Page 10 of Daughters of Chaos

Rae's eyes narrow at the grumpy biker. Just as she goes to unleash on him, Elias cuts her off. "It's only for a day or two, so we can figure everything out."

He turns to the other men in the room, telling them to meet him and Bear at the bar to figure out business for the week. As he and the others head for the door, he points at two of the younger-looking men wearing vests that say "Prospect" on the back. "Bones, Archie, stay with them. No one leaves till I get back."

"What if I have an emergency and need tampons?" Raven pipes up.

"Then tell them, and they'll send someone to get you what you need." Elias points to the young men again.

Raven rolls her eyes as she flops down into one of the chairs in the living room. I'm amazed she hasn't said more. I can tell by the look in her eyes that there's so much she'd like to voice right now, but I'm grateful she's keeping herself calm.

The rest of the men leave, Raptor among them. I watch him disappear, feeling disappointed that we didn't have more time to talk this morning. I'm attracted to him, sure, but this feels like more than that and we only just met. I'm drawn to him in an unexplainable way, but that seems to be a recurring theme in my life these days.

When Elias goes to leave, he stops, turning to look at us at the last second. His eyes land on Raven, who glares back at him. "Don't do anything reckless," he tells her. With that, he shuts the door behind him, leaving us with Bones and Archie.

6

Raven

I'm annoyed—very annoyed—and very bored. It's been half an hour since we were told not to leave the house, half an hour since we became prisoners in this place with two overzealous prison guards watching over us. Seriously, the two prospects haven't taken their eyes off us since Elias left.

It's irritating, and I'm willing to bet this was Old Grizzly Bear's idea to keep us under lock and key. That paranoid bastard has it out for us.Fucking asshole.Why the hell would we lie about who our sperm donor is? It's not like we had a choice.

I'm about to go stir-crazy when a knock sounds at the door. Thing One goes over to answer it, leaving Thing Two to watch over Phoenix and me. To my surprise, Thing One comes backwith a girl in tow—not a trashy one like the bimbo I almost knocked out earlier. This one looks put together and sweet, with a wide grin on her face and her light brown hair pulled into a ponytail.

The mystery woman turns her attention to us, introducing herself as Lace, Bear's niece. I have no idea how someone so kind could be related to that grumpy ogre. Lace makes small talk with Phoenix, offering to make us breakfast as I try to think of a way out of this house without my wardens noticing.

A plan forms in my head for my jailbreak. I know Phoenix won't approve, but I can't stay here all day like a captive; I'll go insane. Maybe Lace would be willing to help us out. She's off tidying up the house, and Nix offered to help put away the laundry. I guess that's what Lace does around here for these guys—cooks and cleans for them. She says she doesn't mind, though, which is odd to me.

I could never get used to that. One shitty comment about my food, and I'd deck the man who mentioned it. Nix is the more domestic type. She enjoys taking care of people like that; I couldn't be more opposite. Playing homemaker isn't in my blood.I guess I have Elias to thank for that.

While the others start putting away laundry, I head to the bedroom we stayed in last night. I grab my bag, making sure I have everything I need for the day. I can hear my sister's voice down the hall, talking to someone—probably Lace. When I call her name moments later, she rushes through the door, wearing a flustered look.

Something's off. "You okay?" I ask, looking her over.

Her eyes spring wide, and she nods. I don't buy it. Peeking into the hallway, I see Raptor coming from the direction I heard Nix's voice a minute ago.Son of a bitch. Where the hell did he come from?

I look back at Phoenix, noting her ruffled appearance. "Did that fucker do something to you? I'll kick his ass."

Immediately, Nix shakes her head. "He didn't do anything. I got flustered when we were talking, that's all, Rae. Promise."

It's the truth, I can tell. I know her well enough to sense when she's lying. The look on her face isn't shame or fear. She's bashful, and I have a pretty good idea why.

"We can't get too comfortable here, Nix. We don't know these guys or what they're capable of. I hate to think what they'll do to us if somehow the test comes back negative."

Phoenix shakes her head. "I know it won't. Mom wouldn't lie to us, Rae."

"I know, that's not what I mean. But what if they bring back altered results? What then?"

She sighs. "I just have a feeling. It'll all work out, Rae. I know it will."

Her optimism is one of the things I envy most about her. The way she can somehow find the good in things that no one else can—it's incredible. I'm not like that at all. I see things in a different light—darker, more realistic. I have to; that's what keeps us safe.

As I watch her, I decide to abandon my plan to break us out of our temporary prison. She needs me now more than I need my freedom, and stirring shit up right now won't do either of us any good. I join her next to her spot by the window, nudging her shoulder as I get close. She rewards me with a half-smile.

I draw an X over my heart—something we've done since we were kids—silently telling her I love her and I've got her back.

She mirrors the motion, her smile growing as she rests her head on my shoulder.

A couple of days pass without much excitement. Lace comes over each morning to make food for everyone and tidy up after most of the guys leave for the day. She and Nix are becoming fast friends—something I'm grateful for.

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