My Darling Mayhem
: Chapter 5

Cruz stood by the door, waiting for me to finish getting ready.

I could tell he was frustrated with me by how his tone hitched while we did our daily checklist.

‘Backpack!’

It was my turn to say keys or purse, but I was still mid-curl with the beach waver wand. My shirt was half-buttoned, my skirt didn’t feel like I’d pulled it on correctly, and there was already a mascara stain on my eyelid.

Cruz stomped over to the bathroom, clenching his little shoulder straps tight. ‘Mom, I’m going to be late.’

For a five-year-old, he was frustratingly aware of time. If I was smart, I would have had him turn on the television so he’d completely forget about school. But he loved school, and I loved that he did.

I hadn’t slept well last night, and there wasn’t a decent reason. Other than this situation with Archer. He felt like such a wild card, and I didn’t know what to expect. While I wasn’t currently speaking to him or anything…there was an attraction that I had fallen victim to.

It was concerning, to say the least, because every time I closed my eyes, my mind would drift to how perfectly shaped his nose was in proportion to his mouth and cheekbones. His wide jaw was deliciously defined, and a thick Adam’s apple bobbed when he swallowed. I had kicked at my comforter after that one hit because who the fuck is attracted to the lump in a man’s throat?

Me apparently. Fucking me.

‘Okay, I’m ready.’ I wasn’t, but I refused to make my poor guy wait any longer.

I tugged the cord from the wall, threw on my leather jacket, and slipped into my high heels. ‘Keys, purse, phone.’

Shit, did I leave any lights on? Did I ever fix my skirt?

‘Door…come on, let’s go.’ Cruz tugged my elbow until the door was closed.

I locked it behind me, seeing that he’d already made it to the car and eagerly awaited me to make my way down the steps. I gave him a reassuring smile as I took each step faster than usual, but right as my heel landed on the bottom step, my ankle twisted to the right, making my entire body jolt to the side.

Shiiiiiiit.

I let out a little cry as I went down.

My son jerked forward, staring down at me in shock. ‘Are you okay?’

No. I wanted to cry and be extremely dramatic about all this. Was it too extreme to call an ambulance?

‘I’m fine.’ My voice was breathy, my pain evident, but holy shit, what was I supposed to do? There was a really good chance I sprained my ankle.

‘Mom, can you get up?’

Placing my palms behind me, I lifted my body enough so Cruz knew I hadn’t died, but there was no chance I’d be able to get up without crawling back into the house. I ran through the very short list of people I could call in my head. Lydia was probably already at work, but maybe if I could get my phone.

Cruz came down and tried to help me up using his little arms. ‘We have to go. Can you still drive me?’

The pain was intense, but letting him down and knowing I absolutely could not drive and only had one friend I could maybe ask, was a different sort of pain. The kind that dug into my veins and tugged at my heart, mocking my attempts at this life and giving my son something better than what I had.

‘Just give me a second, I can maybe⁠—’

‘Hey, you guys okay?’ A male voice called from somewhere behind my car.

Cruz turned and lifted his hand in a little wave, his tense shoulders relaxing a fraction. From where I was, I could see the loud, black diesel truck parked at the edge of my driveway. My stomach did a little flip at the fact that I had already begun to recognize the cadence in Archer’s voice.

I fell back on my palms and gave up as my neighbor came into view. He stood out against the backdrop of the light indigo sky, still streaked with pink clouds. His eyes were a stark, brilliant blue, too beautiful for such a stern face and an equally hard man. Although I didn’t know him, all I knew of him hinted at a roughness as tough as the leather on his back.

Archer’s brows dipped in worry. His gaze scanned me from head to toe, homing in on my ankle. I sat forward, trying to prove I was fine, as he knelt beside me and gently cradled my foot in his large palms.

A hiss left my clenched teeth.

‘You sprained it. The swelling is already so bad your shoe won’t stay on.’

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

‘Thanks for checking on it, but I can—’ My croaky voice cut off as my neighbor shifted, lowering my ankle. Then, without asking, he scooped me into his arms and lifted me until I was cradled against his chest.

‘What are you⁠—’

He peered over his shoulder at my son and gestured toward his truck. ‘Cruz, get your backpack and your mama’s purse, I’m going to take you to school.’

‘What? No…we don’t.’ I panicked, my breaths too shallow, so I tried again, ‘I don’t want to inconvenience you.’

His hands weren’t touching any part of me that was inappropriate, and yet being able to smell the spicy, citrusy scent that I had gravitated toward so strongly yesterday, this close, made me feel strange. I tried to lean away from his chest to create some sort of distance between us, but he shifted so I was back under his chin.

‘I wouldn’t have offered if I didn’t want to help. You’re not an inconvenience.’ His lips moved close to the side of my face, and the heat from his breath was like a shockwave that burned through me all the way down to my toes.

Had he forgiven me? Did the peace pie work?

‘Cruz, hop in the back with Kane.’ Archer walked around the front of the truck as I watched my son climb up on the extended step and pull the back door open. Kane was already in the back seat and excitedly awaited Cruz to join him.

‘Can you open that for me?’ Archer asked as he paused next to the passenger side door.

I extended my palm and lifted the handle, allowing the door to open. Archer gently set me in the seat, but not without shifting his hands to the front of my thighs, then slowly moving his palm down my calf. I inhaled a sharp breath, which I hoped he’d assume was because of the pain.

‘You going to be okay like this until I get you to the doctor?’

No one had touched me like this in years. No one to care if I’d gotten to the doctor or was safe. His concern did something to me. It softened some titanium piece of metal that had lined my defenses. It angered me while also making me so grateful I wanted to cry. The fight I usually had reserved to keep men like this away dissolved instantly, and instead, I simply nodded.

His eyes wandered to my lips for the briefest moment before flitting away. ‘Give me your car keys.’

His palm extended to me, and my brow furrowed. ‘Why?’

‘Need Cruz’s booster seat. Kane has to use one, and I’m assuming Cruz is still in one, too.’

Oh.

That was incredibly considerate of him to think of; I hadn’t even had the forethought to remember my son’s booster. My face dipped, digging through my purse and handing the set of keys over to him.

Once he gently shut the door, I watched him walk back toward my car and pull out my son’s car seat. An odd lump formed in my throat as I watched him. He didn’t seem hurried, annoyed, or like this bothered him. Those thick motorcycle boots carried him back to the truck, the gray and black booster in his arms as he opened the back passenger door.

‘Scoot over, buddy, and I’ll set this up for you,’ Archer said softly to Cruz.

The draft from the cool air filled the cab as Archer stood there, adjusting the seat, and then he had Cruz crawl into it.

‘I can do the buckles myself,’ Cruz bragged excitedly. I turned to look over my shoulder right as Archer smiled at my son.

‘Yeah? Why don’t you show me, and then I’ll give them a good tug to see if they’re tight.’

Cruz buckled the one over his chest and the one near his hips as if he were being timed. ‘See!’

Archer tugged on the two restraints, acting like he’d lost all this strength. ‘You did too good of a job, Cruz. How are you that strong, buddy?’

My son laughed, and it was a sound I wanted locked in my head, like a favorite song on repeat. Archer gave me a quick glance and then shut Cruz’s door.

The heater continued to blast warm air as the boys chatted in the back seat, and once Archer took his spot behind the wheel, he turned it with extreme caution as if he were transporting something precious.

I bit my cheek to hold off the tears welling up. I’d been hurt plenty in my life. This was nothing new, but there was some tiny ping of pain trailing from being at the mercy of a man that I didn’t even want living in my neighborhood. Pride was a fickle, cumbersome thing to carry around.

Archer kept one hand on the wheel while shifting at the waist, reaching for the glove box. His hand brushed against my kneecap as he pulled the compartment open, which had me glaring at him.

‘Relax.’ He grabbed the bottle of pain reliever and tossed it in my lap before gently slamming the box shut.

I held the rattling plastic, twisting the cap and pouring two pills. I could swallow them dry, although I didn’t love doing that because of the taste left behind. Right as I lifted my palm to my mouth, Archer looked over.

‘Here—’

A metal flask of water was handed over to me. It was on the tip of my tongue to argue with him, that I didn’t need his help, or that I refused to put my lips anywhere his had been, but my fight was gone.

The pain was calling the shots, so I lifted the cap on the bottle and pressed my lips against the cool metal, sipping the water into my mouth, then tipping my head back to take in the pills.

Archer glanced at me, then turned his gaze back on the window while murmuring something I couldn’t make out under his breath.

I tried not to let it bother me; whatever he’d said sounded like a complaint or that he’d maybe used the word ‘fuck,’ but I couldn’t prove it. So, I returned the bottle to the cup holder, watching as his jaw ticked from his side profile.

He gave me another quick glance before turning into the kids’ school and making a quick comment to the boys.

‘Remember to wait for the crossing guard to come and help you cross.’

My gaze swung over, surprised at how considerate he was about their safety. I was so used to being the only person to look out for Cruz.

The boys started pulling on their backpacks and unbuckling. Cruz lifted over the seat and hugged my neck. ‘I hope you feel better, Mommy.’

More tears nearly threatened to fall as I hugged him back.

‘Thank you. I love you. Have a good day.’

Archer watched our exchange while he held the door open for the boys. I hadn’t even noticed that he’d gotten out of the truck.

Once Kane and Cruz were near Archer’s side of the truck, he shut the door and gently held both boys’ shoulders while they made their way to where the crossing guard stood. He didn’t have to do it; in fact, he was the only person who was walking their kid up. Everyone else was just dropping their kids and moving their car forward. I didn’t even walk Cruz up, but the fact that Archer had made something warm and unexpected bloom in my chest.

Someone honked behind us, breaking the strange feeling, but Archer didn’t even glance behind him or hurry as he slid back into the truck.

‘Okay. Let’s get you to urgent care.’

I continued to watch him shove the gear into drive, and we started moving again. ‘Don’t you have a job you have to get to?’

His gaze remained on the road while he smirked. ‘Sure do.’

‘Where?’

He glanced over with a blinding smile. ‘You’re a nosy thing, aren’t you?’

I clenched the seat on either side of me as he took a turn, gritting my teeth while we went.

‘Tell you what. You answer one of my questions, and I will answer one of yours, sound like a deal?’

How long did it take to get to the fucking urgent care? My ankle throbbed, my jaw was starting to ache, and I really just needed a distraction. ‘Fine.’

Archer took another turn, this time slower. I released my death grip on the leather seat and waited for his first question. He took another turn, and the silence stretched in the cab.

‘Are you going to ask me something?’ I turned my head, irritated that he had already seemed to sway from our deal.

Archer kept his gaze on the road, then clicked his tongue.

‘Oh, I’m definitely going to ask you something. I’m making sure my first question doesn’t scare you off, which would prevent you from answering other questions.”

For the love of everything.

‘Fine, I promise to answer whatever you ask.’

He winced as if he’d been hurt. ‘Nah, I think I need a bit more of an assurance. How about you promise to answer five of my questions.’

Why did he care?

‘And you’ll answer five?’

His handsome face quickly turned in my direction. ‘I’m thrilled that you think you’ll have five to ask.’

I had no idea what that meant, and I didn’t have the chance to replace out as we pulled into one of the parking spaces in front of the medical building. Archer didn’t waste any time parking and jumping out. I opened my door and was already prepped to use my good leg to get out, but the man took the decision into his own hands by scooping me up once again.

‘You know this isn’t necessary, right?’

His lips were near my forehead again, and his strong hands held me tight against his chest. ‘Yeah, but I do have a job to get to, and waiting for you to limp into the clinic is just going to waste my time.’

Asshole.

He made some agonized sound while adjusting me in his arms. ‘Fuck, that bratty expression will be the end of me.’

I was going to tell him something derogatory and clever, but we were already walking into the clinic. The sun had me closing my eyes and almost ducking my head into his chin.

Once we walked through the sliding doors, the room came into focus. On one side, a row of maroon cushioned chairs lined the room, while a wall mural decorated the other section. In the middle, a round registration desk with two receptionists sat.

Archer lowered me to one of the chairs. ‘Here, let me go check you in.’ As he turned away from me, someone emerged from the door by the receptionist’s desk.

‘Wren?’

My gaze caught on brown hair, pink eye shadow, and fake lashes. ‘Lydia?’

She appraised me, then sank into the chair next to me.

‘What the heck happened?’

‘I still can’t wear heels, apparently.’ I tried to laugh, but it came out more as a wince.

Lydia chuckled, then moved her head so she had a better look at my ankle. ‘Well, I can’t judge you. I’m here because I slammed my finger in a drawer. Thought I’d actually broke it this time.’

She sat back, relaxing in the chair as if she had all day to hang out and talk to me.

‘So, you here alone? You have anyone who’s gonna take you home?’

I glanced at her wrapped finger as an idea popped into my mind that wouldn’t leave me at the mercy of my neighbor or answer any questions. ‘You aren’t busy?’

‘I have the whole morning open.’

Lydia and I weren’t close enough to talk every day or anything, but if we did see each other, we could easily converse. ‘Would you mind staying with me and giving me a ride home?’

Archer returned to where I was sitting with a tablet in his hand. ‘She says you need to fill this out.’ His eyes flicked over to Lydia, and based on how close she was sitting, he likely processed that we were friendly.

‘Who’s this?’ Lydia asked, smiling up at my neighbor.

I gestured with my head while inspecting the tablet. ‘Archer, my neighbor who found me on the ground this morning. Archer, this is Lydia.’ I hesitated to define what we were because it wasn’t like we were friends, but I’d sound stupid saying we were mere acquaintances. ‘She’s a friend of mine.’

Lydia held her good hand out toward Archer and lowered her lashes in an undeniable attempt at flirting.

‘Nice to meet you.’

Archer shook her hand like he wasn’t sure why she was sitting beside me. Tentatively, with a quick glance at me, like he wanted to be sure I was okay with it. A ball of warmth hit my chest. I held his gaze during his entire interaction with Lydia until she reeled back with a laugh.

‘Shit, Wren. This is the man who brought you here, and you’re asking me to stay with you? Did you hit your head, too?’

My face burned with her insinuation that my neighbor was attractive. It was no secret that he was, but her words made me squirm in my seat.

‘This way, you can get to work and not have to stay here with me,’ I said, looking up at Archer’s stoic expression.

He gave a dreamy smile to Lydia and stuck his hands in his pockets.

‘Fine by me. Have a good one, neighbor.’

Before I could say anything else, he was already walking away. I felt strange, like I’d repeated my previous offense or something. I didn’t like it, but I also didn’t like being at the mercy of a man I didn’t know.

Lydia gripped my arm in a vise-like hold, making me wish she’d hurt a finger on each hand instead of just the one. ‘Wren, do you know who that man is?’

I focused on the tablet in my hand, trying to push through the pain radiating in my ankle.

‘He’s my neighbor.’

Lydia made some sort of squealing sound. ‘No, babes. He’s much more than that…I can’t believe he lives next to you. I need to call my sister.’

My stare flitted to where Lydia was pulling out her phone.

‘Wait, why would you need to tell your sister?’

With the phone up to her ear, she waved me off. ‘No reason.’

The call must have connected because she suddenly dipped her head with a broad smile stretching across her lips.

‘Cece, you will never guess who just walked in here.’

I tried to act like I wasn’t eavesdropping by selecting any known illnesses on the tablet.

Lydia laughed and then lowered her voice. ‘Didn’t you date a guy from that dangerous motorcycle club in New York City last year, Mayhem something, right?’

Dangerous motorcycle club?

Lydia continued, ‘You said you wanted to marry the president. He was blonde with that great jaw…Archer, right?’

President?

My stomach churned as her voice escalated. ‘I finally saw him in person. You are so dumb to let that man walk out of your life. No, I know he was never in your life, but you had a rare glimmer of opportunity to try and seduce him. I just called to tell you it’s my turn, bitch. He’s my friend’s new neighbor.’

Lydia continued talking, but my mind kept returning to what she’d said about it being dangerous. No matter how good-looking he was, I didn’t need someone dangerous around my son. He’d been nice to me last night and today, but I wasn’t risking any more encounters with him. I couldn’t.

A fearful thought crept into my head, reminding me how he’d noticed my tattoo.

I blinked and shut out the reminder.

He was ten times more dangerous if he knew anything about that tattoo or who it was linked to.

I asked Lydia a few more questions while we waited for the doctor to see me. What I gathered so far was that Archer led a club that identified as a one percenter club, which meant they lived outside of the laws that made up society and lived by a set of their own. Things like trafficking drugs or weapons wouldn’t be too far off the list of things for them to do, or organizing illegal street fights, races, whatever could bring the club money and help them beyond just the dues from the club members.

It set them apart from other clubs because of their notoriety.

I learned that Mayhem Riot was a big club, big enough that it made no sense that its president lived in a suburban neighborhood an hour outside of the city.

My mind pulled up the image of his younger brother, Kane, and I realized that had to do with why he’d suddenly landed in suburbia.

I needed to do more research before I knew exactly what I would do about his presence next to me. Once the doctor arrived, Lydia returned to her phone, texting and swiping away while the doctor gently examined my foot. I had a mild sprain; he wanted my ankle elevated and for me to stay off of it for at least twenty-four hours. An ACE bandage was provided, and an order was made to pick up crutches and painkillers.

Once Lydia swung by the pharmacy, she helped me inside and dashed off to see her sister.

I let Denise know that I’d be working from home the rest of the day. I’d called to arrange for Cruz to take the bus so I could meet him down the street at the drop-off point. It wasn’t the best option, but I was limited until I could move a bit easier on my foot.

Once I managed to prop my leg up and set my computer in my lap, I started sleuthing.

I hadn’t handled the purchase of Archer’s home, but it was still logged in our system. So, I pulled up the address and looked at a few details: the house style, lot size, and purchase price.

“Interesting,” I mused out loud, scrolling through the information while bits of sunlight strayed in through my living room window.

Archer had put in a cash offer for the house after it had been selected and built, so nothing was custom, but he overpaid by about fifteen thousand dollars. It didn’t make any sense when nothing was what he’d requested, and other homes in this area stayed on the market for a few months before being scooped up for nearly ten thousand less than the initial listing price.

It also showed he chose not to have the house inspected before moving in…which was typically not allowed, but that was when dealing with lenders. He didn’t have a lender or a realtor.

Odd.

What was that job he mentioned? How did he have that much money to put down on a house? I continued to dig through what he’d submitted. Typically, we had information on employment and contact info, but his information was all missing. Only his email was listed, not even a phone number.

Gwen wasn’t the type to skimp on inputting data. If anything, she was over-detailed regarding our client’s information. I clicked page after page, looking and inspecting, which led me nowhere. I switched to social media, typing in the club name and seeing what came up, but only a few images here and there popped up, none of them recent or of Archer. I had a social media account, but it wasn’t under my name, and I didn’t post anything. I only watched reels and occasionally looked for people’s accounts I had stopped talking to.

As if my fingers had a mind of their own, they started typing a familiar handle. Deep down, I knew nothing would populate, but a few times a week, I still tried.

@juan_hernan

A text came in, derailing my efforts.

Shoot. I had forgotten entirely about Brian and our agreement. Biting my lip, my fingers hovered over the screen as I considered my next move. I needed a ride tomorrow; technically, I had agreed to these plans with him.

With a resigned sigh and a simmering frustration in my stomach, I shot out a text.

His dots bounced around on the screen for a few seconds.

Great. Maybe I should just call in sick tomorrow.

The alarm on my phone went off, making my fingers freeze mid-type. It was the one I had set, indicating it was time to get Cruz from the bus stop. This was probably better anyway…I didn’t need to look Juan up or see if I could replace anything new about his life. I reluctantly put my laptop away.

I wouldn’t care about Archer or what I had found, except that conversation Lydia had in front of me had stuck in my head like glue. He was part of a club, not just part of, he was the president. I had already deduced that from his patches, but hearing someone talk about a real-life club in New York City had my mind churning.

He was dangerous, and because of him, more dangerous people would probably be arriving.

Using my crutches, I began walking toward the bus stop near the end of the street. I had barely made it out of my driveway and up to the sidewalk when I heard the familiar rumble of a diesel nearing. I kept my face down, watching the movement of my crutches so I didn’t fall when the truck came to a stop next to me.

“Need some help, neighbor?” Archer’s voice was playful, and it had me looking up.

His hair was tied into a bun at the nape of his neck, still messy but making him look masculine and handsome.

I lifted one of the crutches just barely. “Nope, got these bad boys, so I’m all set now.”

He laughed, and the sound was so bright and complete that it nearly made my breath hitch. When was the last time I had made a man laugh? When was the last time one had stopped to actually check on me?

“Wren, it will take you forever to hobble down the street to the bus stop. Just let me take you.”

Hearing him say my name was strange. It felt like I had his full attention, which also felt strangely safe like someone pulling me in from the cold on a stormy day.

“You honestly did enough today, Archer. I appreciate your help, but I’m good.”

I swung my crutches again, but Archer put his truck into park and turned off the engine…in the middle of the road.

I continued down the street like I didn’t notice what he was doing. Seconds later, he was walking next to me, swinging something around on his key ring within seconds. He wore a regular black hoodie, but it had the name of a bar or something on the front. It matched the large sewn letters on the back of his leather vest that he usually wore.

Mayhem Riot.

Our stride was comical at best. He was walking slower just to keep pace with me while not talking to me, and I couldn’t quite wrap my head around why he was even bothering with me. The sun was shining, and the air was too hot for the cardigan I had pulled on.

Irritation burned under my skin, forcing me to stop.

“Why are you walking with me?”

Archer lifted his head, gesturing toward the bus stop. “Kane⁠—”

“Doesn’t live with you,” I snapped, harsher than intended.

His shrewd eyes narrowed, and then his jaw started to work back and forth. I had hit a sore spot; I knew I had based on the conversation I had overheard in class that day. Not one I had been invited to hear but had been exposed to just the same. I had information on him that I had now used to wound him.

Red stained my cheeks the longer we stood there. I was ashamed of myself, but I had no idea how to even begin with an apology. Then there was a part of me that wanted a divide, to sever the bridge of neighborly kindness to protect myself and Cruz. I didn’t need to know a motorcycle club president. I didn’t need to be his buddy or friend and have him assume I was okay with his lifestyle.

The bus pulled up; we were just a few yards away now, and before we started toward it, I cleared my throat.

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said that about Kane, it wasn’t⁠—”

“You know…” Archer cut me off, forcing my gaze up to his shrewd one. “All my life, I’ve believed the best about people. Even if their first impression of me was always to assume the worst. I have been called worthless and told my life had no meaning, that I’d be better off dead. That I should just do people the kindness of leaving… And yet, I still smile. I still try. I still hold my hand out for a greeting. Time and time again, people just spit in my face, telling me to shove all my good intentions up my ass. I have no idea what I did to deserve your rudeness, and I know I’m not as clean-cut as that guy, Brian, but honestly, Wren, you can fuck all the way off with your judgment.” His glare cut me to my bones, robbing me of breath.

I watched him turn away from me and continue walking toward the bus where Kane had stepped off. He ran to his brother and hugged him around the waist.

Tears burned at the edges of my eyes. I had no reason to be rude to him, but my guard with guys like him was rusted in place and wouldn’t come down. While Brian was an asshole, I still ventured toward men like him because of how they looked on the outside. The safety they made me feel because they seemed far from dangerous, and yet under Brian’s prestigious ensemble was a shitty human who treated people like they were disposable and expendable.

“Mom!” Cruz was in front of me, and the tears gathering in my eyes would give away that Archer had any impact on me at all, so I quickly swiped at them, with one hand hating that Archer was once again glaring at me while he walked Kane back toward his truck.

Kane waved at Cruz, and my son waved back. I was so mad at myself that I wanted to scream.

All I seemed to do was burrow in my little hole and kick people out. I’d removed anyone and everyone who felt dangerous or like they’d somehow disrupt what I had with my son. But what other options did I have?

I didn’t have the luxury of allowing men into my life who might not stay—or really anyone who could ever hurt us.

Slowly, brick by brick, I closed my heart back up, hating that Archer had found a weakness inside it, and I swung my crutches so that I was moving back toward my house.

“Can I go play with Kane?” Cruz tilted his little face back, squinting at me.

My heart throbbed as I tried to verbally say the rejection sitting on my tongue.

Right as I was about to open my mouth, Archer looked over his shoulder and yelled,

“If Cruz wants to join us, we’re just going to be riding in front of the house…that way, his mom can keep an eye on him, too.”

So, he’d moved to not even addressing me.

Why did that even bother me? It wasn’t like I knew him.

Cruz looked back up at me and smiled. “Can I go?”

With one last glance at the frustrating man in front of me, I gave a warm smile to my kid.

“Yeah, of course.”

He ran ahead of me and joined his friend. Archer gave one last look over his shoulder as the three of them headed to his garage, and I veered toward my driveway, completely alone and aching in more places than just my sprained ankle.