Page 108 of Daughters of Chaos

When I look back at them, a smile tugs at my lips. Reaper's big body is sprawled in the back of the van with Rae seated between his legs. His arms are wrapped protectively around her as she leans against his chest. Dark eyes scan the area around us, searching for any threats that may appear.

He'd burn the world down for her like Mason would for me, like Dad would for both of us. I can see it plain as day—the deep connection they formed when no one was looking. Any time Reaper shifts, Raven moves right along with him, and vice versa. She moves, he moves. Like two planets caught in each other's orbit, one would be lost without the other.

I wonder if either of them realizes how deep they've already fallen.

The passenger door opens, and two dark, searing eyes meet mine. I relax as Mason's handsome face draws closer. "All clear. We can go inside," he tells us.

I wasn't worried. After everything that went down with the Bastards and the Sons, I doubted any club within a hundred miles would come looking for trouble here. When Dad and the guys eliminated the pricks, they sent a message to every other club around.Mess with us, and we'll exterminate you too.

There's still a small chance that someone got away, that one of the Bastards was in the wind before the Sons showed up to take care of things. That's the reason everyone is still edgy. We don'tknow for sure how many new members the Bastards recruited before the war finally ended. Case in point, Martin.

The thought makes my stomach sour.

"Hey." Mason nudges me gently like he can read where my thoughts have drifted. "You're safe, Nix. We all are."

Safe.We're finally safe, for now, at least. And we can finally go home.

Reaching my hand out, I let him lead me inside as Rae tries to argue with Reaper that she's perfectly able to walk on her own. He ignores her, pulling her into his arms as he follows closely behind me and Mason. Jesse and Bones trail us until we're all safe inside.

Looking around the living room, I see that nothing has been touched since we left. There's no shattered glass or evidence of destruction like there is at the clubhouse. It's all . . . normal. Just like we left it. Nothing has changed, yet everything has.

(A few weeks later)

Loud music plays in the kitchen as I help Mason hang new drywall in the clubhouse living room. We got the all-clear to start fixing the place up last week and everyone has been pitching in to get the clubhouse back in business.

Every window on the first floor had to be replaced along with the siding, most of the drywall inside, and everything in the living room. The second floor, luckily, only had minimal damage. Since the insurance money came in, any spare time the Sons had was spent here, fixing up the place.

I'm back in school, but any chance I can, I'm here helping. Even Dad's friends from the Devils have stopped by to lend a hand. They're all still being vigilant in case someone from Scar's crew slipped through the cracks, but so far, it doesn't look like any of them did.

It may be too soon to tell, but it looks like our nightmare that was the Desert Bastards is well and truly over.

Big, strong arms circle my waist as soft lips trail kisses up my neck. I can't help but smile and lean into Mason's touch as he pulls us closer. "Why do you have to look sexy as fuck wearing a toolbelt right now? All I can think about is fucking you in it when I'm supposed to be hanging drywall."

My cheeks burn at his confession. Images of him bending me over a sawhorse wearing nothing but my toolbelt invade my mind. I feel Mason's smile grow against my neck, and I know he can tell where my mind has drifted. Teeth scrape my neck before he plants another sultry kiss on my searing skin.

"Later, yeah?" he says, gripping my hips before pulling away to adjust himself.

I nod. If there weren't so many people here right now, I'd drag him upstairs to my old bedroom and demand he make good on his promise immediately. But the house is full of Sons, and I don't want an audience. Guess I'll have to wait.

Biting my lip, I cast my man a salacious glance. His eyes are still glued to me, so I take my chance to tease him a little and work him up forlater.I bend over, reaching for the drywall tape I discarded earlier, knowing how good my ass looks in these jeans.

The fabric stretches over me as I reach for the tape, taking longer than necessary to stand up. Without looking, I know Mason's eyes are trained on my butt. His heavy breathing and muted groan all but give him away.

With a smirk, I stand up, putting on my most innocent face and I turn back to him. "Is something wrong, babe?"

His eyes narrow as he takes a step closer. "You trying to work me up, sweetheart?" he says with a growl that shoots straight to my core.

I shake my head. "Why would I do that?" I try and fail to hold back my smile while Mason's pupils dilate.

His nostrils flare as he leans in close, whispering in my ear. "Wait till I get my hands on you later, Nix," he says with a promise. "Naughty girls get punished."

My breath hitches, and suddenly, the room is scalding hot. The air is too thick, and it's hard to breathe. I rub my thighs together, trying to relieve the need now throbbing between them, but it doesn't help. Mason licks his lips and smirks as he meets my hooded gaze.

"You want that, baby? Want me to spank you for teasing me?"

My lip quivers at the thought.Yes. Fuck, yes.

My eyes pop open, and my breath huffs out in a shaky wave. I'm about to tell him that's exactly what I want, but when I look at the spot in front of me, he's gone. I didn't hear him move in my lust-filled haze. Confusion doesn't have time to settle before I locate the man fueling my darkest desires.

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