Page 125 of Property of Chaos

I whip my head toward Vanessa and find her watching me with one sleepy eye open. “Pretty sure you ain’t the only one who’s gonna have trouble walking straight today.”

“What?” Her brow furrows, arms sliding away from mine as she pushes onto her elbows.

My eyes drop to her tits, pushed together between her arms. “The boys think Tap might have kept your aunt company last night.” I lift my gaze and find her with one eyebrow raised.

“She has no idea what she’s getting herself into.”

I chuckle as Jinx’s response vibrates my hand. “Pretty sure she’ll have a thorough idea after last night.”

Good indicators. Tell Vanessa we’re all backing her.

Why the fuck is it suddenly so hard to swallow?

“What’s the matter?” My woman shifts, moving to rest her arms on my chest, shifting our faces closer.

I peer down my nose at her, at every detail of her delicate freckles across her cheekbones, down to the bronze flecks in her eyes—so clear this close. “Nothing.” And I mean it with my whole chest.

My fear kept me from sharing my infatuation with Vanessa with my brothers. What a stupid fucking thing that was. I believed they’d judge me. That telling them I prized something so highly would equate to a president who didn’t give a fuck about his club anymore.

That the distrust Jinx alluded to would spread.

I’d be voted out.

Exiled within our walls and eventually lose my home. My family.

And you worry you’re just like your father…Fuck. Sure—I can’t imagine a future without Vanessa now. But I also can’t stomach the idea of leaving the one true family of mine behind.

Fuck my father. Forget about my absent mother.

The people I need are all around me. Always. No matter what I do or say.

Their love is unconditional, only asking to be reciprocated. And it could be that way for Vanessa, too.

Wewouldbe good for her.

“You know,” I say, adding a little gravel to my voice. “When you’re this close, you may as well get on top and show me how you plan to take charge today.”

Her smile fades, eyes shuttering as she moves away and pulls herself up.Fuck it.I referenced that one too close to the sun.

“Shit. What time is it?” Ness reaches for her phone, tapping the screen. “I should probably get ready.”

“Babe.”

Her hair frames her face perfectly when she turns to look at me, seated cross-legged beside me. “Chaos.”

“You’re strong enough for this.”

Her lips part, tongue wetting the flesh as she sighs. “I don’t want to have to be.” She slides softly off the bed, padding to the bathroom. The water runs a moment later.

I lie back with a sigh and stare at the ceiling again.Today’s gonna be hard.She’s got the emotional fuckery to get through, and I’ve got my work cut out for me holding her back from that cliff.

I’m strong enough to do it.I’d bear her weight until my muscles burned, tearing from the strain, and even then, I’d watch as my body broke down from the pressure only to keep her out of that black hole.

She’s lived her whole life with this cunt ruining her sense of self-worth. Her happiness.

It ends today. Once the will reading is complete, we deal with this the King’s way.

“You want a coffee?” I call across the room.

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