Page 28 of Havoc

After a while, he murmured, “You got this way of lookin’ at me that makes me want to be a better man.”

I pulled back slightly and looked up at him. “I’m not trying to change you, Havoc. I just want to help you get where you want to be in life and for us to get to know each other and maybe have a little fun along the way.”

His gaze searched mine, quiet but intense. “You seem really emotionally invested in everything to do with me and I don’t quite understand why.”

“It’s because you’re worth the effort.”

For a moment, I thought he might kiss me again. His eyes dipped to my mouth and his grip tightened ever so slightly on my waist. But then he cursed under his breath and stepped back. It felt like he just wanted to keep me full stop. The problem was, I’m not some stray kitten that he can pick up and take home with him. I’m a person with a life to get back to.

“I should walk you to your car,” he said gruffly. “It’s late.”

I nodded, even though part of me wanted to linger a little longer, talk to him a little more, kiss him one more time. But I needed to be patient. This night had already changed everything between us. We’d crossed the line, from friends to something more. We had shared feelings, been honest with one another, and started something worth protecting.

When we reached my car parked out front, we hesitated. The need to linger became stronger. Havoc—

“I’ll see you next Friday,” I said, my voice light.

“Yeah,” he replied, quiet and unreadable.

Then I added, “Unless you decide to fire me before then.”

He let out a low laugh, one that rumbled through his chest. “Not a fuckin’ chance.”

“Good,” I told him. “Because I definitely want to see where this goes.”

I slipped into my car, started the engine, and pulled away from the curb. In the rearview mirror, I caught a glimpse of him standing under the warm glow of a streetlamp, helmet in hand, watching me go.

And for the first time since this whole thing started, I wasn’t afraid of what came next.

I was curious.

I was hopeful.

I was already halfway gone for this man.

Chapter 10

Riley

By the time I left the clubhouse, the sun was rising over the horizon, casting a soft golden glow across the lot. I had just experienced a night I would never forget. I didn’t mind being out all night—far from it. That long ride up to his special lookout point and back again had been enough to spark a permanent fascination with motorcycles. I drove home floating on a cloud of quiet awe. Havoc and I had really clicked after he let his guard down. Meeting that prickly biker had turned out to be one of the most unexpectedly beautiful experiences of my life.

The drive to my apartment was still and peaceful. It felt like the rest of the world hadn’t quite woken up yet, and for once, I had the road all to myself. I reflected on the night’s events, a serene smile tugging at my lips. I felt lighter, freer... happier than I had in a long time.

Unfortunately, my happy bubble burst the second I pulled into the parking lot behind my apartment. Detective Slater was there, waiting. He’d parked his cruiser discreetly beneath the shade of a tree. Dread pooled in my stomach.

I shut off the engine, grabbed my bag and planner from the passenger seat, and opened the door to step out. Before I even had the chance to lock my car, I saw him striding towards me, a hard frown etched deep into his features.

My heart sank. So much for peace.

Slater stopped directly in front of me, arms crossed, his eyes bloodshot and ringed with dark circles. He looked like he hadn’t slept all night. Judging by the timing, I guessed he’d been sitting here for hours, waiting for me to come home. Until now, he had only approached me in public places—my office, a café, the occasional sidewalk interaction. This was the first time he’d shown up at my home. It felt... different. It felt dangerous.

I froze. Every bit of warmth and safety I’d felt riding with Havoc disappeared under the weight of this man’s presence.

“Where have you been?” Slater asked, his voice low and sharp.

“Why are you hanging around my apartment complex?” I replied, trying to keep the tremble out of my voice. “Won’t you get in trouble for not being in your assigned area?”

“You didn’t come home last night,” he said, stepping in closer. “That’s not like you, Riley. You didn’t answer any of my texts.”

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