In Peace Lies Havoc (Midnight Mayhem 1)

One kicks his foot out. “You assume I don’t already know that.” His fingers hover over his phone as his attention comes to me. As soon as the chopper begins to lift off the ground and the other three guys are seated, One opens up his phone and the rest of us fall into a long stretched silence.

We descend onto a helipad that’s in the middle of a large field. This helipad has the same seven-point star as the one that was on the yacht. Interesting. There are large green shrubs that surround the helipad in one circle, blocking every view of the giant mansion I noticed on our way down. As soon as we land, One opens up the door, and I follow closely behind him.

He looks between Rose and me, his face placid. “Will you follow my instructions carefully?”

Two chuckles, licking his lips and standing beside One. “You think they’ve got it in them?”

One glares at me. “No.”

Rose’s hand comes to mine, and I give it a little squeeze. Doesn’t do much for reassurance, but at least I know she’s beside me. A stranger can fill the void of a gaping hole that panic punched into, so for that, I’m thankful I have her beside me.

Three and Four remain behind Rose and me.

“Answer me…” One demands, his eyes strong as steel. “Will you follow instructions?”

“Yes,” Rose hisses.

One steps forward, and it’s then that I realize he’s coming closer. His dark shadow expands like an umbrella around me. “Dovey, if you don’t abide by the rules that will be set out for you, there will consequences.”

I don’t answer, my eyes flying across the grass, as if I’m in search of something. Anything. Maybe what I’m searching for are the words that flutter over the tip of my tongue, threatening to slice him across the neck.

I flinch when his finger wraps around my chin, tilting my head up to his. I don’t like to be touched. He towers over me, so my neck has to bend for my eyes to meet his. Green on green, only different shades. Both human, only different souls.

“Do you understand?”

I don’t, but I nod my head anyway. One and Two begin walking in front of Rose and me, with Three and Four following behind us. We exit out of a clearing that surrounds the helipad, the sun now setting in the distance, burning the sky to a crisp orange.

“What is going on…” Rose mutters, and I squeeze her even more.

One and Two continue through the thick clearing until they part out of an exit. Music is pulsing loudly, throwing my mind back into The Club. As soon as we exit the same clearing, my footing falters. Eminem is vibrating around the place and the entire backyard of the mansion is filled with equipment I haven’t seen. People are shuffling around the area—workers, I think. One and Two pause, turning to face me. Delicately manicured hedges line the gardens and a large swimming pool sits to the left of the yard. To the right is where all of the different equipment is laid: poles, a large square cage that’s big enough to fit a group of humans, and a black, silver, and lilac styled tent that has been dismantled. The mansion spills out onto the large patio area where a boulder is carved into a naked woman and man, curled up together. There’s a fountain surrounding them, and table and chairs neatly stacked around the patio. The home is something straight from Europe, with its Victorian style architecture. The moss that is growing between the stones faintly reminds me of a certain person’s eyes.

“What’s going on?” Rose repeats, her attention shifting directly to One. Even she knows who the alpha of the pack is.

“Ahhh, Rose Kinnish and Dove Hendry. I’ve been waiting so long to meet you…” A soft voice beckons from behind us, and I turn to quickly face the intruder.

Long legs meet a long torso and a small face. She has short black hair and beady little eyes. That doesn’t take away the fact that she could be beautiful. I say could because there’s something about her that taints her beauty. Something dark and sinister. She also has a small scar that is indented into her upper lip, which is curved like a half-moon.

She studies me closely. “You’ve met The Brothers of Kiznitch.” She gestures to the four who stand around us before putting a cigarette between her tiny lips and lighting the end. She inhales and then points toward One. “Kingston.” Kingston. She then points to Two. “Killian.” To Three. “Kyrin.” Finally, to Four. “Keaton. Tell me,” she blows out more smoke, “why do you think you’re here?” She drops her smoke onto the grass, and I watch as her red bottom pump squashes it into the blades. She steps forward. I have to fight the urge to retreat back. When we don’t answer, a small smirk glistens over her mouth. “Interesting for you.” She points to Rose. “Not so interesting for you.” She comes back to me.