Page 32 of Havoc

“I’m sure Tempe appreciates it.”

Chaos shakes his head. “If I ever start falling that hard for a chick, you better punch me in the fucking face and remind me I’m smarter than that.”

“Don’t have to ask me twice.”

He grins, staring out at the street. “I’m gonna miss this place. Even if I’m just gone for a couple of weeks. My brother’s going to regret forcing me to go back there over some bullshit.”

“How are the strip clubs back home?”

“Nonexistent.”

“And somehow you managed to survive for nineteen years?”

“Barely.” Chaos pops his knuckles, still grinning, but something darker crosses his expression.

He’s never given specifics about his family or why he left. All I know is that he had it hard growing up. The kind of hard that usually breaks people. And when it doesn’t, they end up in places like this. In clubs like the Twisted Kings. Forming brotherhoods of their own and wreaking havoc on motorcycles.

Fucked up as it can be at times, the Twisted Kings are a family.

My family.

A truck rolls to a stop outside the open garage door, and I spot a familiar face in Venom’s passenger seat. Aimee must have styled her hair after her shower because the ends are curled, so it’s shorter. The rich-brown strands brush against the peaks of her shoulders.

She’s wearing a white T-shirt and a thick line of eyeliner. She’s so damn pretty without having to even try. Even when she turned me down repeatedly as teenagers, I never stopped noticing her.

Aimee catches me staring at her through the window, and she glares. But unlike the ones I’ve grown used to this past week, it’s less angry and more feisty than anything.

Her fire makes my blood run hot. And the fact that she showed up here has my chest caving in on itself.

When I offered for her to come by this afternoon, I didn’t expect her to actually do it. And I didn’t think about how it would feel to see her in this place again.

Her feet hit cement, and I’m thrown back to all the times she stopped by when we were younger. She’d watch me work on cars, and we’d talk until the sun set. I learned almost everything I know about Aimee Landry from time spent between these walls, and when her throat bobs with her swallow, I wonder if she just had that same thought.

“What’s up with you and that girl?” Chaos asks as Aimee and Venom shut the truck doors behind them.

“We knew each other when we were kids.” I shrug.

“So you keep saying. But that look…” He hitches an eyebrow. “This girl fucked you up good, Havoc.”

“You have no idea.” I lift off the car as Venom walks Aimee over.

“We stopped by the safe house to get the rest of Aimee’s things. They’re in the truck.”

“Are you headed back to the clubhouse?” My question is for her; I can’t stop staring.

“I thought I’d hang out.” She bites her lower lip. “If you don’t mind.”

Her toe twists against the cement, and I realize she’s nervous. It makes me want to wrap her in my arms, so I shove my hands into my pockets to stop myself.

“Of course not.” I look at Venom. “I’ll give her a ride back later.”

“I’m sure you will.” Chaos winks, and I’m not the only one who glares at him, as Aimee’s eyes narrow.

I wish her anger didn’t make her so damn stunning. This girl is a ball of fire, and I want her to consume me.

“Later, boss.” Venom waves, glancing at Aimee.

She smiles. “Thanks for the ride.”