Page 102 of Property of Chaos

“Jinx and Fang have an audience with Taylor about what Callum brought us to test the validity of the info before we give it to Marty.”

“Yeah. I know.”

“Highway and I are heading south tomorrow to meet with King from the Fallen Aces about a new run with our weed. If it comes through, I want Matthias out; he brings more trouble than he’s worth.” I sigh, tilting my head back to stare at her ceiling. “Trust me when I say we’ve got everything covered, brother. We don’t have to sit on our hands while we wait for the loose ends to come together.”

“The sale’s final, right? No more waiting periods?”

“Sure is.” Murphy emits a sad squawk as I step through to the living area.

“So, when are we moving in?”

I pluck the hidden camera from its position taped to the underside of a bookshelf and stare into the black lens. “We can start moving tomorrow if we want.”

“How about we table that, then? Pull everyone together to get it done over the weekend? It’d be a good bonding exercise for the club while this shit works itself out.”

Teamwork makes the dream work.“I like it. Make it happen.”

“Will do, brother.”

“Before you go…”

He stays on the line as I stroll through to Vanessa’s bedroom. Patient. Loyal.

“Is what Jinx says true? Like, not an exaggeration?”

Loki pauses before answering. “What’s he said?”

“Do the brothers think I’m no better than my old man?” I hesitate at the end of her bed and look around. “Am I not allowed to spend my nights somewhere other than the club without you all thinking I’m a traitor?”

He heaves a breath. “You’ve never slept anywhere other than the club, Chaos. Even when you were a kid. People don’t tend to change habits like that unless something pretty serious comes along.”

I set the camera on her comforter and then shift to the nightstand.She is pretty serious.“Doyouwant to know where I’ve been?”

He exhales slowly. “It’s your business to tell us when you’re ready.”

“But you do want to know.” I tear half a page from the back of her abused journal and pick up a pen.

“I want to know it won’t fuck up anything for the club, is all.”

I leave him on the line, frowning as I carefully shape my words on the paper. “It won’t.” I slip the page beneath the camera and scratch Murphy’s head when he jumps up to investigate. “It’ll only fuck up me.”

THIRTY-FIVE

VANESSA

“Thanks for the ride.”I reach for the door on Theresa’s truck and stall. “Are you sure me taking this week off isn’t an issue?”

She leans back against the bench seat, twisting to face me better. “You’re seriously asking me that.”

My fingers curl around the lever. I could give it a tug and bolt, tell her to forget about it, and figure things out when I get back. But the past weeks have been strange in a way. Nobody has changed—I have. The people around me love and support me the way they always have.

It’s me that’s let down their guard. Started seeing what was there all along.

“Do you think I’m doing the wrong thing by going?”

She draws a deep breath, letting it go slowly. “Do I think it’s wise given the threat to your safety? No. But do I think it’s the right thing to do? Of course.” She rolls her eyes toward me. “You’ve got to close this chapter to move on. It’s the least you deserve after what he’s put you through.”

“I need answers more.” My fist flexes around the handle. “Like, why did Gage leave? How did my stepfather find me?”

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