CHAOS (Beneath The Secrets Book 1)

Today is an easy day. I just have two protection payments to pick up, then I’ll be able to hound Sofia for that date.

She didn’t scream and try to stab me in the hand, so I’ll call that a win.

“You’re early.” The owner wipes sweat from his bald forehead when he sees me. “I have my wife coming back from the bank. I swear I’ll have your money in just a few minutes.” He paces behind his bar nervously. “Here, have a drink on me while you wait.”

I haven’t had to threaten him. He’s always complied with our rules.

But he’s also never been late before.

“Fine, next time plan ahead, huh?” I hate having to strong-arm on people.

Mikhail was clear, though. Everyone in this city is on the take. If they want to stay safe, they need to hire someone.

It might as well be us.

His lower lip trembles as he slides my tequila out. “I just, well, I didn’t expect I’d have to make a double this week.” He shifts his beady gaze towards the tables near a bank of big screen TVs.

The seats are crowded with a bunch of men wearing the leather vests that Brody’s buddies were wearing at Sofia’s house.

Wait.

I recognize the dark mop of curly hair, so similar to my own.

He’s here.

They all groan in unison as the team they’re watching scores a goal. A bald, bearded asshole stands up next to Brody and yells at the television as he throws a beer bottle at it, shattering the glass in a spark of colors.

“Dad! What the fuck? That was the best one.” Brody throws up his hands as he yells at the towering figure.

I know that bald fucker. He’s the head of the Reapers. We’ve had a few heated exchanges with him and his crew, but he’s fallen off the radar for a while.

He’s Brody’s father?

I sneak a picture so I’ll be able to show Mikhail later. He’ll want proof.

Drifting back over to the owner, I try to keep the wall between me and the group. There’s too many to risk an exchange.

“Are they the ones hitting you up?” I ask quietly.

He nods, his bald head gleaming under the fluorescent lights.

Shit.

“Keep this month’s payment. We’ll get these bastards cleaned out of here. Keep your head.” He needs to play it cool or they’ll ruin him. Or kill him.

The Reapers aren’t exactly known for their gentle ways.

If Brody is affiliated with them, that means Sofia might not be safe, either.

Pushing my way back into the sweltering Vegas afternoon, I call Nikolai as fast as I can bring his name up.

“Come on, answer,” I mumble into the phone.

“Jax? Problems at Vox’s?” Nikolai’s thick accent comes through the tinny speaker.

“Yeah, but not what you’d think. Where are you?” I need to get out of here before a lingering Reaper sees me.

“I’m on the south end. I’ll be there in five.” The line goes dead.

I can hear the growl of his Hellcat three stop lights away as he gets closer. When he stops at the corner, I jump in.

The cold air conditioning feels good.

“What is the problem? I find it hard to believe you need help breaking an old fat bartender’s legs.” Nikolai doesn’t look at me as he accelerates through the next intersection.

“Brody was there.”

When he takes a hard turn, it pulls me to the left before he stops in a shadowed parking lot.

“Why does that matter?” He turns and faces me with a frown. “Sibling spats should not come before business. Miki and I just fight and move on.”

“Thanks, oh wise one.” I pull out my cell and bring up the photo of Knox and Brody before handing it to Nikolai. “See? That’s the problem.”

Nikolai takes my phone in a large hand and swipes the image larger. He moves his finger across the screen, but it disappears, revealing the blurry picture of Sofia I snuck at the restaurant.

“Jax.” He rubs his temples and tosses my iPhone back to me. “Why is that girl your background? What kind of tacos is she feeding you?”

With a groan, I fall back against the seat. “Man, she has the best kind.”

He holds up his hand, palm facing me. “Niet. Women are a distraction. We have work to do. I don’t care if her pussy cures cancer. If Knox is back, I need your head in the game.”

Nikolai grips his steering wheel, twisting his big knuckles and making it creak. “I will tell Mikhail.”

“They made the owner pay them. Isn’t that an incursion?” It’s like Knox spit in Mikhail’s face.

Nikolai nods, his jaw clenching as he stares out the window.

“I will take you back to your bike.” He revs the engine, tugging us in reverse and the tires squeal as he shifts into first.

As he pulls up to my Ducati, the flat of his hand shoots out and smacks me across the shoulder. “And, Jax. If you’re going to have a girl on your phone, get a better shot. That one makes you look like a fucking pervert. Ask her for a sexy pose. If she likes you, she’ll send one.” His broad palm shoves me out as I open the door.

My feet barely find the asphalt before he’s speeding off.

I still have one more stop, but his words eat at me.

Me: Nikolai saw my phone. He said the pic of you was blurry

Sofia: You have me as your wallpaper?

Me: Yeah. You’re beautiful. It’s all I got until you go on a date with me.

By the time I get the last payment and load up on my motorcycle, I still haven’t heard back.

Maybe I spooked her off.

I chew on my tongue bar as I walk into the penthouse over Mikhail’s casino.

He isn’t here, but his accountant is.

“All but Vox.” I drop the duffel of cash on his desk and slump onto the leather couch.

The last update on her car tracker has it sitting at her house.

He’s been there twice that I’ve seen.

What if he goes back when I’m not there?

I can’t protect her there.

Here would be better. Mikhail’s security is better than anyone else’s in Vegas.

If Kai were here, I know he’d help me keep watch.

Fuck, I miss him.

My throat tightens, then a wave of guilt washes over me. I haven’t thought about him in a couple of days.

I’ve been too distracted by her.

It’s like she’s the cure to this dark hole inside of me. My light.

If I need to be persistent, I will.

My notification pings.

When I click on it, big forest green eyes are framed by her luscious hair that looks almost burgundy in the soft light.

But, below her sly smile, her fingers hold the fabric of her deep red colored blouse out just far enough I can see the top of her black lacy bra.

Blood rushes to my cock so fast it pinches in my jeans.

Careful, Sofia. You’re making it very difficult to follow the rules.