Page 104 of The Good Girl

“Why are you here, Lola? I have nothing to say to you,” Havoc tells her. His voice, usually filled with warmth for me, is stone cold.

She flinches, and I can’t say I blame her. I would, too. Having anger turned your way is one thing—at least there is feeling in anger. Indifference is worse. Knowing someone who used to loveyou feels nothing at all for you anymore hurts worse. I know that feeling all too well.

“I came to warn you. Khan and Driller are planning something.” She slides her hand protectively over her stomach as she swallows.

“Aren’t they always? Besides, shouldn’t you be beside your old man, cheering him on?” Havoc asks.

His words hit like barbs. Her head jerks back as if she can physically feel them lash against her skin.

“You don’t know me, Havoc. You never did, or you’d never have asked me that.” Her voice cracks as she speaks, but I’m too busy focusing on her face. Her glasses slipped when she jerked back, letting my eye catch what she was hiding.

“You’re right, I don’t know you. The woman I loved was a fucking lie. Go home, Lola. You’ve caused enough damage.”

I let go of his hand while he was distracted and walked toward her.

He calls my name when he realizes what I’m doing but doesn’t try to stop me. I step in front of her and see how tense she is. She braces herself as if waiting for a blow. I never thought I’d feel a wave of pity for this woman, but as I reach up and slide the glasses off her face and reveal deep purple bruising, I remind myself that nothing in life is ever black and white.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Havoc

“What the fuck?”

I storm toward them. I don’t touch Lola, but I don’t need to, to know how tender her eye must feel. That’s when I register her clothes. Preppy or biker chic, Lola has never been a jeans and sweatshirt kind of woman. She took pride in her appearance—something that her mother, who was once a former beauty queen, drummed into her.

“Who did this?”

“Who do you think?”

The air between us becomes thick with tension. It’s on the tip of my tongue to snarl at her about facing the consequences of her actions, but I swallow it down. “He hit you anywhere else?”

“You believe me?” She looks surprised.

I shrug. “I don’t care if you’re lying to me or not, but Driller never did know how to take care of his toys.”

She flinches away from us both so hard she almost stumbles.

“Lola, do you need to see a doctor?” Nevaeh asks her softly.

Lola looks at me. The betrayal etched into her face would have once brought me to my knees. But not now. Not after everything.

“Lola, think about the baby. Do you need to see a doctor?” Nevaeh presses.

Lola looks to her and sucks in a shuddering breath. Her eyes are glassy with tears, but she fights them back. “If I go to the hospital. It will only make it worse. We’ll be okay. Nugget is moving around, so he’s fine.”

I pull out my phone and dial Hannibal. When he answers, I start talking before he asks questions. “Head to the clinic. I’m bringing someone in for you to look at.” I hang up as Lola shakes her head.

“I have to go before they notice I’m missing.”

“We have a clinic here onsite, Lola. It won’t be much longer. Wouldn’t you rather know for sure the baby is okay before you go?” Nevaeh soothes her like she would a wounded animal.

I can see she’s going to refuse, so I shake my head. “For once in your fucking life, stop being selfish and let Hannibal check you over. Don’t worry. He’ll get you out of here as soon as possible.”

“Havoc.” Nevaeh scowls at me.

Stepping in front of me, she reaches out tentatively and gently takes Lola’s hand. “Look, I don’t know you. You don’t know me. The history between you two is just that, history. Right now, all that matters is getting you and your baby checked out. I promise nothing will happen to either of you while you’re here.”

Lola’s eyes slip closed momentarily before one lone tear slips down her cheek. Her shoulders sag in defeat. “Okay.”

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