by Morgan Fox
A short while later they pulled into the dirt-covered parking lot. The bar was a vintage-style cabin with places for horses to be tied and watered should the owners wish to stop in for a drink. Most of the vehicles nearby were pickup trucks. She spied Brody’s truck backed in to a spot, a prime location for a quick getaway. She smiled, knowing that even though Brody never received formal training from their pack, he still had great instincts.
Ryder’s bike came to a stop, and she slid the helmet off and then hopped off the bike. She kept her eyes focused on anything but Ryder, until he asked, “You never came here?”
Bianca shook her head, kicking the heel of her boot over the loose gravel. “It was too dangerous for me to be seen. If someone came asking for me, I’m sure they’d remember a tall, black-haired, pale-skinned woman with golden cat eyes.”
The corner of Ryder’s mouth curved up, but not into a full smile. The sight was both warming and sad. She thought he was hiding his feelings about Brody, but now she was sure of it. He might be able to convince himself that things were, “My mate. My rules,” but Bianca knew better.
Honestly, Ryder didn’t know her anymore, and she really didn’t know him either. She’d been recently intimate with Brody, and that probably wasn’t sitting well with her mate.
Chapter 8
Brody let the sweet little redheaded beauty rub her hand up his thigh. He was going to use her body more times and in more ways than he could count. That was once he was drunk enough not to care that she wasn’t Bianca.
She leaned against him, whispering naughty things into his ear. Her scent was enticing, but not the same as the feminine fragrance he’d enjoyed smelling over the last several years. She pressed a warm kiss to his mouth, her taste delicious, but still not as sweet as Bianca’s. She batted her long dark lashes, but her eyes didn’t have the same fire that turned his blood into molten lava, but then he wasn’t going to fuck her eyes. She could close them for all he cared.
Shit, he might even take her from behind just so he could pretend her sexy body was Bianca’s.
Fuck!
That wouldn’t work either since the whole idea was to fuck Bianca from his thoughts.
“I’m glad you came back”—she breathed into his ear—“I was hoping you might change your mind.” She fluttered delicate kisses along his cheek and jaw. “I’ve never met anyone like you before.”
Brody arched a brow. “You ever leave Tennessee?”
She shook her head. “Then I suggest you do.” He scanned the room. “Let’s face it. The selection here is not exactly prime picking.”
Her hand cupped his balls and hardening shaft. “Not until you showed up, that’s for sure.” She stroked him, rubbing up and down his length through his tight jeans.
He chuckled, slamming back his drink. “Easy. You don’t want that going off in your hand.” He tapped the bar for another drink. “At least not yet.”
She giggled. “Oh, I’ve got plans for you.” She kissed his neck, her tongue licking the pulse that thundered beneath his skin. “I plan on enjoying you tonight. For as long as I can.”
That sounded wonderful to him. It was due time for him to move on. Bianca sure had. Listening to her panting moans of pleasure as Ryder stuck it to her was like having his nails ripped out of his fingers. His heart had never felt so used and worthless. She could keep his fucking heart for all he cared. He didn’t need it or want it ever again.
“Dani Lynne, I’ve got to be honest with you. I’m getting over a woman that I’ve been in love with since I was a kid.”
“Oh, you poor baby,” she said, her touch softening, but still stroking him. “Did you need to use me to make the bad memories go away?” She frowned in a sympathetic pout.
Brody almost choked. “Seriously?”
She nibbled her bottom lip and nodded shyly.
Brody grinned. “Would you be okay, knowing that I’m not sticking around?” She shifted in his seat. “Come tomorrow morning I’m leaving for home.”
She licked her lips. “As long as I get to have you for one night, you can think of me as anyone you want.”
Brody’s grin faded as he caught Bianca’s scent. His head whipped around to see her and Ryder stalking into the bar. Brody’s eyes widened as Ryder locked onto his gaze and they headed straight for him.
As Ryder and Bianca stepped up beside him, Dani Lynne pulled her hand away. Brody was glad Bianca had seen her with him. Glad she saw he wasn’t waiting for her to figure out what a colossal mistake she made letting him go.
“We need to talk,” Ryder said adamantly.
“About?”
“Lilly.”
Brody’s jaw clenched. As much as he would’ve liked to ignore Ryder and Bianca’s presences, he knew he’d never be able to. He also knew he couldn’t ignore the danger his people faced.
Brody turned his attention toward Dani Lynne. “Sweetheart, can you give me a few minutes.”
Smiling sweetly, she nodded and jumped off the barstool. She headed toward the back of the bar where the jukebox was located.
“What about Lilly?” Brody asked sharply, not bothering to contain his annoyance.
Ryder glanced back at an empty table. “Mind if we sit and talk, or would you prefer we stand behind you?”
Brody shrugged. “Whatever floats your boat, big guy.”
Ryder placed his hand at the small of Bianca’s back, and Brody’s jaw ticked. Knowing they were mated was one thing. Watching it was another.
“Could you do me a favor?” Brody said, rising from the barstool. “Don’t fucking touch each other in front of me. I didn’t ask to see you. You wanted to see me. When I’m gone you can do whatever the hell you want.”
Ryder arched a brow and nodded. “Fair enough.” Ryder pulled out the chair and Bianca sat down. He never touched her again. “Please join us,” Ryder said, holding his hand out to the chair across from him and directly beside Bianca.
Shit! That was the last thing he needed. Then again his other option was to stare directly at her from across the table and that wasn’t really the better option. He sat down and faced Ryder.
“Talk,” Brody said, flagging the bartended for another drink.
“I need your help,” Ryder said plainly. “I can’t go up against Lilly alone.”
“So? How is that my problem?”
Brody couldn’t seem to stop himself from glancing over at Bianca. She stared at her hands as they rested on the table in front of her. He’d never seen her look so timid and uncomfortable.
Good.
“It’s everyone’s problem,” Ryder reminded him.
He swallowed the amber-colored liquid in one gulp. “Why can’t you go to the McCarthy’s and ask them for backup?” Brody clicked his fingers together. “Oh right, you kidnapped their child,” he said, snapping his gaze to Bianca, who glared at him.
“I would never hurt that child,” Bianca said, her voice shaking.
“No, but you sure as shit don’t mind fucking with the rest of us.”
“Brody?” Ryder snapped. “I realize I’m asking a lot of you considering…”
His words trailed off, but Brody knew exactly what he was referring to. Ryder was mated to the woman Brody loved. Talk about a punch to the nuts.
“What about our people? Why can’t you call on them to help?” Brody clicked his fingers again. “Oh, wait. They fucking banished you.” Again his gaze rested on Bianca.
Her eyes widened. A look of shock filled her gaze. His words didn’t seem to get any softer. He was being an ass and he knew it. His chest ached as her eyes glistened. He fought like hell to not be affected by her tears, but he was failing miserably.
Ryder started to talk, but Bianca placed her hand on his, drawing his attention toward her. She shook her head, a silent plea to keep her mate from saying something he might regret.
Bianca stiffened her jaw. “Go ahead, Brody. Say what you need to say to me. I know I hurt you.”
Brody balled his hands into t
ight fists on the table and leaned forward. “You’re damn right you hurt me. You let me believe you cared for me, but all the while you kept this secret from me.” Brody’s gaze darted to Ryder and then back to her again. “You used me to get what you were after.” He shook his head, his nails digging into the flesh of his palms. “You said you loved me, and then you allowed Lilly and her fucktards to beat the piss out of me because you were two focused on your personal agenda.”
“I got you out of there,” she blurted.
“Right. Thanks for that. I loved how you dropped me off at the door and then bolted.” Brody scoffed. “Another show of your love and support.”
“I had to go. I had to be the one Lilly entrusted the McCarthy child to.”
“Why?” Brody asked impatiently.
“So I could give the child to Ryder.” Tears raced down her cheeks. “I couldn’t risk one of those vampires hurting that baby girl.” She sniffled. “They would’ve killed her had I not taken her first.”
Brody wished he could sense a lie and smell a hint of betrayal, but he couldn’t. He slammed his hands onto the table and shoved his chair back.
“It doesn’t change the fact that you used me to get to him.” Brody arched his chin forward, indicating Ryder. “You never loved me.”
Bianca sobbed. “Yes I did, you idiot.”
Ryder’s nails scraped against the table, and both Brody and Bianca stared at him. His nostrils flared like a bull as he sat there staring down at Brody’s empty glass. Brody leaned back in his chair.
He could almost feel the sting those words must have had on Ryder.
Ryder cleared his throat. “Enough,” he said roughly, and his voice was filled with a mix of human and beast. His eyes locked onto Brody. “Will you help or not?”
Brody’s chest squeezed tight as he gazed over at Bianca. Her golden eyes locked on him. As pissed as he was at her for mating with Ryder, he found great pleasure in hearing that she loved him. Maybe there was a piece of her that still did.
A sense of joy exploded inside him as he wondered if there was still a spark left between them. Maybe he had a chance to win her back after all.
Ryder might be her mate, but in so many ways so was Brody. He’d been the one who’d been there for her. Loved and protected her when everyone else vacated her life. If there was even a slim chance he could have Bianca back in his arms, he would take it.
“Fine, I’ll help you.” Brody grinned. “What’s our first move?”
Ryder arched a curious brow. “We take shelter in the woods for the night and come up with a plan to infiltrate Lilly’s lair.”
Bianca gasped. Both Ryder and Brody stared at her. “We might have to come up with a new plan?” she whispered. “I sense vampires.”
* * * *
“I don’t smell any blood bags,” Ryder said, inhaling deeply.
Bianca’s chest tightened, and she knew someone from Lilly’s crew had tracked them here. The vampire queen was no fool. She’d most likely put a tail on Ryder.
“I think you need to trust me on this,” she told them. “I can feel them.”
Brody’s eyes shifted, searching the room. “I only see humans.”
“They’re close.” Bianca knew what Lilly’s power felt like and she knew that the vampires nearby were not newbies. “One of you needs to hit me.”
Ryder and Brody both glared at her.
“I’m serious. They need to think I’m your prisoner.”
Brody leaned forward, dropping his voice to a whisper. “I’ve never struck a woman who didn’t deserve it.”
Her eyes narrowed as she stared at Brody. “You do think I deserve it.” He glanced away. Annoyed by her mate and lover’s sudden need for chivalry, she slammed her hand down onto the table. “Well, I don’t give a shit which one of you does it, but someone better fucking hit me or we’re all screwed.”
Bianca’s throat tightened as the nearness of the vampires filled her senses. She sensed they were close and somehow the vampires were masking themselves from Ryder and Brody. She didn’t know how they were doing it, but maybe it had something to do with the fact that she’d spent so much time around them. Did that somehow give her the edge? She sure hoped it did.
“I’m going to make a run for it,” she told them.
“What?” Ryder barked. “I don’t think so.”
“Look, it’s the only way to keep them thinking that I’m your prisoner and that I’m still on Lilly’s side. Maybe I can take advantage of the situation and go back undercover.”
“That’s a dumbass idea,” Brody replied, his eyes narrowing into thin slits.
“This could work,” she muttered. “Trust me on this.”
Brody rolled his eyes at her. “That worked so great for me before.”
“Brody, please.” She bit the inside of her mouth, her attention shifting to Ryder. “You know I’m right about this. I can give us an advantage from inside the lair.”
Ryder shook his head. “I don’t like it,” he said dryly.
“Please let me do this.” Bianca was practically begging.
“No,” Ryder growled. “I’m not letting you do this again. It’s too dangerous.” Bianca met his gaze, her throat dry and her insides churning with regret. Sadly, she knew Lilly would see through her lies, but she wasn’t about to risk Ryder and Brody’s life to save her own. She couldn’t let them get hurt because of her. “You don’t have a choice.” She slapped Ryder across the face, and he exploded from the table, gripping hold of her arm and yanking her toward him.
“Provoking me won’t make me hurt you,” Ryder said through gritted teeth.
Bianca held his intense gaze. “But it might be the only way to get you to do what needs to be done.”
Brody stood. “Do you think that little act was enough to convince whoever’s watching that you’re being held against your will?”
Bianca’s breaths came quick. Her heart raced as she feared what was coming after them. She shook her head. “I don’t know.”
As she stared up into Ryder’s eyes she tried not to soften in his touch. The energy that pulsed through her body where his fingers gripped her forearm was making it hard to think. This was exactly why she couldn’t go on without Ryder in her life. The mating instinct had always been too strong to ignore, and there was no better feeling in the world than being accepted and protected by someone she loved.
The muscles in her jaw flexed as she realized that Brody had done that for her without the mating bond.
Ryder’s grip tightened on her arm and she watched as his gaze shifted. Inhaling, his nails and teeth instantly lengthened, as did Brody’s.
Ryder’s dark eyes swirled with anger, his chest filling with air.
“You were right,” he said gruffly. “I smell them now.”
Bianca swallowed. “That’s because they’re inside the bar now.”
Bianca’s eyes locked onto three vampires who had just stepped inside. Their gazes swept over the room and finally settled on her.
“Now is your chance, Ryder.” She didn’t take her eyes off of the vampires. “Once the fight breaks out, I’ll direct them back to my cabin.” Ryder’s touch softened, his fingers brushing over the leather that covered her arm. Even with the jacket on, she could still feel his touch as if her skin were bare to him. “Come for me as you did before. Once I’m sure there are only three of them and I’ve convinced them that I’ve been your hostage…” Her gaze finally locked onto Ryder’s. She knew she didn’t have to tell him that she wanted the vampires dead. The heated, vengeful look in his eyes told her he was already thinking it.
“Wait,” Brody interjected. “You can’t be serious. They could kill her the moment she steps outside.”
“That will never happen,” Ryder said with deadly conviction. “Bianca can take those three without our help. But she won’t have to since we’re going to be right behind her.”
Bianca’s eyes watered, and she quickly blinked the crushing pain away. Damn, she had wa
ited for so long to have Ryder in her life and now everything was at stake.
Ryder glared over at Brody. “Are you ready for this?”
Brody sighed, his sharp teeth biting into his lip. “Since I don’t have a choice…yes.”
In that moment, Bianca’s hand came up to Ryder’s face, but he blocked it, countering with a strike of his own. The palm of his hand swept across her cheek, sending her flying back onto the chair and head over feet to the wood floor.
The vampires snarled loudly and rushed toward them in seconds. Bianca righted herself, hissing angrily like the feline she was. Ryder and Brody positioned themselves for the attack. Two vampires launched at Ryder, while the other slammed into Brody, knocking him over the table behind him. The bar erupted into shouts and screams.
Bianca listened to the terrifying cries of the humans around them, and suddenly the room was cleared, thunderous footsteps racing for the exits.
Bianca turned just in time to duck and avoid a flying chair from hitting her right in the face. Brody was on the move and using every piece of furniture that lay in his path. The vampire hissed as Brody busted off a table leg and charged at him.
The wide-eyed bartender shouted to move the fight outside the bar, and before he could utter another word, that was exactly where the fight resumed. Ryder had grabbed one vampire by the throat and tossed him through the front door, snapping the wood in two on contact.
Bianca capitalized on the opportunity and raced toward the broken doors. Like well-trained puppies, the other two vampires were hot on her trail. Ryder and Brody rushed to find them, but in the seconds it took them to move outside, Bianca and the vampire were gone. Tucked away in the security of the trees above, Bianca watched the men she cared for below. Pressing a finger to her lips, she told the vampires to remain quiet and signaled them to follow her. It was time for part two of the plan to swing into action. Bianca only hoped that Ryder and Brody would come through for her.
