Page 73 of Havoc

“Perfect? Oh my god, your ego is out of control.” A devious smile spreads across her face. “The date isn’t over yet. Maybe I’ll change my mind. We haven’t even gotten to the goodnight kiss. That’s what makes or breaks the date as far as I’m concerned.”

“You want me to kiss you, Aimee?” I flip us until she’s under me, and I’m resting between her legs. “All you had to do was ask.”

At that, my lips land on hers, and we could be anywhere.

The heart of the city.

The middle of the clubhouse.

Nothing matters—not even the sandwiches with too many pickles and not enough ham that she loves so much.

I kiss her like it’s our first kiss on our first date. I kiss her like it’s the last first kiss I’ll offer. I kiss her, knowing her lips are the only ones I ever want on mine again. I just have to figure out how to convince her to stay.

24

Havoc

“Are you going tobe able to survive this meeting without getting a felony?” Steel asks me as we walk through the casino.

Neutral ground.

We refused to meet the Iron Sinners at a casino Zane owns, and they refused to meet us without an audience. So we met in the middle.

It’s one of the few smart moves on their part, given we’d shower them in bullets if there was nothing to hold us accountable.

“I’m good,” I lie.

My shoulders are pulled back so tight my neck aches. A knot of tension balls where my spine meets my skull.

Steel glances over at me, unconvinced, and I don’t blame him when I barely believe it myself.

Meeting with the Iron Sinners to try and negotiate the release of Aimee’s father is one thing. But knowing Titanwill be in attendance has irritation butting up against my self-control. As the sergeant at arms, it’s my job to protect the club. Tonight, I’m a liability, and I know it.

Steel looks to my other side, where Chaos meets his gaze. A silent question passes between them.

“I’m fine,” I say again.

Chaos chuckles, shaking his head. “Even if you’re not, I’m sure Monroe could make a good case for our ex-military golden boy.”

My eyes narrow as I pin Chaos with a hard glare. At least if he sees straight through me, he already has plans to call the club’s attorney if this goes to shit.

“Monroe can’t do anything if there are witnesses.” Steel slaps me on the shoulder. “Remember that. It’s the only way you get back to Aimee tonight.”

“I know.”

“She needs you.”

Steel rakes his dark hair off his forehead, and I realize his words are no longer a warning from my president. They’re a reminder from one friend to another that, as much as I want to use tonight as an opportunity to take Titan off the playing field, he’s orchestrated it this way on purpose. He knows my hands are tied unless I’m prepared to deal with the legal fallout.

For Aimee, I need to bury my rage and tread carefully.

She needs me.

Not that she’ll admit it.

That girl is almost as stubborn as I am. She barely gives me an inch, no matter how hard I work for it. Progress is being made in slow steps—like her no longer needinga barricade in front of the door to sleep, and her slowly opening up to me with stories about what happened these past fourteen years. But I have to claw for every bit.

“If it comes down to it, I’ll walk away like I promised.” It’s hard to get those words out, but I know it’s the right thing to do.