Page 43 of Mayhem

They are just rumors. Hopefully.

When my body is dry enough, I put my dress back on but leave the cardigan off. I have been wearing them more. I didn’t want anyone to see the tattoo, especially the Kings and my mom. She would freak out if she saw it, even though she has a few tattoos. I didn’t want the Kings to think I got it for them. They are all egotistical enough to assume that.

I sit on the dock until the sun sets in the distance, the sky a beautiful blend of pinks and oranges. The wind picks up, chilling me to the bone. I grab my stuff and walk back to my car.

Parked beside my car is a motorcycle. I didn’t even hear them pull up. The man is sitting on his bike, his helmet still on. I stop a few feet away from my car and look at him. I can’t tell who it is, the helmet covering his face. He turns to me and cock his head to the side. A shiver of warning travels down my spine. I want to run, but I stay still. I refuse to let anyone scare me anymore.

He doesn’t move, only stares for a few more seconds before starting his bike and taking off.

I watch as he becomes a blip in the distance before I finally move. I get in my car, lock the doors, and start it. I don’t drive home immediately, worried he might try to follow me. I coast around town, and most stores are closed or starting to close for the night.

I drive by King’s Garage. I have never been to this part of town before. I drive slowly past it and see the three men who have taken over my life. Midas, Odin, and Zeus are all sitting outside, talking. I can’t see much, but it looks like they are all pissed off about something.

It's like they could sense my presence. In unison, they pop their heads up and look at me. I don’t know why I pull my car over and park it. Feeling extremely bold, I leave my cardigan in the car and get out. My tattoo will be on full display. I close the door and see them walking over to me. I have no idea why I thought this would be a good thing to do, but I walked to them.

Now is when I start taking things I want, and I want them.

They are all in leather jackets and jeans, looking almost identical to the man at the lake. Midas is wearing a black shirt underneath his leather jacket and black jeans. Odin is wearing an old Iron Maiden band shirt and light-wash jeans. Zeus is wearing a white shirt and ripped jeans. They are so different but so similar to each other.

I am standing in front of them, about to do something crazy, when a loud voice calls out to them. They look over their shoulders and see Midas’s dad walking towards us. Zane has a vibe that demands all attention on him.

Zane strides over to the four of us. Odin wraps an arm around me and pulls me close to his side. Zeus steps closer, concealing me from the man in front of us. Midas takes the lead and stands in front of all of us protectively. I peek around Zeus. Zane has a predatory smile when he notices me there.

“Serena. It’s so nice to see you, sweetheart.” Zane coos to me. I smile at him, not knowing what to say to him. “Do you want to come in and have a drink with us?”

The guys immediately answer no for me. I didn’t want to anyway, but why did they want to keep me out of there? Zane ignores them and holds his hand out for me to take. Odin tightens his grip on me. Midas’s body goes tense while he stares down at his dad. Zane continues to ignore them, his eyes only focused on me. I look between the three of them, wondering what they are thinking. If they are trying to keep from going inside, there has to be a good reason. I go to open my mouth to politely decline when Zane grabs my arm and pulls me out of Odin’s grasp.

Zane immediately places his hand on my lower back and navigates me towards a building in the back of the property. The building is dark with no windows, almost reminding me of what a prison. I look back and see the Kings following close behind, the guys focusing on Zane’s hand on me.

The front door had a large skull and crossbones with a crown on it. Written around the skull in massive letters is "Kings of Chaos". Dread courses through me as Zane opens the door for me. We walk into a room with a bar to one side, a few couches, and pool tables. There are men everywhere, all wearing leather cuts. This building must be the clubhouse. I suddenly feel like I should run out of here and never return.

Zane ushers me to the bar, where I see Axel and Ryker sitting, each with a drink in their hands. Their eyes light up when they see Zane and I walking over. I look back at the guys who are busy talking to other members. Their eyes constantly check on me. Thankfully, they aren’t too far away.

“What do we have here?” Ryker says. His eyes scan me up and down seductively. I suddenly wish I still had my cardigan on.

The dress isn’t as covering as I want it to be right now. It comes down to my mid-thigh, a V-neckline, and thin spaghetti straps. It’s one of my favorites. Currently, I want to throw it in the trash and never wear it again. The discomfort I feel only multiplies the longer they look at me. I want to shy away from their stares. They look at me like a steak they crave to take a massive bite out of.

“I found a lost kitten outside.” Zane chuckles.

Ryker and Axel continue to leer at me. I try to be polite while they make awkward, small talk. They ask about school, hobbies, and if I have a boyfriend. I answer all but keep looking back at the guys, hoping they come and save me. Every time I look back, they seem to be moving farther away. I can feel their gaze on me, reassuring me, as I stand awkwardly with their dads.

“Why don’t we show you around?” Ryker asks. Axel and Zane both nod their heads, agreeing.

I stammer, trying to create an excuse why we should stay here, but no words come out. They take my silence as agreeing, and Zane places his hand on my back again and leads me around.

We passed by a large, locked door. A sign on it that reads “Member’s Only”, so I don’t bother asking what’s in there. I don’t think I want to know anyway. They introduce me to a few members as we pass them, taking me further away from their sons.

I smile politely at everyone I meet, not remembering any names. Most men here are about the same age and older than Zane. A few of them give me curious looks, almost like they have seen a ghost. I can hear a few members commenting about me once we leave, but I tune them out.

Axel leads us out of the main room and down a hallway. Doors line each wall. I count 12 in total before they open the door at the end of the hall. Zane smiles down at me and gently nudges me into the room.

I don’t know what I expected to find inside, but nothing prepared me for this. Inside is a nice but simple room, with walls painted an off-white color. There isn't much furniture in the room. A queen-sized bed with a floral sheet set sits on one side of the room, a dresser with a small TV, and a closet. On one side of the room, there is a door on the other side of the room leading to a small bathroom with a shower.

I didn't see any women when I was walking through, so whose room this is?

“We made this room a long time ago for our queen. She never got to use it, but we have always kept it in case a new one comes along.” Zane explains to me as if he could read my thoughts. “We just wanted you to know that if you ever need somewhere to escape- you can use this room. My room is on the right, and Axel and Rykers are across the hall.”

Their queen? What did they mean by that? Did they all share the same woman at some point? I wonder if that was Midas’s Mom. Did she get pregnant by Zane and decide she only wanted him? My mind races, trying to understand what he meant by that.

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