Page 42 of Havoc

“I was worried I was going to have to drag you out of your room.”

“I’m pretty sure you shouldn’t be dragging anything.” My gaze falls to her stomach.

“Then I’d have Jesse do it.” She smiles proudly, and I have no doubt he’d do anything she asks, given how he looks at her. “Do you want a drink?”

“I’m going to grab a water.” I tilt my head toward the bar. “But I’ll find you in a little bit.”

Reagan nods, sinking back onto the couch and falling into conversation with Tempe as I snake my way to the bar. Since Levi is on the end by the back doors, I move to the opposite side.

We used to be friends. He used to know me better than anyone. But right now, I don’t know what to say to him. Every look is a question I’m not ready to answer. It was easier hating him and shoving him away because now all he seems to see is the broken shards of what the Iron Sinners made me.

“For you.” Venom slides a water bottle across the bar the second I reach him, so he must have seen me coming.

The girls told me that Venom is one of the newest members to patch in, which is why he is always on escort duty when any of us need to get anywhere. I don’t mind it because Venom is easy to be around. He’s friendly without being pushy about it. He doesn’t mind sitting in silence. And even if he’s usually smiling, Isense something darker hidden beneath the grins he uses to comfort the people around him.

“You saw me coming.” I pop the cap of the water bottle off and take a drink.

Venom grins. “I pay attention.”

“No wonder the ladies love you.”

“Not half as much as they love me.” Soul stops to my left, while Chaos leans on the bar at my right.

That simple feeling of being surrounded would have sent me into a spiral a week ago. But with Chaos, Soul, and Venom, it doesn’t. Of all the members, I see them the most around the clubhouse. They don’t have families in the neighborhood or relationships that pull them away. More often than not, when I lounge on the patio or a couch during the day, one of them will join me.

Sometimes we talk. Sometimes we don’t.

I appreciate the company they offer without having strings attached to it.

While I appreciate my growing friendship with Reagan, Tempe, and Luna, it’s different with the guys. They don’t look at me like they’re wondering what broke me or trying to figure out how to fix it.

They let me simply exist, no matter what mood I’m in.

“I don’t know why you bother arguing about it when any woman in this room would choose me over you assholes in a second.” Chaos grins.

“Bet?” Soul rests his elbows on the bar.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned about Soul in my short time around him, it’s that he can’t resist a challenge. Something Chaos is always more than happy to oblige.

“Help us out, Aimee.” Chaos spins so his back is to the bar. “Pick a girl.”

“So the two of you can annoy her for the night? That would be rude of me.” I turn to face the room, feeling Chaos grinning at my side.

“You’d rather we annoy you then?” Soul turns as well.

“You boys couldn’t handle me.”

Chaos and Soul burst out laughing, while Venom says, “Touché,” before disappearing to the other end of the bar.

“This isn’t actually a challenge if all the girls in the room already want to sleep with you.” I shrug. “And no, that’s not a compliment.”

“I’ll take it as one anyway.” Soul smiles.

“I’m sure you will.” I roll my eyes.

Scanning the crowd, I find Levi standing at the back door now, talking to Reina. I should probably be jealous when she smiles up at him, soaking in every word he says. But reading his posture, I wonder if she isn’t seeing what I am.

His arms are crossed over his chest, which he only does when he’s closing himself off. And his jaw is tense like it is when he’s stressed out.