A Lighter Shade of Blue (Kings of Chaos 2)

My fingers itch to wrap around her throat. It’s a wonder no one has decked this bitch. “You evil little whore. Get the fuck out of my room and don’t come back!”

“Oh, I’ll be seeing you real soon, Shadow. And don’t worry. I made sure Blue watched me disappear inside. I wonder how long she stared at the door before she realized I wasn’t coming back out anytime soon.”

Furious, I stand and roar to release the rage. I don’t hit women, but I want to hurt the one in my bed, badly.

She rises from the bed as if she senses the anger, gathering the sheet around her body before she scuttles toward the door.

“One more word and I’m going to wring your fucking neck, regardless of your parentage,” I say.

Nodding her head, she bends to pick up her clothing, and backs out of my room, never taking her eyes off mine.

I run a hand through my hair. How the hell can I even begin to make this right?

Present

Two months later, Calla announced her pregnancy, and our hate-hate relationship began. I tried to keep her in line, calm her enough to bring Bolton into the world without any major defects. I did my best to stomach her and stay with her for my boy, but I could never get past her betrayal long enough to make her my Old Lady.

Psycho must’ve known something was up because he never pushed for it. Then again, he knows better than most what his daughter is like. Maybe he wouldn’t wish her upon his worst enemy.

After two years of pure hell, we parted ways. I would’ve taken full custody, but with what I do, it’s impossible. Stone tells me where to be, and I’m out the door at a moment’s notice. I toyed with getting another Old Lady, but my heart was never in it. All roads led back to the one woman I knew I would never be able to have. Seeing her dote on Bolt, and be the mother-like figure in his life when Calla let him down over and over again, only made my feelings for her grow. I kept it to myself. I mean, even I know the shit is fucked up. You knock a girl up and then go after her sister? Plus, she had that preppy boy that made my skin crawl. Every time she brought him around, he was all eyes and questions. Like KOC was some fairytale come to life.

Seeing the rock on her finger when she visited made me sick to my stomach. It was a wake-up call. She wouldn’t be unattached forever. Hell, if pretty boy managed to convince her to change her no to a yes, she would be lost to me. I grind my teeth. When I get out of here, things were going to change. I would make right the biggest mishap of my life.

Chapter Three

Let Go

Blue

It’s sad that the visit with Shadow was easier than seeing my sister. My stomach aches as I walk toward the Woman’s Correctional Facility. I want to tell her personally that I’ll be taking over Bolt’s care and moving in. It’s the least I can do. I feel like I’m stepping into her life. It makes me uncomfortable because deep down, I know if I could’ve switched places with her over the years, I would’ve. Not because she’s more outgoing or classically beautiful—I never envied her that. We all shine in our way, and I’m okay being the smart one. Beauty fades, and I’ve seen what happens to used up women who have nothing but their looks to rely on.

What I wanted was Shadow and Bolt. It killed me watching her squander away the relationship with Shadow and a parental bond. Now here I am, feeling like a witch that sent out a wish and got what she wanted at a cost to someone else. I didn’t force her to make these choices. She did that all on her on. I’m so used to the guilt that comes with our relationship, it’s sickening.

My heels click over the concrete as I enter the Woman’s Correctional Facility. I’d dressed myself in bitch armor. Black jeans, black heels, a black tank top that hints at my curves without showing anything, and a black blazer. My makeup is flawless. My hair has been tamed and slicked back into a low ponytail. Being on point is a must when I’m dealing with Calla, because the crazy bitch lives to pick me apart. I can’t say when it started, but over the years it’s escalated.

Knowing the routine, I hand them my ID and get buzzed in. I endure the pat down, sign the proper papers, and let them guide me back to the visitation area. I sit on the stool and peer at the plastic that’ll be separating us. Funny, the wall we’ve built betw

een us over the years is thicker and nontransparent. I haven’t been close to her in years, and now I don’t think I know who she is.

Like a caricature, she’s over the top, unbelievable, and fake. From the breast implants she made Shadow pay for, to the expensive makeup, acrylic nails, and the persona she never discards.

I wonder if she even knows who Calla is anymore. Soon enough, she’ll have nothing but time to think.

She comes in escorted by a guard. It’s only been a few days, and she looks gaunt. Her face is drawn. Dark circles bloom beneath her eyes like black holes. Without her war paint, she looks so vulnerable.

My heart aches. Despite my best efforts, I soften toward her.

She lowers herself onto the stool stiffly.

Images of hardened women surrounding her and laying down a beating make my stomach turn. Kings have power behind bars. They wouldn’t leave her vulnerable, but that won’t save her from everything. If she runs her mouth in here, she’ll pay.

Our gazes lock and everything else falls away. She’s my big sister. The one who let me sleep in her bed when I had nightmares, helped me learn to tie my shoe, and at one point, looked out for me. I reach for the phone first, and she follows suit. Placing the receiver to my ear I wait for her to speak.

“I guess Dad is pretty pissed if he sent you.” Her voice is raspy, and her eyes are red rimmed. Scarlet veins stand out.

“No, I asked to be the one to come here. Are you okay?”

“Do I look okay, Bluebell? I’m behind fucking bars and my family won’t even post bail.”