Page 12 of All's Fair in Love & Chaos
Love at first sight. There’s no fucking way. I don’t love anything but my bike and this club. But then a vision of her dressed in leather, her long black hair floating in the wind as she mouths off to me without an ounce of fear, flashes behind my eyes. I’d get on my fucking knees for that woman, and I don’t even know her name.
“I contacted Jazz and the other presidents, let them know we’ve had something come up. Jazz is willing to call us after and give us the lowdown, but they aren’t rescheduling.”
“Fuck,” I huff. “I figured as much. Everyone would have been on their way already. We’re gonna have to keep taking care of ourselves and hope the Willow Killer doesn’t come to our doorstep.”
“So what’s the plan? With the girl, I mean. What are you gonna do?”
I don’t bother correcting him that that’s no girl in my bedroom, she’s all woman.My woman.
“Get to the bottom of it.”
I finda prospect who’s been with us for about a year standing outside my door with his phone in his hand, looking down at the screen. He’s a good kid; young, smart, trustworthy. His sandy brown hair reminds me of my brother’s, and his eagernessmatches what Lucas was like. Hell, Lucas was this kid’s age when he was brutally taken from me. Probably why I haven’t gone easy on him; he needs to know exactly what kind of life he’d be signing up for if he’s voted in. There’s only one way out once you become a Heathen—death, and even then, our vows extend it.
“Any issues?”
“None. Lots of screaming for you to let her out, but I ignored her, and no one’s been over here since you left.”
I nod slowly. I don’t know whether to be pleased or horrified that he listened to a woman scream her head off for the last hour, and he ignored it to follow my instructions blindly. “Good. I’ve got it from here. Go see if Sin needs anything, then you’re on patrol.”
His eyes go wide for a split second, and I know I’m punishing him for something I told him to do, but I don’t give a shit. I’ve spent less than two hours with this woman, and she’s already fucking with my head and how I think.
“Sounds good, Prez.”
Walking into my bedroom, I find her exactly where I left her. Her hands are still firmly handcuffed above her head, hair now a wild mess of black tangles around her face. The leather jacket has partially unzipped, giving me a glimpse at the swell of the top of her perky breasts. It’s clear she’s been thrashing around, trying to free herself.
She looks like ruination.
She looks like destruction.
She looks likechaos.
“What’s your name?” I ask her as I pull my hair free of the top bun and let it fall around my shoulders.
“Saige.”Saige. I repeat the name over and over in my head, a smirk moving over my face. It suits her. Beautiful. Strong. “What’s that stupid face for?”
“Didn’t think you’d answer me.”
“Figured it was only fair you knew mine, I guess.”
“Since you already know mine. And how is that, by the way?”
“That’s all you’re going to get out of me. You plan on keeping me here forever or just until you kill me?”
“Now, vixen, why would I do that?”
“That’s what people like you do. They harm. Pillage. Destroy.”
“And you have such familiarity with people like me?” She doesn’t answer me, which only fuels my desire to know more. Instead of pushing, I walk into my en suite bathroom and get ready for bed. As I brush my teeth, I open the cabinet beneath the sink and look for a spare toothbrush. I should let her in here, I should help get her out of her uncomfortable jacket, let her use the restroom, but I don’t trust her. This woman is a natural-born fighter, and she’s not going to make it easy on me.
If I want to get to the bottom of who she is and what she wants with me, I’m going to have to let her be uncomfortable. My heart pangs violently against my ribcage at the thought, rejecting it at my core. For years, I’ve had no problem being cruel, ruthless, and brutal when I need to be and to people who deserve it.
But one glance at the smoke show currently lying on my bed, and my conscience has suddenly reared its ugly head. I don’t have time to have a conscience. Not when my brothers’ lives are at stake. Not when women live here of their own free will, trusting that I’ll keep them safe.
With that thought front and center, I toss the toothbrush back inside the cabinet and slam the door closed. After doing my business, I walk back into the room, finding her sitting up, staring at me with a look so fierce it could cut glass. It’s then that I notice the blood, and all other thoughts fly right out the fucking window.
I move to her quickly, my fingers wrapping around a single wrist and examining the dried blood streaked down her forearms.
“How did this happen?” I growl, pissed at seeing her hurt. “Did someone come in here?”
