Free A Lighter Shade of Blue (Kings of Chaos Book 2) by Shyla Colt Page A

to wait any longer. I want your blessing, brother. You know I respect you, and I want to do this shit right. But I don’t need it.”
    “You willing to go toe-to-toe with me on this?” He arches an eyebrow.
    “Yeah, I am,” I answer without hesitation. “I’ve spent the past three years in a cage, defending myself, and fighting for the things I needed. I can’t go back to being the passive man who kept his feelings secret. Life is too fucking short.”
    “She’s not going to go for it,” Psycho says.
    “You let me worry about that.”
    “You’re serious, aren’t you?” Psych asks.
    “As a heart attack. Blue was always meant to be mine. I need her to realize that.”
    Psych rubs his chin between his thumb and index finger. “I got to tell you, brother, I’m not sure how I feel about this. People are going to talk and judge. I don’t give a shit, but Bluebell will. How you going to protect her from that? You going to make it all worth it for her? She knows how things work. You going on the road while she’s back home waiting and being broken down little by little? My girls, both of them, are strong in their own way. But everyone has a weakness, and for Blue, it’s emotions. I know brothers come first, but this is a personal matter, not a club matter. I don’t want those lines blurred.”
    “I don’t need anyone other than Blue,” I state bluntly. A lot of men aren’t faithful. That’s never been a problem for me.
    Psych scowls. “You make a convincing argument, and talk a good game. I’ll allow it. But if you hurt my little girl… I’m going to crush you. Don’t forget who taught you how to do your job,” he says. His voice is even and laced with the promise of violence. He and Wizard are damn good at their jobs.
    I don’t want to be on the receiving end of punishment from either of them. “I hear you. Thanks for giving me your blessing.”
    “I want to see Blue happy and with someone who understands this life. That chump she was bringing around rubbed me the wrong way.” Psych frowns. “Anyone would be better than him.”
    I snicker. “His loss, my gain.”
    “We’ll see. She ain’t going to be easy to win over, boy.”
    “You know what they say about anything worth having,” I remark with a shrug and nod my head. I then head to the main room, ready to start chipping away at her resolve.
    Rock music is blaring over the speakers while the scent of leather, alcohol, and smoke welcomes me home. I inhale the unique blend of sin. Scanning the crowd, I spot Blue and Bolt in a far corner with a group of other old ladies. I approach just as the old ladies say their good-byes and begin to leave with friendly waves.
    “It’s good to have my family together,” I say loudly to be heard over the music. I wrap my arm around Blue’s waist, pull her body close to my side, and throw my other arm around Bolton’s shoulder. “The house ready for me?” I ask.
    “Yeah, Dad, we fixed up the room next to Aunt Blue’s really nice,” Bolton replies.
    “We got a lot of your things out of storage from your old place. I hope that’s okay?” Blue asks.
    “It’s perfect. Anything you did will beat my last room,” I answer with a wink.
    Bolton laughs, and Blue gives me a tiny smile.
    “Well, I don’t want to keep you. I’m sure you’re going to celebrate, so we can get out of your hair whenever,” Blue says.
    “The two people I want to party with are right here.” I catch her gaze.
    She gasps slightly, and I squeeze her waist.
    “W-we could s-stay a little bit longer,” she stammers.
    “Good. Now catch me up to speed on you, Bolt.”
    I listen as he rattles on about his classes and about what he thinks he wants to do out of school. I’m like a dehydrated sponge, soaking up the knowledge like water. The visits were never enough to make me feel fully involved with his life. I missed some important years, but I would make it up to him. Because he was my top priority. With no