His voice drops, low and rough. “What do I call you, then? Naomi? Or Sage?”
I meet his eyes, steady now. “Sage,” I say. “Naomi was who they tried to break. Sage is who came out the other side.”
His jaw tightens, like he feels every word. Then a slow grin curves his mouth.
“Sage it is,” he murmurs. Then he leans in, brushing his lips against my ear. “Sweetheart when it’s just us.”
Heat licks up my spine. “I like that,” I whisper.
He pulls back, eyes dark with something I can’t name. “Yeah. I know.”
Then he presses a kiss to my forehead, slow and steady, before stepping back.
“Stay here tonight,” he says. “I’ll take care of it.”
“Stay with me,” I whisper. My cheeks burn. “I want to be near you.”
He swears under his breath.
“You’re testing my damn resolve.” He cups my cheek again, gentler this time. “Get comfortable. I’ll be back. Gotta talk to the guys.”
At the door, he pauses with his hand on the knob.
“Lock this behind me. Don’t open it for anyone but me, Ghost, Roy, or Viper.”
“Noted,” I say, voice shaky.
As soon as he’s gone, I lock the door and sink onto the couch.
Yes, I’m scared.
But beneath the fear is something unfamiliar. A quiet, steady warmth in my chest.
Maybe it’s because I told someone my real name.
Maybe it’s because a man who radiates danger and safety in equal measure just promised to set the world on fire for me.
I curl up, breath hitching.
Outside, I hear the low murmur of voices as Havoc speaks with his men.
The sound of them is a strange comfort.
Meaning:You are not alone anymore.
It’s the next morning, and Havoc still hasn’t come back.
I wake in the quiet space of his clubhouse room, sunlight bleeding in through the slats of the blinds. The couch has left my neck stiff and sore, but I barely notice. My mind is already running.
It’s Thursday.
I remember I promised the ladies at the community center I’d be there to help set up the monthly lunch.
I sit up slowly, rubbing my eyes. There’s no message on my phone. No knock at the door. Just silence. A knot twists low in my stomach. I know Havoc said he would handle things, but part of me expected him to be back before morning. At least to check on me.
I glance at the door, where I triple checked the lock last night, then at the empty space around me.
Maybehe’s just being careful.
