Page 22 of Daughters of Chaos

"You never fuckin' listen, do you?" A gruff voice sounds behind me, startling me.

I whip around to find a very irritated-looking Reaper glaring at me.Oh, great, the fun police are here.

Arguing with Captain Asshole was not on my bingo card today, but since he's here . . . "It's not in my nature," I reply dryly, planting my hands on my hips.

He rolls his eyes as a grunt rages through him. "Viper wants her back at the house. I'm taking her now," he tells Jesse.

I don't like his"I am man, you will obey me"routine, soI scoff back, "I'm fine here, thanks."

Reaper's scowl lands back on me. "It's not a request, Princess."

Anger as hot as lava sears through my veins at his insult. My jaw clenches as I grind out my reply. "Stop. Calling. Me. Princess."

He inches dangerously close. "Get your shit. It's time to go." With a warning glare at Jesse, he pushes away from the bar.

I'm still shooting daggers at Reaper when Jesse puts an arm around me. "It's cool, babe. You should probably get back to your sister anyway." His words work to cool my anger a few degrees. Maybe he's right; I've been gone all day. It's probably time I get back to check on her. Grabbing my bag, I slip under the bar top, still glaring at Reaper.

"You did great today," Jesse tells me. "I'll be sure to let my dad know and get you on the schedule."

After thanking him, I tell him to text me later, sending him a wink before heading toward the door. My keeper's muttered curses are the last thing I hear as I stalk to my car. "Straight to the house! No stops. No detours."

I wasn't planning on it, but after he stormed in, yanking me from my first enjoyable afternoon in this hell hole, I feel like stirring him up a little. "And if I disobey?" I ask mockingly.

The look he answers with is lethal. "You don't wanna know, Princess." Reaper's gaze criesI dare you, and a zing of excitement rushes through me.

My rebellious side scratches at my insides, begging to be released. She's been locked away too long, and the challenge Mountain Man issued has her screaming. I consider taking a detour to spite him but think better of it once my engine hums. A picture of me and Phoenix smiles back at me from the dash. She needs me more than Rebel Raven needs to be unleashed.

With the war between myself and Reaper postponed, I cruise back to Viper's house in no hurry. My speed was so slow that my entourage revved his motor a few times, trying to get me to pick it up. It only earned him a view of my stiff middle finger.

I was extra pleased with myself when we parked, and Reaper's annoyance had tripled since leaving the bar. Rebel Ravenconsidered it a win and smirked at the man as he stormed into the house.

Phoenix and Lace were upstairs when I came in. They told me how Stitch and Bones freaked when they realized I was gone. We all laughed at that, but no one dared bring up the reason for our current lockdown. Wanting to distract Phoenix from our predicament, I told them how my first day at the bar went, including the ending when Reaper dragged me away, kicking and screaming. They got a good laugh out of that.

"He always looks so surly," Phoenix observed. "Has he always been that way, Lace?"

"As long as I've known him, he's been a big grouch."

I snort. "Big shocker there."

She chuckles, but it's short-lived. "I think he had a rough life before the MC took him in," she says. "I was maybe seven or eight when he showed up the first time, but I remember my uncle and Viper bringing him here. He was bloody and bruised from a fight . . . I never heard what happened, but by his fifteenth birthday a few months later, he was living full-time with guys from the club. I don't think his dad was good to him."

Her voice trails off sadly, and I hate the pang of sadness I feel for the brute of an enforcer. That explains a lot, but it still doesn't give him the right to act like a dick all the time.

Shrugging off the pity I feel for the jerk, I let my mind wander and find myself trying to unravel the mystery that today has unleashed.What could be so important, so dangerous that the MC thinks it necessary to keep me, Nix, and Lace under such close watch? What secrets are they hiding?

12

Phoenix

Three weeks. That's all that has passed since our lockdown at our dad's place.Wow, that still feels strange to say—our dad.

So much has changed in such a short time, but it doesn't scare me like I thought it would. Everything that's changed in our lives since Mom's passing has been both strange and exciting. Raven would probably say differently, but I think even she's starting to enjoy our new life here in Phoenix. Since she started working again, she seems less irritated; I've even seen her smile a few times. It feels like we're exactly where we're meant to be.

Dad stayed true to his word and foot the bill for my nursing program and the necessary expenses. He even helped us find a place of our own. Rae was about to give up the search when he told us a rental recently became available—a cozythree-bedroom a neighborhood over. It's perfect. And it just so happens to be right next door to Raptor.

What are the chances?

Speaking of Raptor . . .

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