The Beginning—A Duet: Ryder & Two Worlds Colliding (8 page)

“Y
ou look like a sack of shit man,” Cobra said, his eyes beaming.

“And you look like a girl,” I grinned, “wrapped in all those fucking bandages. What’s all this shit keeping you alive?” I gestured toward all the machines he was hooked up to. “Grow some fucking balls, man.” Even though I was kidding with him, I was shocked at how much weight he’d lost and how frail he looked lying in the hospital bed.

Cobra held his side. “Don’t make me laugh, it hurts.”

“Yeah, well white’s not your color. I’ve never seen you wear anything else than black. You look like shit.” I wanted to pick him up and carry him out of there—take him back to where he belonged.

“Well you look like prince fucking charming without your cut. A fancy boy, dressed in a proper shirt. I’d say you’re the one who lost his balls.”

“Glad to see you haven’t lost your fucking sense of humor, brother. Guess it’s a good sign that you can still insult me, like always. Means you’re getting better. And I can kick your ass again sometime soon.”

“It’ll be weeks before they let me out. All the fucking shrapnel they had to dig out—.”

“Well, there’s nothing wrong with your brain. We can talk...business.”

Concern flickered in his eyes. “How’s Mia? And the kids?”

“She’s good Cobra. So is Isabella and James. They miss you, though.”

“How’s Mia taking what went down? Losing the baby?”

“She’s a woman. You know what bitches are like. All tough the one minute, then a heap of tears the next. But, I’m taking good care of her. I promise.”

“I want to see her, Ryder. See with my own eyes that she’s OK.”

“Right now, you can't. But as soon as she’s strong enough to visit, I’ll make a plan. OK?” He wasn’t happy with my suggestion, but he nodded his head.

He looked worn down. For the first time since I’d known him, he looked older than his age. Dark circles under his eyes and deep frown lines changed the highly strung, but proud man I’d always known, into a pathetic looking creature.

“Tell her I'm really sorry.” His voice cracked.

He lay back, closing his eyes. The machines keeping Cobra alive sounded even louder in the thick silence that fell between us.

After a few minutes, he opened his eyes. “Yeah, about talking—I've had a lot of time to think while I’ve been tied up here. Listen, shithead. I want you to promise me something?”

“Yeah? What?” Cobra knew I’d do anything for him. He just had to name it.

“Promise me that if I cark it, you will take up the gavel.” His voice was strained.

“Don't you fucking croak on me, motherfucker.” My insides churned at the thought of losing Cobra. I wouldn’t let him die on me—or Mia and the kids—not if I had any say in it.

“I'm fucking serious, Ryder.” His breathing was labored. The man was exhausted just from talking. Fuck.

“Cobra. Focus on getting better, man. We’ll worry about passing the gavel when you're six foot under. Not before.”

“The shooting has changed everything. Fuck, for a minute there I saw my whole fucking life flash by. There’s nothing like death staring you down, to make you think about living—and dying.”

“You're too young to snuff it,” I protested.

“We’re all gonna die.”

“Yeah. I just don't want to talk about it.”

“You haven’t promised me yet.”

“Jesus, you're a persistent fuck. I can't take the gavel.”

“
Why not
?”

“Razor. It should be his.”

“Ryder. You’re my brother as much as Razor is. I choose you.”

“I know. And I’m grateful you think that much of me. But Razor—”

“Razor is a fucking hothead. He’s not pres material. You and I know that.”

“It’ll be anarchy at the club. Some of the Originals and the crew will back Razor. Right now we have enough shit with the Demon fuckers.”

A nurse came in to measure Cobra’s blood pressure. We fell silent for a while, lost in our thoughts.

The nurse broke the silence. “Mr. Malone looks tired. I suggest you let him rest now.”

“Yeah. Sure.” I nodded. We still had a shitload of club business to talk about, but now was not the time. I'd wait till the man was stronger. I got up to leave.

“Brother,” Cobra said, his eyelids heavy, “I'm trusting you to take care of everything while I’m in this place. You have to go back to the club again and check in on what’s happening there.”

“I'll arrange for Ratbag to come and stake out the house, while I go to check the club. Don't worry, everything’s under control.”

He laughed, a bitter sound. He shook his head slowly. “Wish I believed that. The Demons are just waiting for their chance. They want me dead, Ryder—
and you too
. Watch your ass, man. Be careful.”

I gripped his hand and squeezed. “Rest brother, I'll be back soon. We’ll talk more then.”

I hadn’t even told him about the cop who was digging for dirt on me, and therefore on him and the club. I didn't want him to worry any more than he already was.

Cobra felt responsible for Mia having a miscarriage after the shootout. That alone weighed heavily on the man. Although he wouldn’t hesitate to take a fucker’s life, the innocent life of an unborn child was still valued highly by the Scorpio Stinger MC.

We were criminals, not monsters. We killed scum of the earth, not one of our own.

Cobra would never forgive himself; he'd taken full responsibility and would carry it to his grave.

Brother had some shit to work out—and a lot of healing to do—not just from the bullet wounds.

Would Mia ever forgive him? Of everything that went down that day, I think that was the one thing Cobra was
most
worried about. I couldn't blame him.

A
nother two weeks had passed by and the pesky blond from the agency was due for the next house inspection. Other than the day I had to drop into the offices to get a spare set of keys, I hadn’t seen much of her lately. Thank fuck.

Mia and the kids were playing in the back yard. There wasn’t much of a garden back at the Scorpio Stinger MC compound, so I really was happy that for now, they had the chance to relax.

Watching them from the bench in the garden, I glanced at my watch. Jade would arrive at any moment—she was never late for an appointment.

We should probably all have gone inside, but I couldn’t bring myself to break up the fun the three of them were having. Isabella had just started walking and she loved tumbling on the freshly mowed lawn when Jamie pretended to chase her. That made Mia, who hadn’t been sleeping well at all, laugh out loud. I could see it brought her temporary relief from our fucked up situation away from the club. Fun wasn’t something we experienced often.

Mia and I worried about the other club members and their safety. But I knew it was best for us to be here, away from imminent danger. Unless, of course, we were located by the rival gang—or the cops. Life sucked.

Hopefully they’d be just fine in the time I was dealing with Jade. I laid a kiss on Mia’s forehead and told her to be vigilant while I was gone. She nodded solemnly, her eyes sad as she watched me hug each of the kids before I went indoors.

I heard the familiar clicking of heels come up the pathway and smiled to myself as I went to open the door. Jade made a grand entrance every time she came to the house. She was like a fucking whirlwind. It was hard to ignore her presence when she was around. She was always polite and sweet to Mia and especially to the kids. I frowned. Somehow I seemed to piss her off and she turned all snarky when she spoke to me. Well, the feeling was mutual.

Sure as hell, she’d be busting my balls again. Pushing every button to drive me crazy till I wanted to grab hold of her. I hadn’t had pussy in weeks, my balls were aching for release. I wasn’t fond of D.I.Y., I’d much rather fuck a bitch than take matters into my own hands.

I was on edge, from everything going down at the club, from not having been able to go for a long bike ride in weeks, and from lack of pussy. A sick Mia and looking after her and the kids had definitely taken its toll. The cure to calm me down was usually a hard, mindless fuck, and I was in desperate need of one.

I jerked the door open before she could knock. The surprise on her face was priceless. But then I sucked in a breath. Standing in front of me, she wore a tight as hell white button down shirt and an even tighter fucking pencil skirt. Her blond hair was swept up into a sophisticated bun, yet the soft tendrils that refused to be contained, softened her face and curled on her neck. Her juicy lips were glistening in the sunlight. She’d obviously applied that lip-gloss shit. I could even smell it from here. Strawberry. Fuck me.

I glared at her. Half of the buttons on her shirt were undone and from where I stood, I could actually look down her top and see her tits, barely constrained and pushed up from the sexy white lacy bra that peeked out.

Jesus Christ. Princess bitch had better guard her pussy, or she’d be my next fuck.

A lump in my throat and a hard lump in my jeans prevented me from speaking. I growled, and took a step backward to let her in. The air that whooshed past my nostrils as she scraped past me smelled of vanilla and strawberry. My cock jerked as her arm brushed my chest.
Fuck.

As usual, she had the annoying clipboard plastered to her side. She was wearing reading glasses today. It looked sexy as fuck on her.

“I’ll make this quick,” she said, hardly looking in my direction.

I’m not sure why, but it annoyed the living crap out of me—both the fact that she avoided looking at me, and that she was in a hurry—as if she had somewhere better to be.

“Why in a rush?”

“None of your damn business,” she snapped. Yeah, she was in top form today.

“Somewhere better to be?” I baited her. For some fucking juvenile reason I wasn’t resting till I knew why she was so desperate to get away. After all, it was her idea to do the ridiculous inspections. Yeah, I was riled up. I clenched my fists, ready to smack something. Hard.

Her eyebrow rose as she appraised me for a second. “As a matter of fact, yes.”

Stunned by her frankness, I took a step back. “Yeah? Where?” Jesus, I couldn’t just let it go. I felt like grabbing her and shaking the goddamn truth out of her. Usually I couldn’t give a fuck what other people did, as long as they left me the fuck alone. Why did I even care?

“What I said seconds ago. None. Of. Your. Goddamn. Business.”

I followed her around the house. Shit, I was sulking like a kid. Even my dick went limp.

Her phone rang. She quirked an eyebrow when she saw the caller I.D. I watched as a blush spread over her neck and up her cheeks. Fuck.
It’s a guy.
Fucking asshole.

She didn't answer, letting it go to voicemail.

“It’s a date, isn’t it? With a guy.” I was
worse
than a dog with a bone.

She laughed. Actually thought it was funny. Fuck me.

“If you must know, I don’t date
girls
.”

She thought
that
was funny? My blood started racing through my veins. “So it
is
a date then? With a guy?”

“Yes, Ryder. With a
guy
.”

She avoided my eyes. The pink of her cheeks intensified. Nervously, she licked her lips. I clenched my teeth.
Who the fuck is he?
Some rich, spoiled, Ivy League fucker with a flashy car and fancy tastes. Yeah. I knew the type.

Everything I never wanted to be.

“So, is he your boyfriend?” My eyebrows rose of their own accord, my arms folded across my chest. Waiting.

She shrugged. “Kind of.” Her eyes were avoiding mine.

“Kinda? What the hell answer is
kinda
?
Either he is, or he isn’t
.” I exploded, letting the breath I’d held in huff right out.

My eye started twitching. Jesus, that hadn’t happened in ages.

Why did she have this affect on me?

“Hope you’re going to change out of that tight shirt. And skirt.”

“Ryder. You’re not my father. I can dress how I want to. I can date who I want to. I’m an adult, remember?”

“Christ, Princess. It’s not your father I want to be. Unless you have daddy issues you want me to help you with. I’ll gladly pull you over my knee and spank the living shit out of you for being a naughty girl, before I fuck you.”

“Could you be any more
caveman
? Pounding your chest and grunting. That approach may have worked for you before, but frankly it does nothing for me.” She rolled her eyes at me, her fists in tight balls. Cheeky. Feisty too. I liked that, it made me hard. Again.

“Yeah? I bet if I stuck my fingers under your tight skirt and felt your panties they’d be
soaked
. I bet you’d love me to drag you off to my cave by the hair and fuck you.” She gasped, her eyes widening.
I was fucking fifteen again
.

“You wish,” she bit back, her eyes sparkling. My cock jerked in my jeans.

Fuck, I loved a challenge.

“Ever had a real man, Princess? A man that makes you want to please him? A man who takes such good care of you, in every way, fucking you senseless till you can’t think straight? Well, let me know when you’re ready.”

“
Never
. Not going to happen in this lifetime.” She bit her bottom lip. “You’re not my
type
. I don’t do
bikers
.”

I grabbed her arm. “Fuck. You play dirty. That was low. Even for you.”

“Yeah? Well let me go, so I can get out of here. We don’t like one another. That’s clear enough.” Her lower lip was trembling.

Maybe I was getting to her like she was getting to me?

The green eyed monster wouldn’t let me go. He drove me fucking crazy; fucking with my mind. I gritted my teeth. “I’m not letting you go till you fucking tell me about your boyfriend. And guess what? I’m going to fuck you. Just so you can compare a
real
man to your boy.”

Her eyes went wild. She slapped me so hard my head cracked sideways.
Good.
I liked that my face stung. It made the burn in my guts less intense.