Page 1 of Hayes
Chapter 1
Hayes
All eyes snap to me as Gage and I step into the ballroom. It’s an uneasy feeling seeing half the room looking at me with hate-filled eyes, while the other half looks at me with lust-filled eyes. Dead or in their bed—the room’s wishes for me are split down the middle.
Only a small handful of people in this room are actually my friends. But more are warming up to me every day since we first came back to the Retribution Kings six months ago.
It was a risk. We knew we could have been killed on the spot. We were enemies, and Retribution Kings are good at one thing—revenge.
And yet we took the chance, knowing our mission is more important than our lives. It helped that the Retribution Kings were still in disarray and hadn’t chosen a new leader yet. So after enduring some brutal trials, Gage and I were reinstated as Retribution Kings. The only thing Retribution Kings enjoy almost as much as retribution is a good celebration.
All the judgmental eyes on me should put me in my place, but I thrive on the attention.
I widen my grin, knowing that even the men here who hate me can’t touch me now that I’m one of them. I let my eyes rake through the room, pausing on the eyes of the women who look at me like they want to devour me.
Gage rolls his eyes. Despite being in the same position as me, no one looks at him. He’s security. He’s good at blending into the shadows—a skill he’s mastered. For a moment, I envy him. It must be nice to carry out your duties without an audience. But then, what fun is that?
I look back at him, but he’s already gone.
I’m on my own.
No, that’s not true. Gage will be watching me. He’s always with me. He’s one of my best friends. I’m never alone.
I adjust the black tie of my suit as I lick my lips—feeling more heated stares. It’s time to go to work.
I step out onto the wooden dance floor. No sooner does my foot hit the floor am I crowded by women. They flock to me. When they see me, they don’t see a threat. They see a man with thick muscles, piercing green eyes beneath sharp glasses, and long hair to run their hands through. They see a bad boy who isn’t really that bad. They see my charming smile and jovial laugh, and they can’t help but smile themselves. They know I’m fun. I’m a pleaser in bed, and I’d be the best fuck of their lives.
“Hayes, it’s so good to see you here,” the woman hanging off my right arm says. I should know her, I might’ve even fucked her, but I can’t remember her name.
“You look dashing in a tux,” another says.
“Dance with me,” the boldest says.
I can barely move without knocking them all over. So I do what I always do—I grin and let my eyes smolder for each of them. I look at each one as if she is the only person in this room I’d like to fuck, when really I’m here for a much more important mission. I can’t get distracted, not tonight.
“Hayes, come with me,” Titus Adler says.
The women part, letting Titus, the newly appointed Retribution Kings leader, through.
“Ladies,” I say before I step through them to follow Titus. When we are well enough away from them, I say, “Thank you.”
Titus chuckles, glancing back at the women still swooning after me.
“I admit, I don’t get why the ladies flock to you. You’re not that good-looking; you haven’t even bothered to get a haircut,” Titus teases as he stands in his sharp tux. It molds to his body perfectly, complementing his thick black hair. He’s a good-looking man as well. I’m surprised more women aren’t surrounding him, especially now that he’s the leader.
“And your hair is far too short and choppy for anyone woman to find you attractive,” I tease back.
Titus grips my shoulder. “It’s good to see you, old friend.”
I raise my brows. “It’s good that you still consider me your friend after everything. Most here think I deserve a bullet to the head.”
Titus motions to a waiter, who brings over a tray of drinks. Titus removes two scotches and hands one to me.
“You’ve proven yourself, Hayes. Which is why I want to offer you a position.”
I lift the drink to my lips as I feel more stares on us from the crowd. All of them are wondering why Titus is giving me so much attention at the party celebrating his new leadership. I’m curious about the same thing.
“I want to offer you the position as my second.”
