Page 79 of The Devil's Chaos

Mila let out a choked sob, her body curling in on itself as if trying to make herself as small as possible. I felt a pang of sympathy for her, but I knew I could do nothing right now. Not yet, at least.

“The auction is fast approaching, baby sister. I want you to make sure you and the girls are ready. I expect all my patrons to be happy and satisfied while they bid. I don’t want any fuck-ups this time, and that includes the disappearance of my highest-paying customers, like Gerald Beckett.”

My mouth went dry.

He knew I had something to do with Gerald’s unfortunate demise…or disappearance.

I swallowed hard, trying to keep my expression neutral. “I don’t know what you're talking about, Alex. I had nothing to do with Gerald’s disappearance.”

Alex’s eyes narrowed as he studied me. “Don’t play dumb with me, Haven. I know you were the last one to see him that night. And now he’s gone, along with a significant amount of money he owed me.”

I held his stare, refusing to back down. “I did what was asked of me, just like always. What happened to him after he left the venue is not my concern or responsibility.”

Alex slammed his fists on the desk, making both Mila and me flinch. “Ever since you decided to fuck one of those Brotherhood fucks, things have gone to shit. If I were our father, you’d be pig food, but I’ve always been merciful. Just know, if you’re playing both sides, I will find out, and when I’m done with you, you’ll be begging for death. Do you understand me?”

I clenched my jaw, biting back the retort that burned on my tongue. Arguing with Alex when he was like this was futile and would only make things worse for me.

“I understand, brother,” I said through gritted teeth. “My place is here.”

His lips curled into a smirk. “Good. Because if it isn’t, I won’t hesitate to remind you of your place and trust me, that’s the last thing you want.”

The unspoken threat hung heavy in the air between us. I knew all too well what Alex was capable of.

“Oh, and why don’t you wear that little red dress you know I like? Understand?” he said, dangling a black bag before me.

“Understood.” I quickly grabbed it and left, knowing precisely what would happen if I didn’t comply.

Kai and Archerwere waiting for me when I made it home after work, standing right out in the open outside my door. “What are you guys doing here?” I hissed as I hurried toward them.

“I called you,” Kai replied.

“You can’t be here right now,” I panicked, frantically unlocking my door.

“We need to talk,” Archer stated.

“Alex is on his way up right now,” I explained, pushing them inside my apartment and locking the door behind us. I ushered them into my bedroom, looking for the best hiding place. They couldn’t return the way they came because they’d run into him on the way down. That only left one option: my walk-in closet. “Stay in here and keep quiet. Whatever thoughts you have in your head, forget about it. If you try anything, Mila is as good as dead. Don’t come out, no matter what you see or hear. Got it?”

“Got it,” Archer agreed.

I was more concerned about Kai and shot him a worried glance, hoping he chose this moment to follow instructions. After a long stare-down, he finally conceded.

“Fine. I got it.”

I closed the door and stepped out of my bedroom just as my brother knocked. I opened the door to see him leaning against my door frame, holding a bottle of vodka that was almost empty.

He was trashed.

“Hi, sis,” he slurred, pushing himself inside and shoving me against the wall as he kissed my neck. “You smell so good. Why don’t we go into the bedroom, and you make me feel good?”

“I’m tired, Alex. Just take the money and go,” I protested his advances, shoving him off of me.

My actions sent him over the edge.

He slammed me against the wall, knocking a picture frame off, where it crashed loudly onto the hardwood floors, shattering into pieces. Then, his hand was around my throat, and he wasdragging me toward my bedroom. He held me down on my bed, both hands circling my neck as he choked me. My vision started to blur as Alex’s grip tightened, cutting off my air supply.

“When I tell you to do something, you do it,” he screamed, his face inches from mine. “I own you. Or have I not made that clear enough yet? Perhaps this time, I should kidnap your little boy toy and make you watch as I carve pieces out of him?”

“Alex, pl—please stop. I can’t breathe.” I clawed at his hands, desperate for a breath, but he was relentless.

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