn't know Archer had a brother," I whispered. "But I can see the family resemblance."

He nodded, his lips curled into a smirk. “Ah, the devil of New York City. He’s quite the character. He’s been away on business for a while but always makes a grand entrance when he returns. Archer looks up to him a lot. He’s got a sister, too,” he nodded in the direction of the dark-haired woman next to Mila and Evelyn. Her eyes were gray, the same shade as Cassian’s, but she had her mother’s features. “They are twins.”

I glanced over at Atlas, who was now engaged in a lively conversation with Cassian. They both threw their heads back in laughter at something Atlas said. “They seem close,” I remarked as I took another sip of my champagne.

“They are,” Kai confirmed, his thumb traced circles on the back of my hand.

Archer’s sister stood, and a radiant smile graced her face as she addressed the gathering. “Good evening, everyone. I’m Aurora King, Atlas’s twin sister. I want to echo my brother’s sentiments and express how thrilled I am to be here celebrating the love between Archer and Mila.”

She turned to face the couple, her gray eyes shining with emotion. “Archer, my sweet baby brother, I've watched you grow from a scrawny little thing trailing after Atlas and me, desperate to keep up, into the incredible man you are today. Your heart is so full of love and compassion, and I couldn't be prouder of the person you've become. I’ve been by your side since the day you were born. I’ve witnessed your triumphs, your challenges, and now, your greatest joy—finding your soulmate in Mila. Your love is a testament to the power of true companionship and the beauty of two hearts intertwined.”

Aurora’s gaze shifted to Mila, her smile widened. “Mila, from the moment you entered our lives, I knew you were special. Your kindness, strength, and unwavering devotion to my brother have been a blessing to our family. I’m honored to call you my sister and my friend.”

She raised her glass, her voice filled with warmth. “To Archer and Mila, may your love continue to grow stronger with each passing day. May you find comfort in each other’s arms, laughter in each other’s company, and an unbreakable bond that will withstand the test of time. Cheers to the happy couple!”

The guests raised their glasses again, and the sound of clinking crystal filled the air. Kai’s hand tightened around mine, and I turned to meet his gaze. His eyes were filled with intensity, and my breath caught in my throat. Cassian and Evelyn stood to give their own toast, but I couldn’t hear anything while I lost myself in his eyes.

“You know,” his voice was low and intimate, “I can’t help but imagine our own rehearsal dinner someday. You, looking even more stunning than you do tonight, and me, the luckiest man in the world to have you by my side.”

A blush crept up my neck. “Kai,” I whispered while I struggled to control my heart fluttering. “You can’t say things like that.”

He chuckled softly, his thumb traced circles on the back of my hand. “And why not? It’s the truth, Haven. One day, you will be sitting there next to me as our friends and family say nice things about us. And all I’ll be thinking is how I can’t wait to rip your dress off of you and have you panting and screaming my name to the heavens.”

My breath hitched in my throat as warm desire pooled in my core. His smothering gaze held mine, and his thumb now traced tantalizing circles on my sensitive flesh.

“Kai,” I breathed.

His lips curved into a devilish smirk. “What, little lamb? Are you wet between those perfect legs of yours at the thought of my tongue worshiping your perfect pussy? Because the thought of you, flushed and wanting, has me so fucking hard.”

I squirmed in my seat, hoping to soothe the growing ache between my thighs. He chuckled darkly, clearly enjoying the effect he had on me.

Applause erupted around us as Cassian and Evelyn finished their toast which broke the spell Kai had woven. I blinked and remembered where we were. Kai squeezed my hand one last time before he released it to join in with the clapping.

Mila and Archer mingled with their guests, their love for each other evident in every glance and touch. Laurent was also present, charming the attendees with his wit and impeccable style.

Throughout the evening, Kai remained by my side, his hand never left the small of my back. We danced, laughed, and savored each delectable bite of the exquisite cuisine. The rest of the evening passed in a blur of laughter, dancing, and stolen glances with Kai. Every time our eyes met across the room, heat flared within me. As the night drew to a close, Kai pulled into a secluded corner of the gardens. The twinkling lights cast a soft glow over his handsome features.

“I’ve been wanting to do this all night.”

Slowly, he leaned in, his lips brushed against mine in a feather-light kiss. I melted into his touch, my hands rested on his chest. Our kiss deepened, and I lost myself in the sensation of his lips moving against mine as his tongue teased the seam of my lips.

“You have no idea what you do to me,” he whispered.

I smiled while my fingers played with the hair at the nape of his neck. “I think I have some idea.”

The sound of raised voices broke the spell we were under again, as we turned to find the source. Theo was engaged in a heated conversation with a man and woman who bore a similar appearance to each other near the bar. The man was arguing with Theo, and the woman stood between them, trying to keep their interaction peaceful. There was something familiar about her, but I couldn’t pinpoint where I might recognize her from.

Kai frowned as he observed the commotion. “That’s Gage, our live-in doctor. And that girl in between them…I’ve seen her with Theo before, but he’s been very evasive about her.”

I watched as Theo’s face contorted in anger, and his hands were balled into fists at his sides. Gage’s expression was equally hostile, while the mystery girl’s eyes were wide with concern. It looked like she was trying to talk the both of them down. She placed her hands on each of their chests, pushing them apart. She spoke to them in a low, urgent tone, her words inaudible from where we stood.

“Should we do something?” I asked.

Kai sighed, “Yeah. I’ll go over there and try to distract them before someone gets murdered.”

As Kai approached the trio, I followed close behind, my curiosity piqued by the tense situation that unfolded before us. Theo's gaze snapped to Kai as we drew near, his eyes flashing with a mix of anger and frustration.

“Kai,” Theo greeted through gritted teeth.

Kai raised an eyebrow, his demeanor calm and collected. “Just wanted to make sure everything was alright over here. It's Archer and Mila's big night, after all.”

The mystery girl turned to face us, her gray eyes widened with surprise. Up close, I could see she was strikingly beautiful, with delicate features and long, dark hair that cascaded down her back in loose waves. She wore a fitted gold dress that hugged her curves in all the right places.

“I apologize for the commotion. Just a little misunderstanding,” she shrugged and gave both of us an apologetic smile.

Gage scoffed, his eyes never leaving Theo's face. “Misunderstanding? Is that what we're calling it now, Wrenly?”

Wrenly. The name suited her. She placed a gentle hand on Gage's arm, her touch seeming to calm him slightly. “Gage, please. Let's not do this here.”

Gage's jaw clenched as he watched the exchange, his blue eyes icy. “Right, because I should be thanking you for soiling my sister with your diseased dick?”

“Soiling?” Theo scoffed. “I think the word you’re looking for is fucking. I have been fucking your sister.”

Wrenly’s eyes flashed with anger. She whirled around to face him, her hand striking his cheek with a resounding slap. The sound seemed to echo in the suddenly quiet corner of the bar.

“Jesus, Theo. What the fuck,” she hissed, her voice shaking with emotion. “I am not some object for you to degrade and humiliate.”

Theo’s head snapped to the side from the force of her slap. He slowly turned back to face her, his eyes dark and stormy. A red handprint bloomed on his cheek, but I swear he smiled at her.

“Don’t smile at me like that, you sick fuck,” Wrenly sneered.

Gage lunged forward, his fist raised, ready to strike Theo. But Kai swiftly intervened and stepped between the two men, catching Gage's wrist in a firm grip.

“Enough,” Kai commanded, his voice low and authoritative. “This ends now. This is neither the time nor the place for this conversation. We are guests at Archer and Mila's rehearsal dinner. Show some respect.”

Gage wrenched his arm free from Kai's grasp, his chest heaved with a barely suppressed rage. “This is far from over,” he spat as he glared daggers at Theo.

Theo met his gaze unflinchingly, a muscle ticked in his clenched jaw. “Anytime, anywhere,” he retorted while his tone dripped with venom.

Gage looked like he wanted to argue, but a stern glance from his sister made him clamp his mouth shut. With a final glare at Theo, he turned on his heel and stalked into the crowd.

Wrenly sighed heavily while her shoulders sagged. She turned to face Theo, her expression a mix of exasperation and apology. “I’m sorry about this,” Wrenly said softly to Theo, her voice tinged with regret. “I didn’t mean for things to escalate like this. Gage is just…overprotective.”

Theo’s gaze softened slightly as he looked at her, but the tension in his jaw remained. “Your brother needs to learn to mind his own business.”

Wrenly bit her lower lip, her eyes searching Theo’s face. “Can we talk about this later? In private?”

Theo hesitated for a moment before giving a curt nod. “Fine.”

Wrenly gave him a small, grateful smile before she turned to me and Kai. “I apologize again for the disturbance. Please, enjoy the rest of your evening.” With a final glance at Theo, she disappeared into the crowd.

Kai let out a low whistle. “Gage’s sister? Damn, Theo. You sure know how to pick them.”

Theo scowled as he ran a hand through his hair in frustration. “Fuck off, Kai.”

I placed a gentle hand on Theo's arm, concern etched on my face. “Are you okay?”

He sighed, and his shoulders slumped. “I will be. I need a minute.”

Kai nodded with a serious expression on his face. “Take all the time you need. We'll cover for you if anyone asks.”

Theo gave a grateful nod before he strode off, presumably to find some solitude.

I turned to Kai with furrowed brows. “That was intense. I had no idea Theo was involved with Gage's sister.”

Kai shook his head, a wry smile on his lips. “Neither did I. Theo's always been tight-lipped about his personal life. But it seems like this Wrenly girl means more to him than he lets on.”

I glanced in the direction Theo had disappeared. “I hope they can work things out. It's clear there are strong feelings involved.”

Kai pulled me close while he pressed a kiss to my temple. I was about to ask him to dance with me when a loud boom sounded near the gardens. The sound of the explosion ripped through the air, shaking the ground beneath our feet and shattering the peaceful atmosphere of the rehearsal dinner. Screams of terror erupted as guests ducked for cover, confusion and fear etched on their faces. Kai’s grip tightened around me as he pulled me closer and his eyes scanned the area.

Thick, black smoke billowed from the gardens which obscured the twinkling lights and elegant decorations. The acrid smell of burning filled my nostrils, made me cough, and made my eyes water. People ran in all directions, some sought shelter inside the manor while others rushed toward the source of the explosion to investigate. Another explosion followed the first, this time closer to us—so close that we were thrown back into the bar. Shards of glass and debris rained down on us as we hit the ground. Kai shielded my body with his own, and I immediately felt his heart pounding against my back. My ears rang from the deafening blast, and my vision swam as I tried to make sense of the chaos that unfolded around us.

“Stay down,” he ordered, his voice strained but firm. He cautiously peered over the edge of the bar and assessed the situation.

I clutched his arm, my fingers dug into his suit jacket. “What’s happening?” I choked out.

“I don’t know,” he admitted grimly.

I looked past his arm. Archer was shielding Mila with his body, and Atlas and Aurora ushered people inside the manor, their faces set in grim determination. Cassian and Evelyn were nowhere to be seen.

Kai helped me to my feet but kept a firm grip on my hand. It was then that loud pops of gunfire erupted around us. Bullets whizzed overhead as Kai dragged me behind a thick marble column and pressed me against the cold stone. His body covered mine to protect me from the hail of gunfire around us. More bullets ricocheted off the stone walls of the manor which, sent chunks of masonry flying in all directions. I could hear the sickening sound of bullets finding their targets, followed by cries of pain and anguish.

His body tensed, his eyes were hard and focused, and the muscles in his jaw were clenched tightly.

“We need to get inside,” he growled, his voice barely audible over the chaos. “It's not safe out here.”

I nodded as my heart hammered against my ribs. Kai kept his body between me and the direction of the gunfire. We crouched low and moved as quickly as possible towards the manor's back door.

All around us, people ran and screamed, some dragging injured loved ones to safety. I saw Archer carrying Mila, her white dress stained with blood. Whether it was hers or someone else's, I couldn't tell.

As we neared the door, a figure emerged from the billowed smoke. It was Theo, his face smeared with blood and soot, and his eyes wild with panic.

“Wrenly!” he shouted desperately over the din of gunfire and screams. “Has anyone seen Wrenly?”

My heart clenched at the terror in his voice. Amid the chaos, I had forgotten about Theo and Wrenly’s heated exchange just moments before. The thought of either of them being caught in the crossfire filled me with dread.

Kai grabbed his arm, trying to pull him inside. “Theo, we need to get to safety. She's probably already inside.”

But Theo wrenched his arm free and shook his head vehemently. “No, I have to find her. She was heading back toward the gardens when the explosions hit.”

Before we could stop him, Theo ran back into the fray, dodged bullets and leapt over debris. Kai cursed under his breath, torn between going after his friend and getting me to safety.

“Kai, we have to help him,” I pleaded while my voice trembled.

He hesitated for a moment before he nodded, his jaw set with determination. “Stay close to me,” he ordered as he took my hand and led me back into the chaos.

We weaved through the panicked crowd, our eyes scanned for any sign of Theo or Wrenly. The air was thick with smoke and the metallic scent of blood. Gunfire continued to echo around us, accompanied by the wail of terrified guests.

Finally, we spotted them near the edge of the gardens. Wrenly was on the ground, her gold dress torn and stained with dirt and blood. Theo knelt beside her, his hands pressed against her abdomen. Even from a distance, I could see the dark red blood seeping between his fingers. Near them was the body of a man wearing Kevlar, dead from a gunshot wound to his head.

I recognized that armor.

“No, no, no,” Theo muttered, his voice cracked with desperation. “Stay with me, Wrenly. You're going to be okay.”

We rushed over to them and dropped to our knees beside Wrenly's weak body. Her face was pale, her breathing shallow and labored. Theo's hands were slick with her blood as he tried to stem the flow from the bullet wound in her stomach.

“What happened?” Kai demanded, his voice tight and concerned.

“She was shot,” Theo choked out, his voice raw with emotion. “She pushed me out of the way when the gunman aimed at me. She took the bullet meant for me.”

Tears streamed down his face as he cradled her head in his lap, pleading with her to stay with him. I swallowed hard to fight back my own tears as I assessed her wound. The bullet had struck her in the stomach, and she was losing blood fast.

Kai quickly shed his suit jacket to ball it up and pressed it against the wound. “We need to get her inside now,” he said urgently. “She needs medical attention.”

Theo nodded, his eyes never left Wrenly’s face. He scooped her up into his arms and cradled her against his chest as he rose to his feet. We flanked him on either side, Kai and I both scanned the area for any further threats as we made our way back to the manor.

Inside, the scene was one of controlled chaos. Those with medical training tended to the injured while the guards secured the building. We found Gage in the main hall, his hands and forearms covered in blood as he triaged the wounded.

When he saw Theo carrying Wrenly's limp form, his face drained of all color. He rushed over, “Wrenly! Oh god! What happened? What did you do?”

Theo’s voice was strained as he gently laid her down on a nearby sofa. “She was shot. In the stomach. She…she took a bullet for me.”

Gage immediately went into doctor mode and pushed aside his personal anguish to focus on saving his sister’s life. He barked orders at nearby staff to bring medical supplies as he quickly assessed her condition.

I stood back, my heart in my throat, as I watched Gage and Theo work frantically to stop the bleeding. Kai’s arm was tight around my waist, anchoring me as the severity of the situation crashed over me in waves.

Across the room, I caught sight of Archer and Mila. They were both disheveled and bloodstained but thankfully appeared unharmed. Archer held Mila close, his eyes scanned the room as if daring any further threats to emerge. Atlas and Aurora were nearby and spoke in low, urgent tones with the head of security.

The manor was a hive of activity as more injured were brought in and treated. Gage remained focused on Wrenly, his brow furrowed in concentration as he worked to extract the bullet and repair the damage. Theo never left her side, his hand clutched hers like a lifeline.

The sound of gunfire had ceased outside, but the manor was still in a state of terrified confusion. Archer and Mila made their way to us.

“Are you both alright?” Mila asked. Her voice trembled as she looked us both over.

“We’re okay,” Kai assured her.

“Oh my god. This is a nightmare. Who would do something like this? On our rehearsal dinner of all nights?”

Archer’s jaw clenched as he surveyed the chaotic scene. “I don’t know. But I intend to find out. This was a targeted attack. Those men were heavily armed and trained.”

A cold chill ran down my spine at his words. He was right. This wasn’t some random act of violence. Someone had planned this, had wanted to hurt the Kings and their loved ones. And I knew exactly who it was.