Page 101 of The Devil's Chaos

His eyes narrowed slightly. “And what of your family?”

“What about them?”

“Well, I hardly think it’s appropriate to simply ignore the elephant in the room. It’s certainly no secret to myself or any of the other leaders that you are the daughter of Abel Benson, the biggest scumbag in New York,” he stated before continuing.

“Commissioner Montgomery, I understand your concerns. But I am not my father, and I have no intention of following in his footsteps. I’m working hard to distance myself from both my brother and my father and this cursed legacy I was born into.”

The commissioner leaned forward. “And yet, here you are in the company of my son. The son of the police commissioner and member of The Brotherhood—the rival entity to your family’s legacy. One can’t help but wonder if there isn’t some ulterior motive at play.”

I felt a flare of anger at his insinuation, but I fought to keep my composure.

“Speak carefully, Father,” Kai said through gritted teeth.

His gaze shifted to his son. “Kai, you know I only want what’s best for you. And I have to consider the implications of your association with Miss Benson, given her family’s…reputation.”

Kai’s jaw clenched. “Haven is not defined by her family, Father.”

“Even still, you can’t possibly expect me or anyone else to embrace the enemy with open arms.”

“How can I prove my intentions are pure when my very bloodline seems to condemn me?” I scoffed, my frustration palpable.

“I’m not an unreasonable man, Miss Benson. But you must understand my position. The Benson family has caused immeasurable harm to this city. As police commissioner, it’s myduty to protect the people of this city, even from threats wrapped in pretty paper. Including the ones that are using that pretty pussy between their legs to confuse my son.”

“Confuse me?” Kai’s eyes flashed angrily as he stood up, his fists clenched at his sides. “Father, you’ve gone too far. Haven is not using me or confusing me. My feelings for her are real, and I won’t sit here and let you insult her.”

The commissioner’s expression hardened. “You are blinded by lust, Kai. This woman comes from a family of criminals and lowlifes. She will bring nothing but shame and scandal to our name. How can you not see that she is using you for information for her family?”

I rose to my feet, my voice trembling with emotion. “I understand your reservations about me. And I would have reservations if I were in your position too. I see so much of Kai in you, sir. But I assure you, my intentions for him are pure. I care for him deeply, and I would never do anything to hurt him or his family.”

“Empty words from the whore?—”

He didn’t get to finish his sentence before Kai reached over the desk and grabbed him by the collar. “You will not call her a whore again.”

“Or what, boy?” The commissioner stared back at Kai, unflinching even as his son’s grip tightened on his collar. The tension in the room was palpable, the air thick with unspoken threats and simmering anger.

“Or you will lose me, Father,” he told him. “I love Haven, and if you can’t accept that, you will no longer have a place in my life.”

Shock flickered across Asher Montgomery’s face before his expression hardened once more. He roughly shoved Kai’s hands away, straightening his collar with a scowl.

“You would choose this woman over your own family? Over your duty and legacy?”

“Yes. I choose love and happiness, Father. Something you seem to have forgotten in your obsession with power and control.”

I stepped forward, placing a gentle hand on Kai’s arm. “I don’t want to come between you and your family or The Brotherhood. That was and never will be my intention.”

He turned to me, his gaze softening as he took my hand. “You are not coming between us, Haven. My father’s prejudice and narrow-mindedness are what’s driving us apart.”

The commissioner slammed his fist on the desk, causing us both to flinch. “Enough! I will not stand by and watch you throw your life away for some prostitute. Cassian and Thane agree. But as you are my son, they are letting me handle it before taking additional measures to preserve the integrity of The Brotherhood and its members.”

I stood frozen. I was torn between the desire to defend myself and the fear of causing an irreparable rift between Kai and his father. But his eyes flashed with a dangerous intensity I had never seen before. He stepped forward, placing himself between me and his father. “Additional measures? Is that a threat, Commissioner?”

Asher Montgomery’s face was a mask of cold fury. “It’s a promise. The Brotherhood will not tolerate any threats to our organization, even if they come from my own son’s ill-advised dalliance.”

“I won’t let you or anyone else hurt Haven,” Kai declared. “She is under my protection now.”

The commissioner let out a harsh laugh. “Your protection? She’s not your wife. Your protection means nothing. She’s nothing more than a pretty face and a warm body. The fact stillremains that she is Abel Benson’s daughter, The Brotherhood’s enemy—a liability and a threat.”

Kai shook his head in disgust. “Then I guess we’ll see you at The Ceremony.”

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