Chaos
No matter how many Twisted Kings clubhouses I’ve visited in the past five months, nothing compares to coming home to Vegas. Especially when there’s a celebration to be had.
Willa’s fingers stay linked through mine as we walk into the madness of the party, and I’ve never felt as complete as I do in this moment.
“What the fuck?” Soul slams his empty shot glass down on the bar, grinning at me. “Who let you through the gate?”
“I missed you too, brother.” I pull Soul in for a hug, and we clap each other on the back. “Surprised you haven’t burned this place to the ground yet.”
“Who are you kidding? Shit’s been calm around here since you left.” Havoc grins, and we clap hands.
Steel tips his glass at me from across the bar, and Ghost gives me a nod. Unlike the rest of the guys, they knew I was coming home today. I’ve been keeping them updated on my trip for security reasons.
Now, after five months, Willa and I have seen the whole country, fucked in every state—and every ocean. And now, we’re finally ready to put down roots again back in Vegas. It feels better than I thought it would. I’m back with my club.
My brothers.
I’m glad to be home.
“Damn, you look like the walking dead,” I say to Legacy when he walks up with Reagan.
Both he and Reagan have dark circles under their eyes. It’s clear they’re completely exhausted but here for the ceremony.
“Having a three-month-old will do that to you.” Legacy grips my shoulder. “We missed you, brother.”
“I missed you guys too.”
I’ve spent the past few months appreciating what my club has given me. They’ve been there through the hardest parts of my life. They welcomed me when I had nowhere to go. And when I needed it, they gave me time—space.
I’ll never be able to fully repay them for all they’ve done for me.
I pull Willa closer, kissing the top of her head.
“Wait a minute, when did this happen?” Soul stands up, reaching for my hand that’s resting on Willa’s shoulders. “You got married, and you didn’t tell me about it.”
“Surprise.” I laugh, and he flips me off. “It was a quick thing when we were working our way down the Pacific coast.”
“Your dress was stunning.” Reagan smiles.
“She got pictures, and I don’t even get a fucking text?” Soul juts his thumb at Reagan.
“Yeah, because she can actually keep a secret. Don’t worry, we said we’d throw something together at the clubhouse. We just took care of the legal shit so we’d have more time to party.”
He grins. “That I can get on board with. I’ll have Venom order the strippers.”
“Have fun with that.” I shake my head. “The only girl I want riding my lap naked is this one.”
Willa grins up at me, probably thinking about what we did last night.
I know I am.
“How is Sapphire Rise?” I ask.
“Venom’s been keeping an eye on things, but Kansas has it under control lately, so we haven’t had to hover as much as we did a few months ago.”
“He’s always been one of the good ones.”
Soul nods in agreement. “Speaking of good ones.”
Venom comes around the corner, and the brothers all cheer. A prospect hands me two beers, and I give one to Willa so we can join them. He walks through the room, getting clapped on the back as he goes, making his way over.
When he reaches us, he hugs Willa first. Venom claps my hand next, pulling me in and patting my back.
“Thanks for the vote from the road.”
“You earned it,” I tell him. “Now don’t fuck it up.”
“Mr. Heroic fuck shit up?” Soul grins, and Venom shakes his head. “Nah, he’s good.”
Steel whistles, and the room quiets. Someone turns down the music. He waves Venom over, and the crowd parts for him. When he stops at Steel’s side, Steel hands him a shot.
I wasn’t sure how I’d feel in this moment, watching Mayhem’s role as tail gunner officially get filled. He stepped in as road captain while I was in prison. He was a good second to the ranked members, and I’m torn between grief and pride as I watch Venom preparing to take that role.
The tail gunner is only a step below the six ranked positions in the club, but I have no doubt that someday Venom will be sitting in one of the chairs beside us.
“Days like this don’t come around often, and they aren’t taken lightly,” Steel says, lifting his glass.
“You’ve done more for your club in the last year and a half than some do in a lifetime.
Taken bullets. Blades. Protected our families like you’d protect your own.
You’ve looked out for your brothers above all, and it hasn’t gone unnoticed. ”
Steel pauses, lifting his beer higher as the rest of us follow.
“When I asked the men who they trusted to be our next tail gunner, your name was out before I even finished my question. We lost a loyal brother…”
“To Mayhem.” Venom lifts his glass.
“To Mayhem,” the room repeats.
Steel nods. “We’ll always honor the blood he gave for his club, but we move forward tonight. And you have the support of your brothers. Your family. Here’s to the next tail gunner of the Twisted Kings Las Vegas Chapter. To Venom.”
“To Venom.” The room erupts in cheers.
He barely has time to down his shot before he’s tackled by brothers. They drag him to the bar, and patch bunnies are already hanging all over him. I chuckle, remembering that day. It was one of the best of my life until I got Willa back.
I look down at her, and she smiles. “I’m happy for him.”
“Me too.” I lean down and kiss her.
We pull apart, and she catches Tempe waving her down from across the room. She doesn’t look as tired as Reagan, but Ember is a couple of months older, so she might be getting more sleep. Either way, both girls showed up tonight for the club.
“I’m going to go catch up with them,” Willa says.
“Have fun. Stay where I can see you.” She might be wearing my property patch on her back, but tonight will rival Reaper’s parties in Reno.
“Yes, sir.” She gives me a mocking salute, and I pull her in to whisper in her ear.
“Keep up the attitude, princess. I’ll have fun taming it out of you later.”
She blushes, turning to leave, and I watch her go, loving how my name looks on her back.
The party quickly devolves, turning into madness, like most patching-in parties do. They’re even worse when a new ranked member is brought in. Venom is dragged away by the patch bunnies at some point in the night, and when he reappears, he looks the happiest I’ve ever seen him.
Members filter in and out until it finally quiets down as the sun starts to rise. The old ladies have taken over the patio. Reagan is sleeping on a lounger in Legacy’s arms while the rest talk. Willa stopped drinking hours ago, but she doesn’t look tired yet.
A few brothers linger around the room. Venom is passed out on the pool table.
“Nothing like having a reason to celebrate.” Soul drops onto the barstool beside me. “It would be nice if these parties weren’t the result of tragedy.”
“Agreed.” I tip my mug up, taking a sip of coffee.
A headache throbs between my temples. I’m drunk and hungover all at once. But I’m thankful because the Twisted Kings are moving forward, promoting someone who deserves it. It’s a reason to celebrate.
“It hasn’t been the same without you around here.” Soul swirls his beer.
“You should have come to Reno. Reaper’s club is always a good time.”
“Don’t I know it.” Soul grins, still staring at his drink. “You two good though?”
He glances over his shoulder at Willa, who’s laughing at something Tempe said.
“We’re good.”
“And the ranch?”
“Surprisingly better than ever. Kincaid really stepped up after all that happened. He’s working hard.”
“He should be.”
I chuckle. “He is.”
Soul opens his mouth to say something when a strange sound comes from the front of the clubhouse.
“What is that?” I look up just as a tiny brunette rounds the corner.
I recognize her immediately, and from how all the blood drains from Soul’s face, I’m sure he does too.
“Isn’t that—”
“Yeah.” He shoves off his barstool, meeting her in the center of the room.
Her eyes dart around, taking in the scene, which is a complete fucking mess after the party last night. This isn’t us at our most presentable.
“Emery, what the hell?” Soul shakes his head, taking her in.
Not just her, but the baby in her arms. The baby can’t be more than a month old. And seeing as it’s October, and I know Soul spent last New Year’s with this girl, there are a thousand questions going through my head. But I leave them all to him.
“You remember me then?” She nervously bites her lip.
“Remember you? Are you fucking kidding me? I’ve been looking for you everywhere. It’s like you disappeared.”
“I know. I had to. I’m sorry, Hayes. It was for the best.”
“What— Why?” Soul’s eyes move from her to the baby.
I’ve seen him calm and collected in the most fucked-up situations. But right now, he’s practically vibrating.
Around us, others have taken notice of the situation. Legacy watches from the lounger while Havoc and Steel have stepped inside.
“I’m sorry to come here like this.” The baby makes a sound, and Emery brushes her finger down the ridge of the baby’s nose, soothing her. “We didn’t have anywhere else to go.”
Soul swallows hard, staring at the baby that looks too much like him to deny his world is about to be flipped upside down.
“There’s someone I want you to meet.” Emery forces a smile. “Charlotte. Charlie, for short. Your daughter.”
“My daughter.” Soul’s face drains like he’s been shot but is still standing.
“Yes. I know I shouldn’t do this to you. The trouble it will cause. If my uncle finds out where I am, he’ll kill us both.” She shivers, stumbling over her words.
“Your uncle?”
“Rick Zane.” Tears fill Emery’s eyes as she looks back up at Soul, and I swear the entire room goes silent at that name. “Please, Hayes. We need your help.”