by Katie Ball
“Knock, knock.” Gunner wandered in then, bringing the conversation to a halt.
“Sorry to interrupt but Red is finished with the security system, he wants to walk you through it Talon.” His light emerald eyes gazed down at me. I could see he was worried about leaving me, I just nodded. Letting him know it was ok, I would be fine.
“Go, I’m alright here.” Giving me a slow, loving kiss before he left. Made my legs thighs tingle, remembering how he devoured me with this mouth not too long ago.
“You sure?”
“I think I’m safe here.” Nodding in Hog’s and Tank’s direction. Two fearsome Kings. One who looked like he could snap your neck with one hand and the other who would inflict agonising torture before ultimately ending your life.
“And if they aren’t enough then your mum still has her shotgun.” Winnie burst out laughing then, Talon just shook his head at me.
“I won’t be long.” Leaving me here while he went to check out our home.
Everyone was casually chatting, I sat here in silence. Pushing the food around on my plate. I wasn’t paying attention to what they were talking about. It was like Talon took all the heat with him. Leaving me fighting off the icy cold shivers that were running down my spine. Without him by my side, the darkness started to creep in. Nathan’s voice echoing through my mind then.
Oh, I’m real and I’m here to take back what’s mine.
Bile rising in my throat.
Let me in Hazel.
It was like he was here, standing right next to me. Shouting at me, terrifying me once again.
Don’t fucking run from me.
I had spent so much of my life running. Living in a constant state of fear. Wondering if I would turn the next corner and he would be there. Or I would wake in the middle of the night and he would be stood at the bottom of my bed.
If it weren’t for Talon, I never would have stopped running.
“Hazel?” Another voice snapped me back to reality. Hog was locked on to me. Obviously, he had been watching me, no doubt saw me disappear into the dark depths of my mind.
“I’m fine.” Shoving it all back down, putting a fake smile on my face. Trying to plaster over it all. I’ve done it so often. Trying to protect myself and all those around me, not wanting to burden them with the mess inside my head.
“Sweetheart, it’s ok. You can talk to us, we’re your family.” Winnie reached out to touch my hand, wanting to reassure me. But for some reason, I flinched. I don’t know why, I just did. I guess hearing his voice in my head made me wary, nervous even.
“I’m sorry.” Seeing the look on her face filled me with guilt, drowning me in it.
“It’s ok Hazel.” Biting down hard on the inside of me cheek. It wasn’t ok though, none of this was ok.
What if Winnie hadn’t come out last night? I would be back in the clutches of that monster? What if he had been armed? He could have hurt her or anyone who crossed his path. He could have hurt Talon…oh god, I couldn’t stand that thought. The idea of him being hurt clawed at the inside of my chest. Threatening to rip me open.
“I need some air.” Shooting to my feet, I hurried out the back door. Feeling the walls closing in on me. Struggling to keep my breathing steady. Stumbling to the edge of the porch, I slumped down on the steps. Taking deep calming breathes. I felt like there was this weight on my chest and slowly but surely, I was being suffocated.
I was a mess, a broken woman. No not even a woman. I was a broken little girl who was still terrified of the monster that came into her room late at night. I was still haunted by the memories. The nightmares that had a death grip on me, refusing to let me go. I would never be free from him. He would always have this power over me.
“Hazel?” Peeking behind me, I found Hog hovering nearby. Those eyes of his were filled with understanding, like he too fought his own demons.
“I’m fine Hog.” Coming to sit beside me. It was a lie and we both knew it.
“No, you’re not.” Focusing on the treeline that ran along the edge of the garden. I couldn’t help but wonder where had Nathan been hiding last night? He had been out there and none of us had any idea. It was obvious that he had been watching me but how much had he seen? Had he been out here long? Did he see me and Talon? Was he standing there watching while Talon made love to me?
Shuddering at the thought. Not wanting my precious moments spent with Talon to be tainted by him.
“I’m fed up of being scared. I’m just…I’m tired Hog. Tired of all this shit. I just want it to end.” I longed to be free of Nathan. Not wanting to live the rest of my life in fear.
“You won’t have to live that way for much longer. We’re going to find him and when we do, he won’t ever be able to hurt you again.” The Kings had plans for Nathan. They wouldn’t stop until they found him and when they did, Nathan would beg for his own death.
“I don’t want anyone to get hurt because of me. He’s a desperate man and desperate men do reckless things…deadly things.” I knew what Nathan was capable of, I had seen it with my own eyes. Jamie had suffered fatal injuries at his hands, I couldn’t let that happen again. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if history repeated itself.
“Hazel, his not the kind of man that could do any of us damage. He picks on woman and children, not men that are bigger than him.” Hog had a point; Jamie had been smaller than him. Nathan had caught him off guard as well, he didn’t stand a chance. What if he managed to catch one of the Kings of guard? What then?
“Sometimes I wonder if his death would even help? Would it make me feel better? I think so but what if it doesn’t. What if I’m always going to be this broken little girl?” He rested his hand over mine, capturing my attention. Looking his way, all I could see was a kindred spirit, one that understood all too well.
“You’re not broken Hazel. I know broken and you’re not it. Your scared and your allowed to be after everything you’ve been through. But the one thing you could never be is broken. Your strong whether you see it or not. You survived all these years on your own. That’s some badass shit.” Is that really how he saw me? Strong? A badass? A survivor? I felt like the complete opposite.
But maybe I wanted to be a badass. I wanted to be strong, fierce. No longer afraid of the monster from my past.
“Everything ok out here?” Spinning around, we found Talon standing in the doorway. Looking between me and Hog.
Hog didn’t say anything else. He just drew his hand away from me and disappeared inside. Leaving me and Talon alone.
I must admit, I was slightly dazed that I had shared that moment with Hog. He was the coldest of the bunch. Fearsome…lethal. Yet, underneath all that hard exterior was a softness. A gentle giant though he hides it well.
“You ok love?” Soft emerald eyes burned into mine.
“I’m ok. I just needed a minute.” Everything was still raw in my mind. It only happened early this morning. It was going to take time to process this. Maybe I had started to that was why it hit me so hard. Finally realising that Nathan had been right there. Had his hand around my throat. I had spent years evading him and his toxic touch. Feeling it again...my skin crawled just thinking about it. Could still feel his fingers gripping my neck, digging in. Bruising my skin, leaving his mark.
“Hey, I got you, love. I’m right here.” Thank god he was. He was the only thing keeping me anchored here. Keeping me afloat in the ferocious waves. Without him, I would be drowning. Sinking to the bottom with no way out.
“Talon, take me away from here…make me forget.” That was all he needed to hear. Whisking me away on the back of his bike. Riding to god know where, leaving everything behind. This is what I needed. To lose myself on the back of his bike. Leave all the trouble and fear behind. Silencing all the memories and dark thoughts.
Until it was just us…just me and Talon.
King and Queen riding until the monsters that lurked in the side-lines couldn’t reach them anymore.
Even if it was onl
y temporary.
We rode for a good part of the day, stopping to take a breather every now and then. Enjoying the sights…the peace of being out here in the middle of nowhere, where no one knew us.
I wish I could stay out here. I wish we didn’t have to go back.
Talon must have felt my reluctance to head home since he decided to stop at a diner.
Ordering us some food, even though I wasn’t hungry. Still not ready to stomach food but it was nice just to stop. Sipping on my coffee as he dug into his burger. Hog and Tank didn’t sit with us, even though I told them multiple times they could.
“I don’t see why they are sitting over there?” They were sat a few tables away. It gave them a good view of the entire diner, and most importantly, the doorway. No one was going to sneak past them.
“They are trying to give us some alone time.” I didn’t want them to think they couldn’t join us. “Why don’t you eat something, love.”
Glancing down at the juicy burger and crispy fries. I just stared at it, trying to muster up the will to at the very least take a bite.
“I’m not that hungry.” Talon leaned back against the booth, watching me.
“You should eat something darling.” I know I should, but it didn’t mean I could.
“I think I’ll just stick with my coffee.” Trying to change the subject, anything to get it off of me and my lack of appetite.
“Looks like you got some admirers.” A group of girls were giggling and checking out my man. They must be in their late teens, but they were paying way too much attention to Talon. Fluttering their eyelashes, fussing over their hair and clothes. Longing to gain his focus.
“They can admire all they want. I’ve only got eyes for you Hazel.” Meeting those sparkling emerald eyes, pleased that they were locked onto me. God, I was a sucker for that cheeky grin of his.
“Glad to hear it.”
“Though maybe I need to make it clear that I belong to you, love.” He scooted out of the booth, coming to sit beside me. Sliding in close, not leaving me much room at all. His arm rested on the back of the booth, behind my head. His fingertips gently caressing my shoulder blade.
“I don’t think they’ve got the message yet.” I rested my hand on his thigh, leaning in close.
“I can fix that.” He cupped my face in his large hands, drawing me in so he could brush those lips of his against mine. I melted into him, sighing with how good this felt. Wishing we were alone right now. I was starving for a taste of him.
I ran my fingers through his hair, loving the way it tickled my skin.
“You think they got the message?” He whispered against my trembling lips. I didn’t even care if they did, he was mine and nothing else mattered.
“Maybe we should just make sure.” Biting my lip, he chuckled as he pulled me in for a serious make-out session. Forgetting everything else, we lost ourselves in each other.
“Mmm, fuck…your trouble.” He nipped at my bottom lip as he nuzzled his nose against mine.
“I’m trouble? You came into my personal space.” Not that I was complaining, he could do this anytime. I was in heaven right now.
“And I’d do it again.” He grabbed a frie off of my plate, holding it in front of my mouth. “Please eat something…for me.” Not able to refuse him when he gave me those puppy dog eyes.
I let him feed me, much to his enjoyment. He loved fussing over me.
He didn’t push his luck, just a handful of fries. Nothing too crazy. It was a start though and that made him happy.
“How about a milkshake?” Rolling my eyes as he ordered one for us to ‘share’. When it came, I had to have to the first sip.
“So, I was thinking about your place, did you have any plans on what you want to do with it?” Shaking my head, I hadn’t really thought about it. Taking another sip of the chocolatey goodness.
“Erm, well if we’re being honest, what are the chances of me going back there? If things get dealt with, am I going to move back in?”
“Fuck no.” His answer instant, not needing think about it. “Unless you want to move back there then I wouldn’t stop you, but I like having you with me.” I liked it too. It felt like I was home, but maybe that had more to do with Talon than the actual house.
“I don’t want to go back there.” Giving me the brightest smile, kissing me once more.
“Thank fuck for that.” Maybe I should speak to my landlord. I had nothing left there. The few possessions I had were at Talon’s, I had basically moved in already. I was holding onto it for nothing.
“Maybe I should end the lease.” It’s not like I was there anymore, someone else could make use of it.
“I think you should.” Resting my head on his shoulder, I let his warmth wrap around me, instantly soothing me.
“Can I get a sip of that milkshake?” Frowning at him, noticing the proud smirk on his face. Glancing down, I saw that it was near enough gone. He had distracted me with me conversation, while I mindlessly scoffed the whole thing. “Shall I get you another one?”
“No…but that burger kind of looks good.” Pushing my plate towards me, pleased I was eating. That was obviously what I needed, something to kick my appetite back into gear.
“I’m going let you be smug for five minutes.” Taking a bite of this delicious burger, suddenly ravenous for food.
“I’ll take it.” As I devoured my food, he kept his eyes trained on me, loving this. Happy that his sneaky tactics had worked.
“God, I really wish I could fuck you right now.” Staring at him over my shoulder, finding his eyes were dripping with desire. A need to ravish me.
He wasn’t the only one, my hunger now sated. My body craved something else other than food.
I wanted my man.
Fresh lust surged through me. Sending sensual shivers from my head, all the way down to my toes.
“Bathroom, five minutes?” Those emerald eyes lit up at my suggestion.
“Seriously?” I leaned into him, trailing my finger along his jawline.
“Deadly. Now scoot please.” He let me out of the booth. His hands gripping hold of my hips as he hovered close to my tingling lips.
“Five minutes?” I nodded.
“Five minutes…don’t keep me waiting.” Giving him one last peck, I headed for the ladies. Praying no one would interrupt this. I was aching for my man.
Stepping into the ladies, I quickly relieved my bladder while I waited. Leaning against the counter, I took a deep breath.
A gentle tap on the door, then it creaked open. Talon moved into the room, locking the main door from the inside. His eyes on me, a wicked grin on his face.
“That wasn’t five minutes.” Tingling with excitement.
“Fuck that. You’re lucky I waited a minute.” He was on me then, scooping me up and pinning me to the wall. Taking me just how I needed it.
I was thankful for this day. Glad I had been able to forget all the shit that was awaiting us when we got back to Oakley.
Nathan was still out there, and he wouldn’t stop. No matter what. I couldn’t worry about him and what he was plotting right now.
Shoving it all away from me, none of it was welcome here. I let Talon banish all my fears. Letting me forget it all as he took me so beautifully. Not letting it taint our moment together.
It would all still be there tomorrow.
For now, it was just me and him.
King and Queen.
I would savour it while I could…before reality hit and ripped the rug out from underneath us.
To be continued…
Stay tuned for more from the Kings of Chaos.
Next up
Queen of Chaos
It’s not over for Hazel and Talon yet.
Enemies are closing in on them.
Can they survive what comes next?
Coming soon
Like you romance with a bit more bite and a whole lot of alpha males? Then get ready for-
A Witch’s Desire.
Lucia Moretti, born into one of the great families. Her father’s rules the city. She is the heir to his throne.
But she had a secret…she is a witch.
That’s the least of her problems though.
She catches the vampires attention.
They will stop at nothing to have her…to take her as their bride.
Can she resist them?
A Reverse Harem romance.
Why choose?
Note from the Author.
Just wanted to say a quick thank you for reading Kings of Chaos. I loved getting lost in the world of Hazel and Talon. Obviously falling in love with the Kings along the way, it’s hard not to. There is just something about a bad boy biker with a big old heart, who is just waiting for the right woman to come along.
There is so much more to come.
Keep an eye out for the next instalment in the Kings of Chaos series.
Queen of Chaos.
The journey isn’t over for Hazel and Talon, not quite. Her stepfather is still out there.
This will be the conclusion to their story, where we see if they get their happy ever after.
But that doesn’t mean that we are nearly done with the Kings. More of the Kings have a story to share and want to take us along for the ride. So, stay tuned cause it’s going to be one hell of a ride.
Thanks again.
Happy reading.
Much love x
