Havoc

10 - They love you

Wynter

“I’m sorry,” Is all I can whisper. Nothing else will come out, even though I’m trying. I want to tell Red that I’ll go and that nothing will happen to his family, but something is stopping me.

I place my free hand on Havoc’s bicep. He’s breathing harshly, angered by what his father said.

“Don’t you dare speak to my wife that way! And don’t you ever threaten her!” Everyone is staring at us, and I feel the heat of embarrassment creeping along my spine.

“Cole, that’s enough.”

I swallow hard as Havoc’s brother gets out of his seat, and Havoc growls at his brother for using his Christian name. Shadow is really tall, even taller than Havoc, and he’s six-two! Shadow’s voice is also as deep as his father’s.

“This man,” Shadow points to Red. “Is the reason you’re alive. Show him some damn respect.”

“Respect works both ways, Trey!” Havoc snaps. “I don’t give a damn what anyone thinks of me, but Wynter is my wife! I won’t have you,” He points to his father. “Or anyone else, threatening her. Wynter has no control over what’s happening. She doesn’t know those men or what they want with her. You’re my family. I thought I could count on you to help me protect my wife. I guess I was wrong.”

“You can count on us, Havoc,” Shadow tells him.

“Just be careful,” Red warns.

Havoc rolls his eyes and leads me away from his family without another word.

He leads me down a corridor, lets go of my hand, and slams his fist against the wall. My eyes widen as I stare at my husband.

“Havoc, it’s okay.” I reach out to touch his arm, but he moves away from me. I sigh and wrap my arms around myself. “They’re just worried about you.”

“I get that, Wynter, but they have no right to speak to you that way!”

I understand why Havoc is angry, but I won’t have him going off like this. Fighting with family should never happen. Of course, everyone has disagreements, even with family members. But that doesn’t mean you have to hold on to anger. I won’t let Havoc do that.

I wish more than anything my family were here. If they were, I would never walk away from them in anger. I wouldn’t because you never know if this is the last time you'll ever see them.

My mother always said, ‘Never leave the house angry, and always say I love you.’ That’s why Cassie and I always say those words to each other, even if we’re angry.

Havoc’s father is concerned about his son. There is nothing wrong with that. People say things they don’t mean when they’re worried or scared. There is a big difference between being hateful for the hell of it and being afraid.

I take Havoc’s arm in my right hand and his cheek in my left, forcing him to look at me. “They’re only words, Havoc. Your father loves you, and he’s worried about you. Your dad loves you. Any good parent would be worried about what’s going on and terrified they could lose the child they adore. You can’t blame Red for that, Havoc. Don’t fall out with your family, Cole,”

He raises an eyebrow and smirks at me. I’ve used his given name less than a dozen times since we met. Whenever I do, it always makes him smile.

I rub my thumb over his cheek. “So many people love you, Havoc. That’s beyond obvious to anyone with eyes. I love you so much,” I lean up and kiss his lips softly. “Now, why don’t you introduce me to everyone?”

Havoc wraps his arms around me. “I love you,” He mumbles against my hair. “You always were the voice of reason. Let’s start with Ghost,”

I nod my head and chuckle. “I’ve been dying to meet your big brother.”

Havoc chuckles and takes my hand. He leads me to a table filled with people. I take a deep breath because I’m nervous. All the men here are huge, though none are as big as Havoc’s father. However, they are big in their own right.

“Ghost,” Havoc shakes Ghost’s hand. Ghost isn’t blood-related to Havoc, which is easy to see, but he’s no less handsome, even with a shaved head. “I’d like you to meet Wynter. My beautiful wife.

Ghost looks at me and winks, making me smile. “Nice to meet you, Wynter.”

“You, too.”

“Razor, Vinny, Eagle, Storm.” Havoc tips his head at the other men. I remember Havoc telling me that Razor and Vinny are Ghost’s sons. Eagle is Tank’s son, and Storm is Hammer’s son. Vinny is a looker, that’s for sure. “Avery,” Havoc acknowledges with a kiss on her cheek. Ghost’s wife, if memory serves. “I’d like you all to meet Wynter.”

“It’s nice to meet you all.” I smile genuinely.

“Nice to finally meet you, Wynter.” I shake Vinny’s hand when he offers it. Each person shakes my hand and welcomes me to the family. That was so nice of them. It meant a lot to me.

I must admit that I like them all. Ghost makes me laugh, and he seems to be the joker of the club. Havoc and I sit with Ghost and the others for a while. Ghost tells me stories about Havoc when he was a child, and Havoc threatens to shoot him if he doesn’t stop, which makes me laugh.

Razor points out that Fallon and her family have arrived. Havoc then tells me it’s time to meet her, and I don’t think I’ve ever been more nervous about meeting anyone in my life. Fallon isn’t blood-related to Havoc either, though they shared an older brother, Scott, before he was killed. But my husband always refers to Fallon as his sister, just as he calls Ghost his brother.

“Don’t be nervous, baby. Fallon doesn’t bite.” Havoc chuckles, but I simply smile. “Hey, Sis,” He leans into the beautiful woman, smiling widely at him.

“Hey. Sorry, we’re late. Ava was having a dress crisis. You know what Ava is like.” She rolls her eyes and nods at her daughter.

Ava is beautiful and looks just like her mother. She’s talking to Phoenix, whom I can tell is Ava’s best friend. They give off that vibe.

“You must be Wynter.”

I nod while shaking her hand. “I’m happy to be meeting you finally. Havoc has told me a lot about you.”

“All bad, I hope.” Fallon jokes. “He’s told us all about you, too, of course,” I smile at Havoc. It’s nice to hear someone say that. “This is my husband, Trace.”

“Nice to meet you.” He tips his head at me but says no more. It’s evident that Trace, like Red, is at least a decade older than his wife. He’s handsome, nonetheless.

“This is Scotty,”

I shake hands with Fallon’s eldest son, who is fourteen years of age, so Havoc told me, yet Scotty looks at least eighteen.

What the hell does he eat?

He’s so tall!

“And this is Reed, my youngest.” Another kid who looks older than he is.

I shake his hand, too, and watch both boys rush off to find people their own age.

“You’ll have to excuse our kids,” Trace tells me. “They’re always the same when we bring them here. They’re not usually this rude, though.”

“It’s no problem,” I laugh.

Trace wraps his arm around his wife’s waist, and she leans back against him. “You did well for yourself with this one, Havoc.”

Havoc audibly growls and yanks me to his side, his arm around my waist. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Oh, he’s hooked on you, gurl.” Fallon laughs.

I guess it’s an inside joke, but I don’t understand.

“Fuc.k the both of you!” Havoc takes my hand and drags me away from Fallon and Trace, who are now falling over themselves laughing. I look up at Havoc to find he’s smirking to himself.

“What was that about?”

“They were just pointing out that you’ve claimed my heart.” He winks at me, and I can’t help the smile of pride spreading across my face. “Come on, beautiful. There are more people to meet yet.”

I’m enjoying meeting everyone, even if some of these bikers look as scary as a demon from hell. Today has been made family day, according to Havoc, which means the kids are allowed to be here longer than they usually would be. Meaning I get to meet them also.

I like everyone; I can’t say that I don’t. Spending time with my cousins and their children has been amazing. I feel a little overwhelmed with it all, I won’t lie. Knowing that I’m no longer alone in the world has made me feel emotional.

I adore Phoenix; she’s such an amazing young lady. I can see just how strong she is and that she’ll one day soon be a woman to be reckoned with. Phoenix wants to be a member of Snakes Henchmen MC, and she told me how she’ll make that dream come true someday.

I’m not sure it will happen. As terrible as it sounds, this place seems to be male-only members. However, if any woman could make it into the MC as a member, it’s Phoenix. I’ve only known her for a short while, and I know that.

Meeting VJ’s wife, Chloe, has been something incredible. Like me, Chloe is deaf, though she has a cochlear implant. Chloe also wasn’t born deaf like me; she lost her hearing when she was twenty through an illness.

Chloe has also taught everyone here how to use sign language. I was so awed by that because it meant I wouldn’t have any trouble communicating with people, though not everyone is fluent. VJ, his brother, Max, and Max’s wife, Daisy, are fluent. Regardless of who can say what using sign language, everyone knows enough to get by. I suddenly didn’t feel so alone.

“Wynter?”

I spin on the spot. My best friend is now right in front of me, tears in her eyes and shock written all over her beautiful face. She looks so healthy; she’s put a little weight on, and her curves are more noticeable. Cassie’s hair is no longer limp; it’s shiny and full. Her eyes are bright, and she no longer looks ill. Being here with her family has done her the world of good, just as I knew it would. Cassie is home, and she’s safe.

“Wynter!” She screams my name and runs into my arms.

I catch her, both of us crying, and I hold her so tightly. I don’t want to let go.

“I can’t believe you’re here.” She sobs down my ear. She kisses my cheek and finally pulls away, but only enough to look at me while cupping my cheek. “I never thought I’d see you here. How have you been?”

“I’ve been okay, Cassie.”

“What have you been up to?”

“I’ll tell you about it soon, I promise. I know about your wedding,” Cassie turns her head and smiles at Cormack. “I’m so happy for you.”

“Thank you.” She smiles. “I wanted to tell you, but I couldn’t seem to get you to meet up with me.” She giggles, but I can see how hurt she is by that.

“I’m so sorry, Cass.”

She shakes her head. “Don’t be, you’re here now. Cormack told me what’s been going on. Are you okay?”

“I’m okay, Cass. Havoc saved me.” She looks over my shoulder and smiles. “I never got to tell you what my dad said.”

“Oh, shi.t, that’s right.” She takes my hand in hers, and I smile. “What did he tell you?”

“He told me I have an uncle and where to find him.” Her eyes widen with glee. “Cassie, BlackJack is my uncle.”

“No.”

She’s shocked, and why wouldn’t she be?

The world really is a small place.

“Oh, my. You’re one of us. Oh my God, you get to stay with me!” She wraps her arms around me, and I close my eyes and breathe deeply.

I also chuckle a little. I get to stay because Havoc is my husband, but knowing Cassie is here too means there really is no place I’d rather be.