Page 60 of Havoc
Dad nods, and even if he’s an asshole, a flicker of sympathy shines in his gaze. Eleven months with the Iron Sinners is long enough for most people not to return.
“I don’t remember anything other than that.” Dad swirls the splash of liquid in his glass. “If the club got a ransom request for her, Percy never said anything about it, so I doubt it happened.”
“All right.”
Dad nods, his eyes drifting off. He avoids my stare more often than not lately; like, if he doesn’t face me, I won’t see what’s become of him. A man slowly rotting away in this crumbling house. A man I wish I didn’t look so much like because I’ll always fear that what’s in him could someday stir in my blood.
I swallow that down, refusing to accept it.
No matter what it takes, I’ll find a way to be worthy of Aimee. I’m too selfish to give her up, so there’s no other option.
Dad pours another glass of vodka and swallows it down while I lose myself in thought, staring at him.
Staring into that mirror where only darkness stares back.
“Where is she now?” Dad asks, his words slurring because he’s a few drinks in before breakfast.
“Back at the clubhouse.”
He smirks. “Didn’t want to bring your girl by to meet dear old Dad.”
“Not today.” Maybe not ever.
They’ve seen each other at a distance, but that’s it. And that’s for the best.
The last thing I want to do is remind Aimee where I come from. She’s heard the stories about my father, but that’s nothing compared to facing the man himself.
There was a time Aimee pushed this issue after I met Anderson. She said it was only fair she meet my father if I met hers. But they aren’t the same.
At least Aimee’s father gives a shit. Anderson never laid a hand on his daughter. He gave her a good life. Far better than anything I could have done for her. It’s why we disagreed so often.
While I was careful not to let her around the club when we were younger, she didn’t hesitate to let me into her life—into her home. Her father knew we were friends after some time of her hiding it, and he hated every second she wasted on me because he thought she deserved better.
He wasn’t wrong about that.
“Maybe I’ll swing by the clubhouse and see her.”
“Or just swing by and see if Steel needs help with anything. The club’s still paying you, so you might as well earn it.”
His cold glare tells me exactly how he feels about that comment. But really, I’m the only reason Steel hasn’t cut him off entirely. He’s barely functioning as an acting member of the club anymore.
“The club used to be more fun back in the day.” Dad huffs. “Men who understood brotherhood above all. Too many of Steel’s ranked men are settling down and starting to forget that.He’sforgetting that.”
“That’s your president you’re talking about,” I remind him.
“Yeah.” He drops his chin to hide his amusement. “Send Steel my best.”
I don’t respond because Dad doesn’t need to know I won’t mention this visit. There’s no reason to. I told myself I was coming here for answers, but I should have known that was pointless.
When Dad is quiet for a long time, I finally climb to my feet and clean up the mess I made while cooking. I put the food in the fridge, knowing there’s a higher chance he’ll drink his meals today than eat them. But just in case—because I can’t seem to stop caring no matter how much I hate him—I set the food on the top shelf so he has something to fill his stomach.
When I turn to leave, I don’t bother saying goodbye. He wouldn’t return it anyway.
But then he calls my name and stops me, “Levi.”
I turn to see him still staring blankly out the window.
“Take care of her. If what you said is true, just…” He shakes his head. “Make those fuckers pay for it.”
