Page 169 of Chaos

The picture of Knox on the wall is a dead giveaway. I can’t resist raising the barrel and pulling the trigger at his bald head.

Expecting a ricochet, Nikolai and I look at each other in surprise when it makes a hollow thunk.

“No shit?” Pulling the gaudy frame away from the brick, there’s a gap with a safety box sitting in it.

Nikolai grabs it out and sets it on the shelf below it. Popping it open reveals at least a dozen small black velvet bags.

He picks one up and tosses it to me, then pries another, dumping the contents into his wide palm.

“Jax. These are diamonds. There’s at least a hundred in this one.” They glisten under the fluorescent light.

And, they’re big. Some are several carats.

“Holy crap. You gotta tell Mikhail.” I put the soft pouch back with the rest. “This will put a big hole in their resources.”

Nikolai nods slowly, gathering the box under his arm. “They will want this back. We need to find out who gave it to them, and for what.” He frowns. “I have a feeling I already know. Let’s go. I’ll have the boys burn the rest of the buildings. Let’s leave this one whole, so they can feel the full loss of their precious treasure.”

“I like that idea. Think we can ask Mikhail to show his face in exchange for what, millions of dollars in diamonds?” I ask as we step back into the dark parking lot.

Flies are already gathering around the smear of Brody.

Nikolai laughs. “It would take more than money for that.” He looks me up and down. “You don’t have the right equipment to bribe him.”

He swings the door to his Hellcat wide, and tosses the box in the backseat before climbing in. “Go check on Sofia. All that’s left here is ashes.”

Alexei stirs in the passenger seat. “What are we burning?” He wipes the drool from his chin.

“We’re going to find some sage and expel those impulses from your stupid brain that tells you to try yellow powder in baggies.” Nikolai rolls his eyes up at me before slamming himself into his car.

I feel like a weight has been lifted off of me.

Brody nearly ruined everything for me and destroyed me in the storm he created. But, Sofia’s love pulled me through.

She’s my lifeboat.

My anchor.

SEVENTY-EIGHT

SOFIA

Song- on your knees, Ex Habit.

Sitting here in the dark kitchen, I can hear the soft ticking of the clock. My home is surrounded by armed guards. Lara has already taken Elena to the safe house with her. I’m waiting here for Jax. Maeve is sound asleep without a care in the world, she has no idea what is going on.

Behind me, a soft warm light flickers, casting a gentle glow.

The taste of the wine lingers on my lips, a bittersweet reminder that all I can do is sit here until the other half of me comes back home. My head is filled with a whirlwind of wild scenarios.

What keeps me going?

Knowing the power Jax has, that fire in his eyes. He won’t lose. He can’t.

The sudden click of the front door shutting startles me, causing me to jump back in my seat. The room is filled with the echoing sound of his heavy footsteps. Without hesitation, I sprint towards him.

He cuts the distance in half and we crash into each other in the middle of the room. Without a word, he lifts me into his arms and crashes his mouth over mine. My hands tangle in his hair, his tongue explores my mouth as my back slams into the wall behind.

His powerful embrace supports me as he kisses me with an intensity that takes my breath away. With anticipation building, I slide my hands down, skillfully undoing his belt.

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