Page 25 of Daughters of Chaos

The pack leader chuckles. "What? No discount for an old friend?"

"Nope. Premium price for a premium asshole."

Dom shakes his head, chuckling as he drops three twenties on the bar. He pulls out another and holds it out to me. "For you, Wild Thing. Somethin' to remember me by."

I scoff at his outstretched hand. "Keep it. Maybe you can use it to buy yourself some game."

Another chorus of laughter erupts from the group as Dom pockets his money. "I like a woman with a mouth like that on her. Means she knows how to use it." His vulgar tongue jets out, leisurely swiping his lips as his eyes take their time appraising my curves.

"Finish your drinks and leave," Jesse commands, his voice threatening in a way I've never heard him speak before. Dom holds up both hands in surrender before grabbing his glass and directing his gang to a table nearby.

They drink slowly, chatting amongst themselves and stealing glances toward the bar every so often. Archie never returns to the kitchen, instead choosing to stay close to me behind the bar. Jesse never takes his eyes off them, watching their every move with caution.

"What was that about?" I ask him while Archie makes a phone call.

Jesse peels his eyes off the MC, giving me a tense smile. "It's nothing. Don't worry about it."

"I know when something is nothing, Jes, andthat," I nod pointedly to the table of assholes, "ain't it."

He lets out a frustrated sigh, looking torn. Finally, he gives in. "I can't say much, alright. It's just . . . those assholes are part of another MC, a rival crew, you could say. There's some bad blood between them and us because of some ancient history between the two founders."

He pauses, debating if he should continue or not. His eyes drift back to the table as he says, "Nothing's happened between the crews in a while. Sometimes, they like to come around and stir everyone up, that's all."

Something in his face tells me that's not all there is to it, but I don't push. The fear in his eyes is all the confirmation I need—the MC is definitely not just a club for Harley lovers. The Sons of Sorrow are part of something much more sinister. Something very dangerous.

And now Phoenix and I are right in the middle of it.

14

Raven

Dom and his crew take their time finishing their drinks, and I'm starting to wonder if they're ever going to leave. Their beady eyes keep wandering, frequently landing on me. It's unsettling. The tension they brought with them the moment they entered the bar is palpable. Everything about them puts me on edge.

"J," Archie says, tapping Jesse on the shoulder, "Viper and Bear know the situation. They'll be here soon."

Jesse's eyes never leave the group that's making everyone in the room uneasy. As if hearing Archie's words, Dom grins. He and his posse vacate their seats and start for the door. He givesme one last once over before spewing a cryptic message. "See ya around, Wild Thing."

Fuck you."I sincerely hope not," I reply icily. The men leave in a cloud of laughter.

I've never been so happy to be rid of anyone in my life. They're crude and vile, but that isn't what has my hackles up. They're dangerous, and the last words Dom spoke to me . . . Those sounded like more than just a disturbing goodbye. Coming from him, they sounded like a threat.

Within minutes of them leaving, an echo of loud engines hums outside.Fuck. Are they coming back?My fists clench at my sides, and sharp nails dig into my skin as I watch the doors, waiting for the bastards to reappear. The engines cut, and heavy footsteps thud closer and closer to the door.

Jesse reaches under the bar toward the hidden shotgun that's therein case of emergencies.Everyone in the bar seems to be holding their breath, waiting to see who walks through the doors.

Sunlight filters in behind four hulking forms, and we see Elias, flanked by Bear and Hammer, as Reaper's mountainous form follows close behind. "What happened?" Elias asks.

Jesse fills them in about what happened with Dom and his gang earlier. With every detail, the men seem to grow more tense. "Viper," Bear says, motioning Elias and Hammer to the other side of the bar. The three men have a hushed discussion.

I try to hear what they're saying, but I'm too far away. When all three look directly at me, though, I know at least one subject they're discussing. It seems they, too, think Dom's parting words were more than idle banter. They continue their conversation for a few minutes before splitting off.

Bear pulls out his phone on his way back outside as Viper talks with Jesse and Archie. Hammer is relaying something to Reaper that seems to piss him off. Before I can start guessing what that'sabout, Elias appears next to me. "Raptor's with your sister; she's safe. He'll stay with her," he tells me.

It's a message I didn't know I needed until that moment. The whole situation with Dom's gang has my fight reflex on overdrive. Phoenix is safe when she's at school, but what about after? What could happen to her at home when she's alone? It's irrational; Dom and his cronies probably don't even know she exists. They didn't seem to know I existed until today—a small relief. Their beef is with the club, not us.

Nix is safe. She's not alone. Everything is going to be okay.I repeat the words until I almost believe them. Raptor is with her, and I know, at least temporarily, that no one will harm her.

"Raven." Viper's voice cuts through the air.

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