Page 71 of Havoc

“With this date?”

Part of me hates that she clarifies my question because this is more than just a date to me. It’s step one in figuring out how to win her heart after I managed to fumble it for so long.

But I understand her need for boundaries, so I respect them by simply nodding in response. She’s still intent on leaving Vegas after we find Anderson, and I don’t blame her with the memories that have her waking up in tears on more nights than not.

“Will you give me a chance?” I ask again, brushing my thumb across her smooth jaw.

Her cheeks brighten as her lips press tight. Hesitation storms in her eyes. After all she’s been through, it’s still easier for her to offer me her body than her heart, which is exactly why I wanted to do this. I need her to know that no matter how much I enjoy fucking her, that’s not what this is to me.

It never was. Aimee has always been more.

“Yes.”

One simple word from her lips fills my chest with the hope of a hundred dashed promises. I can picture her at an altar wearing white. I see a future laid out for us.

I’m careful not to say any of those things as I step back and put just enough distance between us that she won’t sense where my mind just slipped away to. Wrapping my hand around hers, I lead her to the blanket.

I really need to thank Ghost and Luna for helping set this up while I distracted Aimee this afternoon. Since the incident at the strip club last week, they’ve been anxious to find some way to make it up to her.

After Ghost and Chaos dragged the man who tried to grab Luna into the back room, they learned he was a former prospect of the club, looking for revenge since he didn’t get in. It’s been years, so no one remembered or recognized him. But clearly, he hadn’t forgotten.

And considering his history, he hasn’t changed.

The whole reason the Twisted Kings didn’t patch him in was because he was too aggressive with women. And there he was, grabbing for Luna without her permission. Unfortunately for him, my little firecracker saw his intent before he got the chance.

I just wish her actions had been the result of her protective nature, not trauma.

When we got back to the clubhouse, she explained to me what went through her mind at the club. She told me that when the man reached for Luna, she blacked out and saw Titan’s face. That, for a second, it was his neck beneath the blade.

It makes my palms sweat and my head throb just thinking about it.

I’m supposed to go with the club to a meeting with Titan and the Iron Sinners tomorrow to negotiate the return of Aimee’s father, but he’ll be lucky if I don’t gut him on sight at this point.

“It’s beautiful out here.” Aimee takes a seat on the blanket first, stretching her legs out.

When I sit beside her, I grab her legs and drape them over my lap because I can’t help touching her now that she lets me.

“I never thought of Vegas as pretty.” Her gaze is fixed on the horizon.

“That’s because you were always in the city growing up.” I peel open the basket of food. “If you’d let me take you on that ride sooner, maybe I could have shown you there’s more to this place.”

Her eyebrow quirks.

“Just saying.” I grin.

Although I’ve always hated the heart of the city, the one good thing about Vegas is the desert surrounding it. Especially in winter when it’s bearable.

There’s something about the middle of nowhere.

No stress.

No lights.

No people.

The dirt feels different under my boots. The air is cleaner on my tongue. I can breathe again.

And with Aimee, I’m flooded with oxygen.