Page 45 of Havoc

We make our way into the clubhouse, and Ghost catches sight of Luna across the room, so he beelines for her. It takes me a moment to set eyes on Aimee. She’s tall but not compared to the guys surrounding her.

When I finally spot her, I see her standing near the bar with a water bottle in her hand. And as the crowd shifts, I notice Reina stops directly in front of her. Reina’s red nails tap the bar as she stares Aimee down.

I’ve fucking had it with this territorial bullshit.

The only reason I fucked Reina was to get out of my head when it started to feel like all the women were blending together. And although it was a good time, it didn’t actually mean anything.

I push through the crowd just as Reina takes a verbal jab at Aimee.

“You think that just because you’ve temporarily distracted Havoc, he’s still pining after you? I don’t remember seeing you in his bed when I was keeping it warm.”

I stop beside Aimee at that, and Reina’s eyes go wide as she realizes I heard her. While Aimee stands as relaxed as ever, completely unfazed. There’s an almost bored expression on her face as her gaze flicks from Reina to me.

I’m ready to say something, even if it will likely piss Aimee off because she hates when I intervene on her behalf. But she doesn’t give me the chance.

Aimee’s dark eyes fall to my arms crossed over my chest. To my hand resting on my elbow. To the hourglass tattooed on the back of my ring finger. And the smallest smirk lightens the darkness in her gaze.

Aimee breathes out an unamused laugh, turning back to Reina. “I guess you just weren’t looking hard enough.”

At that, Aimee walks past Reina, heading to the hallway. She probably wants to be alone, and I should let her. But there’s no amount of willpower that will stop me tonight. I swallow my ego, and I follow her.

“I can’t believe you didn’t tell me you were getting a tattoo.” Aimee turns my forearm over, inspecting the design.

Her fingers trace around the ink, avoiding touching it directly since it needs to heal. The graze of her skin on my arm has my blood pumping. My bones rattling.

Aimee’s touch brings my heart to life.

“It was a last-minute decision. Jameson was getting one, and I figured I’d join him. What do you think?” How pathetic is it that I feel the need to ask that question?

That my entire world hangs in the balance of what this girl thinks?

“I like it.” She smiles up at me, releasing my arm.

My skin feels instantly cold and empty without her touch.

“Good.” I rub my hands together and find my palms sweaty.

Aimee makes me feel like I’m a sixteen-year-old virgin. Nervous and excited and hanging on her every word.

Hell, I’m going into the military for her. While I told her I was doing it for myself, and that wasn’t a complete lie, she’s the catalyst. If there’s a chance that doing something different with my life will give me a chance with her, then I’ll try.

“Now I want one.” Aimee frowns, leaning against the arm of the couch. “But my father would kill me.”

I stretch my arm out, and it puts my hand near her shoulder. “Fuck him.”

She rolls her eyes. “Figures you would say that.”

“It’s your life, firecracker. No matter what anyone else thinks, you should be allowed to make your own decisions.”

A soft blush climbs her neck—her cheeks.

Her beautiful, brown eyes dart away to try and hide it.

“What would you get?” I ask.

“For a tattoo?”

I nod.