Kings of Chaos

by Katie Ball

  “How long?” My eyes snapped up to focus on Talon, confused what he was asking?

  “How long what?”

  “How long did he hurt you?” Jaw clenching, gulping back the memories. Realising what he was asking me now. This wasn’t something I shared. I had done it once before with the police and well, they basically laughed in my face. Scolded me for making up such cruel lies.

  Could I tell Talon? Yes…I had to. He needed to know. How could he help me if he didn’t have all the information?

  “Nine years.” Pure rage burned brightly in his eyes now. The need to kill was potent right now.

  “Nine years…you said you were eighteen when you ran away.” I could see the cogs turning, he was doing the maths in his head. I knew the moment it clicked. “You were nine years old.” Nodding softly.

  Trying to hold back the sick and twisted memories of my childhood. His eyes may still hold anger, but they softened slightly as he regarded me with care. I could tell he wanted to pull me into his arms and hold me. Comforting me in any way he could.

  “That was the first time he did…that to me. Before then it was just inappropriate touches or comments.” He went to ask me something, but Pete appeared with our food. Putting a stop to his questioning.

  Part of me was glad. Not ready to delve into the darkness, not yet.

  Talon escorted me to my car, putting the food in the passenger seat.

  He stilled for a moment, making eye contact with me.

  “I won’t let him hurt you again Hazel.” I saw the promise in his eyes. My stepfather’s fate was sealed.

  This beautiful man though. God, I wanted to reach out and pull him into me. Holding him against me. I longed to be wrapped up in his arms, have his body surrounding me. I just hungered for him.

  Leaving me alone in my car then. I struggled to push the tears back that wanted to spill from my eyes. Talon reached deep within me and made me feel things that were completely new to me. Emotions and desires I didn’t understand. He was one hell of a man, one that I had stumbled into by chance…or maybe it was divine intervention. It didn’t matter either way, I wanted him with everything I had. Longing to have him by my side…always.

  Heading home now. Eager to eat, then crawl into my bed. I was exhausted, drained to my core. Everything was catching up with me. I had been on edge all day. Even with Mac and Hog there, I couldn’t help the paranoia creeping in. Tinging my thoughts, making me a nervous wreck all day.

  My survival instincts were screaming at me to get moving. I should be running. It couldn’t be helped; it was all I knew. Something that become engrained within me. More than a habit, it was in my nature now. Flee while I still could, yet I was still here. Just hanging around, waiting for him to show. It felt so wrong. I just hoped this worked. I hoped that one day I would be able to make this place home.

  Pulling up outside my house. One lone light left on. I always did it, I hated walking into a dark house. Terrified of the dark and what hid within it.

  Mac grabbed the food before I could. Hog took my house keys and went to make sure it was all clear inside. Standing in between Talon and Mac, waiting, holding my breath. Worried that Hog would find my stepfather in there, that he would jump out at any second and that would be it.

  “All clear.” Taking that as my cue. I hurried inside, eager to get out of the open. Wondering if I was being watched by him at this very moment.

  Did he know where I lived? If he had been following me then it was more than likely.

  Dumping my stuff on the counter. Mac brought the food in for me. The smell filling the room around me, making my stomach rumble even more.

  “You got enough food here?” Shooting Mac a look, only to find him grinning at me. The wind-up merchant.

  “I mean, some of it was for you guys but if you don’t want it-”

  “Now, now, don’t be so hasty. More than enough to share.” Smirking at him as I sorted some plates out for everyone, dishing up the food. Once, everyone had what they wanted, we sat around the kitchen table. I don’t remember the last time I had a sit-down meal with other people around the dinner table. It was strange but I liked it.

  Talon was on one side of me, Hog on my other, Mac opposite me. Digging in to their food, obviously hungry judging from the way they tore into their dinner.

  “So, how long you lived here Hazel?” Mac questioned in between mouthfuls, making small talk. Gaining as much information as possible.

  “Just over six months.” Taking a good look around, I could tell what he was thinking. Seeing my lack of furniture or anything of significance. Nothing for me to get attached to. He had noticed, they all did.

  “I know its basic, but I don’t like to get settled. I don’t see it as home…it’s more like a resting point.” My words made them all freeze. My reality hitting them hard. Hating the way I viewed my house and my life in general. Not settling in because eventually I would have to up and leave. Getting comfortable wasn’t something I could afford to do.

  “This can be your home Hazel.” Talon was staring at me with assurance. The determination clear in those sparkling emerald eyes. He would do whatever it took to give me somewhere to call home.

  “We’ll see.” Not wanting to get my hopes up, just in case. What if it didn’t work out how he planned? Maybe I would have to run in the end. I wanted this to work more than anything, longing to make a home here. It would be amazing to not have any more stopping points. It just felt out of reach right now.

  “We’ll deal with this bastard Hazel.” Mac seemed so serious right now, not joking around anymore. Hog looked ready to go on a killing spree, he just needed to be pointed in the right direction.

  Focusing on my food, needing to eat. That way I could go hide upstairs, get some damn sleep. Fingers crossed my dreams were kind to me tonight.

  Mac’s phone pinged. Glaring down at it. He rolled his eyes as he read the message.

  “You got a boyfriend Hazel?” Frowning at him, wondering where this was going?

  “No, why?” Shaking his head as he tapped a reply.

  “Gunner wants to know if he has competition. Or rather if there is someone, he has to get rid of. I think he might have a bit of a crush on you.” Don’t get me wrong, Gunner was a good-looking man. He didn’t compare to Talon though, the fallen god that was sat right beside me. The one that made my cheeks blush, and my damn thighs shake. One look from him and I was a mess, literally. Hot and slick between my legs, needing him there, craving him there.

  God, I didn’t even know him and yet I yearned for him in a way I never knew was possible.

  “Tell Gunner to mind his fucking business.” Talon growled through gritted teeth. Why the hell did that make my temperature rise? He didn’t meet my eyes though. No, he kept his eyes on his food. Unable to help myself, I studied him. Just for a few seconds.

  Why did he care? He sounded angry…no furious, why? Was he jealous? Feeling territorial maybe?

  No, no way.

  “On that note, I think I’m going to head upstairs. I need some sleep.” Figuring it was a good time to call it a night.

  Hog moved into the living room, immediately slumping down in the chair, switching the TV on. Getting comfortable, while Mac took the couch. Making themselves at home. Talon came to stand in front of me now. Running his fingers through his ruffled hair.

  “Thanks for this Talon.” Stepping even closer. His eyes so warm right now, shimmering with light, glowing with lust. I wanted to lose myself in those big emerald eyes of his.

  “You don’t need to thank me. I want you to be safe…I need you to be safe.” Unsure why he needed me to be safe? Did he feel something for me? No, of course he didn’t. Why would he? I was reading too much into this.

  “Still, it means a lot to me. I’ve never had anyone looking out for me, keeping me safe.” He was so close to me now, mere inches between us. I wanted to press myself against him. His hand reached for mine now. Wrapping around it, giving it a gentle squeeze, sending s
parks shooting up my arm.

  “You’ve got me now. You’ve got my entire club as well.” Arching an eyebrow at him.

  “Even though they don’t know me?”

  “They will do anything to protect you Hazel. Never doubt that.” I had only met four of the Kings and yet they were all going to watch out for me. Even the ones I had yet to meet. It was strange to think that they would help me without any hesitation. It made me feel like maybe I belonged here. Surrounded by people who cared about me.

  “Thank you, Talon.” I was trying to ignore the way his hand felt around mine. Skin against skin. The way it sent heat coursing through me. It was consuming me. Just one touch and my heart was pounding so fast. I never wanted him to let go.

  “Go get some sleep Hazel.” That was my cue, my moment to walk away, to break the contact with him. I didn’t want to, but I had to.

  “Goodnight Talon.” Leaning towards me, he pressed the softest of kisses to my cheek. Causing my breath to hitch at the contact…wanting more.

  Instead, he just whispered beside my ear.

  “Goodnight Hazel.” My heart felt like it had flatlined. I’m pretty sure, I stopped breathing. The huskiness of his voice did wonderful things to me. It may have been brief but it still set me on fire, going up in flames. I wanted more, so much more.

  Instead, I stepped away from him, breaking the connection. I was stumbling into dangerous territory, I had to be careful. Needing to get away from this tempting man. He was under my skin. I could feel him there. Dipping beneath the surface and weaving himself into my soul, making it impossible to forget him. I doubt I would be able to walk away either, I was already captivated by him, caught up in his web. It was right where I wanted to be though.

  Making a run for it, I raced upstairs. Hoping that maybe I would be able to breath if there was some space between us.

  Shutting my bedroom door, I leaned against it, dragging air into my lungs.

  “Holy fuck.” What was it about Talon that spoke to me? That sung to my damaged soul. That drew me towards him and beckoned me to melt against his tempting body. To allow him in, to let him see me, all of me.

  I needed sleep. Maybe it would help me to process all these emotions. I curled up in bed, taking deep calming breathes. What a day it had been. I felt frazzled. Desperate for sleep. Maybe I would feel better in the morning.

  Closing my eyes, I let my mind wonder. The only thing I could think of was him, Talon. He filled my mind and my dreams, all night long.

  My King of Chaos.

  Talon

  “Anything?” Praying for some fucking good news. I had the best of the best on this. I wanted to find this sick bastard as quickly as possible. The idea that he was out there somewhere, watching her, looking for a way to get to her, it invoked a violent rage within me.

  “Nothing yet, he’s a slippery fucker. Red is on it though, he’ll find him.” Gunner was right. If anyone could find him, it was Red. He was the club’s tech guy. More comfortable with computers than actual human beings. I trusted him though, knew what he was capable of.

  “You checked the Motel?” I didn’t think he was stupid enough to be staying there. He had got away with this shit for too long. He wasn’t an amateur, he knew how to slip beneath the radar. He wouldn’t do something so basic.

  “His not there, he’ll be off the grid.” Probably tucked away in plain sight.

  “You get anywhere with the package?” Needing something, anything.

  “Nothing. All they could give me was a basic description, which doesn’t help us. He paid in cash. They don’t even have cameras in there.” Fuck. That was not what I wanted to hear. I wanted something concrete. Something to point us in his direction, lead me right to him.

  “Alright, keep looking. Let me know if you get anything.” Taking a deep breath once I hung up. Hog and Mac were chatting away in the living room.

  All I could think about was the ravishing beauty upstairs right now, tucked up in bed. Was she still awake? Or had she managed to fall asleep? What was she wearing right now? A little nightie? Maybe nothing.

  No, do not think about her like that right now. My cock twitched, eager to find out. Longing to find her naked, just waiting for me to take her.

  As much as I wanted to push her thighs apart and bury my face there, I wouldn’t. Not tonight, not after everything that had happened today. She needed to rest. Needed to process everything that happened. It had been one hell of a day for her.

  “Gunner found anything yet?” Mac called through to me. Curious if we had any useful information.

  “Nothing as of yet.”

  “We’ll find the sick motherfucker.” Hog had a hard glint in his eyes. More than ready to find this Nathan Williams. My blood boiled as I thought about everything Hazel had endured. She had been nine when he…abused her for the first time. It went on for nine whole years. Where was her mum? She hadn’t mentioned her. When I got a chance, I would ask her about it. Not wanting to push it. I needed to take it easy on her.

  “I got to head out for a bit, check in with Cole. You kill any fucker who tries to hurt her, you got me?” Both of them nodded, no arguments from either of them.

  I left them there in the living room, chatting about some shit.

  I should have been heading out the front door, but my feet took me upstairs instead. If she was awake, I wanted to let her know I was leaving.

  Moving up the stairs towards her. Needing to see her before I disappeared into the night.

  Gently knocking on her bedroom door.

  No answer.

  “Hazel?” Softly calling out to her. I should have walked away; she was obviously asleep.

  But I didn’t leave.

  Opening the door, I peeked inside. Just needing one last glimpse of her.

  There she was. Fucking hell, the world shifted. Heart stopping as I saw how small and fragile, she was. Tucked up under the covers, cuddling into her pillow. Chocolate curls shining under the soft nightlight.

  Wait…she had a nightlight.

  Oh, Hazel, that broke my fucking soul. The thought that she couldn’t sleep without some light source. I felt like someone had ripped my damn chest open.

  That monster would pay, I would make sure of it.

  She was fast asleep now, at peace. I hope her dreams were kind to her. It took everything in me to not go to her. Curl up beside her, pull her into my arms and hold her so fucking tight. Making sure she knew she was safe.

  My hand gripped the door handle. The need was roaring within me. Bellowing at me to go to my Queen. That’s what she was to me. No question, she was mine. My old lady, my woman, my Queen.

  I just had to show her that. Would it be easy? No. But nothing worth having ever is and Hazel, fuck me, she would be worth it.

  Somehow, I managed to pull myself away from her, leaving her to sleep.

  For tomorrow was a new day.

  And I was going to show Hazel just how good I’m going to treat her. I’m going to make her see that she’s my Queen and I’m her King.

  No matter what.

  Chapter Eight

  Hazel

  Waking up the next morning was surreal. I don’t think I had ever slept so well. I hadn’t woken up once. When was the last time that happened? Maybe it had something to do with the badass bikers downstairs watching out for me. Knowing I was protected while I slept. It even allowed me to dream of Talon. Imagining he was here with me, cuddled up in bed. What would it be like to fall asleep in his arms? Or wake up to him in the morning? Sheer perfection I reckon.

  Was he still downstairs? I hope so.

  That’s when I caught the smell of bacon…bacon? Who the hell was cooking? And more importantly, where the hell had they find bacon? I’m pretty sure my fridge was empty, desperately needing to go shopping. Especially if I was going to have the Kings hanging around.

  Climbing out of bed, I wandered downstairs. Curious who the hell was cooking. Plus, my stomach was rumbling. I can’t remember the last time
I had a cooked breakfast. My mouth was salivating at the thought of it.

  When I got to the bottom of the stairs, I found Mac and Hog lounging in my chairs still. Had they even moved? It didn’t look like it.

  Frowning at them, seriously confused. If they were there, then who the hell was cooking? Mac just grinned at me, almost like he could hear my inner dialogue.

  Taking a peek into the kitchen, my jaw dropped. Had I stepped into another dimension? Where the hell had all this food come from? A mouth-watering breakfast spread displayed beautifully on my kitchen counters.

  Had I died and gone to heaven? Holy shit, I was in awe right now.

  “Morning sweetheart.” A woman appeared then. A sweet smile on her face, golden hair curled to perfection, subtle make-up apart from the bright red lipstick. She must be in her fifties, she looked damn good though. Tight dark jeans and a low-cut black top, along with some high heeled boots. Confidence just radiated from her. Her mossy green eyes had such warmth to them.

  “Ermm…hi.” Coming over to me, she hauled me in for a hug, squeezing the life out of me.

  “I’m Winnie, you must be Hazel.” Pulling back slightly so she could look me up and down.

  “Nice to meet you Winnie.” She gently brushed my hair behind my ear, smiling softly at me.

  “Why don’t you come have some breakfast.” Guiding me over to the table, sorting me out a plate which was loaded up with a mountain of food. I hope she didn’t expect me to eat all that.

  “Are we going to get some of that Winnie?” Mac was leaning over the arm of the couch, giving Winnie his best puppy dog eyes.

  She just rolled her eyes at him.

  “Maybe if you two brutes say the magic words.” Mac fluttered his eyelashes and grinned over at her.

  “Pretty please Winnie.” Waving them over then.

  “Get your arses over here.” Hurrying over, not wanting to miss out. Loading up their own plates, piling it high. Would they eat all that? Probably. Remembering how much they had put away last night, this would be nothing for them.

  “This looks amazing Winnie.” She acted as if it was nothing. I mean she must have been slaving away for hours. This was impressive, I don’t know how she did it.