Page 3 of The First Cut

As I watch, my eyes get heavy, so I pull the throw from the back of the sofa and cover myself with it. before I settle back in and fall asleep. When I wake up, I have a crick in my neck, and sunlight is pouring in through the windows.

I fumble for my phone on the table and see it’s eight-thirty in the morning. I frown when I still don’t have any texts or missedcalls from Havoc. A sick feeling makes my stomach clench as I get to my feet and head upstairs to the bedroom.

The bed is empty, my eyes confirming what my gut already knew—he didn’t come home.

The sick feeling intensifies. I know I’m not the ideal old lady, but I’m trying. He wouldn’t cheat on me... would he?

But then I think of the club girls—and all the brothers that do cheat—and cover my mouth as I run to the bathroom and throw up.

By the time I’m finished, my head’s pounding, and I know it’s only going to get worse. I push myself to my feet, a little unsteady, then wash my face and brush my teeth.

When a loud knock echoes through the house, I freeze before my brain kicks into gear. What if he didn’t stay at the clubhouse? What if he got hurt and he’s in the hospital… or worse?

I run to the door, not caring that I’m only wearing Havoc’s T-shirt. Yanking it open, I come face-to-face with Driller.

My stomach drops.

“Tell me he’s okay,” I plead.

He pushes me inside and closes the door behind him. “He’s in jail.”

“What? No, that can’t be.”

“Funny, because it is. And he ain’t getting out for a long time.”

“No.” I grip my hair, which is when I notice Driller checking out my bare legs. I take a step back. “I’ll go get dressed and head to the police station.”

“Don’t bother. He doesn’t want to see anyone—especially not you.”

I grit my teeth. “I don’t believe you.”

He shrugs and pulls out his phone. Tapping the screen, he places a call and puts it on speaker. “Khan? I’m with Lola. She doesn’t believe me about Havoc.”

Khan sighs. “It’s true. I needed a man inside, and he volunteered. He’s going to be in there for a while, too.”

“I don’t understand. He wouldn’t just leave without talking to me.”

“Look, Lola. I didn’t want to be the one to tell you this, but I can’t leave you hanging. He hooked up with Razzle last night. Guess he realized what he’d been missing and decided to kill two birds with one stone. Now, he can do the club a favor and split from you without the drama. I’m sorry it went down this way, but it is what it is.”

I stare at the phone, refusing to believe a damn word he’s saying. I know Havoc, despite my insecurities messing with my head earlier. He wouldn’t take the coward’s way out. He’s always faced everything head-on. If he wanted me gone, he would‘ve told me that himself.

“You gotta figure out your place here now, Lola. I know you don’t have anywhere to go, and the house you live in is Havoc’s.”

“What do you mean, my place?” I whisper, my mind going in a million directions. If I go down to the police station and beg them to let me see him, they have to, right?

“Women here fall into two categories: club girls and old ladies. You’re no longer an old lady, so that makes you fair game,” Khan reminds me.

“I’ll leave. I’m not becoming a club girl. No way.”

“Where are you going to go, huh? Who’s gonna take you in? Nobody. You’ve got nothing and no one who isn’t linked to the club. Havoc told us all about your rich, uppity family and how they disowned you when you chose Havoc over them. Do you think they’ll take you back now? I don’t think so. All they’ll see is trash.”

Tears run down my cheeks as his words slice through me like a knife.

“Might be one way to help, though. Driller? Are you up for it? Only way to keep her safe.”

“Yeah, Khan. Order me a cut.” He hangs up as I try to figure out what they’re talking about, but when Driller steps closer, I back up again.

“I’ll go to a shelter.”