Page 27 of Havoc

“That’s one reason.”

Levi doesn’t need to say what the second one is.

I was gone.

Anything we dreamed or planned was just that—a fantasy. Wishes made by kids too young to understand what life would throw at us. Maybe it’s for the best that we never were anything more than friends. It’s complicated enough grasping at these strands of what-ifs.

“Looks like it worked out for you,” is all I can bring myself to say.

And I can’t hide the bitterness in my tone. I might be the one who disappeared, but it wasn’t my fault that happened. Levi, on the other hand, made his own choices.

He shakes his head like he doesn’t miss that I’m irritated, but he doesn’t bother explaining himself either.

“Why do the Iron Sinners want you, Aimee?”

I quirk an eyebrow. “Straight into the interrogation?”

“I told you last night I need answers.”

“That you did.” I pop the cap off my water, taking a long drink but not breaking our stare.

When I reach the bottom of the bottle, I spin to walk back into the gym because at least in here I can pretend I’m anywhere else but the clubhouse.

“Aimee—”

“Titan needs me.” I toss the empty bottle in my bag, zipping it up.

“Why?”

“Why does Titan need anything?” I cross my arms over my chest, turning to face Levi, who now stands a touch too close for comfort.

“I don’t know.”

I roll my eyes. “I’m his leverage.”

“For what?”

My jaw ticks, and even when I do my best not to let my emotions swell, I know Levi catches my hesitation. “For my father. Titan has him.”

Levi’s eyebrows furrow in confusion at that bit of information, and I don’t blame him because my father has never had anything to do with this world. My father hated bikers, which meant he never liked Levi, and the feeling was mutual. Even after Levi decided to join the military to prove to my father he could be something more, Dadnever approved of me spending time with the son of a Twisted King.

“Anderson is with the Iron Sinners?” Levi’s head angles.

I barely mask the chill that runs through me as I nod.

“What does Titan want with your father?”

“I don’t know. Titan isn’t exactly forthcoming with his plans. But given my father’s skill set, it’s probably business-related.”

“Your dad worked for a law firm?”

“Yeah.”

Levi wipes his hand down his face. “So that’s why you were with Reagan? The Iron Sinners kidnapped you to persuade your father to cooperate in whatever he’s up to?”

Again, I nod, holding his gaze. It’s part truth. Titan was using me against my father in that particular scenario. It’s irrelevant if the entire story is far more complicated. The less Levi knows, the better. Levi might have a girlfriend, but his actions so far make me think he might do something reckless if he finds out everything.

“So now you see why rescuing me only complicated things.” I shrug.