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Emmy

The deep rumble of engines echoed in the distance from bikes I’d passed on the way. Flipping my signal on, I pulled into the gravel lot of the Kings of Chaos clubhouse. The place loomed ahead, a beast of a building tucked behind a row of towering pines, its long history soaked into the worn wood and oil-stained pavement. Neon beer signs flickered in the windows of the old factory, casting a hazy glow against the night. Loud music, laughter, and shouted curses spilled out when the heavy metal door swung open and two men in KOC-patched cuts walked out.

A row of motorcycles, chrome gleaming under the outdoor lights, stood lined up like a battalion, each one a symbol of the men who ruled this place. My brother’s bike was resting in its usual spot.

My stomach knotted. Luke never left his ride behind, not without a damn good reason.

Shutting off the engine, I gripped the steering wheel. This was the last place I wanted to be. I’d spent years fighting my way out of this world—out of the chaos, the violence, the temptation of falling for the wrong man.

But now? Now, I was stepping right back into the lion’s den.

With a steadying breath, I opened the door and slid out, my boots crunching against the gravel. Conversations outside the clubhouse tapered off, eyes tracking my movement. Some of the faces were familiar, ghosts from my past, while others were new—young prospects still earning their place in the Kings of Chaos.

I ignored the stares, ignored the prickle of unease creeping up my spine. I had one goal tonight—find out what the hell happened to my brother.

The door swung open, and heat wrapped around me, thick with cigarette smoke, the smell of beer, and something darker. Power.

The interior of the clubhouse was exactly as I remembered. A massive open space with a bar stretching along one side, its wooden top scarred from years of fights and celebrations alike. Billiards tables filled the center, where men in leather cuts leaned over to take their shots, cigars dangling from their lips.

The walls were adorned with patches, photographs, and relics of a brotherhood built on loyalty and blood. I knew that in the back, behind the big wooden doors, a Kings of Chaos flag hung over a massive oak table—the war room. That’s where business was handled. That’s where deals were made, threats issued, orders were given, and church was held every Thursday night.

Of course, I’d never attended a church meeting. No woman had. They were strictly for brothers only.

That wasn’t saying that women weren’t a big part of the club. Just not in any significant way. A few were dancing on the stage, wearing only a small thong, their breasts bare and swaying with their movements. Their eyes were closed as if each sensual movement was for a secret lover.

Looking around the room, I found women were in service to members in other ways. A few were waitresses, delivering drinks and food to the men at tables. One was dealing cards, and others were servicing in more personal ways.

Even with my brother trying to protect me from the rawness of the club, I’d seen it all. Blow jobs at the bar, sex on the couches, even tag-teaming on the pool tables. Those women were considered club whores and would do anything to be able to call one of its members their old man, but were too delusional to realize that would never happen. Thankfully, I didn’t recognize anyone.

A fresh wave of dread unfurled in my gut. Luke was part of this world in ways I never had been even though I’d spent my young life wanting nothing more. At one time, I’d seen myself as a queen to the Kings. I’d wanted that more than anything in the world, and Luke hadn’t been pleased. He’d wanted me far away from club business.

But now he was missing, and I was out of options.

A low hum of conversation buzzed as I walked deeper inside. I’d been recognized. And then…

Silence.

Like a wolf catching the scent of an old adversary, Austin “Prez” King looked up from where he leaned against the bar. The moment his eyes locked on to me, a slow smirk spread across his face—the kind that made my stomach tighten and my pulse race in a way it had no business doing.

Lord, help me. Time had only made him hotter.

His dark hair was a little longer now, swept back in that effortless way that made him appear wild and untamed. The sharp line of his jaw was dusted with just enough stubble to make my heart jump, framing full lips that had once whispered dirty promises against my skin. Tattoos snaked down his arms, partially hidden beneath the black T-shirt stretched across his chest. And those piercing blue eyes—God, those eyes—still held that same intensity that used to unravel me with a single glance. He exuded undeniable, unapologetic authority, the kind that made men move when he spoke and women look twice when he passed. But he’d only wanted me.

My heartbeat stuttered, torn between the ache of everything we’d lost and the sudden, overwhelming pull that said I still wasn’t over him. Not even close.

He took his time pushing off the bar and closing the distance between us. Heat licked up my spine.

"Welcome home, Emmy," he said, voice smooth as aged whiskey.

Home. That word didn’t fit anymore. I’d spent years separating myself from this life. I’d built a name for myself in the outside world, somewhere I wasn’t just Luke Carter’s little sister. Or Austin’s… whatever I was.

Luke. That’s why I was here. Luke was gone. Fate had a twisted sense of humor because the only man who could help me was standing right there, gazing at me like I was a buried memory he never wanted to relive.

I straightened my shoulders. "Where’s my brother? I’ve been trying to get in touch with him for two days and he’s not answering my texts or calls. The gym said he hasn’t shown up for his training sessions. We both know that’s not like Luke."

Austin’s smirk vanished, replaced by a look I couldn’t quite read. His jaw clenched, the muscle ticking beneath his scruff. He didn’t answer right away, and that hesitation set my nerves on edge.

"Where’s Luke?" I demanded again, forcing my voice to stay steady while an iron band of fear constricted my chest, preventing me from taking a full breath of air.

A few of the other club members exchanged looks. A man I recognized—Bear, one of the club’s enforcers—shifted his weight on the barstool and downed the rest of his drink.

Austin finally spoke, lower this time. "Grit’s not here."

I folded my arms, unwilling to let him play this game with me. "I know that. What I don’t know is where he is or why his bike is still parked outside. He wouldn’t willingly leave it behind."

Austin exhaled, rubbing a hand down his face before shooting a pointed look at one of his men. A silent command. The man nodded, gathered a few curious onlookers and they disappeared down the hall leaving me alone with Austin.

Something was wrong. Very wrong. My pulse kicked up.

"Why didn’t you call me?" I pressed, stepping closer.

His eyes met mine, something unreadable flickering behind the ice-blue stare that had once inflamed me. "Because I don’t have answers yet."

Yet. The word landed like a stone in my gut. My fingers curled at my sides, frustration mingling with the old fire I swore I’d extinguished years ago. The intensity in Austin’s gaze, the way he smelled—leather, smoke, something darker and distinctly him—it all wrapped around me, dragging me back to a time when I’d wanted things I never should have.

This wasn’t about the past. This was about Luke. "If he’s in trouble, I need to know."

Austin was well aware I wouldn’t let this go. His eyes searched mine and, for a brief second, I thought I saw an edge soften. Then it was gone.

"Fine. But not here, come with me," he said with a sigh, turning on his heel and striding toward the back of the clubhouse.

I hesitated for half a second before following.

Austin pushed open the door to his office, and I stepped inside. There was better lighting than the rest of the clubhouse, but the same big desk still sat covered with papers, folders, notes, and a few bottles of whiskey scattered across the surface.

My gaze lingered on it, and a shiver went through me remembering the last time I’d been here. I closed my eyes and willed the images away. They had no business being in my mind.

Get a grip, Emmy. You’re here for Luke.

The door shut, leaving us alone.

Austin leaned against the edge of the desk, arms crossed, watching me. "Luke was last seen two nights ago. He was supposed to meet one of our guys at a drop, but he never showed."

"A drop? What kind of drop?"

His expression didn’t change other than the same tick of his jaw. "Club business."

Of course. The Kings of Chaos never let outsiders into their world, and despite the fact that I was Luke’s sister, I was still an outsider. "Austin, this is my brother. You think I give a damn about club secrets right now?"

His gaze locked on to mine, inscrutable. Then, with a heavy exhale, "Fine. We were securing a shipment. Grit was supposed to be there, but he never showed. His phone’s off so we can’t ping it. No one’s seen or heard from him since."

My breath caught. "And you didn’t think to tell me?"

“I wasn’t about to drag you into this unless I had to."

My nails dug into my palms. Men. Always deciding what was best for me. Always shutting me out.

"He’s my family," I snapped.

"He’s my brother too," Austin shot back, his voice rough. "You don’t think I’m doing everything in my power to find him?"

His words hit me like a slap.

Right. Luke wasn’t just my brother. He was also Austin’s family. His brother in the Kings of Chaos. The family that didn’t include me.

The tension between us simmered, an undercurrent of old and unresolved emotions crackling in the air.

I swallowed hard. "Then let me help."

Austin stared at me for a long beat. "This isn’t your world anymore, Emmy. Remember, you couldn’t get away fast enough."

I refused to let him bait me. We both knew what happened. "What did or didn’t happen years ago isn’t important. My brother’s disappearance is, and I need to know if Luke is in trouble."

The silence stretched between us, but something shifted in his eyes.

Finally, he ran a hand through his dark hair, exhaling loudly as he conceded. "Fine. But if you’re in, you follow my lead."

My chin lifted, enabling me to meet his gaze head-on. "I don’t take orders from you, Austin."

His grin was back, sly and knowing—the kind that used to make my panties wet every single time. This time was no different, but I would die before I admitted it.

"You never did. Except in the bedroom. I remember you loving my orders then."

Heat rushed to my cheeks, but I didn’t look away. I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction. "That was a long time ago."

"Doesn’t feel that way." His voice was lower now, raspier. The way his gaze raked over me made it impossible to forget the nights we stole in secret, the way he used to hold me down, command my body until I was too wrecked to deny how much I wanted him. “I’ve missed you, Emmy.”

His words did funny things to my insides. I wanted to throw back that I hadn’t missed him, but that would have been a lie. "Everything’s changed, Austin."

"Has it?"

“Yes. It had to, remember? You said I couldn’t get away fast enough, but you’re the one who threw me away," I reminded him, needing to direct the power back in my favor.

Austin rolled his shoulders like he was shaking off a weight. "You walked away, Emmy. You made it real damn clear that whatever we had wasn’t worth the fallout."

"I walked away when you gave me no other choice."

"Sure," he muttered. "You always had a plan, didn’t you? Get out, get that fancy degree, and leave this place in your rearview and never come back."

Not my original plan. At one time, I saw my life going in a completely different direction. One that included him. His casual comment about a confusing and painful time in my life shouldn’t have stung, not after all these years. But it did.

"I didn’t leave Luke," I spit back at him. "I called. I visited. And if he’d needed me—really needed me—I would’ve been here."

Austin studied me, something flickering behind his eyes that was quickly masked. "Well, he needs you now."

Right. I exhaled sharply. That’s why I was here. Not to resurrect the past. Not to let Austin get under my skin. "Then tell me where to start."

His expression hardened. "We’re working on finding the last person who saw Luke. Then we pay them a visit."

A chill skated down my spine as I walked out of the clubhouse. I did what I came here to do. Austin agreed to help me find my brother. Now I’d crossed a line I couldn’t uncross. A man I once loved with my whole being was back in my life. There was no turning back.

As I got into my car, I bit my lip to keep the emotional tears from falling. My hand shook as I pressed the button to start the car and, as I pulled out onto the road with the clubhouse in my rearview mirror, I refused to allow myself to go there. But some things were too powerful to deny.

Wild, stupid in love, and convinced Austin King had hung the damn stars in the sky.

We were lying in the back of his truck on blankets, parked on a dirt road near Lake Jordan. My head rested against his chest, his heartbeat steady beneath my ear. We were both naked and glowing from the most incredible orgasms.

“I ever tell you I’m gonna marry you one day?” His voice was laced with that lazy confidence that always made me shiver.

I smiled, tracing his KOC tattoo with my fingertip. “Only every day.”

“Well,” he murmured, tipping his head to look down at me, “don’t forget it.”

I laughed. “You can barely commit to a song on the radio.”

He shifted, turning onto his side so he could hover over me, brushing my hair back from my face. “But I’d commit to you, Em. In a second.”

My breath hitched.

“I’m serious,” he said, eyes soft now. “Someday, it’s gonna be you and me. No bullshit. No secrets. Just us.”

And God help me, I’d believed him.