Kings of Chaos

by Katie Ball

  “No, that’s not the reason why I’m not running.” Jane’s eyes went wide, realising who was on the other end of the phone.

  “Oh, you think those bikers will protect you? No one can protect you from me. Your mine. You always have been and always will be. No one can keep you from me.” He watching me right now. Well aware that I wasn’t alone. That the Kings were here guarding me.

  “I was never yours. I was a child you sick fuck.” I heard him whistle through his teeth.

  “Well, well. Little Hazel has a bad mouth on her, that’s new. I like it though. I can’t wait to fill with that bad mouth with my dick.” I needed to stay calm, panicking would do me no good. Cole and Tank were right over there, I was safe. He was not getting anywhere near me.

  “Leave me alone.” Why couldn’t he just let me go? Had he not done enough damage? Why did he have to keep coming after me?

  “I won’t be leaving without you. No, you’ll be coming home with me.” I wouldn’t be going anywhere with him. I would rather die than live through that again.

  “By the way Hazel…you look beautiful. More beautiful than I remember.” Everything stilled around me, like the world slowed down. There was no sound. Nothing.

  The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. I felt eyes on me, not just any eyes…his eyes.

  Glancing to my left, I found him in an instant. Right there, outside the coffee shop window. Too close. My heart was pounding so fast it felt like it was about to explode.

  He was just stood there like he had no care in the world. Arrogance just oozed out of him; nothing had changed.

  A black baseball cap was partially covering his dark brown hair. Wearing a black sweatshirt with jeans, hoping to blend in. No matter what he did, he would never blend in. Not with those dark brown eyes that were on the verge of being black. Or that sinister smile on his face, promising torment and agony.

  “I have to make you hurt. You have to be punished.”

  I knew my eyes would be wide with terror. I could hear the hum of Jane talking to me, I couldn’t work out what she was saying. It sounded like she was so far away. So distant. All I could focus on was him.

  Nathan.

  With his sick menacing grin, I had seen it many times before. It was still as horrifying as the first time I saw it.

  My eyes were drawn down as his free hand reached for something in his pocket. Drawing something out into the open, pointing it in my direction.

  It took me a second to realise what I was looking at.

  A gun.

  Jane screamed for me as she must have seen it to. Aiming that gun right at me with vicious intent. Wanting to cause me harm. Not kill. No, he wanted to maim.

  I watched in disbelief as he pulled the trigger.

  The sound echoed all around me. Shattering the glass. The bullet whizzing through the air. Heading right for me.

  I could do nothing. I was completely numb, frozen in fear. I wasn’t even breathing, unable to take air into my lungs. The shock had brought everything to a halt. I could barely hear anything; it was like I was encased within a bubble of water. Drowning out the sounds around me.

  Before the bullet could find its target, a body slammed into me. Throwing me off to the side, pushing me to the ground. Falling against the cold hard flood as the deadly bullet flew right over me. Missing me all together.

  The impact of the fall had me wincing in pain. Sharp shooting agony ran up my arm. The entire left side of my body was screaming at me. I would have one hell of a bruise.

  It could be worse; it could be a bullet wound.

  Everything came rushing back. All the sound. All my senses were awake again. Screaming all around me as people scrambled to get out of the way. Ducking under tables. I heard more gunshots being fired off. Was it Nathan? Or the Kings?

  I tried to lift my head up so I could take a quick look only to have it forced back down by whoever was pinning me to the floor.

  “Keep your head down Hazel.” Cole rumbled as he shielded my body. It had been him who got me out of harm’s way. Peeking over at him, I found he had his own gun pointing at where Nathan had been. A lethal look in his eyes that promised death.

  “Is Jane ok?” I needed to know she was alright. I wouldn’t be able to cope if she got caught up in all this.

  “She’s fine. Was that him Hazel?” Cole was all business, in full protector mode.

  “Yes, that’s him.” I heard him curse. The shooting had stopped but Cole still covered me with his body, keeping me on the floor. I don’t know where Tank was? Had he been hurt?

  “Tank? Where is he?”

  “His gone out there in the hope of catching up with your stepfather. If he can’t, he’ll make sure we are clear to leave.” I hope he was ok. Even though he’s an enormous mean looking giant, he could still be hurt.

  “Cole, all clear. We need to go now.” I heard Tank shouting for us. Cole’s weight left me, pulling me up to my feet. Jane was beside me, linking her arm through mine, staying close to me. Cole grabbed my stuff and guided us out of here. Creating a barrier between us and the enemy.

  Leading us over to my car, hurrying to get us to safety. Speeding away from town with the Kings behind me. I drove Jane home, making sure she got back safe and sound. She was shaken up, who wouldn’t be after that.

  Right now, all I wanted was Talon. I wanted to fall into his arms and forget about what just happened. In his arms, I would feel safe, but I didn’t know where he was. He said he had a meeting, that was it. He could be anywhere for all I know.

  I did the only thing I could do. I headed for mine. One of the last places I wanted to be, but it was my only option. For now, at the very least. It would give me a chance to regroup.

  Parking up in front of my house, I just stayed in my car for a moment. Staring straight ahead. Taking some deep breathes as my mind caught up with what the fuck just happened. My heart was still all over the place, beating erratically.

  He had been right there. Seeing him like that, it was as if one of my many nightmares had become a sickening reality. After all this time avoiding him, it had all been for nothing. He was here, he had found me. If I weren’t careful, he would get his hands on me again.

  This whole thing though was different. He had switched up his methods. Shooting at me. Taking pictures, stalking me. It was more about tormenting me. Messing with my mind, like he wanted to drive me fucking insane with panic and worry. Wanted me to become a paranoid wreck. He wanted my suffering. In his eyes, this was my punishment.

  I jumped out of my skin when someone knocked on my car window.

  It was just Cole. Seeing the terror in my eyes, he held his hands up. Showing me, he was not a threat. Opening my car door, he watched me carefully.

  “You ok?” I lied, nodding as if I was. It was a bad habit of mine. Pretending I was fine when really, I was crumbling apart.

  Tank took my keys and checked out my house, making sure Nathan wasn’t lurking inside. Cole kept me sitting in the car until he was given the all clear. He was constantly looking around, making sure no one was about to get the drop on us. He was ready for anything.

  “All clear.” Tank informed us. I rushed inside, needing to be out of sight.

  Going straight for the kitchen, I needed a drink. My nerves were frazzled, I guess being shot at will do that to you. Grabbing a beer from the fridge, hoping it would calm me down or at the least take edge off.

  “Are you hurt at all Hazel?” Tank questioned.

  “No, not really. Though my arm and side are a little tender.” I had no doubt it would leave one hell of a bruise.

  “Sorry Hazel.” Rolling my eyes at him.

  “Cole, its fine. You were protecting me. I mean, it’s better to have a bruise rather than a bullet wound.” I took a sip of my beer when sharp pain sliced up my side. Hissing through my teeth, shit, that hurt.

  “Sit down Hazel, let me take a look. Might need to ice it.” I did as I was told, I wasn’t about to argue with Tank. Judging from
the look on his face, he was not messing around.

  Sitting at the table, he nodded toward my top. Taking the hint, I pulled it up slightly to reveal my side to him. I heard him whistle through his teeth.

  “Fucking hell. Yeah, you’re going to need ice that.” Sorting it all out, he came back with a cold compress. I could see the guilt in Cole’s eyes, he was blaming himself. He needed to stop being so hard on himself, he got me out of the way before I could be seriously hurt. I was thankful for his quick reflexes.

  Cole pulled out his phone and called someone. I couldn’t hear what he was saying, he stayed over near the front window. If I had to take a wild guess, I’m assuming he was informing Talon what had gone on. That meant he would be here soon. Thank god.

  Talon

  “Talon.” Clapping Dalton on the back as we greeted one another.

  “Dalton, glad you could make it.” I knew he wasn’t about to miss this shit.

  “This shit affects my club, there weren’t any doubt if I would be here or not.” He hadn’t come alone. He had Hunter and Ghost at his back. Ready to protect their Pres if need be. Much like Gunner and Hog, who were stood behind me.

  Heading inside now, needing to get this over with. Torch had demanded we meet at a strip club in neutral territory. It wasn’t even midday. Was he hoping to convince us to accept his terms by flaunting some pussy in our faces? He would be disappointed. I had Hazel; no other woman could ever come close to her. My Queen was a cut above the rest.

  Biting down on my jaw as I thought about her. Fuck me, she was something else. All I could hear were her soft little moans and those fucking sexy whimpers that drove me wild for her. Having her in my bed last night as I showed my Queen just how I would take care of her. It was a dream come true. Seeing her writhing beneath me. Sinking so deep inside her tight little pussy, god, it was enough to cripple me. She had felt like heaven. A place I wanted to bury my cock every single fucking day, all day long. Even then, it wouldn’t be enough.

  Yeah, no one could ever tempt me. Not when I had Hazel in my life. No one could ever compare to my sweet angel.

  Stepping inside, it was way too quiet. The girls were working the poles, but they had no customers in here. Just Torch who looked like he was enjoying the show. Two of his goons sat off to the side, watching out for their boss. I recognised them, Viper and Track. Sick motherfuckers who needed to be put down. No one would miss them.

  Torch was exactly how I remembered. We had met a few times; we had never been allies though. Not even when my dad was alive. The Kings would never align with the Wild Hounds. Not when they immersed themselves within the drug trade and sex trafficking. I weren’t joking when I called them sick motherfuckers.

  Sensing our approach, he turned our way. Dark eyes scanning over us. A sickly smirk on his face. Arrogance just rolling off of him.

  “Gentlemen, welcome.” Gesturing to the seats opposite him. Me and Dalton took our places. Our club brothers stood behind us, keeping a slight distance.

  “Something to drink?” A young girl asked as she leaned towards me, trying to entice me. Giving me her best attempt at seduction and yet it wasn’t enough.

  “No thanks.” Running her fingers up my arm. Brown eyes trying to reel me in. She was wasting her time.

  “Are you sure?”

  “I’m sure.” Huffing in frustration, she disappeared. Not my problem.

  “She not to your liking?” Torch was curious, wondering why I would turn down a woman dressed in lingerie. Did he think I had lost my mind?

  “I’m not interested.”

  “Only two reasons why a man isn’t interested in some sweet pussy. He prefers the company of men or his addicted to one pussy in particular.” Scowling at him, wishing he would just shut the fuck up already. “So, which one is it?”

  “We’re not here to talk about who I’m fucking.” I didn’t want to mention Hazel. I knew he had met her already and that made me furious. I wanted to keep him as far away from her as possible.

  “Well, the rumours i’ve heard about Talon the stallion is he enjoys a different pussy every night. So, I’m guessing your hooked on one in specific. She must quite something to have captured your attention.” He was fishing for information; he wouldn’t get it from me.

  “We’re here to talk about you and the Hounds.” Dalton spoke finally, drawing the conversation away from me and Hazel.

  “What about us?” Acting dumb, I saw right through it. He knew what the fuck we were talking about. His bullshit wasn’t going to slide with us.

  “Trying to expand your empire onto land that doesn’t belong to you.” Holding his gaze the entire time.

  “The Hounds have been sniffing around Lockdale.” Dalton snarled at him. Pissed that a rival club was intruding on his turf.

  “And you’ve been sniffing around Oakley as well.” Torch grinned at me, sipping at his drink. Shaking his head at a woman who looked like she wanted to entertain him.

  “I merely went to Oakley to try to find an acquaintance of mine. Nothing more. I left after being unsuccessful in locating him.” I wasn’t a fool, there was more to it than that.

  “You really expect me to believe you?” I didn’t believe a single word that left his vile mouth.

  “We’re not the kind of men you want to make enemies of.” Dalton spoke the truth. We were violent bastards; it ran through our veins. Brutality and vicious delights lived within us.

  “Neither am I.” The deadly silence was interrupted by someone’s phone ringing.

  “Yeah.” For fuck sake Gunner. We didn’t need any distractions right now, we needed to focus on the task at hand. “What? Hold on a minute.” His heavy footsteps stopped beside me.

  “What is it?” He held the phone out to me. Meeting his eyes, I saw the worry in them. The tension in his jaw. Something was wrong.

  “It’s Cole.” My heart spiked with a shot of fear. Something I wasn’t used to. Since, meeting Hazel, it felt like it was becoming a frequent emotion of mine. All because of her. Now, was no different. Cole was with her, guarding her. Had something gone wrong?

  “Cole?” Needing to know she was ok. If anything had happened, I would be lost to the madness.

  “You need to get back here.”

  “What happened?” Needing more information. Tell me she’s ok…please tell me she’s ok.

  “Her stepfather made an appearance. Took fucking shots at her.” My stomach dropped. He shot at her? Fuck.

  “Give me twenty minutes.” Hanging up. I tried to contain the volatile rage beating at my chest. If she had been hurt, fuck…I don’t know what I would do.

  Torch had been watching me the entire time. Intrigued by the interruption. Wondering what he could learn about me.

  “Going so soon?” Glaring at him now. I saw the little flinch in his eyes. My eyes would show how close to the edge I was. See the chaos swirling within me. He knew I was not someone he wanted to anger. Not, if he was fond of living.

  “If you try to fuck with either one of our clubs or our land, you’ll bring down the full might of the Kings and the Madmen. You think your lethal, you’ve seen nothing yet Torch. Remember that before you try to make enemies of us.” Saying nothing else, I stormed out there. Fighting the urge to run. My instincts were screaming at me to hurry. Needing to get to my Queen. If she were hurt, Cole would have said. That thought didn’t help calm my frantic mind.

  What if? ...what if? …what if?

  That’s all I kept hearing in my head, on an endless loop. It wouldn’t be silenced until I laid eyes on Hazel. Until I saw with my own eyes that she was safe. Only then would I be able to breath.

  Only then.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Hazel

  I could see Tank wincing as he put a fresh ice compress on it. I was shivering from the cold, but it would help keep the bruising down. I caught sight of the purpling bruise.

  Cursing when he shifted slightly, moving the ice further down my ribs. Tensing up from the pain radiating
through my body.

  “Sorry.” It couldn’t be helped. Tank was trying his best to help me. So, I did my best to ignore the pain or at least not complain about it. The pain was only temporary, I had survived worse. “You’ll need to do this regularly.”

  “What did that fucker say to you Hazel?” Cole was leaning on the archway, eyes trained on me.

  “Nothing I hadn’t heard before. ‘I was his, I would be again. I had been bad, and I would be punished. Just like I have been before.’ Same shit as always.” Unable to look at him, I dropped my eyes down, staring at my hands. I didn’t want to see the pity in his eyes.

  “His lucky he had a fucking car waiting. If I had caught him-” Tank stopped himself before he said too much. Afraid he might scare me or something.

  The deep rumbling of approaching bikes alerted me that the Kings were close. I knew it was Talon, speeding towards me. I wanted him with me right now. I wanted him to wrap me up in his arms, tell me it was all going to be ok. That Nathan wouldn’t get that close again.

  The rumbling came to an almighty stop. Seconds later, the door swung open. He was here.

  Relief flooded my body. My damn heart sighed when I caught sight of him. Just seeing him made me feel instantly better. A calmness washed over me. Talon was here, I was safe now.

  His emerald eyes found me, rushing towards me. Glancing between me and Tank, taking note of the ice being pressed to my exposed rib cage. Those light green eyes suddenly darkening with violence.

  “What the fuck happened?” His voice was low right now, filled with menace. This went beyond anger. This was unhinged rage. The kind that could go on a bloody rampage at any moment.

  “That’s my fault.” Cole looked fucking ashamed that he had hurt me, that wasn’t his intention. He had just been trying to keep me safe. Talon turned his icy gaze towards his brother.