Queen of Chaos (Kings of Chaos Book 2), page 1
Queen of Chaos
Copyright © 2021 Katie Ball
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Kings of Chaos
Queen of Chaos
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Queen of Chaos
Book Two of the Kings of Chaos Series
By Katie Ball
Chapter One
Hazel
“Oh god, I need a drink.” I’m glad me and Jane were on the same page, it has been a long shift. It didn’t help that we had been training some new staff tonight. No experience but hey, they had to start somewhere. It didn’t make the learning process any easier.
“Jane, I think I got it.” Lucas grinned as he tried to do some fancy trick. I couldn’t help but wince, I knew where this was heading. Just as I suspected, mere seconds later, the mixer slipped from his grip along with the contents, hitting the floor where it made one hell of a mess.
Yeah, that was pretty much how I saw it ending.
“Why the hell did we start with cocktails?” I mumbled to Jane as Lucas just frantically looked around for a mop.
“I got this, I’ll clean it up.” Rushing into the kitchen in the hope of finding some cleaning supplies.
“I don’t know, I’m going to blame you though.” Glaring at Jane now.
“Why is it my fault?” She just shrugged.
“I mean you’re fucking the boss so he’s not going to shout at you for wasting product.” Fair point.
“He’s your trainee.” At least mine hadn’t dropped anything—well not yet anyway.
“There’s always time, don’t get too cocky.” Lucas came stumbling out of the kitchen with a mop and bucket, getting to work.
Georgia, my trainee, was busy chatting to some regulars. She wasn’t much younger than me, I just wasn’t sure of her yet. She wasn’t the quickest learner, but she was good with the customers.
Jane went to deal with Lucas, while I collected some glasses.
“Shouldn’t one of the newbies be doing that?” Mac questioned as I grabbed the empties off of their table.
“Probably best they use this time to learn how to pour drinks without breaking anything.” Hog smirked at me.
“Bet Talon will love the wastage from these two.” Please, I could get out of any trouble when it came to my king. There was no way he could be mad at me.
These two had been guarding me all day, apparently Cole and Tank were coming to relieve them at some point. I was hoping Talon would be with them, I had missed him today.
I know he had stepped up the search for my stepfather. Since that night when he broke into our home and tried to strangle the life out of me, the Kings had stepped up the ante. It had been two weeks and still no sign of him, he had gone quiet. I knew he hadn’t left though, he was just waiting, plotting on how else he can torment me.
Talon was very clear that I went nowhere without at least two Kings with me, he wouldn’t give him another chance to get his hands on me.
“Speak of the devil.” Glancing over my shoulder I found my man strolling through the door, followed by Tank and Cole. Though my attention stayed locked on Talon, enthralled by my man.
Just as dreamy as the first night I saw him, he still takes my breath away. Those glowing emerald eyes trailed down my body as he admired his queen, a cheeky grin on his face as he met my eyes once more. That golden hair of his was extra wavy today, maybe it had something to do with me and the way I grabbed fistfuls of it as he buried his face between my legs this morning. It was his favourite way to wake me up, I was quite a fan of it as well.
“Love.” Reaching out for me, his hands grabbed my hips and hauled me to him. Covering my lips with his in a fiery kiss, greeting me in the most perfect way.
“Talon.” Wishing we were alone right now. Running my fingers over the thick stubble along his jawline, he was growing his beard out, something I fully supported.
“God, these two, they are always at it.” Tank winked at me as he took a seat with the others.
“You’re just jealous.” Talon threw back at him as he nuzzled into the crook of my neck, nibbling on my rapid pulse. Thankfully, the bruising had gone down now. Barely anything there, just a faint yellow bruise. It didn’t even hurt anymore, which meant he could show plenty of attention to my throat. Showering me in kisses, which I never complained about.
“Talon, I’m at work.” Giggling as he growled against my skin.
“And? I’m the boss.” Which he loved to remind me far too often.
“You alright there Cole?” Mac made us pause for a moment, looking towards Cole now. I found him stood there with his eyes locked on the bar or rather on someone behind the bar.
Jane. He had it bad for her, if only he would do something about it. I mean, she wasn’t happy. Her and Zach were still just ‘seeing’ one another, it wasn’t what she wanted but I think she was praying that after some more time he would change. Wanting her to be more to him, maybe take her out on a damn date. I think she was wasting her time.
If only Cole would make his interest clear to her, maybe she would see she had a better option stood right here. A man who would treat her good.
“Cole?” Talon’s voice snapped his brother out of his daydream.
“What?” Trying to play it off like it was nothing. I think everyone was well aware of what was going through his head.
“You know, you could talk to her.” I decided to encourage him, I just had this feeling he would be perfect for Jane.
“Don’t know what you’re talking about.” Everyone saw through his bullshit. What was he afraid of? That she might like him back?
“I’ll go get you some drinks.” Leaving Talon’s warm embrace, I went to sort them out some beers.
“I didn’t know you were with the boss,” Georgia whispered to me, eyeing my man up. The territorial woman in me stirred. He was mine, end of discussion.
“People need serving Georgia.” Hating the way, she fluttered her eyelashes at him. Sure, he wasn’t paying attention but still, it ignited the green-eyed monster within me. Fighting the urge to throat punch her.
“You’re one lucky woman. How did you manage it?” Clenching my jaw, about ready to fight her.
“Oh please, he’s the lucky one. He got himself a damn queen.” Jane sidled up to me, standing up for me. Always ready to defend me. What are best friends for?
“I was just—”
“I know what you were just saying. If I were you, I’d bite my tongue.” Giving Georgia her best back the fuck off bitch smile. “Maybe you should call it a night.”
Dismissing her, Georgia just grabbed her stuff and made a quick dash for the door. Hopefully, she wouldn’t come back, I didn’t need the bitchy comments.
“Thanks for that.”
“Anytime, I got your back.” I left her to deal with Lucas, he really was a handful. Leaving me to deal with the Kings.
“Here you go.” Thanking me as I passed them out.
“Everything alright darling?” Talon asked. Probably curious why Georgia had all but run out of here.
“Fine.” Arching an eyebrow at me.
“Take it she won’t be coming back.”
“I don’t know.” His arm snuck around me, dragging me closer. I held onto his shoulder for support as he kept me standing at his side, gazing up at me with those stunning eyes.
“Why don’t you join us, love?” Tutting at him.
“Talon, I’m working. I can’t just sit down.” Frowning at up me like he couldn’t understand what I was worried about.
“What if I ask you as your boss?” Rolling my eyes at him, was he being serious? Christ almighty.
“My answer is still going to be no.”
“Even if it’s going against a direct order from your boss?” I heard the guys stifling their laughter.
“Damn right.” He should know by now I’m not about to be ordered around. Well, unless it’s in the bedroom then he can give me as many orders as he likes.
“I—”
“No Lucas, don’t—” Jane shrieked, capturing all our attention. It was too late though, Lucas for some reason thought it was a good idea to carry a tray full of drinks. Why I don’t know, but it had slipped from his hands and went crashing to the floor, shattering on impact. If I thought the mess he made earlier was bad, it was nothing compared to this.
“Fucking hell.” One of the Kings grumbled.
“Sorry.” Lucas held his hands up and surveyed the whole bar, apologizing as if that would help. Jane was just glaring at him, annoyed he hadn’t listened to her.
“How many times has that shit happened tonight?” Talon questioned.
“I mean, I wasn’t keeping count or anything.” I felt him look at me then, wondering how much wastage there would be after Lucas was done.
“Hazel?” Fluttering my eyelashes at him, giving him my best ‘don’t be mad at me’ look.
“Probably best you don’t know.” Taking a long slow sip of his beer at the realisation that he had hired a clumsy barman.
“On that note, we’re going to shoot off.” Mac and Hog said their goodbyes, each giving me a kiss on the side of my head before they left.
“I better go help sort this mess out.” Heading off to help Lucas clean up. He was a nightmare, Jane ended up telling him to go clean some tables.
Not that it kept him out of trouble. I don’t think I had ever met someone so accident prone, it was crazy. He certainly kept us busy cleaning up after him.
∞∞∞
Thankfully, the night went by quite quickly, though I can’t say Lucas got any better. Every time he broke something, I glanced over at Talon. His face made it quite obvious that he was not impressed, he looked about ready to kick his arse for breaking so much stuff. I think the only reason he hadn’t said anything to him was because it was genuinely accidental, he was just too heavy handed.
I had disappeared into the back to cash up for the night, leaving Jane and Lucas to tidy up out front. I hadn’t heard anything break so that was a good sign.
As I was counting the money, I heard movement in the hallway, heading for me. I knew exactly who it was, I’m surprised it had taken him this long to come find me.
Glancing over at the door, I found my man leaning against the doorframe. Eyes locked on to me, a soft smile on those lips of his.
“About time.” Talon wasn’t known for his patience—well not when it came to me.
“You been waiting for me love?” Biting my lip as I clenched my thighs together, the deep pulsing already roaring to life within me.
“Maybe.” Moving towards me now, he cupped my face in his rough hands. Hovering so close to me, his breath teased my quivering lips.
“I don’t like to keep my queen waiting.” Sweeping those sinful lips across mine. I grabbed hold of his shirt and pulled him closer, not wanting any room between us. Resting his hands on the arms of the chair, while my own hands snuck underneath his shirt, finding those tantalising chiselled muscles.
“Mmm—it’s been a long day without you,” I mumbled as he kissed his way over my cheek, leading to my neck where he nibbled on my vulnerable skin.
“You nearly finished?” Thankfully, I couldn’t wait to go home and be entirely consumed by Talon.
“I just—I got to cash up.” My voice was coarse, shaky. I blame Talon, he had got me all flustered, I couldn’t think straight.
“Good because I have plans for you Hazel.” Arching an eyebrow at him.
“Plans?” He chuckled as he met my gaze again.
“It’s lucky you don’t have work tomorrow; I don’t think you’ll be able to walk after I’m finished with you.” My cheeks flushed red. Holy shit. I suddenly felt like I was in a sauna, hearing him speak like this. He got me all worked up, eager to get home.
“Well, you better let me finish up here then.” Giving me one last soft kiss, he slouched down into the other chair, giving me space so I could finish cashing up. Of course, he stayed right there and watched me, not letting me out of his sights. He had his eyes trained on me, the way a hunter locks onto their prey.
God, I couldn’t wait to get home.
He didn’t say anything, merely observed me. I was kind of glad for the silence, I needed to concentrate. Plus, it gave me a chance to steady my erratic heartbeat.
Jane poked her head in then.
“Hey, we’re all done out here. I sent Lucas home. So, me and Zach are going to head out now. I’ll see you Wednesday.” I smiled at her.
“Ok, I’ll see you Wednesday. Get home safe.” She saluted me, thinking she was funny apparently.
“Will do boss.” She left. I noticed Talon just grinned at me, I’m glad someone found her funny.
“What?” He leaned back in his chair.
“You’d make a good boss.” I think that beer had gone to his head, I turned to face the computer again.
“Not my thing and the last time I checked; you were my boss.” I finished up and shut the computer down. I spun around and found him still watching me.
“What?” He chuckled.
“You never thought about it, maybe not here but somewhere else.” Confused what he was trying to hint at, this was obviously something he had thought about.
“Are you firing me?” Wondering why he was bringing this conversation up. Did he not want me working here anymore?
“Hazel, of course not.”
“Well it sounds like you’ve thought about it. So do you have somewhere in mind?” Leaning back in his chair, he watched me carefully.
“I don’t know, maybe your own bakery.” Clenching my jaw, this wasn’t the first time he had brought this up. Though just lately he has been dropping hints, trying to be subtle and failing epically.
“Talon, we’ve already talked about this. It’s not going to happen.” Quite a few of the Kings kept mentioning this, saying I should have my own little place. Mainly so they can come get cupcakes whenever they feel like it.
“Why not?” Was it something I had thought about before? Yes. Was it something I saw happening? No. I wasn’t in the position to be able to make it a reality—as much as I would love to.
“Because it isn’t. Now, can we go home?” Wanting to get off of this topic.
“It could though. What if I told you I had a proposal for you?” My eyes narrowed on him, what was my king plotting?
“A proposal?” He grinned at me, pleased that he had piqued my curiosity.
“What if I told you I had a building a few doors down, it’s an empty building but it could become your bakery.” My eyes went wide, he wasn’t serious. Please tell me he was messing with me or something.
“You can’t be serious?” The way he shrugged at me, like it was nothing.
“I damn well am.” Shaking my head at him.
“No, Talon, just no, it’s too much. Don’t even think about it.” Knowing full well where this was heading.
“Hear me out. I own the building, well the club does, along with many other properties within Oakley. We rent them out to small businesses, supporting the local community as best we can, I would do the same for you. This building is just sat there empty, doing nothing. You could change that; I’d like you to change that.” I went to argue but he silenced me before I could.
“I want to do this for you Hazel. All I want to do is make you happy, make all the dreams you never thought possible, a reality for you. I’d give you the damn world if you asked for it. I just—I want to give you the life you’ve always wanted. The life you deserve, let me do this for you, love.” How the hell could I say no now after that? Hearing him talk like that, it made my heart do backflips.
“What about the bar?” I couldn’t just leave this place though. He may be hiring more staff, but it would be leaving Jane to deal with all this.
“What about it? I’m getting everything in order. Plus, I was thinking of promoting Jane. I think she’d make a good manager.” Holy shit, he really had thought this all through. How would Jane react when he asked her to be manager? He was right though; she would be pretty damn good.
“Can I at least think about it?” I needed to process what he was offering to me, it was a lot. It would mean I got to do something I loved every single day. Something I was passionate about, something that gave me joy. I would be a fool to turn it down, but it was a lot to accept as well.
“Of course.” He climbed to his feet then, holding his hand out to me. “Let’s get you home, love. I have some plans for you.” Grinning at him now. I think he was hoping to silence the turbulent thoughts that were whirling within my mind. If anyone could, it was Talon.
I mean, it’s kind of his fault anyway. He was the one to put these thoughts in my mind, it’s only right he takes care of them.
“Oh is that so.” Placing my hand in his, letting him pull me to my feet.
“Mmm-hmm. I should warn you though, I don’t imagine you’re going to be getting much sleep tonight.” Suddenly, I was wide awake, more than ready to be consumed by my man.
All. Night. Long.
Chapter Two
Talon wasn’t wasting a moment of my day off. No, he had insisted we go for a ride. Of course, I didn’t argue, I loved being on the back of his bike. I was his queen, this was my place. My own seat, reserved especially for me.
Cuddling up to my man, I savoured the way the wind whipped around, making my hair dance in the breeze. Enjoying the feel of being wrapped around Talon, right where I should be.
