Page 15 of Unmasked Anarchy (Fallen Sons MC #3)

T he sunlight in Kael’s room is what stirs me from my sleep.

I wake alone, the cold spot beside me tells me that Kael has been up for a while.

I wonder how long I slept. For a full minute, I lie flat, arm pressed over my eyes, letting the ache in my body announce itself.

Last night refuses to leave, his hands, teeth, the way my name sounded in his mouth.

It loops, and for exactly five seconds, I let myself relive it, hungry, greedy.

Then I roll and check the time.

It’s ten in the morning.

Shit. I jerk upright, rubbing the sleep out of my eyes.

I drag myself up, legs still jelly, and find last night’s clothes hanging over the old wooden chair by the bathroom door.

I get changed back into them, knowing it is probably a bad idea to walk out in just Kael’s shirt.

I find my hair tie, snag it in my teeth, and tie my hair back while I shuffle into the hallway.

My mouth is dry, and I am in desperate need of water and coffee.

The clubhouse is weirdly quiet. Kael’s not in the hallway, but I am heading toward the kitchen anyway.

I can already hear their voices even before I walk into the small but clean kitchen.

Mera and Nia are here, standing shoulder to shoulder in front of the coffee machine, laughing so loud one of them snorts.

Nia pours a full mug for Mera, then does a double-take when she sees me.

Her eyes widen, and she beams so hard I’m sure she might combust. Mera clocks me instantly and, in the span of one heartbeat, slams her palm against the counter, nearly taking out her own coffee.

“There she is!” she sings. “Our assassin queen.”

“Don’t call me that,” I groan, but there’s no menace to it. In fact, I’m grinning.

I walk over, taking whatever cup I can find and pushing it toward Nia. She laughs, filling it with coffee before warning me, “It’s really bad, but it’ll get you through.”

Right now, I don’t care.

“You look like you got hit by a freight train last night.” Mera wriggles her brows. “But in, like, a good way.”

I make a face, but I can't help the stupid little smile curving my mouth. “I guess you could call Kael a freight train.”

Mera sets her mug down with wide eyes and a mischievous grin, then leans over the counter. “Alright. Spill. We all heard Kael’s bed frame threaten to walk out on him last night. Please, tell us everything. Every. Thing.” She drags out the last word.

I want to play it cool. I want to shrug and pretend like it’s not a big deal, but the warmth bubbling in my chest is too much.

I bite my bottom lip and let out a laugh that sounds nothing like me.

“He’s ... oh man, he does things to me.” My face flushes, heat seeping up into my scalp.

“But he’s also—” I lose the words for a second, which is embarrassing, so I take a gigantic gulp of coffee and try again.

“He’s not like anyone I’ve ever met. He makes me feel like I’m not going to shatter when he touches me. ”

Nia squeaks, clapping her hands together. “You’re in looooove.”

“No,” I say, too fast, too loud. I stare down at my coffee, swirling it in the mug. “I’m not. I can’t be. I barely even know the guy.”

“Doesn’t matter,” Mera says, voice suddenly gentle. “Sometimes it’s the punch in the face you remember, not the day you met.”

That gets me. I snort, choking down coffee and a laugh. “That’s the least romantic thing I’ve ever heard, but I love it.”

The girls press closer, their eyes wide with desperation to hear more. Nia’s hand lands on my arm. “So, what do you do now?”

I freeze. I meet Nia’s eyes, and I see no judgment there, just intense curiosity. “Gage is a problem,” I say, but then realize it’s more complicated than that. “Actually, it’s both. Gage is ... he’s not going to let me go, not ever. But Kael, I don’t think he is, either.”

Mera’s eyes go soft. “Do you love Gage?”

I open my mouth, close it, and try again. “I used to. Maybe I still do. But it’s not like ...” I wave my hand, trying to untangle the mess inside my head. “I don’t know what I feel. All I know is, I’m not scared of losing him anymore. I’m just scared of what he’ll do when he realizes he’s lost me.”

“Maybe he never had you,” Nia offers.

Mera purses her lips, then exhales. “You don’t have to decide today. Hell, you don’t have to decide ever. Stay here as long as you want. Kael’s not going to let anybody touch you. And Wolfe—” She jerks a thumb back at the hallway. “Wolfe asked us to look out for you.”

I blink, my heart swelling. “Thank you. Both of you.”

Nia winks. “Don’t thank us until you’ve survived an MC party with Kael and Knox arm-wrestling shirtless. You’ll pray for a bullet to the brain before the night’s out. It’s shameful, the way them two fight for the alpha role.”

I laugh at the image. “I’m looking forward to it.”

“We’re off to pick up donuts,” Mera says, straightening and clapping her hands together. “You coming?”

“Can either of you lend me some clothes? These smell like fire and beer.”

Mera laughs with a nod. “I’ll be right back.”

The two leave, and I continue in with my coffee, off in my own little world until Kael walks in, his cut hanging on his large shoulders, his eyes alert and warm as they settle on me. My heart skips a beat.

“Mornin',” he murmurs, crossing the space between us with three easy strides.

“Hi,” I whisper.

He reaches me and lifts me in one effortless movement, planting my bottom onto the counter and settling between my legs. My heart is doing crazy things in my chest. “You sleep alright?” he murmurs into my ear.

“Oh yes.” I tip my head back so I can see him.

Kael slips a hand up to my jaw and does this thing, just his thumb dragging along my cheekbone, slow.

He presses a kiss to my temple. Then moves slowly to my lips.

Something in me surrenders. He kisses me deep, slow, making my entire body come alive.

Coffee nearly spills off the counter as I lean into him, hands knotting in his shirt.

When he finally pulls away, it’s reluctant, a rough drag of his lips away from mine. He lingers close, nose brushing my cheek, his breath a promise on my skin. “You okay?”

I nod, pulling back to meet his eyes. “I’m okay. Mera and Nia are going to drag me out for donuts and gossip. I might need you to rescue me.”

Kael grins. “I better enjoy you for a second longer then.” He kisses the corner of my mouth, then trails his mouth down my throat, making my legs clench with need. We are interrupted when Mera and Nia burst into the kitchen, skidding to a stop.

“Oh god,” Nia squeals, “can’t leave you alone for two minutes, can we?”

Kael lifts his hands, a sly grin on his face. “I’m done. Promise.”

Mera rolls her eyes and hands me the clothes. “We’re kidnapping her for the day. We’ll return her in one piece ... maybe.”

“Best you do that,” Kael warns, but his voice is playful.

Nia winks. “No promises.”

Mera takes my hand, pulling me toward the door.

I throw Kael a smile, and he winks at me.

God. This is bad. This is so bad.

I think I’m falling in love with him.

And his club.

~*~*~*~*~*~

“O H MY WORD,” I MOAN , closing my eyes as I chew the piece of what is possibly the world’s most delicious donut.

“Epic, right?” Mera says, biting into hers, the pink frosting coating her lips. “Oh gooood.”

Nia laughs. “It’s sad that this brings us so much joy.”

I giggle. “It’s the little, iced, delicious, doughy things.”

Mera nods, and then her eyes widen.

We’re standing outside the donut shop, too impatient to wait before eating ours. The sun is shining, casting a warm glow over everything, and the town is bustling with life. The aroma of fresh pastries mingles with the crisp morning air, creating a comforting atmosphere that feels almost magical.

Laughter and chatter fill the streets, a symphony of everyday life that makes the town feel alive.

I can see why people like living here so much; there’s a sense of community, a shared joy in the simple pleasures that make each day special.

As I take a bite of my donut, the sweetness melts on my tongue, and for a moment, all my worries fade away, replaced by the simple happiness of this perfect morning.

“Ah, honey,” Mera goes on, her eyes fixed on something, “I don’t want to alarm you but there is a very large, very gorgeous biker walking toward you and man looks pissed.”

I turn and see Gage striding toward me, his eyes focused solely on me.

Oh no.

Nia and Mera step closer, their bodies angled between me and Gage, like they might throw hands if necessary. I lick a piece of donut icing off my thumb and tell them, “It’s okay, I got this.” I think I mean it, I’m not actually sure. The look on Gage’s face is one of intense purpose.

“That your old man?” Mera whispers.

I nod.

Gage is all darkness today, all that dark hair shaggier than usual, jaw locked so hard I can see the muscle jumping in his cheek.

He’s in his patch, of course, sleeves shoved up over tattooed forearms, and I can see little slices of fresh red on his knuckles.

He hasn’t been having a good time. Clearly.

He stops a few feet off. “Sable,” he breathes, low and raw, then points at me and jerks his chin. “Walk.”

Seriously?

I go to open my mouth and argue, but there is something in his expression that tells me that isn’t wise.

“Honey,” Mera says, putting her hand on mine.

“It’s okay.” I offer her a nervous smile. “He won’t hurt me. I’ll be right back.”

God, I hope I’m right.