Havoc (Storm MC 7)

I pushed off from where I stood. “It would seem I’m not the only one who likes privacy when it comes to women,” I muttered as I left them to head into the bathroom and clean up. As I was about to round the corner into the hallway, I turned and threw back, “You should be careful who you butt dial, sis. I got an earful of something about pussies earlier and as much as I love pussy, I don’t love hearing about you eating someone out.”

Gillian slapped a hand over her mouth to stifle a giggle while Yvette glared at me. She mouthed ass at me and I shrugged. In this family you had to give as good as you got, and I copped a lot from her. It was only fair I took a shot when I could.

* * *

“Why won’t you go to the doctor, Dad?” I asked my father after I showered and cleaned up my face. Nash had gotten some decent punches in and one of my eyes was black and swollen. Dad was used to seeing me with black eyes so he didn’t flinch or question me about it.

I’d found him sitting in his armchair in the lounge room watching television. The blank expression on his face jolted fear through me. I wasn’t scared of much, but Dad checking out was one of them. As much as we irritated the other, we had always been close. He’d shared his love of bikes with me. He might not have been a biker, but he’d been a mechanic and had loved restoring old bikes. Dad had taught me everything I knew about bikes, and my love for them had led me to set up my own bike restoration business. I had good memories of him dropping by my work and spending hours with me.

“I don’t need a doctor, Havoc.” His blank expression remained and he didn’t give me his attention for long. Instead, he turned back to the television and resumed watching the crime show he had on.

Frustrated, I moved to the television and switched it off. “Yvette seems to think differently so I want to know why you don’t want to go.”

He scowled, but answered me. “I’ve got my spray for any chest pain I have and as far as the blood pressure is concerned, it’s been high for awhile now. I’m on medication for it. Nothing else they can do for me, son.”

“If the medication isn’t working, I’d say there probably is something else they can do for you. Humour me—let me take you to see Dr Bennett this afternoon.”

“No.”

Fuck.

“Dad—”

He cut me off as he stood, “I said no. You need to respect my decision.”

I pulled out my phone as he left the room. If he refused to go to the doctor, I’d bring the damn doctor to him.

22

Carla

“So things are serious between you and Havoc?”

I traced the words written on the mug that sat in front of me, while I considered my mum’s question. After Havoc left, Nash and I had a huge argument that ended with him storming out of the house. I’d broken down in tears and mum was the one to console me. I hated fighting with Nash. He was my rock in this crazy life and I didn’t want to push him away, but we had gotten to the point in my life where I needed the space to either succeed on my own terms or fail by my own hand. Nash desperately wanted to stop me from screwing shit up, and I understood that, but he had to let me go.

“I like him, Mum. Like, really like him, and I never saw that coming. He’s not the kind of man I ever saw myself falling for, but I’m pretty sure I’ve fallen. But whether or not it will go anywhere, I’m not sure.”

“Why isn’t he the kind of man you thought you’d fall for?”

I sighed. “I just want someone stable. Someone who won’t let me down. And I always assumed I’d find a man who was educated and who had a good, well-paying job. Havoc is a nomad who goes from city to city. I don’t see that as stable.”

“Your father was educated and had a good job,” she said softly and I didn’t miss her point.

“I know.”

“Are they the only things important to you in a man, honey? Education and income?” There was no judgement in her tone. It was simply a question. Mum was one of the best people to go to when you had a dilemma because she had this way of talking you through the problem to come up with a good solution.

“No, and I’ve realised that now.” Now that I see Havoc’s good qualities. “I want a man who will put me first and who won’t try to change me. Someone who will always protect me. Honesty is important too, and I want a man who I can trust.”

She smiled. “All good qualities to look for.”

“Yeah, and I think that those things might actually come before education and income.”

Nodding, she agreed. “Absolutely. Do you think Havoc can give you those things?”

“Yes.” My heart rate picked up as I contemplated a relationship with him. I could see it except for the fact he didn’t live in Brisbane. He didn’t live anywhere really. That would be a huge problem.

Oh, God.