Ryker (Hope City Book 5)

by Kris Michaels

  “He doesn’t seem to have any problem now.” Kallie nodded toward the men. Carter, Sean, and Kyle had joined the conversation, but the topic must have changed because there was laughter from the huddle.

  “Where are Rory and Blay?” Harper drifted from the kitchen with Erin and Caitlyn.

  “And Bekki?” Caitlyn craned her neck around. “She was here a minute ago.”

  “I’m here!” Bekki practically bounced out of the kitchen with a bottle of spring water in her hand.

  “Oh, good. Excuse us, please.” Brie grabbed her wrist. “We need to have a conversation.” She hauled Bekki down the hall.

  Bekki laughed and tried to grump, “What? I did nothing, I swear!”

  “No, but you will.” Brie pushed her into the bathroom. “I need you to do something for me, and you can’t tell a soul where you got the information or Ryker will go through the roof.”

  Bekki’s face lost all traces of humor. “What’s up?”

  Brie drew a deep breath and detailed her conversation with Councilman Davis.

  Bekki’s brows drew together. “I’ve been looking into other areas of graft within the city government and Councilman Davis’ name has come up more than once. Has anything strange happened? Anything at all?”

  “Again, you can’t tell a soul.” She waited for Bekki to agree. “There were orders that suddenly vendors can’t fill and…”

  “And? Come on, don’t keep me hanging.”

  “Well, I don’t know if it’s related, but I’ve had my tire slashed and there are two guys that have been strong-arming me for money.”

  Bekki grabbed her arm. “Oh my God, Brie! Have you filed a police report? Have you told anyone?”

  “No, but I’ve bought a security system and Roger is having it installed while I’m taking time off. I know if those two punks see there is a system recording them, they’ll move on. They are low-level scum. I don’t need to run to Dad—or Ryker, for that matter.”

  “I don’t like it, Brie. You need to make sure the police are aware of what those guys are doing.” Bekki shook her head and stared past her to the wall. “If I could tie the vendors that cancelled their orders to Councilman Davis, it could be the leverage I need to convince the station this is a story they should allow me to follow.”

  “I wish you well. That man is slimy. He has a great public façade, but let me tell you, he’s a snake.” Brie shuddered.

  Bekki stood and nodded. “I’ll look into it under one condition.”

  Brie knew her sister—tit for tat was Bekki’s wheelhouse. “What’s that?”

  “If those two scumbags show their faces again, you will call the cops and tell them everything. No one else needs to know, but the local precinct needs to have a record of it.” Her sister leveled her with a determined stare.

  “Deal. I was going to report them if they showed again. They need to spend some time behind bars.” She hugged her sister. “Thank you for taking this up.”

  “Thank you for the lead. If I can tie the graft from Councilman Davis to the particular organization within the city government that I’ve been investigating, it will make one hell of an exposé.” Bekki smiled widely. “It may even catapult me into the New York market.”

  “Well, then, I hope you find all the dirt on that scum.” Brie opened the door and froze.

  “What is going on?” Hannah stood outside the bathroom door.

  “Nothing,” both Brie and Bekki said at the same time.

  “Really?”

  “Okay, Mom, you caught us. We were discussing my total lack of boyfriends and I was asking Brie how her sex life was now that she had a stud like Ryker.” Bekki crossed her arms and cocked her head. “Do you want to know what she said?”

  Hannah’s eyes peeled open wide. “I do not. Really, Bekki.” Her mother shook her head. “Sometimes you take things a step too far.”

  “That’s exactly what I said, Mom. Come on, let’s go visit.” Brie grabbed her mom’s arm and gave Bekki a ‘What the hell were you thinking’ look. Bekki smiled wildly and winked. The girl would end up giving their mom a heart attack. It was just a matter of time.

  Ryker watched Brie, her mother, and her younger sister meander back into the living room. Bekki was nothing like Brie. Brie was like a breath of fresh cool air; her sister was a hurricane-force wind. Whoever took that woman on would need infinite patience and a strong will. Brie’s eyes bounced across the room until she saw where he was sitting. She smiled at him and he felt a warm smile spread across his face. He loved that woman more than life itself.

  “Don’t you agree, Cap?” Brody’s question brought him back to the conversation.

  He wasn’t going to front. “I have no idea what you just said.”

  Carter Fiske chuckled. “Distracted, sir?”

  “Ryker.” He corrected and motioned around the room. “When we are with family, it’s Ryker.”

  “Roger that.” Carter lifted his bottle of beer in his direction.

  “But to answer your question, yes, pleasantly distracted.” He sent another look in Brie’s direction.

  “You know, I don’t think I’ve had my little talk with you yet.” Brock leaned back in his chair and brought his size thirteen boot over his knee. He leveled a glare at Ryker. It was easy to see why Brock was good at investigations—he could intimidate, but Ryker had spent more years in the trenches than anyone in the room except for the Commissioner and Colm McBride.

  “Neither have we.” Sean motioned between himself and Kyle.

  Carter snorted. “Really guys? Do you honestly think that BS intimidation tactic is going to work on Captain… err, Ryker?”

  Ryker nodded in Carter’s direction, acknowledging the man’s correction, but turned his attention back to the three men across from him. He leaned back, still holding his warm beer in his good hand. “Go ahead. No, wait. Let me guess. You’ll string me up by the balls if I hurt your friend and sister. I can take on one of you, but not all of you. I’ll be sorry I ever took a breath around her and I’ll regret the day I was born.” He took a drink of his beer as the men looked at each other. Brock started laughing, followed by the rest of Brianna’s white knights.

  Brody leaned forward and stared at him. “Cap, can we steal those lines? I mean, we still have Bekki, Erin, and Caitlyn to protect. They are a hell of a lot better than the ones we think up on the spur of the moment.”

  Ryker laughed and elevated his three-quarter full beer. “Be my guest.”

  “Better yet, let’s take him with us.” Kyle motioned in his direction. “Just get your wing healed up first. Because you don’t look like you could do much to pound down the unworthy right now.”

  “Not true.” Brody pointed at his boss. “He has like nine or ten black belts and is all ninja and shit.”

  “No way. What discipline?” Rory and Blay moved up chairs and sat down.

  “I only have one black belt.” He gave Brody a look and all the guys around the informal circle laughed.

  “Right, which is one more than all of us put together.” Blay leaned forward. “Seriously, what discipline do you study?”

  “Muay Thai and Jiu Jitsu. The belt is in Jiu Jitsu.” He’d started both classes at eighteen when he’d started living alone in the city. The discipline helped him curb his anger and his teachers had become father figures in a way his stepfather never was.

  “You ought to see him fight. As big as he is, he’s faster than anyone else in the ring.” Brody laughed and leaned back. “No one wants to get into the ring with the Cap.”

  "That must be part of that ‘Don’t get dead’ advice you ladle out.” Sean McBride laughed, and when prompted by Kyle and Brock told the story of Ryker’s advice for making captain.

  “Hey, it’s solid and smart.” He chuckled and then grimaced when he took a swig of his warm beer.

  “Need a new one?” Rory McBride stood up and five empties plus Ryker’s warm brew pushed toward him. “Assholes.” Rory grabbed three and Blay grabbed the others
.

  “Bring back snacks!” Brock yelled after them.

  “No snacks. We’re just about ready to eat,” Hannah King called back. “As a matter of fact, everyone come into the kitchen.”

  Without even questioning her directive, Ryker stood up as did the other men. When he’d met Hannah earlier, he’d seen the love she had for her daughter. Her whispered, “I'm so happy to finally meet you,” brought a stab of pain that his mother would never say the same to Brianna. He thanked her and greeted Chauncey before he was introduced and reintroduced to friends and family. The two youngsters, Colleen and Gage, waved and ran off to Gage’s bedroom with a new movie to watch while the grown-ups visited. As the crew continued to arrive, he wondered if he could escape and watch a movie with them. But the afternoon’s impromptu visit turned out to be pleasant, and he liked Brie’s family.

  “Everyone pipe down.” Chauncey’s voice rang above the laughter and talk. Ryker eased over to stand beside Brie, pulling her into his good side. She fit perfectly in his arms and in his life. “Today, we are officially meeting Brianna’s man. I’ve known Ryker for a long time. If I had to pick someone for my daughter, he is exactly what I would look for. His integrity and professionalism aside, he takes care of his people, protects them, and gives them the support to do the job he hired them to do. Son, you take care of my girl like that and I will be a happy man.”

  “Thank you, sir.” He looked down at Brie and kissed her. There were catcalls and boisterous laughter.

  “Knock it off,” Colm McBride commanded, and the din lowered. “Bow your heads.” Collectively, the family did as the man ordered. “Lord, we thank you for the people who gather here today. Family. Plain and simple, by birth and by choice. We ask for your continued blessings on us and blessings on this food for the nourishment of our bodies in the service of you. Amen.”

  They formed a line and grabbed plates from the counter. Chauncey and Hannah, Colm and Sharon went first, helping the kids as they moved. They encouraged Ryker and Brie to go through the makeshift buffet next. He held his plate as Brie ladled food on it for him. She collected two napkin rolls with silverware in them and led him to one of the many card tables set up for the event.

  “Kind of overwhelming, isn’t it?” She unrolled the silverware and smiled at Gage and Colleen, who sat down with them. “Hey, kiddos. How was the movie?”

  “It was good.”

  Gage spoke and Colleen nodded her head up and down, rapidly agreeing, “Superheroes. Gage likes superheroes.”

  “I do. Are we going to play football today?” the little boy asked and looked at him, or rather, his sling. “You probably shouldn’t play even though it’s just touch football.”

  Ryker gave the boy a serious look. “I think you are right. I may have to sit this one out.”

  Gage nodded, just as serious. “Accidents can happen.”

  “Can I play, Gage?” Colleen stared adoringly at the older boy.

  “Sure, but you have to be careful not to get knocked down. I’ll help you.” He glanced around and then lowered his voice. “Don’t play with Aunt Bekki. She’s not very good.”

  “I heard that, Squirt!” Bekki yelled from two tables away where she was sitting with Amber’s sister, Dawn, Blay, and Rory. “Just for that, you’re on my team.”

  Gage craned his neck around and pleaded, “Daaad!”

  Brody almost choked laughing. “Don’t worry, I’ll save you. You’re on my team. We’ll make Bekki the kicker.”

  Colleen tugged on Gage’s arm and looked terribly concerned. “But the kicker never gets in the game.”

  “Exactly,” everyone spoke at the same time, and laughter rolled through the room.

  The joy and easy dynamics of the massive ‘family’ were something Ryker had longed for his entire life. Brie gripped his hand, and he turned to see her smile up at him. She knew. Her love shone like a beacon from her beautiful blue eyes. He smiled back and hoped his mother could witness this moment. He’d finally found his home with Brie.

  “How is your shoulder?” Hannah King walked up beside him, drawing his eyes away from the game of football that was taking place across the street.

  “Stiff.” He smiled at Brie’s mother briefly.

  “I can imagine. May I ask you a question?” Hanna kept her eyes on the game, so he did too, although in his peripheral vision he could see her chew on her bottom lip nervously.

  He really didn’t want to open a can of worms, but the woman had a right to ask her questions and settle her mind about his and Brie’s relationship. “Of course.”

  “What happened between you and your family?” Hanna hurried to add, “The reason I ask is that I’ve made mistakes. I think of the things I should have done differently, and I’ve wished I could see things from a fresh perspective. They call me Hover Mother.” She chuckled and glanced at him.

  Ryker smiled and continued to stare through the window at the huge gathering now pretending to chase Colleen down the impromptu football field. Gage was running right beside her, encouraging her to go faster. “My mom got pregnant with me and her boyfriend bailed. We survived until she met Benjamin Ganas. He is a very proud Greek man with money. They fell in love and got married.” He sighed. “He never accepted me. I was not his child and he never let me forget that, especially when Mom gave him four sons of his own. He asked me to leave when I turned eighteen.”

  Hannah gasped. “Surely, your mother didn’t allow that!”

  “No, she was livid, but honestly, I was ready to leave. I really loved the boys and Mom, but Benjamin made life at the house miserable. I carved a life for myself. Visited on holidays and Mom and I stayed close. She came into the city two or three times a month and we’d have lunch or go to dinner. She died that way. Coming into the city to see me. There was a car accident.”

  “Oh, my dear boy.” Hannah leaned into him and he felt her hand rubbing his back.

  A flash of his mother doing the same thing lanced through him. He let the emotion roll through him and continued, “Benjamin blamed me, of course. She wouldn’t have been where she was when she was if she wasn’t coming to see me. Which is true.” He shrugged. He couldn’t dispute that fact.

  “You cannot believe her death is your fault.” Hannah stared up at him.

  “No, the accident wasn’t my fault, but Benjamin used it as another wedge between the relationship I had with my brothers. We’ve been estranged since she died.” His words faded as a whisper.

  “Do they know the actual story?”

  He realized Hannah’s hand still rubbed his back. What should have been awkward wasn’t. Instead, her care and support were comforting and... welcomed. “I believe so. After Brie called Benjamin, he let Xander know I was in the hospital. Why Ben did that, I’ll never know, but Xander called the clan and they showed up at the hospital and met Brie. Xander and Killian showed up again the next morning. We had a conversation. It’s a start.”

  Hannah nodded. “Beginnings after miscommunication and hurt are difficult. Believe me, I know. Been there, done that, and got the grandson.”

  He chuffed a breath of laughter. “I feel there is a story there.”

  “There most certainly is, but we’ll leave that for another time.” She pointed out the window. “The horde is coming back and they are going to be hungry.” Hannah smiled up at him. “Welcome home, Son. We’re not perfect, we make mistakes, but we’re family. All of us, including you.”

  “Thank you.” He managed to say the words, and thankfully, Hannah left him alone at the window because a man of forty-six didn’t get emotional over a simple conversation.

  Chapter 14

  Brie opened the door to the apartment. Ryker had been a trooper, and they’d stayed until almost the last person left Amber and Brody’s apartment. They’d played touch football in the vacant lot that Brody and Blay had gone in together and bought. So far, they’d fenced it in and posted it as private property for the tenants of Brody’s building, but the plans they had included a pla
yground and corner for a dog playpen where animals could play and be safe from traffic on nearby roads.

  Ryker’s hand found her hip. She smiled up at him. He leaned down and kissed her slowly and tenderly before he straightened. He had to be hurting and tired. She shut the door behind them and headed straight into the kitchen. “I’ll get you your pills.”

  “Actually, I feel good.” Ryker’s voice floated after her.

  “But you need the anti-inflammatory.” She grabbed the medication bottle, read the front, put it back, and grabbed another one. Bingo. She opened it and shook out two. “Here you go.” She held the caplets for him.

  “Thank you.” He took them and tossed him down his throat.

  “You’re supposed to take that with milk or food.” She put her hands on her hips and he rolled his eyes and smiled.

  “All right, I’ll drink a glass of milk. Do you want anything?” He glanced back and stopped. A smile spread across his face. “I think you do.”

  “Oh, hell yeah.” She bit her bottom lip and cocked her head. “Drink your milk, Captain, then meet me in the bedroom.”

  Ryker watched her hips sway as she meandered from the room after giving him a sexy smile. Damn. He opened the fridge, grabbed the milk, and took two huge swigs straight from the plastic jug. He recapped the moo juice, shut the fridge, and stalked through the living room toward the bedroom. He stopped at the doorway. Brie had turned down the bed and was laying in the middle of it––naked.

  He shifted the strap of the sling from his neck and removed the material with a swipe of his hand. Brie walked on her knees to the end of the bed. “Let me help.” Her fingertips slid under the t-shirt and traced across his abs. She unfastened his jeans and unzipped the constricting fabric. He stepped out of them and then his boxers as she peeled the material off. Carefully, she unhooked the safety pins and helped him remove the t-shirt.

  He brought her to him with his good arm and found her mouth, kissing her the way he’d wanted to kiss her all afternoon. He ran his hand down her back. Her luscious curves and the soft swell of her breasts fit against him perfectly. He lifted a knee and edged her backward. She dropped as he advanced, putting her fully under him in the middle of the bed. He held his weight on his good arm and stared down at her. “How did I get so lucky?”