Page 22 of Masked Mayhem

“Cade,” Carter says urgently, snapping back to the present as I prepare myself for whatever comes next. "They're coming this way. What do we do?"

I take a deep breath, adrenaline surging as I step in front of him. "We do what we always do. We face it head-on. But this time, we gotta remember that it isn’t just us we have to worry about.”

Suddenly, the muffled sounds of laughter and music from the club seem like a distant memory. It feels like we’re suspended in time, encased in a world of our own creation, but it can’t last. As much as I want to surrender completely, the harsh reality of our lives looms far too close. Before I can lose myself any further, a loud bang against the door jolts us apart. My heart sinks as panic kicks in, and I instinctively reach for my gun, remembering where we are and who I’m dealing with.

“Hey! Get the fuck out here!” Havoc’s voice bellows from the other side, fury lacing every word. “We have a fucking problem!”

I glance at Whitney, her eyes wide with alarm, but her body radiating with confidence. She quickly adjusts her clothing and chocolate curls, her hypnotic green eyes staring into mine and sinking their claws into my fucking chest, the moment unfortunately bursting like a bubble.

“What do we do?” she asks, her voice a little shaken, brimming with urgency.

Who wouldn't be fucking terrified in this situation? Havoc is fucking unhinged, and I'd rather not be on his shitlist.

“Stay quiet,” I reply, trying to keep my voice steady.

I can’t let this slip, not now. With shaky hands, I check my weapon, a sickening knot in my stomach tightening as I hear the two of them in the VIP corridor.

“Let me handle this,” I whisper before I move toward the door, heart pounding in my chest.

The last thing I want is to drag Whitney into the chaos we’ve created, but I can't let Havoc or Crow sense that something's different.

As I inch the door open just a crack, the scene outside grounds me. Havoc has his back turned to me, and Crow and other members of Masked Mayhem are searching the rooms, eyes narrowing as he notices the shadow lurking behind the door.

“Something’s off, man,” Havoc says, his voice low and tense. “We need to fucking get everyone out of here. A rival is looking to settle some scores—they’ve been spotted nearby, and there's definitely more than one of them."

The news sends a chill down my spine, as I realize that our secured world is teetering on the brink of disaster. And yet, deep down, all I can think about is Whitney and how to keep her safe.

“Shit,” I mutter under my breath. I don't think it's us he's looking for, so we might be able to play it off.

I take a deep breath and push the door open fully, stepping into the chaotic hallway ready to confront the reality that threatens not only our undercover mission but also the electrifying connection I've just begun to explore with the one and only girl that the depraved lunatic has a fucking thing for, and he's got no plans to share her with anyone—especially me.

“Locking eyes with Havoc, I nod as he glances at Whitney and Carter suspiciously. “What’s the plan?”

With an air of unease settling over the room, I can feel Whitney's gaze on me, a silent plea for reassurance. Holding onto that fire between us, I know that I must protect it at all costs—even if it means putting ourselves back into the line of fire.

"Why the fuck did you three just come walking out of that room together?" He asks, coldly, gripping the handle of a freshly sharpened blade, looking out of his mind tonight.

"I was giving them a dance. I don't know if you noticed, but the floor is completely full, so I brought them to a room," Whitney answers, walking over to Havoc in just a tiny one-piece, see-through number that clings to her curvy body, showing off the mirage of tattoos, her shimmering skin, and her perfect hard nipples poking through her pink top.

In her six-inch clear heels, she almost towers over him, slipping her arm around his waist for an obvious hug that he returns, refusing to let go of her as long as I'm standing here.

“I should have known you’d be the star of the show,” Havoc leers, his gaze roving over her body as if she's the only thing that matters in this moment.

I can feel my fists clench at my sides, the sight igniting a deeper flame of anger within me. I dig my nails into my palms, trying to suppress the urge to shove him away from her.

"It's all for the team, right?" Whitney laughs lightly, but there’s an edge to her voice that doesn't escape me. She’s playing the game, just like they've taught her.

“Uh-huh. Team player and all that bullshit,” Havoc replies, but his eyes narrow as he sizes me up, measuring my worth in this twisted hierarchy. “But Red here? He looks a bit too cozy for my liking.”

I take a step forward, ready to put an end to his insinuation. “You know what’s cozy? The way trust works between us,” I say with a controlled calmness, never breaking eye contact, feeding him some of the bullshit I was told last night.

Crow shifts uncomfortably, leaning against the wall, his expression unreadable, but I can sense the tension building. I glance back at Carter, who’s frozen, wide-eyed, caught between loyalty and the adrenaline pumping through him.

“13, you got anything to say?” Havoc’s voice cuts through, snapping Carter from his daze.

“Nah, man, just enjoying the show,” Carter mumbles, shaking his head as if to clear the fog. “All good here.”

"Good to know," Havoc mutters before returning his focus to me and Whitney. "But don’t get too chummy, Red. The last thing we need is another distraction. We’re gonna have company soon. We need to be on high alert.”

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