Reign A Romance Anthology - Nina Levine Page 0,137

“I left for you, Savvy. I didn’t want you knowing what I’d become. What a fuck-up I was. But I’m aware now that leaving without saying anything was just as bad. And for that, I’m so fucking sorry.”

“All this time I thought I was the problem, that I wasn’t good enough. I’ve been a different person because of how you left, King. I’d take attention from any man who’d give it to me. I’ve been basically slutting myself around to try and feel worthy of someone. Anyone.”

Regret and anger overwhelm me. “I’m so fucking sorry. But you don’t have to look at yourself that way, Savvy. You’re beautiful. Anyone, especially me, would be lucky to have you.”

She turns up the music again, effectively ending our conversation. I’m not sure how I was expecting this to go, but this wasn’t it. I never thought my actions all that time ago would have had such a profound effect on her and forced her to doubt herself in such a terrible way.

I am an asshole.

Maybe I should have stayed away.

An hour and a hell of a lot of awkward silence later, we pull into the compound of the Houston Defiance MC. This place is huge and so much more than I was anticipating. I park the truck where I am directed, then take in a deep, anxiety-filled breath as Savanah jumps out, full of excitement.

She really does love it here.

I casually slide out as Savanah’s in a giant embrace with Jovie. It’s good to see Jovie again. The years have done her good. She appears really fucking happy.

Me, on the other hand, I’m overwhelmed. A giant beast of a man heads my way. The biker’s cut immediately intimidates me, but the smile he sports relaxes me somewhat.

He places out his hand for me to shake. “Welcome to the club. I’m Kevlar. Sav didn’t tell us who she was bringing, so fuck man, I’m not prepared.”

Jovie steps forward with a hard glare on her face.

Definitely less welcoming.

“This is King. He’s an asshole, and Sav can do much better. C’mon, Sav, let’s go get ready.”

My muscles tense as Jovie drags Savanah off, leaving me with the burly biker. He assesses me but then chuckles. “Seems you and my Old Lady got off on the wrong foot.”

I relax a little. Maybe this guy is okay. “Jovie’s protective of Savvy. I hurt her years ago. I left without even a damn goodbye. Dick-fucking-move. But I’m trying to make up for it.”

Kevlar dips his chin in understanding. “Well, as long as you don’t hurt Sav again, we’ll be good.”

“I don’t plan on it.”

“Then, let’s head on in.” He gestures to the doors, and I walk alongside him. Tension rolls through my shoulders as we make our way inside.

I take it all in.

Just like the outside, the inside is not what I expected. There are a couple of kids running around, two babies, everyone is greeting me, but most of all, the place is clean, and there are no naked women. No stripper poles. No posters of women in compromising positions on the walls. It’s not at all what I thought I would see. It’s fucking cool.

Another biker strides over, the patch on his cut saying ‘President.’ It instantly has me tensing all over again.

“Name?”

My eyes widen as I stare at him. “Titus King.”

He eyes me up and down. The man is taller than me, stockier too, and he’s covered in black and gray tattoos. An enviable beard covers his chin, and his hair is pulled back in a man bun. He’s fucking intimidating as all hell. “You ever been into any underground shit?”

My eyes shift to Kevlar, and he tilts his head urging me to answer. “I went to rehab for drug addiction."

Zero stands taller. “Where did you score?”

“From the jocks at high school. I was a kid.”

The president grunts under his breath. “If you bring any shit to the club. We will kill you.”

Holy shit! My eyes shift to Savanah, who’s trying to fight back her laughter as she stands with Jovie. Now I peer around, and everyone’s looking at me trying not to chuckle.

“Zero, leave him alone. You’ll give him a heart attack,” Savanah calls out to the biker president.

He bursts out laughing. All the anger and tension he was holding seems to evaporate as he grips my shoulder with a smirk.

Savanah walks over to my side, shoving Zero out the way playfully.

He points at me like he means business but walks off casually like he