Lexi, Property of Rhyder: A Motorcycle Club Romance (Blood Brothers MC Book 6)

by J. A. Collard

  Feeling my face heat, I quickly take a sip of my Coke, trying to avoid eye contact with Paige.

  “Lex? Come on. We’ve always told each other everything.”

  I take a quick look behind me and see my parents are in deep conversation, then I turn to Paige and whisper, “Okay, he’s just someone I met. He helped me with something.”

  Her face lights up. “Tell me more… like is he dreamy?”

  I roll my eyes. “Of course, he is, but there’s nothing going on. He’s just someone I would call if I ever needed anything.”

  Paige adjusts herself in her seat to face me. “Like what?”

  I shrug and look out the window, remembering how he was the one who found me. How he gently held me in his arms and whispered in my ear that everything was going to be all right, and he promised he would never let anything happen to me again. At the time, I thought I was dreaming that someone had come to my rescue. The men had thrown me so callously on the grass, it caused my vision to blur with the fall. I feel my eyes burn with unshed tears, and I blink them away.

  Paige must notice the change and lays her hand on my shoulder. “Hey, are you okay?”

  I turn to her and force a smile. “Yeah, I’m good. Just glad he’s around.”

  She frowns. “Okay… I’m not quite sure what that means, but I won’t push you for now. Just know you can tell me anything.”

  “Thanks, Paige. Are you sure you’re younger than me? Sometimes I feel like you’re the older sister.”

  “That’s because I’m the mature one.”

  I laugh at that comment, then bring my Kindle up to read.

  LEXI

  We both walk up the staircase that leads to the two-story pristine white villa with its typical whitewashed walls and floor-to-ceiling windows. I can’t get over the luxurious feel it exudes.

  “Signora, your villa,” our bellboy says in a thick Spanish accent as he holds our door open for us.

  Once we step inside, I’m overwhelmed by the clean walls, marble floors, and high ceilings. Fans hang down over white leather sofas. The whole space is open-plan living, and I think the bedrooms are off to each side.

  Paige and I walk through our villa, which is next door to our parents. I’m happy they’ve given Paige and me our own private solitude knowing we can spend some sister time alone. Our villas are only a few steps apart, so they aren’t too far away if we need them.

  “Your bedrooms are to the left and right, and your kitchen and entertainment area is downstairs. I’ll leave you two ladies to enjoy. If you need anything, please don’t hesitate to call reception.”

  “Thank you,” I reply as the bellboy leaves.

  We walk over to the doors that lead out to the balcony which overlooks the Los Cabos beach. Pushing open the large glass sliding doors, we step out onto the balcony and have a look around. There are two lounges and a huge white umbrella over them. In the middle of the balcony is an ornate table and chair setting, especially set for eating outside. Scattered around are white pots with green foliage giving the whole area a tropical-style look.

  The seawater is crystal blue with stunning white sand that looks like a cloud of powder. People are enjoying themselves, surfing, paddleboarding, and swimming. I can’t wait to get me some sun.

  I turn to my sister, who has walked out and is standing beside me, and smile widely.

  “It’s so beautiful. We’re going to have so much fun here.”

  “Yes, we are,” I agree, feeling happy. The feeling being somewhat foreign and not something I’ve felt for a long time.

  “So, what’s first?” Paige asks, smiling at me.

  “Well, I think we’re both looking a little too pale. How about we go spend some time at the beach?”

  “I say, yes.”

  We giggle and head to our suitcases that were left by the front door. I’d usually unpack all my clothes first, then go outside, but this time, I want to get out on the beach straightaway. I smile to myself when I locate the two-piece bathing suit that Rhyder forbade me to buy and grab my toiletries bag and rush to a bedroom.

  Paige and I have been so excited that we haven’t even had a chance to look at where we will be sleeping.

  “I found my room,” I yell out to Paige as I open a door that leads to a gorgeous bedroom. Again, hanging from the ceiling is a large white spinning fan, which is directly above a plush king-size bed covered with a pristine white comforter. The pillows are silver and match the accents of the room. There’s also a large-screen television on the wall and a huge area for hanging clothes. Off to the right is an ensuite, which I will check out shortly after I grab a few more items I need.

  I hear Paige’s feet padding over to the other side of the villa, and then she yells, “Found mine, too.”

  I head into the ensuite and sigh when I see the full-glass window with a spa next to it. It’s tinted, but you can still see the view of the ocean while you sit back and have a relaxing bath. I’ll have to take advantage of that bath at some stage. I look to the right and find a very modern two-person shower.

  Wow, just wow! I don’t have time to think about it for too long because Paige is yelling out if I’m ready. I quickly shut the door and undress, getting into my bikini. Once I’m finished, I look at myself in the mirror, loving how it fits like a glove and shows off my curves. Placing my hair in a ponytail, I quickly seek out some sunscreen, not wanting to get burned. Rubbing it into my skin, I hear, “Oh my gosh, that’s so hot,” come from behind me. I turn to find Paige dressed in her yellow one-piece which gives her that so-sweet-and-innocent look.

  “Thanks.” I quickly place some lip balm on my lips and turn around taking the sunscreen with me. “Let’s go.” We head out but not before I grab a spare bag that I can use to place my personal belongings in. We knock on my parents’ villa and let them know we’re heading out for a swim. “Okay, girls, just be careful. Don’t go too deep.”

  “Seriously, Mom… we’re not babies anymore,” Paige says, and I agree.

  “I know, girls, but I still worry about you. Go… enjoy yourselves. Your dad and I might join you later.

  “Okay.”

  We head down the stairs and pass the resort’s pool. It’s a kidney shape that’s spread around the resort. A bar sits in the middle of the pool allowing guests to swim up to it and order a drink.

  “How cool is that bar?” I ask, pointing to it. “Pity you can’t order a drink,” I tease, winking at Paige.

  “Yeah, yeah, whatever.”

  We grab towels from the cabana and make our way down to the beach. Luckily, there are two free sun chairs, so we place our towels on them and lie down.

  “Drink, ladies?” I look up shielding the sun with my hand noticing a young man who looks my age and has a Spanish accent. He’s wearing the hotel’s uniform with a Hawaiian-style shirt and white shorts holding a pad and pen in his hand.

  “I’ll have an iced tea.”

  “Make that two,” Paige adds.

  “Very good, ladies. My name is Pepe, and I’ll be looking after you today. If there’s anything you need, please don’t hesitate to ask. I’ll be right back with your order.”

  “Thanks, Pepe.”

  Pepe turns and heads toward the bar, and I grab my sunglasses out of my bag and place them over my eyes. Paige already has hers on and is putting her EarPods as she shuffles through some music. I stare out at the ocean when I hear a ping from my cell. I look at it and open the text.

  Rhyder: Have you arrived safely? R

  R? Oh, Rhyder, I think to myself. He has never signed off like that before. I smile wide loving that he’s already thinking of me. It’s only been a day, and he’s already asking me how I am.

  Me: Yes, I have, thanks for asking.

  Rhyder: What are you doing?

  Me: Just sitting by the beach enjoying the sun with my sister.

  I can tell he’s writing something because the three dots appear, then they vanish. He must be thinking about what he’s going to say. Then it
finally comes through.

  Rhyder: Please tell me you and your sister aren’t alone on the beach.

  Me: Um… yeah, we’re on holiday and when you say alone do other people on the beach count?

  Rhyder: Do they know you?

  Me: No.

  Rhyder: Then you are alone.

  Grrr, why is this guy so frustrating.

  Me: To you we are alone but to me, we’re not. Why don’t you go and annoy someone else?”

  I smile, waiting for his reply. If there’s one thing I’ve learned about Rhyder in the last couple of days is that he’s bossy and overprotective. Even more so then my parents.

  Rhyder: But I like annoying you, just like you like annoying me.

  I blush, feeling it come up my neck and onto my cheeks.

  Me: No, I don’t.

  Rhyder: Yeah, well… stay safe, and remember I’m only a phone call away.

  Me: Okay, but I won’t need you.

  Rhyder: Oh, baby, you will one day.

  I flush seeing the word ‘baby.’ I can just imagine him using that word to me in person.

  Me: Wait what? What do you mean one day?

  Rhyder: Don’t worry your pretty little head, you’ll know what I mean, and soon.

  I frown, trying to understand his comment, but then another text appears.

  Rhyder: Gotta go. Bye, babe.

  Me: Bye.

  “Who’s that?” Dropping my phone on my lap, I turn to Paige who’s been watching me all along.

  “Nobody.” I turn back to the beach and look out at the crystal water.

  “Yeah, right, I saw your cheeks flush. Was that Rhyder?”

  I don’t reply as I continue to stare out at the ocean.

  Paige turns on her side to face me. “What did he say?”

  I shrug. “Nothing much, just checking in.”

  “Mmm, yeah, whatever.”

  “Here you are, ladies. Two iced teas.”

  We accept the drinks and thank Pepe with a tip. I watch him move onto the next couple beside us, but can’t help noticing how he keeps looking back at Paige. “I think Pepe has a crush on you,” I tease.

  Paige looks up at him and blushes when she sees Pepe smiling back at her. “Please… he’s just a cabana boy.”

  “But he’s kinda cute,” I reply, and she smiles.

  “Yeah, he kind of is.”

  We giggle, and she sits back in her chair continuing to listen to her music.

  We enjoy the water until the late afternoon. Mom and Dad came down to the beach for an hour and ordered some food. We all sat there enjoying the exotic fruits and cheeses and other snacks that went with it. Paige and I continued to relax and talk about school and how I’m off to Harvard soon. We swam for a bit, then dried off and talked some more.

  Pepe came over to take more orders but always kept his eyes on Paige. Something tells me she’s going to experience her first summer love here.

  When he finished for the day, he walked up to Paige and asked her if she’d like to go to a party tonight. I told her I was beat, and that no matter what, she wasn’t going alone, so she promised him another night.

  “You’re such a party pooper,” Paige says as we make our way back to our villa. We had promised to be showered and dressed by six to meet our parents in the restaurant.

  “I could have gone on my own, you know.”

  I unlock our door then head inside our villa. Once I shut it, I explain, “Paige, you’re not going anywhere by yourself. You hardly know the guy, and you can’t just take off with some stranger.”

  “Please… coming from you.”

  Panic runs through me wondering what Paige has heard—does she know something about what happened to me.

  “Hey, what do you mean, coming from me?”

  “I mean, what about that Rhyder guy?”

  I lighten up. “Come on, Paige, you know nothing about him.”

  “Yeah, exactly, yet you said he’s been watching out for you. What the hell is that?”

  I turn around. “I’m not talking about him with you. Just trust me, okay?”

  Paige must hear me sniffle because her voice comes out low when she says, “Okay, Lex.”

  I quickly wipe my tears and face her. “I’m sorry, I know you think it’s unfair, but trust me, I am only looking out for you. If you want to go somewhere, then we go together.” I step forward and place my hands on her shoulders, noticing how young she looks. Before this happened to me, I would have jumped at the chance to go to a party in Mexico with a guy who I thought was cute.

  How naïve I was to think that nothing could ever happen to me.

  “Promise me, Paige. Promise me you won’t go anywhere with him on your own?”

  She frowns. “Okay, Lex, I promise.”

  “Good. Now, let’s go change. Mom and Dad will be waiting for us.”

  RHYDER

  The Blood Brothers stand back as Tate and his boys talk business with the Rattlesnakes.

  “Brought the big guns, I see,” Big Pete says to Tate, his eyes watching us intently.

  Tate looks behind at us and then back to Big Pete. “Yeah, don’t worry about them, let’s just get this conversation done. I told you we’re out, and you still won’t fuckin’ take no for an answer. I’ve come here out of respect for our past business transactions and in hopes that you let us sit this one out and get our firearms from someone else.”

  “Come on, man, we go back… don’t cut us out now.”

  I watch on as Tate continues this conversation. He wants out of the business with the Rattlesnakes, and it doesn’t look like they’re going to let it happen easily.

  We stand back and now and then I turn to Quill, his eyes glued to the gang in front of us. We were told to leave our guns at the front of the warehouse, but they didn’t frisk us which is good because I have one strapped to my leg, and I know the other brothers are the same. We never come unprepared.

  Big Pete’s right-hand man collects a large duffel bag from behind him, then zips it open and throws it at Tate’s feet. By the rattling coming from it, I assume it’s guns.

  “Looks like it’s too late. We already got the shipment right here tonight. What you gonna do, Tate? You gonna dismiss the guns like you did us?”

  Big Pete smiles, and his gold tooth shines with the light above.

  I glance over at Prez, who’s now stepping a little closer just in behind Tate.

  If shit goes down, I’m ready.

  Tate turns back to Quill with an eyebrow raised.

  “It all there?” Prez asks, and Tate nods. Prez lets out a small whistle when he looks at what’s in the bag.

  “So, do we have a deal or what?”

  Tate rubs the back of his neck, then nods, placing his hand out. “We do.”

  “My man.” They shake hands then, and Tate turns back to one of his men and asks, “Get me the cash.”

  Tate’s plan was to end business between them tonight, but it seems as though he’s giving them another chance considering they showed up with the goods. If he’s happy, then so be it. We’re here as back-up only.

  Luke goes to the club’s SUV and returns with a small, black backpack which is probably full of cash and hands it to Tate. Tate throws it over to Big Pete who opens it and smiles. “Knew I could count on you to keep your promise.”

  Luke, Tate’s VP, picks up the bag containing the guns and carries it away to the SUV.

  “Yeah, brother, I’ll keep my promise as long as you keep yours. This happens again, and we will be taking our business elsewhere. Don’t have time to waste.”

  Big Pete nods and replies, “I got you, brother.”

  “That’s it, then?”

  “I guess so.”

  “See you later, boys,” Tate murmurs, then turns around and walks outside.

  We stand back watching to ensure nothing happens. Big Pete nods to us, then walks to his SUV, takes off with a squeal of wheels, and we step outside where Tate and his boys are standing.

  �
��Well, that went smoothly,” Prez says.

  Tate smiles. “Yeah, didn’t know for a second there which way it was gonna go. Thanks for coming out, looks like we didn’t need the heavy muscle after all.”

  They shake hands.

  “Anytime, brother,” Quill says.

  This is exactly why I wanted to join the club, they will do anything for another brother.

  “Let’s go back to the clubhouse… drinks are on me,” Tate announces.

  Tate starts up his bike and points to the road. “Let’s head out.”

  We slide on our bikes and follow Tate back to the clubhouse.

  LEXI

  The sun streaming through the window has me rousing from my sleep. I sit up in my bed and look to the side where the beach is in full view. It’s magical. I pull the sheets off and swing my legs to the side of the bed to stand and stretch.

  I open the sliding door to the balcony off my bedroom and embrace the breeze and exotic flowery scent flowing through my room. Walking onto the balcony, I rest my hands on the ledge and look out at the ocean. People are swimming, already enjoying the day. Beneath me is the pool where people are sunbathing. To the right is an outdoor restaurant serving breakfast with a buffet outside. The smell of coffee wafts up to my room, encouraging me to get dressed and head down.

  Opening my bag, I decide to unpack it and hang some clothes in the ample walk-in closet and drawers. I grab my one-piece swimsuit and denim shorts and head to the bathroom to take a shower. Once done, I place on a little makeup and lip gloss, tie my hair in a messy bun, and head out to my room where Paige is waiting for me dressed and ready to start the day.

  “Hey, you, how did you sleep?” I ask as I fold my pajamas.

  Paige falls back on my bed. “So good. My bed is extra comfy.”

  “Tell me about it, I slept like a baby.” I have to admit, it’s been a while since I’ve been able to have a good night’s sleep, and last night was the first night I didn’t wake up to any nightmares.