Page 100 of Havoc
“I know.” I refuse to accept any alternative.
“Titan must think he can convince her to go willingly. It’s the only reason he’d choose a public setting like he did.”
“He knows she’d do anything to save her father.” I pop my knuckles. “But she trusts me.”
Steel nods. “I’m going to check on Tempe and Austin. Get the men ready.”
I nod, finding my way to the van to double-check everything is loaded as planned. Then I find Ghost to run through the surveillance he’ll have on Aimee while she’s meeting with Titan. Finally, I find Patch.
Worst-case scenario, he needs to be there if things go sideways.
By the time I walk back into the clubhouse, Aimee is standing at the back slider fiddling with the hem of her shirt. Her gaze is on the distance, and I sense her mind is as well.
I can only imagine what’s going through it, knowing she’ll be facing Titan in less than an hour. We might have saved her from him, but she never actually escaped. Until she does this, she won’t have closure, and she’ll always be running.
I wrap my arms around her waist and rest my chin on the top of her head. She leans into my body, not saying anything as she reaches for me. With two fingers, I spin her ring around her finger.
“What’s Christmas morning like around the clubhouse?” she asks. “Apart from the ridiculous decorations.”
“You’ll find out.”
She hums, and I don’t like that it sounds like she’s asking because she doesn’t think she will. After a longmoment, she turns in my arms. Her gaze drops to her ring as she slips it off.
“I need you to hold onto this.”
When she tries to hand it to me, I step back. “No.”
“I can’t show up wearing it, Levi. You know Titan will notice, and it will just cause more problems.”
Aimee grabs my hand, shoving the ring into my palm, and even if she’s not actually giving it back, it sure as fuck feels like it.
Still, she’s right. If Titan sees a ring from me on her finger, I have no idea what he’ll do. We can’t risk it.
“I’ll be wearing it again by sunset,” she promises, but her smile doesn’t quite reach her eyes, and her words feel like a lie, whether she means for them to or not.
Across the room, Chaos calls out for her.
“It’s time.”
Aimee nods, watching Chaos linger in the hallway across the room.
“Listen to me.” I tip her chin up, meeting her gaze. “Chaos will take you in and bring you out. Titan knows you only agreed to talk to him. But it’s not going to stop him from trying to get in your head.”
“I’m capable of handling Titan.”
“I know you are.” I brush my thumb over her chin. “Don’t go off script. Chaos will be with you the entire time. You can trust him.”
She swallows hard. “Get my father out of there, Levi. No matter what happens. I can deal with Titan. But you need to keep your promise to me and get my father out.”
“I promise.” Grabbing the sides of her face, I dip my forehead to hers. “Tonight, I’m putting this ring back on your finger, Aimee. We’re going in, and we’re ending this once and for all.”
“I know.” Her eyes close, and I wish she didn’t feel so distant.
Even when she wraps her arms around my shoulders and lifts on her toes to kiss me, there’s space between us. But I try not to think about it as I claim her mouth. As I tangle my fingers in her silky, brown hair.
Her fierceness subsides just long enough for her to go soft in my arms. But as quickly as she melts, she pulls away.
“I love you.” I squeeze her hands.
