Page 22 of Havoc

Aimee nods again, but her mind is somewhere else. Somewhere I don’t know if I can reach after whatever Titan has done. And I can’t wait to make him pay for that.

8

Aimee

The clubhouse is quieterin the morning than it was last night. I press my ear to Levi’s bedroom door for a few minutes just to make sure there’s no one on the other side before I slide the dresser out of the way.

My shoulder aches from how heavy it is, but I can’t risk leaving it near the door and Levi wondering why I moved it. So I shove it the final few feet until it’s back where it was when he led me into his room last night.

Once it’s in place, I smooth my feet over the carpet to erase the lines. Between the worn carpet and clothes covering the floor, it’s easy to hide them. Which is good considering I don’t know how long I’ll be staying here, and I don’t need him wondering why I don’t think he can keep me safe.

Just because I don’t trust bikers doesn’t mean I think Levi wouldn’t do everything in his power to protect me. Last night is proof that hasn’t changed.

Even if I shot him for it.

I cringe at the thought, thankful for my horrible aim. As angry as I am with Levi, I don’t want him dead. I don’t even want him hurt. Just thinking about the bullet ripping through his skin has my stomach in knots.

When I reach the door, I smooth my foot over the final groove in the carpet and then unlock it. I pause when it clicks and listen for movement on the other side. Given my increasingly clear ties with the Iron Sinners, I expect Levi to have someone watching me. But to my surprise, he doesn’t.

I swing the door open and find the hallway empty.

He trusts me?

Is it so strange when I still trust him?

Sleeping in the clubhouse last night should have made it impossible to sleep when I know what happens to women in the biker domain. But as I sank into Levi’s bed—his sheets—I slipped into the deepest sleep I’ve had in years. Wrapped in the scent of blackberry and tobacco-laced cologne.

There’s always been something comforting about Levi Colson. Yes, he’s lethal. And yes, he’s probably merciless with his enemies. But he’s always been my safe space.

When I finally step into the hallway, the relaxing scent of Levi’s room is replaced by the stench of chemicals. I hold my breath as I make my way toward the main part of the clubhouse, bracing myself for what I might find. Last night, I was too tired to properly take anything in, but this morning, I’m well rested and smart enough to be on alert for what I might be walking into.

After spending a year with the Iron Sinners, I doubt anything can surprise me when it comes to bikers. That is, until I turn the corner, and I freeze at the sight in front of me.

The clubhouse is mostly empty, and the bar is spotless. No one is partying. Nothing is happening at all.

Off to one side of the main space is a room with glass on one side, where I see a group of members sitting around a large table. Levi is among them, so they must be in church.

In the main room, the glass sliders on the back wall are open, and through them I spot Tempe, Reagan, and Luna drinking coffee. Austin and Bea are playing tag, running around, and laughing.

It’s ordinary. Practically a day in the suburbs.

I don’t know what to make of it.

“Aimee,” Reagan cheers when she spots me halfway across the room.

She waves me toward her with a smile, and it takes me a second to move again. When I do, I can’t help inspecting everything I walk past.

The furniture is well used, and the bar has scratches and dents. This clubhouse is well lived-in. But it’s clean, and at this time of day—quiet.

“You’re pale.” Reagan’s eyebrows pinch as I step onto the patio. “Everything okay? Apart from last night, I mean. Obviously,thatwas not okay.”

Her face fills with worry as she rubs her belly with her hand.

“It’s just so quiet in there.” I glance back at the empty clubhouse. “It’s strange.”

Luna leans forward, brushing her purple hair off her shoulder. “I’m guessing you were expecting something like the Iron Sinners clubhouse?”

“You’ve been there?”