Page 5 of Haze (Serpents of Chaos MC #2)

LU

After Haze leaves with his baby mama, I finish up in the kitchen and go to the bar to have a well-deserved afternoon drink.

My life was so much easier before Haze stormed back into it—I ran my bakery, casually hooked up with men now and again, and kept everything simple.

My emotions never ran high like this, and it’s been such a long time since I haven’t felt in control.

It’s no secret that I can be a bit of a control freak outside of the bedroom, but being around Haze has me feeling like a fucking teenager again.

Back then, I had to watch him with the girls he dated—now it has escalated to watching him be with club whores, one of whom he’s managed to knock up.

“What’s a beautiful woman like you drinking alone for?

” Blade asks, pulling out the stool next to me and taking a seat.

He’s wearing a white T-shirt with his leather cut over it, light jeans, and biker boots.

But the sexiest thing about him? He’s wearing reading glasses.

He’s like a real-life Clark Kent, nerdy and badass, and knowing he’s extremely smart and the club’s resident tech expert just adds to his allure.

Best of all?

As far as I can see, he’s nothing like Haze.

“Just enjoying this place being empty for once,” I tease, and he grins, his green eyes flickering with amusement.

He pours himself a glass of scotch and rests a muscled arm behind me on the bar.

Why don’t I feel something more for this man?

When he touches me, I don’t feel the spark that I do with Haze.

Maybe I could try? Perhaps that spark with Haze is nothing but a warning from my body, telling me to make better decisions and stay away from him.

Maybe I need calm.

Blade pushes an errant curl away from my face. Sparks don’t fly, my pulse doesn’t race, but I do feel relaxed. Serene. And right now, that’s all I can hope for.

“How’s the catering going?”

“Good,” I reply, staring at him over my glass. “Keeping me busy, anyway.”

Ora helps me out, even though War would prefer her to be resting all day. She’s pregnant with their first child, and if I thought he was protective before, he’s now taking it to a whole new level.

“That cake you made last night was incredible,” he says, licking his lips, and I grin.

I’d made my famous chocolate cake because Ora mentioned she was craving a slice.

No one can say no to that cake. It’s sweet, moist, and covered in delicious buttercream frosting.

Bones proposed to me when he’d tasted it.

Haze looked like he wanted to murder him with his bare hands.

“I’d offer you the last slice, but Ora might kill us both.”

He grins. “As much as I’d love to have it, I think taking food away from a pregnant woman is a crime.”

Ora steps into the room, perking up when she sees me. “There you are,” she says, her flowing black maxi dress swirling around her ankles. She’s wearing gold bangles on her wrist, and they jingle with every step. She stops in front of us and smiles at Blade. “Hello, Blade.”

“Ora, you’re looking beautiful today,” he answers, winking at her.

“Flattery will get you everywhere.” She smirks.

“Flattery will get him killed,” War calls out, stalking up behind his woman and wrapping his arms around her. Like Ora, he’s dressed in head-to-toe black—a T-shirt with his cut over it, faded jeans, and biker boots. He buries his face in her neck. “Fuck, I wish I didn’t have to leave right now.”

“You need to let her out of the bedroom sometimes, War,” I tease, pulling her from his arms. “She was mine first, you know.”

War is an imposing man, but he loves Ora, and he’s always been good to me. “Well, you’re in luck. I have to go to Viper’s and check some shit out. So she’s all yours.”

I have learned that the Serpents of Chaos own several businesses, and Viper’s is the most recently acquired one. Ora said they fix up bikes and cars and do some customs. It’s Bones and Skull’s baby, with both of the twins being certified mechanics.

“Plenty of me to go around.” Ora laughs, her hands resting on her small bump. War kisses her deeply, dragging it out, making Blade chuckle from beside me.

“And that’s my cue to leave.” He kisses my temple and leaves me to be the third wheel. I’m about to pull them apart when I feel Haze entering the room, saying something to Blade in passing. Blade nods once, and I have to wonder what that is about.

I can always feel when Haze is near, even before I see him. It’s like my body picks up on his energy. Is that meant to warn me? Or draw me in?

War finally leaves Ora alone, and she sits next to me on the stool. “You ready to go out for some lunch and shopping?”

“You know me, I was born to spend money. Who’s babysitting us today?” I ask, ignoring Haze as he towers over us.

“I can take you,” he offers, and I hesitantly lift my eyes to his.

He always was too good-looking for his own damn good. Those soulful amber eyes framed in thick, dark lashes peer down at me.

“I’m sure you have other things to do,” I reply, forcing a smile. “Danger or one of the other prospects can take us.”

Ora nods. “War told Danger to take us.” She studies Haze, leaning back against the bar and narrowing her eyes slightly. “Besides, I’m sure Daisy would prefer to have you around in case she needs you.”

God, I love Ora.

My best friend throwing shade on my behalf is only one of the reasons I love her.

I so wanted to say something like that, but I didn’t want to sound too bitchy or like I care. I’m not giving him that. I need to keep some of my pride, after all.

Ora’s bad side is not somewhere Haze would want to be, with her man being the VP and her dad being the president. Ora is biker royalty. She’s untouchable. She went from only having me to having this whole family, and she deserves all that and more.

Haze’s jaw clenches. “Daisy is a grown woman, and if she needs help, there are plenty of other men around.”

“Yeah,” Ora agrees, crossing her arms over her chest. “But she’s not carrying any of their babies, now is she?”

“She could be,” he mutters under his breath.

Interesting.

My best friend doesn’t let that comment slide.

Ora’s blue eyes widen. “So, the rumors are true… you don’t even know if the baby is yours.”

“She wasn’t just fucking me, Ora, and you all know that,” he says, clearing his throat.

He turns those pleading amber eyes onto me.

“I don’t want to have this conversation until I find out who the father is for sure, but yeah, I don’t know if it’s mine.

And we won’t until we get the paternity test done. ”

“Did you fuck her without protection?” Ora asks, sharing a look with me.

Haze rubs the back of his neck. I don’t know when she became a ballbuster, but I’m here for it. Being around these bikers has done wonders for her.

“No, I don’t fuck anyone without protection,” he admits, looking toward the door like he wants to escape this conversation.

“What’s going on here?” Lore asks, wrapping his arms around me from behind.

Lore is the resident fuck boy slash lover boy.

He’s good-looking and too charming for his own good, and he knows it.

He’s the kind of man who could talk you into an orgy and make you feel like it was your idea.

Dating-wise, I wouldn’t trust him, but as a friend, he’s good to have around.

Haze’s amber eyes narrow, his fists clenching.

Hayden always had a short fuse, and I can only imagine what he’s like now.

He was a good fighter, too, and I wonder if he kept up with any training after they moved away.

Going by his ripped body, he definitely keeps fit.

I wouldn’t expect any less. Hayden was always athletic, popular, talented, and charming.

Nothing has changed except he’s now badass and in a biker club.

I can’t help but be drawn to him. If he’s in a room, my eyes follow. I can’t help it. I’ve never had a long-term relationship before. I’ve had fun, but I never met anyone I wanted to spend the rest of my life with.

And I never let Hayden go.

Maybe that was always the real issue.

No one was him.

And even now, even with all the bullshit surrounding him, there still is no one else for me. How sad is that?

Ora needs to slap me and tell me to know my fucking worth because here I am, still pining after the same boy since the age of twelve.

Lore kisses my cheek, ignoring the sudden tension in the air and the daggers being thrown his way by his club brother. He’s good at that. Nothing much gets to Lore. His leather cut rubs against my bare shoulders, and I melt into the soft material.

“Nothing. We’re just heading out,” I say, sharing a wide-eyed look with Ora, who simply smirks.

Rome, their president, calls out for Church, which is a club meeting all patched members must attend.

“Danger it is,” I mutter, grabbing Ora’s hand and steering her out.

I don’t know what game he’s playing.

But I don’t want to be a part of it.