by S. Nelson
I wanted to comfort him, to offer him advice, but what did I know about raising kids and what was best for them? What was safe?
Before I knew it, Ryder was standing directly in front of me, his hands resting on my shoulders, his fingers stroking back and forth over my naked skin. “Why don’t you lose the sheet?” I knew what he was doing, distracting himself with the prospect of sex.
“Why don’t you deal with the issue with Zoe before it escalates and causes you to have a stroke?” I arched a brow, enticing him to disagree, but he remained silent. The only indication he was considering it was the slight tick of his jaw.
“I’d rather deal with you.” He tried to tug the sheet from me, but I moved back, falling onto the couch before I could right myself. Ryder laughed, which was a welcome sound indeed, plopped down on the cushion beside me and positioned me on top of him.
Before we started anything, me still shielded and straddling Ryder’s lap, Brutus waddled up next to us and sat at Ryder’s feet. He was still too little to jump onto the couch, although he definitely tried enough times. The only thing the little pup would accomplish was falling on his butt, only to try again. I had to give it to him—he was persistent, much like his owner.
Brutus was one lucky dog, thriving in his new home, his missing limb never slowing him down. I hated thinking what would’ve happened to him had Ryder not followed his gut instinct and trailed the bastard who so carelessly tossed the three-legged puppy from a moving vehicle.
“What’s up, buddy?” Ryder asked, moving me slightly to the side so he could lean over and see him. “Tell Mommy she needs to give me some lovin’.”
“Mommy? Since when am I Mommy?” To say I was shocked was putting it mildly.
“Well . . . I’ve been meaning to talk to you about something.” He hesitated, and I had no idea what he was gonna bring up. Was him calling me Mommy his subtle way of telling me he wanted to have a baby? Because I was nowhere ready for something like that. Besides, we were still working on our relationship, and some days it was really hard. I tried to move off his lap but he held me in place.
“Stop freakin’ out, babe. You have no idea what I want, so stop overthinking it.” The bastard smiled as I continued to try and stand up. But it was useless. He was too strong and if he didn’t want me going anywhere, I simply wasn’t moving.
“What did you want to talk about?” If he says “baby” I’m gonna throw myself backward and hope Brutus moves out of the way in time.
“I think you should move in with me. You’re here all the time anyway.” He shrugged. “It just makes sense.”
The words came out of my mouth before I could stop them. “Oh, so you don’t want a baby?” Closing my eyes briefly, I could’ve kicked myself.
“What?” He laughed, making the entire scene much more humiliating. “What made you think I wanted a kid?” He continued to chuckle while loosening his grip on me, so I seized the opportunity and swung my leg over his so I could finally plant my feet on the ground. “Hey,” he rumbled, “where do you think you’re goin’? We’re not done talkin’.”
“Then stop laughing at me,” I snapped, unexpectedly irritated with the turn of our conversation. Brutus barked behind me, sticking his nose into our business, and I found myself outnumbered all of a sudden.
I had no time to escape before Ryder hopped off the couch and grabbed my hand. “I’m not laughing at you,” he snickered.
“You still are,” I pointed out.
He finally composed himself. “Let’s try this again. What made you think I wanted a kid?”
“Because you called me Mommy.” Even saying the word made me feel somewhat awkward.
“I said that in reference to Brutus. I wasn’t even thinkin’ about it when I said it.” He crowded my personal space. “It just fit. Besides, I think he likes you better than me.” He looked down at the puppy and feigned annoyance.
“No, he doesn’t.” The words weren’t even fully out of my mouth before Brutus grabbed hold of the bottom of the sheet and tugged. I hadn’t been expecting it, and before I could gather the material to my body, he ran off with it, leaving me completely naked.
“You’re right. He just might like me better after all.”
Braylen
Sitting on my couch, I became antsy waiting for Kena to come home. Flipping through the channels, I couldn’t settle on any one show. Reality, comedy, drama . . . nothing. Even a Law & Order episode did nothing to hold my attention because my mind was elsewhere.
Looking down at my phone, I saw I didn’t have any new messages. I’d texted my sister earlier and told her I had something I wanted to discuss, and I wanted to do it sooner rather than later. After convincing her that it wasn’t anything terrible, she agreed to stop by the house and talk to me before she met up with Jagger. He had a fight later that evening, but I wasn’t going. Between late nights with Ryder and working crazy hours at the salon, I was utterly exhausted. And being boxed in at an overly crowded, loud and smelly room was the last place I wanted to spend my evening. Thankfully the next day was Sunday and I didn’t have work, so I could rest as much as I needed to.
Finally, at half past six in the evening, Kena strolled through the door, but Jagger and Ryder were hot on her heels.
They showed up outside, she signed. I can kick them out if you want. She smiled, but I knew she was serious. Kena would have no reservations about telling the guys to step back outside until we finished our conversation.
My sister looked tired, much how I felt, although she still had a rosy glow to her. Her dark hair was styled in a loose ponytail, and she was wearing her typical work attire, jeans and a T-shirt. Kena always looked nice, even wearing something so simple. Then again, there was no need for her to get all dressed up, because her job was taking care of the finances at our family’s restaurant. Her office was in the back of the building, so it wasn’t like she socialized a lot, not unless my parents were desperate for her to fill in for the waitstaff due to call offs.
Most of the customers were regulars so they were aware of her challenge, as we liked to refer to it. Disability or handicap didn’t fit, because nothing held my sister back from living a full life. Not since Jagger, anyway.
I was happy she had someone, and although he was a bit questionable in the beginning and hadn’t always earned my approval, he turned out to be a great guy. Loyal, fierce and protective.
Not that my disapproval would change Kena’s mind—she was head over heels for him, and he returned her love tenfold—but having her sister on board just made it easier.
“Why you gonna kick me out?” Jagger teased, pulling his woman in for a kiss as if they were the only ones in the room. “I didn’t do anything wrong.” He gave her two more pecks before releasing her, his eyes following her every movement. Then he finally looked my way and gave me a wink. “Are you kicking me out?”
“Who’s getting kicked out?” Ryder asked, moving to stand next to me.
“No one’s getting kicked out,” I rebuffed, my voice lower than normal. It appeared my energy was draining with each passing second.
“Are you okay? You look tired.” Ryder focused all his attention on me and completely forgot about the possibility of being asked to leave.
“I’m fine.”
“Uh-huh,” he grunted.
Deciding to ignore his grunted response because I had other pressing matters to attend to, I said, “You guys stay here while Kena and I talk.”
They took a seat on the couch and flipped through the channels while they waited.
As soon as we sat on the edge of my bed, side by side, I turned to Kena and blurted, “Ryder wants me to move in with him.” No point in beating around the bush. I waited for her reaction. Worry. Sadness. Confusion. These were some of the examples of emotions I’d expected, but I certainly didn’t anticipate that she’d be smiling. “What’s so funny?”
I thought you were going to tell me you’re pregnant.
“Oh my God! No!” I gaspe
d, yelling louder than I meant to. “Don’t even say that.” I couldn’t even imagine if that was true. Instead of bringing bad karma my way, I redirected the conversation back to my original statement, but it took me several seconds to relax my face from a horrified expression.
“So how do you feel about me moving out?” I braced myself to deal with whatever happened. If she didn’t want me to leave, I wouldn’t.
Well, now that you brought it up, Jagger wants to move in here. We were waiting to tell you until we found the right time, but it looks like you found it for us.
“Oh, well, yeah. It looks like it’ll all work out for the best, then.” Why, after finding out that our situations were perfectly synced up, did I start crying?
Kena hugged me tightly before asking, Why are you upset?
There was no hesitation before I started rambling uncontrollably. “Because we won’t be living together anymore. Because we won’t be able to just hang out in our pajamas, stuff our faces with junk food and watch corny horror movies. Because—” I sniffed. “—I won’t have anywhere to go when Ryder drives me nuts.” We both laughed at my last reason, and although Kena never made a sound, the grin on her beautiful face was huge and her chest shook in amusement.
Then we’ll kick the men out when one of us has an argument and we’ll hang out. Sisters before misters. Kena often found ways to make me feel better, even though that was rightly my job because I was her big sis. Regardless, we hashed out a few minor details, like when the moving was all going to take place, what furniture would be staying and which pieces would be moved. Kena had to make room for Jagger’s things just like Ryder did for mine.
After about a half hour, we joined the men. They were in the same exact position, leaning back on the sofa with their legs spread. The typical way men sit.
As soon as Ryder saw me approach, his expression changed. Apparently, I looked drained. “Wait here,” he instructed, pushing me to sit down. Moments later he had my overnight bag in his hand.
“You stayin’ here?” he asked Jagger.
“Yeah, man.”
“Okay, we’re going home, then.”
Home. What a strange but wonderful thought that Ryder had not only accepted me in his life but that we were going to be living together. Apparently starting right away.
After throwing my bag on the back of his bike, he handed me a helmet. “I don’t think I can ride on that tonight.” I must’ve really been out of it since I’d never even heard him pull up. Normally I’d heard the roar of his engine a mile away.
“Yeah, what was I thinkin’? You look like hell.”
“Gee, thanks,” I said sarcastically. “You sure know how to kick a woman when she’s down.” I didn’t even possess enough energy to be angry at him.
“Sorry, that’s not what I meant at all. I just meant. . . .”
“Go get Jagger’s keys,” I instructed, halfheartedly pointing toward the house.
He jogged off, returning soon after and helping me into Jagger’s truck. A half hour later he was practically carrying me into his house, shooing Brutus out of the way so he didn’t trip over him.
As soon as Ryder undressed me and tucked me into bed, I closed my eyes, but before he could leave the room, I asked him to stay. “Please lie with me.”
A brief silence ensued before he asked, “What if I fall asleep?” At some point we had to try and sleep in the same bed again.
“Please stay.”
The bed dipped beside me as I drifted off to sleep.
Ryder
I had an idea why Marek had called the impromptu meeting, but I wouldn’t be 100 percent sure until he started talking. I glanced around the room and saw every man present looked tense, ready to blow if we had to continue to wait and exact our revenge on the rest of the Reapers.
Two less Reapers in the world, the ones we’d most recently dealt with, helped to ease my mind, a sentiment shared by every single member sitting around our wooden meeting table, but the annihilation of the entire club would feel much better.
“Tell us we’re not gonna wait one second longer,” Hawke barked, leaning forward and staring at Marek. “Because that’ll be bullshit. We need to do something, Prez.”
I’d watched Hawke transform from someone who used to fuck about, not really caring about much else other than the club and his woman, to a man who’d become harder, not so quick with the jokes.
He’d remained faithful to Edana, trying to help her through the aftermath of the attack, but nothing seemed to work. She’d packed up and left to stay with her sister, so all he had now was his laser focus on taking out as many Reapers as he could.
“And we’re gonna.” Marek turned to look at Stone. “We still got a signal on the trackers?”
“Yeah,” our VP answered. “Last I checked they’re all in the same place.”
“Then we move out tonight.”
“Isn’t that kind of a sloppy move?” I asked, hearing my words only after they’d left my mouth. I had essentially told the leader of the Knights Corruption that he wasn’t thinking clearly. Quickly backpedaling, especially seeing the angry look on Marek’s face, I added, “What I meant to say was, don’t you find it odd that all the trackers are still live? After all these weeks? And that they’re all in the same place? Together? Call me crazy but I think we might be walking into a trap.”
A few of the men contemplated what I’d said and some of them nodded. Marek surveyed the room, leaned over and whispered something to Stone. I had the utmost faith that Marek would take my questions into consideration before he made another move. It was why he was so effective in leading the club. He accepted ideas and suggestions, valuing each member’s insight. Maybe he didn’t take kindly to anyone blurting out shit like “Isn’t that kind of a sloppy move,” but he’d allow people to redeem themselves instead of being pissed and writing them off.
“Okay.” He looked directly at me when he said, “We act like it’s a trap.”
“Why now?” Tripp asked. “Not that I’m complaining.”
“Because I had to put a few things into play before we went after them.” Elaborating, he added, “Salzar and the rest of the men are gonna watch over the women and children for a few days. They just got back and are ready to go.”
Salzar was the head of our Laredo chapter. He was a good man, and I had no doubt he’d take good care of our families while we were gone.
Marek reclined in his seat, already knowing our ol’ ladies were gonna give us a hard time. For as difficult as Braylen was gonna be, at least she’d have her sister with her. I could only imagine the fight Adelaide was gonna give Stone. Not only would she not want to stay with a bunch of strangers, but she wouldn’t want their daughter around them either. I knew Stone didn’t want to do it just as much as I didn’t, but we had no other choice. If it was indeed a trap, the Reapers would have a game plan in place to come after everyone close to us.
No, we couldn’t risk it.
Question was, how the hell did I break the news to Braylen?
“I’m not going,” she huffed, crossing her arms over her chest and givin’ me her most defiant stance. Normally, I’d challenge her until she gave in, but I knew damn well this scenario was entirely different. I was askin’ her to go somewhere I didn’t completely want to send her. Not because I didn’t trust my brothers in Laredo, but because they had a few new members I didn’t know, and shoving Braylen under their noses for God knew how long was certainly gonna fuck with me.
“You have to.”
“I don’t have to do anything I don’t want to. That’s the beauty of it.”
I moved toward her but she backed away, sure to keep her voice low so no one could hear us. I’d surprised her at her job, knowing if I tried to break the news to her at home, she’d rain holy hell on me. I was dealin’ with enough; I didn’t need to add anything else to my list.
“Bray,” I warned, “don’t argue with me about this. You have to go.”
“Why? Why can’t I just
stay home? We have a top-of-the-line security system. Besides, Brutus will be with me.”
“Really?” I had to laugh at that one. “Brutus is no guard dog, sweetheart. Besides, he’s still a puppy. What is he gonna do? Maul someone’s ankles? Nice try, though.” Speaking of which, I had to find someone to take the little guy while everyone was away. Maybe Braylen’s parents could watch him for us. They’d fallen for him almost as fast as I had, so I knew he’d be in good hands.
“Then Kena and I will stay with our parents.”
I didn’t want to get into too much detail, informing her that her parents would also be in danger if she went that route.
“No.”
“Yes,” she argued.
I couldn’t help it. My voice rose. “I said no!” Her eyes widened before she tried to shove past me, but I caught her by the arm. “Uh-uh, you’re not goin’ anywhere but out the door with me. So don’t make a scene. Or do, I don’t care.” I dragged her out of the breakroom and past the front desk, her friend slash boss staring at us as I approached the door. “Braylen needs the next week off,” I shouted over my shoulder right before I hauled her outside.
“I can’t believe you just did that. You had no right.” She stood next to my bike, staring at me, stunned I’d done what I had.
Wanting to shield her from the actual reason I needed her to comply, I shook my head and closed my eyes for a brief moment. Taking a few deep breaths, I opened my eyes, reached for her and pulled her to me.
“Look.” She parted her lips to interrupt me so I slapped my hand over her mouth to keep her quiet. God, this woman. “You’re in danger. We all are. We have to take care of something, and when it’s all over with, I’ll bring you home. Safe and sound. But until then, be quiet and do as I say. Got it?” I didn’t want to come off as mean and uncaring, but I was trying to shield her from our enemy. Trying to keep her safe. But all she wanted to do was give me a hard time.
Only able to see her nose and up because my hand was covering half of her face, she shot me a death glare, but I ignored her. Finally, after a solid minute, when I thought she had calmed down some, I removed my hand. She instantly started mumbling. Something about me being an asshole, and I’d pay for this shit and a few other things I couldn’t understand.
