Page 29 of Havoc

Of all the things that have changed, it’s a relief to see a glimpse of something familiar.

“If you want one of the guys to bring you by the shop after you’re done talking to Ghost, I’ll probably still be there later.”

“You want me to come see you at the shop?” My eyebrows lift. “I’m not a prisoner who can’t leave the compound?”

“You’re not a prisoner, Aimee. Not here. Not ever.”

I swallow my emotions at that simple statement.

“The invitation stands.” Levi turns and walks away.

And even if my feet don’t so much as flinch, there’s a part of my heart that chases after him. Or maybe he had it all along.

“Hey.” Fingers lace through mine, and I spin to meet a hard chest.

My free hand lands on Levi’s cut as I look up to find him grinning at me.

It would be so easy for him to lean in and kiss me. And no matter how many times I’ve turned him down, I’d let him right now. But like a gentleman who doesn’t belong in a club of bikers, he steps back.

“I thought you couldn’t make it today?” My eyebrows scrunch as I spot his bike parked beside my car in the school parking lot. “You said you had business with the club.”

“Finished early.” Levi shoves his hands into his pockets. “And I wanted to tell you something.”

“What’s wrong?”

His head tips back in a laugh. “Nothing’s wrong. Fuck, Aimee, your face. Why are you always expecting the worst?”

Because I thought things were fine once, and then my mother walked away.

I don’t say that.

“Stop laughing and tell me.” I shove his arm.

Levi leans against my car, propping an elbow on the roof. “I enlisted this afternoon.”

“At my school?”

“In the Marines.”

My eyes widen. “Why?”

“Figured I’d try something different.” His gaze lands on his motorcycle, and I hear all the things he’s not saying.

Just like I’ve been bred for my world, Levi has been bred for his. Born and raised to follow in his father’s footsteps. No real choice in the matter.

“Your father is going to be pissed.” Blood drains from my cheeks.

Levi doesn’t talk about the bruises, but I’ve seen them. When his father gets blackout drunk, he uses him like a punching bag, and I have no idea what he’ll do if Levi disappoints him.

“My dad will be fine. I’m not even a prospect yet, and even if I were, Percy signed off on it.”

The club president.

From what Levi has said, the club can’t go against his orders. I hope he’s right.

“So they’re all just fine with you leaving?”

“I think Percy hopes I’ll come back in four or eight years and use what I learned to help the club, but he’ll understand if I don’t.”