Page 85 of Havoc's Fox
“Go on inside and get you some water so I can talk to Analise real quick, okay?”
“Do I have to?”
“Do you want to go walk with her in the morning?”
“Yes, sir. I’m going inside.” She hugged Analise’s legs and grinned up at her. “I’ll see you tomorrow morning!”
“You certainly will,” Analise said.
Havoc waited until Harley was inside the house, then gave Analise his undivided attention.
“Is there a problem?” she asked.
“Yeah, and I created it. Look, I’ve made myself clear about what I want and what you mean to me. So clear in fact that Harley knows you’re important to me.”
“Maybe not such a good idea?” Analise said.
Havoc shook his head. “I’m never going to lie to her. I’ll be as honest as I can possibly be while framing things in a way that speaks to her maturity level at the time. And she’s not stupid, she knows there’s some connection between us — she can feel it, hell everybody can. But even without that, she loves you. Part of it might be because she wants a mom so bad, and it might be because she’s just drawn to you on her own. I don’t know. But the thing is, I don’t want you to feel like you have to choose a life with me because of Harley. She’s young, she’ll get over whatever happens between us.”
“Havoc…”
“No, now I need to say this. I realized today when you two were leaving here that it looks like I’m using her to pull you closer, but I’m not. The old me, wouldn’t have thought twice, would have been conniving to get closer any way I could. But not now, for two reasons. I’m not using my daughter for anything, and when you choose me, that’s right, I said when, it’ll be your own free will, not because you feel like you need to for me, or for Harley. It’ll be because it’s what’s right for you. Anyway, I just felt like I needed to say that.”
“I appreciate that. But what if I don’t choose you?”
“Then I guess Karma isn’t finished with me.”
Analise nodded and slowly walked a few steps toward the woods to go back the way she and Harley had come. She stopped after a few feet and turned back to where he stood still watching her. “When we were walking, there was a car that drove by twice, slowing each time it approached, then speeding off at the last minute.”
“You see who was driving?”
“No, windows are dark. But it’s an old car, a Pontiac and it’s got a rusted out rear-quarter-panel. Could have been nothing, just somebody slowing down to be careful as they passed us.”
“Could be,” Havoc said. “That why you came back through the woods?”
Analise nodded. “Thought I’d play it safe, just in case.”
Havoc watched as she turned and started walking away. “Hey!”
She looked at him over her shoulder.
“If you go, will you at least say goodbye first?”
He’d have sworn he heard her heartbeat thud in her chest.
“I’ll try.”
“I love you. If you go, I just want you to know that. And I’ll be waiting, whether I’m here or in Missouri. There won’t be anybody else, you can come to find me at anytime and not have to worry about that.”
“I thought Harley said you’re moving here?”
“Not sure about full-time yet. Eventually maybe. A lot rides on the outcome of a few other things.”
Analise nodded. “Love your house,” she said, walking slowly away again. “It’s the perfect home.”
He didn’t answer, he just watched her as she went, fighting against every instinct he had to run after her and dominate her into submission. She knew exactly how he felt and what he wanted, and he had to have faith that she’d make the decision to stand beside him. If she didn’t, no matter what he did it wouldn’t be enough.
Chapter 19