Page 54 of Property of Chaos

“Real mature, Chaos.” She pauses. Silent. “Why do you want to know about Ness anyway?” Her feisty demeanor switches to skepticism. “What the fuck have you done?”

“Nothing that concerns you.”Careful. Letting your secrets slip there, boy.“I’ve got Circus on her to make sure she won’t be an issue for our club, living so close.”

Marianna snorts a laugh. “Sure, champ. Now tell me the real reason.”

“I did.” I lower my tone and growl into the phone, “Now tell me why the fuck you made her cry. And then tell me who the hell that woman is.”

“No.”

Silence coats the line as the end-of-day bell rings out across the road.

“You want this sale?” Yep. I went there. I threaten the purchase of freedom for our club against the knowledge of why the hell my woman is upset.Traitor.I ignore the intrusive thought and push off my bike as students pour out the school entrance.

“You wouldn’t.”

“You forget who you’re dealing with?” The day’s been shit enough as it is, and the trench is only making it worse. Fair to say patience is not my virtue at this point.

“For fuck’s sake,” she mutters, the rev of her gunning engine cuts through from the background. “I just took her home. She’ll be fine. Not that it’s any of your business. Just some bad news from family.”

Family.Her journal says she doesn’t have any. Well, any that keep in contact. “What family?”

“The mystery woman is her aunt. Step-aunt, technically. So you can calm your tits about dangers to your club,” she mocks before uttering, “Not that it’s any of your business.”

She’s so, so wrong. It’sallmy business.

“Just give her a break, okay?” Marianna switches to smooth and sultry tones.

They might have worked once when I was both drunk and high, but not today. And not now. “I don’t take fuckin’ orders from you.” I end the call and pocket my phone as Selena darts across the road.

“Hey.”

“How was school?”

She shrugs, hand clasped around the strap of her backpack. “Same shit. Different day.”

Swear to God.I pinch the bridge of my nose and then pin her with a hard stare. “Get your helmet on.”

“What’s the matter with you?”

Perhaps the fact we don’t share a mother. And that her genetics provided a body that’s a few years more mature than her classmates. One that attracts attention from the cock-sure fuckheads crossing the street. “Who the fuck are they?” I tip my chin at the group of boys breaking their necks to ogle at her as she secures the helmet beneath her chin.

“Who?” She glances around.As though the assholes are easy to miss.“Oh. Nobody.”

“Yeah? Well, I don’t like the waynobodylooks at you.”

One of the cunts has the balls to smirk.

I tuck my keys in my fist, leaving one protruding between my fingers. “Be back in a second.”

“Chaos,” Selena snaps, her small hand painfully tight on my arm. “No.”

I huff out my nose, staring down the prick as he retreats with his friends.Lucky day, asshole.

“They’re goddamn teenagers, you menace.” My baby sister gives a vicious tug, moving me back to the bike. “What the hell is up your ass today?”

“Your fucking language,” I bitch. “Come on.” I jerk my helmet from the end of the bars. “I’ve got shit to do.”

“Same.” Kid flicks me her middle finger.

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