Ryker (The Ride #4) (7 page)

“Why are you out here alone?” he asked. “If it’s because of those blondes, trust me, they aren’t anything to waste your time on,” he scoffed.

I shrugged, unable to speak.

“You missin’ her?” he asked, perceptively.

I nodded, biting my lip. Though my mother was always on my mind, there were times where the loss loomed, unexpectedly and as overwhelming as though it were a living thing. I missed her hugs so much, and at a time like this I really needed one.

He clasped his giant hands against his knees and sighed. “I don’t doubt it. That woman had brass like I’ve never seen,” he marveled with a fond chuckle. “Did you know she came to our house? It was years ago. Must have been the first time she saw Ry with bruises. She shoved my pop, I never thought I’d see the day. I think he was so shocked he couldn’t even react,” he went on, lost in memory. “I thought she was the bravest lady I’d ever met. I still do—next to my wife.”

That was so kind of him to say, and I had no doubt he meant it. The Black brothers didn’t say things they didn’t mean.

“I didn’t know that, but I’m not surprised.” I laughed through newly formed tears. “She was never afraid of anything. Not your dad. Not the raccoon family living in our basement that she had to get rid of when my dad was out of town.” I grinned at the memory.

Axel chuckled. “I can picture it.” He nodded as the front door opened and Connie poked her head out.

“There you are.” She smiled in my direction. “You want to come in? The girls want to hang.”

“Go on, have fun,” Axel nudged, rising and offering me a hand up.

“Thanks, Ax,” I murmured.

“Anytime,” he grumbled, moving inside, no doubt to find his wife.

And so I found myself holed up in Cole and Scarlet’s room with Connie, Scarlet, and Ettie.

“Not that I’ve been back in town long, but it seems like there are a lot of unfamiliar faces out there,” I commented, grabbing a beer from the six-pack we’d commandeered.

“The boys are recruiting.” Connie shrugged from her spot on the bed.

“Recruiting?” I asked, with a wrinkled brow.

“They’re always recruiting but especially now with everything going on—there’s power in numbers,” she explained. “And recruiting means skanks,” she explained, matter-of-factly. “Almost all of the patched guys are spoken for.”

“Damn right,” Scarlet cut in.

“Prospects want pussy,” Connie continued.

“Sure, who doesn’t?” I responded dryly, making the girls laugh. “Is this because of all that stuff with the Black Riders?” I guessed.

“Yeah.” She continued, “They’ve been making moves against us for a while now. Sophie’s dad got mixed up with them—he ended up dead.”

“Oh my God!” I exclaimed, horrified.

“He was a bad dude,” she explained. “At first our guys thought maybe he got killed because he owed them money. It looks more and more like it was to send a message. Now they want our territory. The guys won’t say for what.”

“Shit,” I breathed, taking another drink as a shrill laugh filled the air. Everyone had moved outside and Scar and Cole’s room led straight to the backyard.

“Better go make sure no one steps out of line,” Scar muttered, rising.

“Yeah, okay preggo, go tell ’em who’s boss,” Connie teased.

“They already know,” Scarlet replied confidently.

I had no doubt that was true.

We wandered to their large backyard as I surveyed the scene warily. The amount of bottled blonde had grown since we’d been having our little pow-wow. Luckily for them, Wes, Cole, and Mack were all off to the side, steering clear and seemingly minding their own business.

Ryker on the other hand was knee-deep in skank. He stood near the guys but had a very enthusiastic blonde on his arm trying desperately to get her tongue on his neck. The rational side of my brain saw that he wasn’t reciprocating. He actually seemed to be trying to carry on a conversation with a prospect I’d met briefly while simultaneously pushing her off.

I’d heard him with another girl. That alone had been brutal. Seeing it was enough to make me lose my mind.

When she latched her teeth around his earlobe, her breasts shoved against his side, I saw red.

I wasn’t a violent person by nature but the sight of her hands on him had me hauling ass across the patio. Before I could stop myself or think, I was shoving her with every ounce of strength I had.

She fell on her ass with a squeak, her dress riding up to reveal no panties underneath. That just made me madder.

“What the fuck!” she exclaimed, jumping to her feet and glaring at me as the crowd around us grew silent.

I didn’t know what the hell I was doing, aside from making a spectacle of myself, but I couldn’t seem to stop.

“Don’t touch him,” I demanded.

“No way,” she scoffed. “Ryker here’s gonna take me home and give it to me real good, aren’t you, baby?” she purred.

“Oh shit,” I heard a male voice rumble warily. Mack? I couldn’t be sure.

I reached out, grasping her dress in my fist and yanking her close. “I’ll give you one more shot. Leave now,” I demanded.

She spat in my face.

In a sick way I was relieved. It was license to do what I’d been wanting to since I’d seen her hands on him. If I was being honest, she was an outlet for a hell of a lot more than that.

I shoved her and she pulled me down with her. We rolled, pulling and hitting in a blur of hair and heels.

“Piper, stop!” Ryker commanded, pulling me bodily from her, holding my back against his chest as I fought against his hold, wanting more, clamoring for it.

The prospect he’d been talking to had the other girl in a similar hold.

We both breathed heavily, glaring at each other.

I forced myself to calm down, realizing we’d created quite the entertainment for the evening. Everyone was standing around staring at us with either amusement or concern, depending on who I glanced at.

In a blur of motion, she broke free of the prospect’s grasp and with a violent swipe scratched her nails down my jaw and neck before he was able to grab her.

“Are you serious?” I hollered, outraged at her underhandedness.

“Fuck!” Ryker swore, pulling me back harder, as I fought against his grasp. “Get her the fuck out of here!” he barked angrily at the prospect as I felt blood slide down my collar, the searing burn radiating like a heartbeat on my torn flesh.

“This is one of my favorite t-shirts!” I shrieked, too far gone to realize that was so not one of my major concerns at the moment.

The prospect didn’t delay pulling her bodily from the yard and out through the side gate.

I looked over at Cole, feeling immediately embarrassed. “Sorry,” I managed, my chest heaving with exertion.

If I’d known I was going to get into a catfight, I might have hit the gym in the past, well, ever.

“No worries,” he replied, looking mildly amused and not a little bit surprised.

“Shit, Pipe—it’s really too bad Catwoman claws are so in vogue.” Connie winced, coming to get a look at my neck. “It looks like you got attacked by a cougar.”

“Cheap shot,” I complained.

“Total cheap shot,” she agreed, as I realized that Ryker was still holding me, his arm wrapped around my shoulders, pulling me into his chest. Despite the pain radiating down the side of my face, I relished the feeling of his arms around me.

Wes came to stand beside his wife, cocking his head, staring at me. “You should probably get that cleaned up, you don’t want to get rabies. Can you get rabies from fingernails?” he pondered out loud, earning a glare from Connie. “What?” he protested, looking at her. “Not saying it wasn’t badass, just don’t want to see her start frothing at the mouth.”

“Thanks, Wes,” I muttered dryly.

“I’ll take you,” Tag offered, taking a step toward me. “I think they have some antiseptic in one of the bathrooms.”

“Back up,” Ryker barked, his arm wrapping more tightly around me.

Tag held up his hands with a glimmer in his eye. I could swear he was goading Ryker. “Just tryin’ to help, brother.”

“Back.
Up
.” Ry repeated.

“All righty, let’s see what’s doin’ in the far backyard, hmm?” Ettie spoke up, dragging Mack to follow her lead and looking meaningfully at the rest of our brood.

The yard really wasn’t that big, but I appreciated her effort to break the tension.

Ry turned me in his arms, his fingers raking through my hair, pulling it almost to the point of pain as he propelled me backwards. “What the fuck, Tink, why’d you do that?” he demanded, his face so close to mine I could scarcely think.

Tink
. I used to hate that damned nickname. Hearing it now was like a balm for all that ailed me.

“I…” I swallowed, looking up into his gorgeous face, unable to process my thoughts, embarrassed at how much I’d already shown with my actions.

He stepped back, assessing me. “Let’s get you cleaned up.” He took my hand and towed me inside.

The silence was like a living thing between us as I sat on the counter in Cole and Scarlet’s guest bathroom. He stood between my legs, dabbing at the open wounds on my neck, his muscles taut with tension.

I barely felt the sting of the antiseptic. I was too distracted by how close he was. I could feel every inch of his hard body against mine. I could smell his masculine scent, something familiar from a time long past, and something… new and so intoxicating I felt drunk. I licked my lips, forgetting about the pain in my neck entirely.

“What am I gonna do with you, huh?” he rasped thickly.

His gaze fell to my mouth, remaining there for a beat before his eyes locked with mine. I sucked in a breath as his hands gripped my hips, pulling me closer still.

My heart hammered in my chest as the moment I’d daydreamed about for as long as I could remember loomed so close, and yet not near enough until his lips were on mine.

I moved my hands up into his thick hair and pulled him closer, shocking myself with my nerve.

That seemed to be all the encouragement he needed and his head descended, his lips moving to mine. His tongue swept over my lips with graceful skill as my head spun. He took my mouth with a possession I’d never known until now. He broke the onslaught only when his teeth nipped at my lower lip, before his tongue met mine with strokes so passionate, I could scarcely contain myself.

It was a confounding combination of undiscovered territory and something so familiar. One thing was for sure, whatever combination it was made of—thrill was the main ingredient.

The door opened and someone yelped in surprise. “Sorry!” a familiar voice laughed as the door slammed shut.

Connie
? I could barely tell in my current state.

We broke apart, Ry resting his forehead against mine as I giggled.

I
giggled
. I didn’t even know I knew how to do that.

“What, Con?” Ry asked, his breathing labored, as I unwrapped my legs from his waist.

“Uh, just have to pee at some point,” she responded, with a muffled laugh.

My cheeks heated at being caught in such a compromising position.

“Be out in one sec,” he replied impatiently, his eyes on me. “You okay?”

I managed a nod, my head whirling and lips tingling.

“That bitch will never step foot near you again,” he ground out after he threw the last cotton ball in the trash.

It wasn’t me I was worried about her getting near.

“You slept with her?” I asked, before I could stop myself. “Sorry, that’s none of my business.” I shook my head, my face flaming.

His jaw clenched as he focused on my neck, which I hadn’t been able to look at myself, and remained silent.

I took that as affirmation, my face flaming brighter still. “I’m tired, can you take me home?” I asked quietly, embarrassment setting in with a heavy hand.

Getting into a brawl with a girl my ex-boyfriend had clearly slept with wasn’t really the highlight of my week.

I hopped off the counter, pushing his hand off when he tried to steady me. “Take me home,” I repeated.

He nodded, watching me with those knowing green eyes as I turned away, opened the door and strode through it.

A gentle hand grasped my arm as I made my way toward the front door. “You okay?” Scarlet asked gently.

Was I?

“Just time to go.” I offered an apologetic shrug. “I’m sorry for, well… you know.” I grimaced.

“Don’t be sorry.” She laughed. “You know how long I’ve wanted to see that bitch get put in her place? That was badass!” she hooted.

“Glad you think so,” I muttered, as Ry came up behind me.

“I’ll check in with you tomorrow.” She winked. “Bring this one around more often—she’s fun,” she added, her eyes on Ryker.

“Right,” he grumbled, his hand at the small of my back guiding me out to his bike.

I looked at the helmet dubiously when he handed it to me, knowing it would hurt like hell to pull it down over my face.

“Shit,” he muttered, thinking the same thing I was as his gaze roved over my skin. “Hang on,” he instructed, striding toward the house.

When he returned he dangled keys from his fingers, a smile playing on his lips.

“Thank God,” I groaned dramatically.

He chuckled, guiding me toward Cole’s SUV.

I stared out the window, watching the dark landscape flash by in a blur of muted motion as he drove me home.

We pulled up to my place in what felt like no time at all.

“Thanks,” I said, my hand on the handle, ready to escape the tension that had blossomed.

“Pipe.” His voice was low and full of intent as he rumbled my name.

My boots hit the pavement as I turned to face him, holding the door open.

His forearm lay cocked over the steering wheel as he looked at me. “What were you thinkin’?” he demanded. “Why’d you go after her like that?”

I looked at him, soaking in everything that was pure Ry. There was so much about him that had changed, his size, his build, the knowledge in his eyes, those lines when he smiled. But the boy I’d loved, the man I still did—was all still there.

“What were you thinking?” he repeated.

“That you were still mine,” I murmured with an unapologetic shrug, slamming the passenger door and striding inside.