“No, I don’t think.”
“Buuuut, Preeeez, he’s sooo cute! Look at him!” Malice whines, dropping to his knees at Chaos’ feet, clasping his hands up to beg. “Let him stay, Prez. Sin is right, we needed a pet, and he needs us. He was broken down by people just like we all were. It only makes sense.” Bristol giggles, and it’s so fucking cute, I can’t help but drop a kiss to her temple.
“Get the fuck off the floor, Mal, you’re being ridiculous. He can’t stay here.”
“He has to! He needs us!”
Chaos looks around at all of us, then looks back at Harvey, curled on the floor, sleeping next to the couch. The moment his face falls, I know we’ve got him, and Mal does too. Leave it to him to get what he wants for all of us. Not that I would be giving Harvey back to the shelter. He’s ours.
“Ah-ha! He’s ours! Our first club pet! I’m gonna get him a property patch!” Malice announces.
“He’ll grow on you, just like the group chat did,” I tell him, earning me his middle finger as he walks toward us.
“Bristol, you got a minute? Something I need to talk to you about,” Chaos asks, addressing her, running his hands through his long, dark hair. My head cocks to the side at him,wondering what the fuck he’s up to. Bristol looks up at me, not looking for permission, but reassurance that she’s not heading to her death with this unhinged bastard.
“You’re good, my love. I’ll be right here waiting when you get back.”
“You’re coming, too,” Chaos says as he turns and walks toward the double doors that lead to church. I stand, placing my hand on the small of her back, and guide her to the room that barely any women have seen.
Chaos is sitting at the head of the table, where he always is, and motions for us to take a seat. I’ve got no idea what any of this could be about, so I’m on high alert, wondering if some other shit show is about to be thrown at us when things just started to get easier. All I want is fucking peace.
“I owe you an apology. My brother died shortly after I became president, and I worked tirelessly to protect my family for a decade. Then enemies started to encroach and threatened everything I had worked hard for. I don’t trust easily, I don’t give my love freely, but once you’re in with me, you’re in for life. You didn’t deserve the welcome you got when you showed up here needing help. And brother,” he says, focusing his eyes on me, “you didn’t deserve the lack of support I gave you.”
“It’s water under the bridge, brother. We’re good. We’ll always be good.”
“I appreciate your apology, Chaos, but?—”
“Please, call me Camden.”
“Camden. But I get it. This is your family, your home, and I ran here and brought so much shit to your front door. I appreciateyou all taking me in, for helping me and Kira, and dealing with Blake . . . Just thank you, Camden.”
“Believe it or not, despite my attitude, that’s what we do here. We don’t go looking for trouble, but we protect those who can’t protect themselves, and we aren’t afraid to handle shit when it comes to us. Don’t be sorry for anything.”
“I appreciate that,” Bristol tells him, and I can tell how honest she’s being. I reach for her under the table, my hand squeezing her thigh in support.
“I heard about your shelter, Bloomfield Animal Haven, and how you lost your funding. It’s not going to be anything like it was, but if you’ll accept it, I’d like to make a donation on the club’s behalf. It’s enough to hold you over for a year, and Wrath said he’d work with you to help you secure something long-term. No strings attached, no obligations.”
Not a lot shocks me. But this did it. Bristol feels the same way, her hand flying to her mouth and muffling her gasp. She composes herself, standing quickly and walking over to Chaos. He stands, accepting her hug. We all are pretty territorial, not liking other patch brothers touching what’s ours, but I let this one go, and so does he.
“Thank you, Camden. Thank you. The shelter means the world to me. I don’t know what to say.”
“You already said it. You make my brother happy, and that’s what matters most to me. There’s one last thing.”
My eyebrow arches, eyes squinting. What the fuck is he up to?
“There are several houses on the property. You’re welcome to one of them for as long as you need. If that means forever, so beit, but there’s no pressure for you to make decisions while you get on your feet.”
Bristol’s eyes go wide, looking from Chaos and back to me like she’s not comprehending the magnitude of what he’s doing.
“If you want space, Bristol, just let me know, and I’ll make sure he stays in his room here with us. You’re in control, you have all the power,” he tells her, and I don’t think I’ve ever respected him more. And we’ve been through some shit.
Chaos sets a set of keys between them, a little tag with the house number on it. I know exactly where it is. It’s the two-story in the middle of the field at the far end of our property line. Perfect for animals.
“You’re sure, Camden? I can just use it until I’ve saved enough to buy a place of my own, I don’t have to stick around?—”
“As long as you need. Build a life there, for all we care. It’s up to you. You owe me and this club nothing in return. We’d do the same for any of us.”
Chaos stands, signaling to me that the conversation is done and it’s time to leave. I guide Bristol toward the door, letting her step out first, leaving me alone with Chaos for a moment.
