The Devil’s Chaos (The Brotherhood #2)

54. Fifty-Four

HAVEN

C alm.

Peace.

That’s what I felt.

I watched my fake brother burn alive. The fire consumed Alex’s body until nothing remained but charred bones and ash. I watched, mesmerized, as the last remnants of my past turned to dust before my eyes. A cool breeze ruffled my hair, carrying away the acrid smoke. I breathed deeply to fill my lungs with the crisp night air.

I turned away from the smoldering remains, a sense of finality settled over me.

It was done.

I was free.

Free from the torment, the abuse, the constant fear that plagued me for as long as I could remember.

I had taken back control of my life, and nothing would stop me now.

His death brought me a sense of calm I had never felt. He was the biggest tormenter in my life. While I knew my fake father was still out there, Alex’s death was a massive blow to his operation. Theo had kept tabs on him, and so far, he was busy rebuilding—seemingly more concerned about the loss of revenue than the death of his only son.

There was a code amongst The Brotherhood—unlike The Collectors—and Kai promised me that if he made a move against us, we would end him. I would be lying to say it didn’t hurt me that I was stolen from my real parents as some fucked-up way to get revenge against Cassian King for turning Abel Benson’s business proposal down all those years ago.

Because it did.

All this lost time.

All the pain and suffering I experienced.

All because of revenge.

But now, he couldn’t touch me. He had no one to keep me in line for him now.

I was safe.

Safe.

The word felt foreign on my tongue. I had never truly known what it meant to feel safe, not with the constant threat of violence and abuse that hung over my head. But now, with Alex gone and The Brotherhood in my corner, I could finally begin to heal.

And right now, that meant sitting at a table in the back of the manor with my family—Kai, Archer, Mila, Cassian, Evelyn, Atlas, Aurora, Gage, Theo, and a sore but alive Wrenly.

Kai sat to my left, his hand resting on my thigh. Archer, my twin, and Mila were across from us, their eyes glued to each other. Cassian and Evelyn, my real parents, looked at me with a love I had never known before. Atlas and Aurora, my older siblings, laughed at something one of them had said. Gage is slowly warming up to the idea of Theo with his baby sister. And Theo whispered something in Wrenly’s ear that had her blushing.

Archer stood up and pulled Mila up with him as he clicked his fork against his champagne glass to get everyone’s attention. “We have an announcement to make,” he declared as a broad smile crossed his face. Mila beamed up at him, her eyes shone with adoration. “Mila and I are expecting!”

The table erupted into cheers and congratulations. I leapt to my feet and rushed over to embrace my twin and his fiancée. Tears of joy pricked at my eyes as I held them close, overwhelmed with the sheer happiness that radiated from them. As I pulled back, I caught Kai’s gaze. He grinned ear to ear, but there was another look there. One that you might miss if you weren’t looking for it.

“What’s that look on your face?” I asked him as I returned to my seat.

As I leaned in close, he whispered, “I guess I’ll have to work harder now.”

I looked at him, confused. “What do you mean?”

“I promised to fill you with babies.”

My cheeks flushed at his words—the thought of starting a family with him sent goosebumps through my body.

“We have all the time in the world.”

“Maybe. But I don’t like to lose.”

“Lose?”

“To Archer. We made a bet on whose swimmers would win first.”

“You made a bet on your sperm?” I asked while I tried to stifle my laugh.

“Fuck yes. And not often do I lose to anyone.”

I shook my head in amusement. “Leave it to you and my brother to turn procreation into a competition.” I rolled my eyes, but I couldn’t suppress the grin that spread across my face. “So, tell me, what exactly are the terms of this bet?” I asked as I arched an eyebrow. “Do I even want to know?”

Kai chuckled, that devilish glint in his eye that always spelled trouble. “Let’s just say the loser has to name their firstborn after the winner. So, let’s hope you’re already pregnant; that way, we can have our own little Kai junior running around.”

I snorted. “In your dreams. I’m not letting you corrupt our future child before they’re even born.”

“Too late for that, baby girl.” He smirked as he pulled me closer. “You’re stuck with me now. No take backs.”

I gazed into his mesmerizing blue eyes, and I felt the depth of emotion that swirled within. After everything we’d been through, all the pain and darkness, somehow, this beautiful, damaged man had become my salvation. My heart.

“I wouldn’t have it any other way. I can't wait to make that a reality with you, Kai. To build a life and a family together.”

He smiled, and his eyes shined with a mix of love and mischief. “We can start practicing tonight,” he murmured while his hand slid higher up my thigh beneath the table.

I bit my lip to stifle a moan as desire coiled in my core at his suggestive touch. “Behave,” I chided playfully, though my voice's huskiness betrayed my growing need.

Kai chuckled softly, his breath tickled my ear. “Where’s the fun in that?” He nipped at my earlobe, and it sent shivers down my spine. “I think we both know misbehaving is our specialty.”

I turned to capture his lips passionately with not a care that we were in full view of our family. They’d understand. After all, we had a bet to win.

I suppressed a shiver as my skin tingled where his lips grazed my neck. Even after all this time, he could still turn me into a quivering mess with a single touch, a heated glance. And damn him, he knew it too.

Archer cleared his throat loudly. “Get a room, you two!” he called out as he grinned from ear to ear. “Some of us are trying to eat here.”

“Oh, we plan to,” Kai retorted with a wink. “And trust me, you’ll be thanking us when you find out what I plan on doing to her.”

Archer flipped him off good-naturedly, and everyone erupted into laughter once more.

“Later,” I whispered as I tried to maintain some semblance of composure in front of our family. “I promise I'll make it worth the wait.”

His eyes darkened with lust, a low growl rumbled in his chest. “I'll hold you to that, little lamb. In fact, I've got a few ideas of just how you can…repay me for my patience.”

Before I could respond, a sharp clink drew our attention back to the table. Cassian stood and raised his glass in a toast as his gaze swept over us with paternal pride and affection.

“To family,” he declared while his deep voice resonated with emotion. “To the unbreakable bonds that have brought us together through trial and triumph. May we cherish these moments and always stand united, no matter what challenges lie ahead.”

“To family,” we echoed, glasses raised in unison.

As I sipped the bubbling champagne, Kai’s hand found mine beneath the table, our fingers intertwined in a silent promise. Our love was an anchor that kept me grounded, the light that guided me through the darkest of times.

When everyone started having their own conversations and excused themselves, I leaned over and whispered in Kai’s ear. “Remember when you said you only wanted a dance from me that night in the club?”

His lips curved into a smirk at my words as his eyes glinted with mischief. “How could I forget?” he murmured while his thumb traced tantalizing circles on the back of my hand. “That was the night that everything changed. The night I realized I couldn’t stay away from you, no matter how hard I tried.”

“And look at us now,” I whispered as I leaned closer until our breaths mingled. “Who would’ve thought we would be here?”

“I did. From the moment I saw you, I knew you were different. I didn’t realize how much you’d come to mean to me.” He kissed my hand while he let his lips linger as he said, “But you still owe me that dance.”

My heart swelled, “You’re right. I think it’s time to settle that debt.” I purred as I rose to my seat. “If you can catch me, that is.”

“Are you underestimating my seeking abilities?”

“I wouldn’t dare. But I think you’re underestimating my hiding abilities.” I leaned down and kissed him. “Oh, and bring that mask of yours.”

With that, I turned and sauntered away from the table, putting an extra sway in my hips, knowing full well his gaze was glued to my every move. I could feel the heat of his stare, the anticipation built with each step I took. I made my way across the lawn and into the maze garden. The towering hedges cast eerie shadows in the moonlight. I wove through the twisting paths, my heart pounded with exhilaration. The thrill of the chase and the delicious anticipation of what was to come set my blood on fire.

I reached one of the secluded alcoves, one with a tinkling fountain. As I caught my breath, I sat on the stone edge and trailed my fingers through the cool water. I could almost hear his footsteps in the stillness, his presence drew nearer with each passing second. I ducked behind the fountain while I waited for him to enter the clearing. There was a rustle behind me, then his strong arms encircled my waist and he pulled me back against his solid chest. I gasped, even as a shiver of desire raced down my spine.

“Found you,” his lips brushed against my ear.

I turned in his embrace and slid my hands up to his chest to loop around his neck. He wore his silver devil mask, the moonlight glinting off the metal. “Took you long enough,” I teased as I bit my lip while stepping away from him, beckoning him closer with a crook of my finger.

He stalked toward me, his movements predatory. “I thought I’d give you a head start. Didn’t want to make it too easy.”

“Since when do you play fair?” I breathed as he closed the distance between us.

His hands skimmed down my sides and settled on my hips as he pulled me flush against him. “Who said anything about playing fair?” he growled, his lips a hair’s breadth from mine. “I plan on taking my prize by whatever means necessary.”

I shivered at the promise in his words, the barely restrained hunger in his gaze. “And what prize would that be?” I whispered while my fingers toyed with the hair at the nape of his neck.

“You,” he rasped before he lifted his mask and claimed my mouth with a kiss that stole the breath from my lungs.

I melted into him and surrendered to the scorching heat of his kiss and the demanding press of my lips. His tongue delved deep, tangled with mine in a dance that left me weak in the knees.

He walked me backward until my legs hit the cool stone of the fountain. When I broke the kiss, he trailed his lips down the column of my throat as he nipped and sucked at my sensitive skin. I threw my head back, and a breathy moan escaped my throat as his teeth grazed my racing pulse.

“Now, about that dance you wanted…”

He pulled his mask back down. “I intend to collect. With interest.”

My devil isn’t one to be denied. I’m entirely consumed by his chaos. In him, I found the power of my flame, and he’s the one to control it. He pierced through my soul, a swirled vortex of icy blue that threatened to drown me. He’s my addiction, my obsession, the one who sets my soul ablaze with a single glance. In his arms, I am reborn, a phoenix rising from the ashes of my past.

My savior.

My protector.

My everything.

I would follow him to the ends of the earth, no matter the cost.

I am both lost and found in his arms, surrendering to the wild abandon that consumes us both. He is the master of my pleasure, the keeper of my secrets, and the guardian of my heart. With him, I am free to explore the darkest recesses of my being and embrace the shadows that lurk within.

Our passion is a force of nature, raw and untamed, threatening to destroy us even as it binds us together. We are two halves of a whole, perfectly matched in our intensity and need for each other. He is the only one who can tame the wildfire within me, and I am the only one who can soothe the tempest that rages inside him.

Together, we are unstoppable, a force to be reckoned with. The world may try to tear us apart, but our love is stronger than any obstacle that stands in our way. In the end, we will always find our way back to each other, drawn by the irresistible pull of the flame that burns eternally between us.

We sin as devils do. We love as angels do...

I bind myself to you.

My body.

My mind.

My soul.

I am yours, and you are mine.

If death comes for me, I shall wait for you.

We shall not part in this life or the next.

Vivamus, moriendum est.