Chapter 26

Chapter Twenty-Six

Nevaeh

“ S o, there’s a pop-up signing a couple of towns over. It’s at a large bookstore, and a few local authors are attending.”

“Okay?”

“I’ve been invited to go, and as it’s not far and my real identity is out now, I can’t see the harm. I love meeting fans and other authors. It reminds me why I do what I do. Writing can get lonely sometimes.”

He leans back and looks at me as I chew my lip. “You know you don’t need my permission, right? But I need you protected, so I won’t let you go alone.”

I beam a huge smile his way before diving into his arms.

“I’m not your father, cupcake. You’re not a prisoner. That said, I’m coming with you, so don’t even argue. When is it?”

“Wouldn’t dream of it. It’s at the end of next week. They pop up all over the country and always last minute. I guess it’s a way to keep the crowds small.”

“As long as I’m beside you, you’ll be safe anyway. We’ll bring a second for backup, but if the event is small, then I can’t see the point of having a large team going with us.”

“No, and I think that would probably be an issue anyway. You’re an intimidating bunch. You’ll scare my readers away.”

“Please. They love me.”

I tilt my head and frown. “And how would you know that, Mr. President?”

He curses. “My testicles are urging me to lie right now,” he mutters before he presses his forehead against mine. “I may or may not have posted photos of us together on my social media.”

“You have social media? Huh.”

“You’re making me feel old.”

I laugh. “It’s not that. It’s just out of character. It’s akin to imagining Hannibal at a knitting club.”

He chuckles at that.

Unlucky for him, though, my thoughts are taking root. I cross my arms over my chest. “What did you do, caveman?”

He pulls his phone out and opens the app before handing it over to me. “Nothing bad. I made the mistake of tagging your personal account instead of Celeste’s, but I’ve fixed that now G pointed out my mistake. I didn’t mean to cause issues. I’m just proud of you, that’s all. What’s wrong with that?”

I soften before leaning forward and giving him a kiss. “Nothing at all. It feels really good, actually. Unfortunately for you, I’m getting better at reading between the lines. Something tells me you are proud of me, but that’s not all there is to it.”

I scroll through his phone, laughing and sighing at the pictures of us together. Pulling out my own phone, I look through my social media. I’ve been avoiding it for weeks. I can only imagine the number of tags and messages I’ve missed.

My eyes widen as I see just how popular Havoc is with my readers. I put both phones down on the table. “You’re right. They love you. I’m kind of worried now that you might need security yourself. You’ve caused quite a stir. Perhaps I should make you one of my cover models.”

“You write romance books. Not sure many readers would be interested in a biker like me.”

I blink and grin at his naivety. “Oh, you poor misguided fool.”

He glances at me in confusion. I smile sweetly and decide to let him find out the hard way. I’ll have to see if I can bribe whoever he brings with us to take photos and capture the moment he realizes how much readers like men just like him.

His cell phone rings before he can ask me what I’m thinking, making him groan. “Can’t a man spend some fucking time with his old lady without every man and his dog trying to interrupt him?” he mutters to himself.

“Yeah?” he answers. He frowns, his eyes widening a fraction before he responds. “I’ll be right there.”

He disconnects the call and turns to me. “There is someone at the gate that wants to talk to you.”

Now it’s my turn to groan. “My father?”

“No. My ex.”

The shock of that statement must be evident on my face.

“Stay here, and I’ll go deal with her.”

“Not a chance in hell,” I tell him, standing up and brushing the crumbs from my lap.

I smooth down my skirt and straighten up my cardigan. I’m not vain, or at least no more than most people, but going up against Lola makes my insecurities flare. She might be many things, but ugly is not one of them.

Still, Havoc is mine, and if she thinks she can come waltzing in here and make some kind of play for him, she has another thing coming.

“Maybe we should build a moat, add some crocodiles and a drawbridge or something,” I mumble, making Havoc laugh.

“How can I be pissed off and yet still laugh?”

“Mental health issues?”

He grins and kisses me hard, leaving me unstable on my feet.

“Come on. Let’s get this over with.” He takes my hand and walks me down to the gate for another confrontation.

I notice a few others hovering around, eager to see what’s happening without trying to appear too eager. I roll my eyes. I swear bikers are worse than a bunch of school girls.

When we walk through the warehouse holding hands, it shows solidarity and ownership. Lola might have had Havoc first, but she threw him away. I won’t make the same mistake because I know exactly what kind of treasure he is.

When we walk through, we find the gates already open. Dice is standing in front of Lola, so we can’t see her properly until Havoc calls Dice’s name. Dice turns at the sound of Havoc’s voice before stepping away.

We get our first good look at her. She seems smaller than I remember, and I don’t mean height-wise. I’m tiny, hence the stupid nicknames, but my attitude is far bigger than I am. Lola might be taller than me by a good half a foot, but she’s giving off the air of someone trying to make themselves look small.

She is wearing a Yankees ball cap with a pair of oversized sunglasses. Dressed in a pair of ripped jeans and a sweatshirt two sizes too big for her and hiding her bump, she looks more like a teenager than an old lady and far more vulnerable. I don’t like it one bit. I can’t tell if it’s genuine or a ploy to bring out Havoc’s protective instincts.

“Why are you here, Lola? I have nothing to say to you,” Havoc tells her. His voice, usually filled with warmth for me, is stone cold.

She flinches, and I can’t say I blame her. I would, too. Having anger turned your way is one thing—at least there is feeling in anger. Indifference is worse. Knowing someone who used to love you feels nothing at all for you anymore hurts worse. I know that feeling all too well.

“I came to warn you. Khan and Driller are planning something.” She slides her hand protectively over her stomach as she swallows.

“Aren’t they always? Besides, shouldn’t you be beside your old man, cheering him on?” Havoc asks.

His words hit like barbs. Her head jerks back as if she can physically feel them lash against her skin.

“You don’t know me, Havoc. You never did, or you’d never have asked me that.” Her voice cracks as she speaks, but I’m too busy focusing on her face. Her glasses slipped when she jerked back, letting my eye catch what she was hiding.

“You’re right, I don’t know you. The woman I loved was a fucking lie. Go home, Lola. You’ve caused enough damage.”

I let go of his hand while he was distracted and walked toward her.

He calls my name when he realizes what I’m doing but doesn’t try to stop me. I step in front of her and see how tense she is. She braces herself as if waiting for a blow. I never thought I’d feel a wave of pity for this woman, but as I reach up and slide the glasses off her face and reveal deep purple bruising, I remind myself that nothing in life is ever black and white.