8. Aimee
Aimee
The clubhouse is quieter in the morning than it was last night. I press my ear to Levi’s bedroom door for a few minutes just to make sure there’s no one on the other side before I slide the dresser out of the way.
My shoulder aches from how heavy it is, but I can’t risk leaving it near the door and Levi wondering why I moved it. So I shove it the final few feet until it’s back where it was when he led me into his room last night.
Once it’s in place, I smooth my feet over the carpet to erase the lines. Between the worn carpet and clothes covering the floor, it’s easy to hide them. Which is good considering I don’t know how long I’ll be staying here, and I don’t need him wondering why I don’t think he can keep me safe.
Just because I don’t trust bikers doesn’t mean I think Levi wouldn’t do everything in his power to protect me. Last night is proof that hasn’t changed .
Even if I shot him for it.
I cringe at the thought, thankful for my horrible aim. As angry as I am with Levi, I don’t want him dead. I don’t even want him hurt. Just thinking about the bullet ripping through his skin has my stomach in knots.
When I reach the door, I smooth my foot over the final groove in the carpet and then unlock it. I pause when it clicks and listen for movement on the other side. Given my increasingly clear ties with the Iron Sinners, I expect Levi to have someone watching me. But to my surprise, he doesn’t.
I swing the door open and find the hallway empty.
He trusts me?
Is it so strange when I still trust him?
Sleeping in the clubhouse last night should have made it impossible to sleep when I know what happens to women in the biker domain. But as I sank into Levi’s bed—his sheets—I slipped into the deepest sleep I’ve had in years. Wrapped in the scent of blackberry and tobacco-laced cologne.
There’s always been something comforting about Levi Colson. Yes, he’s lethal. And yes, he’s probably merciless with his enemies. But he’s always been my safe space.
When I finally step into the hallway, the relaxing scent of Levi’s room is replaced by the stench of chemicals.
I hold my breath as I make my way toward the main part of the clubhouse, bracing myself for what I might find.
Last night, I was too tired to properly take anything in, but this morning, I’m well rested and smart enough to be on alert for what I might be walking into .
After spending a year with the Iron Sinners, I doubt anything can surprise me when it comes to bikers. That is, until I turn the corner, and I freeze at the sight in front of me.
The clubhouse is mostly empty, and the bar is spotless. No one is partying. Nothing is happening at all.
Off to one side of the main space is a room with glass on one side, where I see a group of members sitting around a large table. Levi is among them, so they must be in church.
In the main room, the glass sliders on the back wall are open, and through them I spot Tempe, Reagan, and Luna drinking coffee. Austin and Bea are playing tag, running around, and laughing.
It’s ordinary. Practically a day in the suburbs.
I don’t know what to make of it.
“Aimee,” Reagan cheers when she spots me halfway across the room.
She waves me toward her with a smile, and it takes me a second to move again. When I do, I can’t help inspecting everything I walk past.
The furniture is well used, and the bar has scratches and dents. This clubhouse is well lived-in. But it’s clean, and at this time of day—quiet.
“You’re pale.” Reagan’s eyebrows pinch as I step onto the patio. “Everything okay? Apart from last night, I mean. Obviously, that was not okay.”
Her face fills with worry as she rubs her belly with her hand .
“It’s just so quiet in there.” I glance back at the empty clubhouse. “It’s strange.”
Luna leans forward, brushing her purple hair off her shoulder. “I’m guessing you were expecting something like the Iron Sinners clubhouse?”
“You’ve been there?”
She nods, her eyes becoming distant. “Once. And not for very long. The Twisted Kings party, but it’s nothing like that.”
I’ve spoken to Luna a few times, but I’ve never quite related to her until I spot the shadows in her eyes. Ones I’m sure also haunt mine.
“I didn’t realize you spent any time at the clubhouse,” Reagan says to me. “They took me straight to the house where I met you, and that’s nowhere close to their compound.”
“Oh right.” I didn’t mean to let that slip. “It was a long time ago.”
Tempe’s focus homes in on me. I sense her analyzing my words, which is understandable considering she’s the president’s old lady, and I’m an outsider who just admitted to spending time with a rival club.
As friendly as the girls are with me, they’re loyal to their men. I know better than to mistake their kindness for actual friendship.
“Do you guys meet out here every day?” I change the subject, avoiding Tempe’s gaze.
“Only when this one is out of bed early enough.” Reagan nudges Luna’s shoulder .
Luna tries to hide her blush with her coffee mug. “Ghost stays up late, and we like to sleep in.”
“Sleep in…” Tempe hums. “I’m sure that’s what you’re doing.”
Luna takes a sip of coffee, not confirming or denying, even if it’s obvious Tempe is right from the blush staining Luna’s cheeks.
“Leave her alone. Like you’re one to talk.” Reagan nudges Tempe’s shoulder, and Tempe’s cheeks turn a similar shade of red. “Exactly.”
Luna laughs, hopping up. “I’ll grab you a mug, Aimee. Take a seat.”
“You don’t have to do that.” I shake my head when Luna offers me a chair.
“I know I don’t. But you’ve had a longer night than any of us, so just sit down and let me get you coffee.”
Luna breezes past me before I can stop her, and I take the seat next to Tempe.
“I’m starting to see it now.” Tempe smiles.
“See what?”
“Why you and Reagan get along so well. Let me guess, you prefer to do things for yourself?”
“And you’re so different.” Reagan rolls her eyes.
“Just saying.” Tempe rubs her belly, which is slightly rounder than Reagan’s. “You’ll fit in around here. It takes a woman who doesn’t put up with bullshit to deal with these men.”
“And they love us for it.” Luna slips back outside, handing me coffee.
It nearly burns my tongue on the first sip .
“So Aimee”—Luna drops into her chair—“did you actually shoot Havoc last night, or is that just more gossip from Chaos and Soul?”
Tempe’s eyes widen, and Reagan almost spills her tea at Luna’s comment.
“You what?” Reagan gasps.
“It was an accident.” I scrunch my nose, burning my tongue with another sip. “To be fair, he was the one walking through a dark house that had just been raided by his rival club. What did he expect me to do?”
Tempe’s head tips back in a laugh. “Reminds me of the first time I met Jameson, and I tried to punch him.”
“You didn’t.” My eyes widen.
Tempe shrugs. “I had my reasons at the time. And even if he didn’t appreciate it then, if you ask him now, he’ll probably tell you that’s what won him over.”
“And me!” Austin cheers, running past with Bea on his heels. “I won him over.”
“Yes, you did!” Tempe smiles.
Warmth blooms on her cheeks as she watches her younger brother run around.
Her hand finds her belly as she starts to absentmindedly rub it.
It’s confusing seeing the president’s old lady looking so peaceful.
So happy . She’s building a family with a man who has a club at his disposal.
And nothing about the light in her eyes seems forced or fake.
I’m still thinking that over as the girls fall into a conversation about baby clothes. I tune them out as I finish my coffee, staring into the distance and taking in the buildings scattered throughout the compound. It’s mostly open desert, but I count at least five outbuildings.
A slight breeze whips across the open space, so I wrap my sweater tighter. Summer in Vegas is unbearable, but winter makes it worth it.
“What do you think, Aimee? Do you want to join us?” Reagan’s question snaps my attention back to the girls.
“Sorry, what was the question?”
“We’re going to head to the gym in a few minutes. It’s that building.” Reagan points to the one closest to us that looks like a barn. “There’s an air conditioner, but it’s also not that bad this time of year. Want to join us?”
“Is there a punching bag?”
Tempe grins. “Of course there is.”
I nod, and Reagan’s smile widens. She’s been asking me to join them for a workout for weeks now. I refused since I didn’t want to come here. But now that I am, I might as well punch something and let off a little steam.
“Perfect, we’ll meet back here in twenty minutes?” Reagan asks, and Luna and Tempe both nod.
“Come on, Austin. Let’s change, and then we’ll come back so you can run around the gym,” Tempe calls out to him.
Apparently, they take the kids there too. It makes me wonder if there is anywhere the club doesn’t open up to their families.
Tempe and Reagan wrangle the kids out the front of the clubhouse, while Luna takes the coffee mugs to the kitchen. I’m the last one to head inside after I get distracted by the view again .
When I finally walk into the clubhouse to change my clothes, church is still going, but there are members and patch bunnies milling around. Two guys play darts, while a few women sit on the couch.
I’m halfway through the room when Levi’s gaze catches mine through the window, and I pause like he’s snared me in place.
When he was younger, his stare felt lighter. His face calmer. I don’t know this expression, and yet, the longer I stare, it makes complete sense. He always was the only person I could understand better than myself.
“Easy on the eyes, right?” Someone stops beside me, and I turn to see a beautiful blonde leaning against the bar.
Her eyelashes are thick and long, but they don’t appear fake. She’s just naturally stunning.
My eyebrows pinch at her question.
“Havoc.” She purses her bright-red lips. “He’s something to look at, right?”
“He is.” It’s not a lie.
Regardless of my feelings for Levi, past or present, he’s always been obnoxiously good-looking. Not just tall, but sturdy. Broad shoulders and eyes that stop my heart when they meet mine.
When we were younger, I got used to girls looking at him and tried not to let it bother me. We were just friends. I had no right to be jealous. Levi has always drawn lots of attention from the opposite sex, and with the opportunities of club life, I imagine that hasn’t changed much .
The blonde hums, leaning closer. “My man sure is something.”
Her man?
Levi never mentioned a girlfriend, but I also never gave him the chance.
I try to swallow, but my throat turns to sand.
“Don’t worry, it’s okay if you look. I don’t get jealous.” The blonde continues, and she could have fooled me with how jealous she sounds. “I’m Reina, by the way. Havoc’s girl, obviously.”
Was it obvious?
She flips her blonde hair off her shoulder. “And you are?”
Her smile is less friendly now. Her tone is territorial.
The younger version of me would have let her taunt run my heart over. But I’m not that girl anymore, and after the past few weeks, I’m at the end of my rope.
“I’m Aimee.” My smile is overly sweet, matching hers. “The girl who slept in Havoc’s bed last night.”
For the first time, his road name doesn’t sour on my tongue because everything about my comment has the desired effect. Reina’s smile slips, and her eyes narrow. But I don’t give her the opportunity to respond before walking away. She can think what she wants.
I don’t like playing games, but if someone is going to drag me into one, I’ll sure as hell win.