Page 117 of Chaos

How she always seems to settle me is some sort of miracle. Why I pushed her away, I’ll never know.

A warmth spreads through my chest. She loves me. I have someone who wants me.

The dry Vegas heat washes over my back as the door to the bar opens while a throng of leather-clad bikers pushes in.

I should be worried, but I don’t really care. Nothing can kill my high of Sofia wanting me, all of my faults included.

Well, I didn’t mind until they start yelling, then pushing at each other.

Fuck. I guess it’s time to call Alexei.

One of the bigger ones slams into my side and spills my drink all over my lap. “What the hell?”

He drops me a crooked smile. “Sorry, bro.” Turning back to his buddy, he laughs and jumps away from me.

“Don’t worry, hun. I have a new one for you.” A blonde woman with bright red lipstick appears behind the bar and slides a fresh scotch in front of me.

“This wasn’t what I was drinking.” I’ve been nursing a beer for the last hour while talking on the phone.

She gives me a flashy smile. “It’s okay, hun. This one is on the house.”

The yelling rises behind me, so I down the shot in one swallow. “Thanks.”

A different guy barrels into me, pressing me into the hard edge of the bar. I swear if one more of these gorillas runs into me, I’m going to start swinging.

It’s time to get out of here.

Grabbing my cell, I work my way away from the rowdy crowd to a small table near the door.

I gotta call Alexei. Nikolai still pisses me off.

Wait. Why can’t I unlock my screen? It’s like my thumb doesn’t want to hit the right numbers.

They blur beneath my fingers. Squinting, I try to focus in on each one, but they swirl in my vision.

What the fuck? One shot and I’m drunk?

The noises around me fade. I only get one more attempt to get into my phone.

But I’m just so… damned… tired.

Maybe I’ll just rest my eyes for a minute.

FIFTY-SEVEN

SOFIA

Shit, I think I fell asleep on the couch.

What time is it? Three am? Damn.

Maeve must be sleeping hard. All that time with Elena probably made her tired. Usually she’ll wake me up in the middle of the night.

Where is Jax?

I check my phone, but there are no new texts. He said he was going to get a ride.

Did Alexei talk him into something stupid? That guy is a wild card.

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