Havoc (Storm MC 7)

“Fuck, these are stunning,” he said, cutting me off. “The ones you showed me before were great, but these are just wow.” He looked up at me. “I’d love you to work on more of this line.”

My breathing slowed at his compliment and a giddy sensation spread through my body. Taking the designs back as he passed them to me, I said, “Okay, great, I’ll get onto that.”

He nodded and scooped his keys up off the table. “I’ll check in with you in a couple of days. Message me if you need anything in the meantime.”

After he left and the door had definitely closed behind him, I turned to Nash, threw my arms up in the air and squealed. “Holy fuck! He loves my shit!” This high would last for days.

Nash chuckled. “Yeah, I got that impression too.”

I took a moment and recovered my breathing. I then cocked my head to the side and asked, “How come you’re here?”

“I haven’t seen much of you over the last few weeks and I’ve got the morning off so I figured I’d drop in and see how you’re going.”

His voice held none of the anger or tension it had since he’d discovered I was seeing Havoc. The combination of that and my high caused my frustrations with him to subside. “I’ve missed you,” I said. It was the truth. Feeling disconnected from him had been hard, but my stubbornness had prevented me from reaching out.

He rubbed the back of his neck, a pained look settling on his face. “Fuck, this has all gotten out of hand. I was just trying to look out for you.?

??

I reached for his hand and squeezed it. “I know. And I just wanted to do something in my life without you going all dad on me. Between us we had no chance. We’re both so damn stubborn.”

“That’s the fuckin’ truth.”

I let his hand go. “So where are you at with Havoc?”

He blew out a long breath. “I’m reserving judgement for now, but I’m not gonna give you hell over it anymore.”

“What made you change your mind?”

“I saw the way you were at the clubhouse the other night and now here today. You’re different, more confident, and I think Havoc has helped with that. He’s not the guy I’d choose for you, but even I can see what being with him has done for you.”

A smile tugged at my lips. “How hard was that for you to admit?”

I’d expected him to scowl or to tell me where to go. Instead, he surprised me again. “Let’s just say I won’t be having this same conversation with Havoc.”

“What do you mean? You’re not going to talk to him at all?”

“Oh we’ll be talking. I’ll be making it clear what will happen if he fucks you over.”

“I love you, Nash. Thank you for looking out for me.” Where annoyance would have once sat, gratitude pushed its way in. I wasn’t exactly sure how that had happened, but somewhere along the way I’d changed. And thank God because it was a hell of a lot easier not to argue with him.

He nodded. “Always, babe. Anytime you need me, I’m here for you.”

I dropped my gaze for a moment, thinking about our father’s visit that morning. When I found his eyes again, I said, “Dad came to see me this morning.”

He clenched his jaw. “What did he say?”

“Just that he’s sick and can’t I understand why he never came back.”

“Did you let him in?”

“Fuck no. His excuses are weak. He’s weak. I’ve gotten this far in my life without him and I sure as hell don’t need him now.”

He pulled me close and wrapped me in a hug. His lips brushed across my forehead as he held me.

No more words were exchanged but we didn’t need them.

All I needed was his assurance he would always be there for me.