Page 97 of Chaos

Vomit spews from the guy’s quivering lip, making Nikolai jump back.

“You’re not making a very good case for yourself. Maybe I should make you lick my boot clean first?” Dropping the chunk of flesh, the giant Russian wraps his palm around the back of the man’s neck and shoves his face into the fetid stomach contents. “Tell me the name of the contact, and I will end this.”

“Kirill,” he grunts into the frothy bile against his mouth.

Alexei lets out a groan. “Oh, damn. Time for cleanup.” He runs his knife over the throat of the hanging man at the same time as Nikolai stabs his blade through the skull of the Reaper at his feet.

The red puddles merge into the old oil drain in the middle of the floor.

Nikolai stands, wiping the steel before sliding it into his sheath. “Jax, let’s get this loaded while Alexei works. He gets messy.”

As we finish loading the drugs into Nikolai’s Hellcat, Alexei shoves the last of the pieces of body into the back of their vehicle.

Following Alexei through the streets of Vegas, he heads directly towards the club that the Reapers call home. Leaving the truck in drive, he dives out the door and then runs to where we wait, diving into the backseat just as it crashes into the side of the building.

“Go!” he yells, still laying down.

Dirt and rocks fly as we’re thrown back from Nikolai accelerating us away.

“I’ll drop this off with Mikhail. He will be happy with a name.” Nikolai rolls to a stop outside my house.

Alexei crawls over the seat as I get out, then plops himself down.

“Alexei? You got blood and shit all over the inside of my fucking car!” Nikolai growls before the door slams shut.

I can hear Alexei laughing through the glass as they pull away.

It was a productive day. A month ago, I’d be heading towards one of the bars to have a few drinks to unwind.

But, my family is waiting for me.

FORTY-SEVEN

SOFIA

Song- Home, Good Neighbours

Jax wraps me up in his arms and lifts me off the floor as soon as he gets through the front door.

I’ve been waiting for him to come home to tell him the news.

“You’re in a good mood,” I say, blushing as he sets me down and runs his fingers through my hair.

“Just happy to be home with my girls for the rest of the day.”

“Dadda, dadda, dadda.”

Jax’s eyes go wide as he looks down at Maeve hurtling towards his legs.

“Baby girl, come give dadda a hug.” He scoops her up into his arms and nestles her into his chest.

My eyes sting as he looks at me with the same emotions I’m feeling.

“She just said it, Sof.”

I step forward and squeeze them both. Resting my head on his shoulder while stroking Maeve’s back.

“Momma,” Maeve babbles and I choke on a sob. This moment is perfect.