A Lighter Shade of Blue (Kings of Chaos 2)

The joy fades from her face and she nods. Whispering a quick excuse to Ruthie, she takes off her olden dress and rushes toward me. “What’s wrong?”

“We need to get to County. I’ll fill you in then.”

“Is it,” she swallows hard, “Calla?”

I wish it was. Because this is going to kill you. “No.”

“Okay.” She looks relieved.

I know Stone will make sure everyone else who needs to be there is contacted. Right now, she’s my number one concern. Shit is never easy long with Chaos. I push the speed limit as we roar from the parking lot and onto the highway. The twenty minute trip takes us twelve. I park in the first place I can see and rush to the front door.

A prospect is waiting when we come in.

“They’re up on the third floor. No news yet.”

“About who?” Blue asks.

The prospect looks to me.

I shake my head. “Let’s get up there.”

“No.” She shakes my hand free. “What aren’t you telling me?”

“Take the bass out your voice, girl. I’m trying to do what’s best for you.” I wrap an arm around her waist and half drag her to the elevators. “Trust me to do that the way you’ve been trusting me all night.”

Her lower lip trembles. She knows it’s someone close to her.

I wish I could spare her the pain. She’s been through enough recently. I press the up arrow button and after an eternity, the doors open. I hurry her inside and press three. Her body is shaking. The cart comes to a stop with a ding. We step out into a group of Chaos members. The sound of weeping is prominent. The brothers see us and the crowd parts like the red sea.

Stone is supporting a sobbing Pixie.

“No! Daddy?” Blue cries out. She runs to her mother, and hugs her. “What happened?”

“He got stabbed leaving the house tonight. I won’t lie to you, Bluebell, it doesn’t look good.”

“Who?” she whispers.

“That’s where it gets more difficult. They burned his back piece off, Blue. This was an intentional message from someone. Your mom says she has no clue who would want to do that. It wasn’t done by any of our local chapter. We’re putting out feelers now.”

“You can’t stop lying, can you?” Blue yells. “You still trying to protect your precious little bitch after she does this to Dad. I know it was her!” Blue grabs her mother’s arms and yanks her away from Stone. “Stop lying and start telling the truth. This entire mess is your fucking fault!”

Stone looks at me, and I shake my head. Whatever they have going on right now, is not a secret I’m privy to.

“Fucking now, Mother!” Blue yells.

Pixie jumps.

“You got something you want to share with me, Pixie?” Stone asks.

“C-Calla. She’s not his,” she whispers.

“What?” Stone exclaims.

“She’s Battle’s. W-we found out when she had to research her family history for school. I never told anyone else, but she knew.”

“Jesus Christ. You know we don’t lie about shit like this, Pixie. This shit is betrayal!” Stone hisses.

“I know. I’m sorry. I am so sorry,” she sobs.