Page 46 of The Devil's Chaos

“Hello,” I answered.

“Meet me at the bathrooms on the second floor,” Kai instructed me.

“Kai, my brother is here.”

“I’m aware.”

“Well, then, you know I can’t just slip away to meet you without being noticed,” I whispered urgently.

But Kai had already hung up. I took a large gulp of champagne, trying to calm my nerves. My brother was watching me sternly, and everything around me seemed to be spiraling out of control. Breathing deeply, I tried to quell the rising panic in my chest as I surveyed the room. The crowd swelled around me, the music and laughter blending into a dizzying cacophony. Mila, Archer, Kai, and Maddie were still sitting at the table, but I couldn’t shake off the feeling of betrayal creeping up on me.

Whatever expression was on my face caught my brother's attention, who, just like clockwork, decided to walk toward me, and he wasn’t alone. Slithering behind him like the snake he was was none other than Gerald. His chubby face squeezed together with a grin that made me want to throw up. I stood up andpretended I didn’t see them as I headed toward the stairs to find Kai, but they caught up with me.

“Haven, look who I found,” my brother called out to me.

I stopped in my tracks, glancing at Kai’s table as I turned around to face my brother. Kai frowned when he saw me glance his way, and I’m sure the disgust that marred my expression. His eyes followed me. I met his gaze briefly and then plastered a fake smile on my face before turning to meet my brother and the disgusting amoeba that followed him.

“Ah, Mister—I’m sorry, what was your name again?” I pretended I couldn’t remember who he was when, quite to the contrary, I couldn’t forget him, even if I tried. Powerful men—men like Gerald—were not used to disrespect in any form. And I’d be lying if I didn’t enjoy how Gerald’s jaw ticked as he clenched his teeth, irritated by my question.

“Beckett. Gerald Beckett.”

“Yes. Mr. Beckett, that’s right. How do you like the party?”

“I like it just fine, thank you.”

“Gerald was just telling me that he really enjoyed your company at the club, but he is so disappointed that his time with you was cut short due to the unfortunate events that transpired with the fire and evacuation,” my brother said smoothly.

My stomach dropped, and my eyes snapped to my brother. He wrapped his arm around me and pulled me into a side hug.

“I apologized to Mr. Beckett and told him that you would be happy to make it up to him in one of the complimentary suites we reserved upstairs after the speeches.”

“I would?”

His grip tightened on my waist, and I winced in pain. “Yes, you would. Because if you don’t, I’ll slit your little boyfriend’s throat while he’s sleeping. And I suggest you keep quiet about Maddie, too, or I promise I will show you a hundred different ways to torture someone to within an inch of their life,” hethreatened, his voice low and hushed in my ear, and slid the room keycard into my clutch.

I could feel the blood draining from my face, and I felt like I might vomit all over their pressed suits. “I—I don’t know what you’re talking about, brother. You know, I think your paranoia might be your downfall.”

He let out a low laugh, his face turning red. “As long as you understand what I’m capable of,” he threatened.

“I know better than anyone what you’re capable of.” I spat, yanking his arm off of me. “Please excuse me, gentlemen. I think I drank too much.”

“Don’t forget about Mr. Beckett. He will be expecting you in suite three.” he reminded me.

I turned without acknowledging him, hastily slipping through the crowds of people toward the staircase leading to the second floor. Each step felt heavier than the last, and I could feel eyes boring into my back as I ascended the grand staircase. The echo of my brother’s threats rang in my ears, and I knew I had to tread carefully.

At the top of the stairs, I paused to take a deep breath. I had to devise a plan, a way to get out of this situation without putting Kai in danger. I knew my brother would make good on his threats, and he admitted that Maddie was a mole, sent to infiltrate The Brotherhood right under their noses. If I told Kai, they would kill Maddie, and then my brother would retaliate, and I had no way of knowing how deep she was into their lives, their brotherhood, theirbusiness.

Maddie was one of my brother’s whores that was just as cut throat as he was. She had been clinging to my brother’s coattails for years, trying to convince him to take her as a wife. He had strung her along for reasons only he understood and used her to do his dirty work, with the false promise of being by his side when he took over The Collectors from my father. But I knew hewasn’t serious about Maddie. He enjoyed his control over her, but wasn’t planning to marry her.

I walked down the dimly lit hallway, desperate to find a bathroom far enough away from my brother's watchful gaze. His eyes seemed to follow my every move, making me feel trapped and uncomfortable. Just as I was about to reach my destination, a strong hand gripped my arm and forcefully pulled me into a hidden alcove tucked behind heavy velvet curtains. My heart raced in fear as I tried to scream for help, but the intruder's hand clamped over my mouth, muffling any sound that escaped. Pressed against their warm body, I could feel their rapid breaths against my cheek as they held me captive in the darkness.

“Shh, it’s me,” Kai whispered in my ear. “Stay quiet. You have a shadow.”

With his free hand, he parted the curtain just an inch to give me the vantage point to see one of my brother’s men walking toward the bathroom. I melted into his body, waiting for my shadow to leave.

“Okay, he’s gone.” He released his hand from my mouth. “You look so beautiful tonight.”

I let out a loud breath and turned around to face him. “We have to end this,” I said.

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