Chapter 6

Chapter Six

Nevaeh

A mity fell asleep a few hours ago, and after everything that happened, who could blame her? But I can’t sleep. I’m scared that if I do, I’ll wake up and find her gone. G left a while ago, so here I am, lying awake, staring at the ceiling.

When I heard that Amity was hurt, I thought I was going to lose it. With all the risks she takes when she’s doing her stunts, I never doubt that she’ll make it home in one piece. But this reminds me that, for all the jokes I make about her being a superhero, she’s just as breakable as the rest of us. And I hate it. Losing Citi destroyed half of me. Losing Amity would finish off what’s left of me.

I glance at her. Her hair’s fanned out over the pillow, and she looks so peaceful. But the pink cast resting on the pillow between us is a stark reminder of just how close I came to losing her.

When I hear the door open, I turn and see G walk in. He quietly closes the door behind him and heads toward the bathroom. When he flicks the light on, I see that he’s wet and half-naked. Confused, I stare at him until his eyes land on mine in the mirror.

He turns to look at me, leaning back against the counter. “The day you flew out to the UK, a couple guys from Havoc’s old club ran me and Amity off the road.”

I sit up straight, eyes wide.

“We had a stupid argument about helmets, and she ended up wearing mine, so I wasn’t wearing one. It was reckless, and it could’ve cost me everything,” he says, looking at Amity.

“What happened?” I keep my voice low so that I don’t wake Amity.

“We were thrown from my bike, and I was knocked unconscious. Amity called Havoc, and he and the guys rode out to get us, but the two guys that hit us came back with guns. I left Amity vulnerable. She was forced to protect us both, and a bullet grazed her leg, but thankfully that was all. The problem is that even though I was out cold, I can’t unsee it. Every time I close my eyes…” He shakes his head and blows out a breath. “I’ve never felt so fucking helpless in my life.”

“And then she went over the edge of a cliff. Damn it, G, you should have called me. I was freaking sightseeing while you and my best friend were hurt.”

“She didn’t want you to come back. And we were both fine, or I swear she would’ve called. London was a big deal, and she wanted that for you.”

I scrub my hands over my face. I’m so beyond pissed, but I know I probably would’ve done the same thing. But that doesn’t mean I have to be happy about it.

“Fine,” I say with a huff, rolling my eyes. “I’ll wait until the cast’s off before I kick her ass.”

His lips twitch. “Appreciated.”

“What can I say—I’m awesome like that,” I tell him, making him smile.

“So… why do you look like a drowned rat?”

His smile fades at my question. “The guys that ran us off the road were ordered to kill Havoc. But instead, they tried to kill me and the woman I love. I don’t give a fuck what happens to me, but I’ll be damned if I ever let a motherfucker get away with hurting her.”

He lifts his hands and looks at them. “Let’s just say, they’ll never hurt her again.”

He waits for my reaction.

I nod. “Good. You may shower now,” I say, dismissing him.

“Yes, ma’am.” He chuckles and closes the door.

I lie back down and stare back at the ceiling. He might as well have just told me he killed them. I’m waiting to see if I have a delayed reaction to that, like fear or panic, but I don’t. All I feel is relief. Now, what does that say about me?

When the shower turns off, I close my eyes and pretend to sleep. A few minutes later, G comes out of the bathroom and climbs into bed on the other side of Amity. He wraps his arm around her and lets out a contented sigh.

I lie still and listen as his breathing evens out. I wait another thirty minutes to make sure he’s asleep before I slip out of bed and slide my shoes on.

I glance down at Amity and G. Seeing her safe in his arms—and knowing what he did tonight to protect her and what he risked going over the cliff to save her—is the only reason I feel comfortable leaving this room.

Grabbing my car key and cell phone from the bedside table where I left them, I slip them into the zippered pocket of my skirt before walking silently to the door. I open it, and creep out, closing it quietly so I don’t disturb them. I spin around, ready to sneak out of the compound, when I collide with a wall of muscle. I don’t need to look up to know who it is. My body responds to him immediately. He reaches out to steady me, and I look up into the deep, dark eyes of the man I’ve been trying to forget.

“Hello, Cupcake.”

I open my mouth to tell him I’m leaving when he picks me up and tosses me over his shoulder. I let out a surprised squeal as I try to hold my skirt down, but the beast of a man does that for me by covering my ass with one of his giant hands.

“Put me down, you heathen!” I snap, struggling in his hold.

He chuckles, the deep sound vibrating through me, but he doesn’t put me down.

“I mean it. Put me down right now, or I’ll scream.”

“Go ahead, Cupcake, scream all you want, but this is my club, and nobody’s going to stop me from claiming what’s mine.”

Before I can process what he just said, I hear a door opening and closing as he carries me into one of the rooms and gently sets me down.

As soon as my feet hit the floor, I rush to put some distance between us. “Your club? I think Blade might have something to say about that!” I snap, because it’s the first thing that comes to mind, even though I know Blade’s stepping down and Havoc’s taking his place. But that’s not for a while yet, right?

He cocks his head, studying me. “You don’t know who I am?”

I want to play dumb, but his name slips out in a barely there whisper. I know he hears it when he growls and steps closer, but stops when I back up.

“You called me yours. I’m not yours. I think you have me confused with someone else.” He can’t know it was me he slept with. It was dark, and I left before he woke up.

His eyes move over my rainbow-colored skirt and oversized sweatshirt with a Care Bear on the front, and his lips twitch. “Oh, I’m not confusing you with anyone.”

I cross my arms over Funshine, not liking his tone. I should be acting nice so I can lull him into a false sense of security before—wham—I kick him in the balls and make a run for it. But his eyes twinkle like he knows exactly what I’m thinking.

“You must be because I am not your girl,” I snap.

He moves so fast I barely have time to breathe before I’m pinned to the wall. “It was my dick you let inside you. My dick your greedy pussy milked dry, and my dick you branded with your blood. So damn fucking straight that makes you mine.”

I gasp, but before I can say anything, his mouth’s on mine, swallowing my protests. I consider biting his tongue off when he slips it into my mouth. And I’m going to— any second now . But as memories of our night together flash through my mind, I can't think of anything else.

Suddenly, he lifts me, and I automatically wrap my legs around his waist. It isn’t until I’m flat on my back with Havoc between my thighs that reality comes crashing back in.

I tear my mouth free. “We have to stop.”

“We will. In a minute.”

His lips trail down my jaw, finding a sensitive spot behind my ear that makes me shiver, and I feel him smile, his arrogance pissing me off as much as it’s turning me on.

With that, I shove at his chest, but it’s like trying to move a brick wall. “Get off me, you big… big… brute.”

He lifts his head and grins, his face transforming completely. My brain goes from kiss me quick to fuck me slow in an instant, shocking the hell out of me.

“I don’t like that you ran from me, baby. Don’t do that again, or I’ll tie you to my bed.”

“Are you insane? No, don’t answer that. I already know. Do you need to take your medication or something? Maybe call a priest”

“The only thing wrong with me is that you’re wearing too many clothes, and my treatment requires you to wear a lot less.”

He drags my skirt up my thighs, revealing my underwear. He looks down and smirks.

I huff, feeling my face flush. If I’d known a boy was going to see my panties today, I probably wouldn’t have worn my She-Ra ones.

“Cute, but they’ve got to go. Therapist’s orders.”

“You don’t have a therapist.” I yelp as he grabs my underwear and tugs them down my legs.

“Sure, I do. To help me deal with my phobia.”

He pushes my legs apart, making me yelp again as I try to push him away.

“And what exactly is this so-called phobia that needs you to be down there?” I ask as he settles between my legs.

“Vaginaphobia.”

I freeze and look down at him. “That’s not a real thing. You just made that up.”

He shakes his head. “It’s true. I spent a long time around men, and now pussies make me nervous.”

Yeah, right. He’s totally full of shit.

“Well, you don’t look nervous now, so move.”

“My therapist recommends exposure therapy.”

Before I can roll my eyes, the man’s tongue is on me—on me and in me, flicking my clit, then dipping inside me to lick up my arousal.

Dear sweet baby Jesus, I never understood what all the fuss was about, but now I get it. It’s like trying to explain how chocolate tastes to someone who’s never had it.

Before I realize it, I’m grabbing handfuls of his damp hair, holding him to me. My hips lifting of their own accord, chasing… something. Wanting—no, needing—him closer.

“Come for me, Cupcake. I wanna see if you taste as sweet as you smell.”

And after a few more swipes of his tongue, I do, my back arching as he sucks my clit into his mouth.

When I finally catch my breath, I look down and find him grinning up at me, his chin slick with my arousal.

“Well, would you look at that?” he says, his voice full of satisfaction. “I’m cured.”

He crawls up my body and kisses me. I taste myself on his lips. It feels so wrong, but I can’t deny that I like it. When he pulls back, he lifts one of his large hands to cup my face, his thumb brushing my cheek.

“This is happening,” he says. “You’re mine, and I have no problem reminding you of that daily.”

“You always take what you want without caring about the consequences?” I whisper.

“When it comes to you, I guess I do.”

“I don’t even know you. You’re just the guy who stole my freaking virginity. What if I was saving myself for marriage?”

I wasn’t, but he doesn’t need to know that.

He frowns. “You climbed into my bed dressed like a wet dream, Cupcake. And you didn’t put up a fight. Fuck, your slick pussy welcomed me in.”

“I didn’t know it was your bed. G carried me there when I passed out,” I tell him. “He thought I’d be safe there.”

He leans in until his forehead touches mine. “Did I hurt you?”

I know if I say yes, he’ll let me go. But something tells me there’s more to this man than I realize, and I might end up doing more harm than I mean to. Besides, it didn’t really hurt. It was just… uncomfortable. He’s huge, and I’m…well, not.

“Nooo. I just…” I blow out a frustrated breath, not sure how to put what I’m feeling into words. “I’m twenty-five, and I didn’t save it to just throw it away like half my friends did when we were teenagers. I wanted it to mean something. I never really got to date, so I held on to it and?—”

“And I took it while you were passed out. Fuck.” He kisses me softly, then pulls back. “I’m sorry it didn’t happen the way you wanted it to. But I’d be lying if I said I regretted it. I’ve spent the last few years alone. And then there you were, and you smell like cupcakes and fresh starts, and I really need a fresh start right now.”

“This will never work, Havoc. You’re all that, and I’m just… me. I’m boring. I don’t swear. I don’t drink, which is why I ended up in this mess in the first place. Heck, I’m a pastor’s daughter, for heaven’s sake. I won’t fit in here.”

“Of course you are,” he grins before turning serious. “You’ll never fit in, Cupcake, because you were born to stand out. I could spend the rest of my life watching you and never get bored.”

Yep. He’s insane. Figures. The first guy to affect me is a sandwich short of a picnic.

“You need to let me go. Let’s just pretend none of this ever happened.”

His grip on me tightens. “No. Fuck that. I’m keeping you.”

“Keeping me?” I snap. “I’m not a puppy.”

He pulls his hand away and runs it through his hair. When he does, I see a nasty-looking burn on his hand. I grab it and turn it over so I can get a better look.

“What happened?”

“Amity went over the cliff, and G went after her. I helped pull them back up.”

He says it so calmly. Whereas just the thought of it makes me want to scream.

“You pulled them back up?” I manage to choke out, staring down at his hand. A hand that helped save my best friend’s life.

“Of course.”

Of course.

Of course.

Of course.

It’s such a simple phrase for something so huge.

I press a kiss to the tender part of his palm and hear him suck in a sharp breath. I look up at him. “Thank you.”

“I’m going to scare you,” he growls, and I jump at his words.

“I’m going to terrify you down to your bones, Cupcake.”

“What? Why? I don’t understand.”

“I know, and I’m sorry. Sorry for every tear I’ll make you cry.”

“You’re right. You are scaring me,” I admit, thinking I need to get the heck out of here. I need a change of underwear—and maybe a restraining order.

His nose skims down mine before he pulls back and climbs off the bed. He stands there, holding out his hand. Surprised, I take it, and he helps me off the bed.

“Let me take you for a ride.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea, Havoc.”

“It’s just a ride. Come on, say yes.”

“I don’t know, Havoc. I’ve never been on a bike before, and I’m definitely not dressed for it.”

“Don’t say no.”

I don’t know if it’s an order or a plea, but I find myself giving in. “Fine. One ride, but I need to go back to my car first. My luggage is still in the trunk from my trip, and I know I have jeans in there.”

“Alright, let’s go before everyone else wakes up.”

“Wait. Why? What’s your hurry?”

“You don’t want them asking too many questions, do you?”

“Good point.”

I quickly run into the bathroom and clean myself up. When I come out, Havoc’s waiting for me exactly where I left him. He takes my hand and holds it tightly. I try to pull it free, but he won’t let go. With a sigh, I give up, knowing he’ll have to let go eventually.

He leads me out the back, the same way I snuck out after our night together. Just like then, nobody sees us.

When we get to my car, I pop the trunk and dig through my suitcase until I find some jeans, my sneakers, and a pair of panties. Feeling Havoc’s watchful eyes on me, I ask him to turn around, and he does, reluctantly. Once he’s facing the other way, I quickly pull on my panties and jeans under my skirt. After fastening them, I tug my skirt down and throw it in the back with the rest of my things, then put on my sneakers. Grabbing my phone from my skirt, I shove it in my jeans pocket before shutting the trunk.

"Okay. I'm ready," I say, and he turns back to me.

“The RV is still on set. Not sure if the police have released it or not yet, but I’ll call G and find out later. In the meantime, we can drop your car back at the campsite while we ride. If the cops release the RV, it’ll save you from coming back here if you don’t want to. And if they don’t, I’ll return you to your car and you can drive back here and crash in one of the spare rooms without anyone knowing you were with me.”

“I’m not ashamed to be seen with you, Havoc; I’m just not ready for all the questions and assumptions that come with being seen riding on the back of your bike.”

“I know. So you good with this plan?”

“I guess, but I’ve got my MacBook and other things in the trunk. I don’t like the idea of leaving them in the car while nobody’s around.”

“It’ll fit in my saddlebags. We can take it with us.”

I sigh because he’s not going to let this go. Suck it up, Nevaeh, it’s just a bike ride.

He takes my key, opens the door for me, and helps me get in.

“I’ll be right behind you,” he says, pressing the key into my palm before he closes the door and heads over to his bike.

So what if I watch his ass as he leaves? It’s not like it means anything.

I start the car and pull up to the gates and wait for Dice to open them. Once they’re open, he nods at me, and I drive through, taking a deep, steadying breath.

There’d been a part of me that was worried Havoc wouldn’t let me go. He seemed so obsessed with the idea of us that I was looking for ways to escape. But now, at least, he seems to have calmed down a little.

I check the rearview mirror and see him behind me. I chew my lip, wondering whether going for a ride with him is a smart idea. Maybe him realizing that we have nothing in common will be the best way to move on.

I pull into the lot and park, turning off the engine. I climb out of my car and wait for Havoc’s bike to stop before walking over to him.

“I don’t have a helmet,” I tell him as he pulls his off.

“You can wear mine,” he says.

I protest, but he eases it on my head and clips the strap under my chin. “Get on. And watch out for the pipes. They get hot.”

I place my hands on his shoulders and use him as leverage as I struggle to swing my leg over the seat. I hold his waist, but he has other ideas. He yanks my arms forward until my front is plastered to his back, and I press my hands to his stomach, feeling one of his cover mine.

“Hold on tight,” he yells over the roar of the engine.

I do as he says, and when he takes off, I close my eyes and rest my head against his back.

Riding doesn’t scare me, but the thought of crashing does. I have this irrational fear of ending up on life support and my father refusing to pull the plug, given his inability to let go and grieve.

Eventually, I relax and realize I’m enjoying it. I have the strangest urge to stretch my arms out wide to feel the wind rushing over me. Being on a bike like this almost feels like I’m flying.

I’m enjoying myself, but when the temperature drops, I start feeling the cold. Havoc must feel me shivering because he slows down and pulls off the main road onto one lined by trees. It’s bumpier, making me hold on tighter, but at least it’s not as cold now.

About thirty minutes later, I feel the first drops of rain, and as fun as this has been, I don’t want to ride in the rain. When we finally stop, I lift my head and see a pretty little cabin nestled within the trees. It almost looks like something out of a fairy tale.

Havoc climbs off first and holds out his hand to help me off. But my legs feel like jelly, and I’m not sure I can stand up on my own anymore. Havoc must realize the problem because he sweeps me up into his arms and carries me to the cabin.

“What is this place? Do you know who lives here?”

He turns the handle, and the door creaks open.

“Who leaves their door unlocked like that?” I ask in shock.

“There’s no one around for miles in any direction. No need to worry about locking doors.”

“You’ve clearly never seen the movie Cabin in the Woods .”