Stryder (The Black Stallion Trilogy Book 2)

by Maggie Ryan

  By the time she and Jennie helped Adira up the stairs, the pair of them giggling like loons as they tucked the beautiful woman into bed, the sun had long gone down. Zoya had not only experienced her first marijuana, and enjoyed it, she had learned that, unlike Adira, it didn’t make her instantly high but it did make her famished. Between them, they’d finished off an entire container of hummus, eaten with carrots, celery, and strips of bell peppers, the rest of the soup Jennie had in the refrigerator, a huge dish of berries, and several slices of bread slathered with honey.

  They’d decided to move into the house when uninvited mosquitoes had decided to crash their party. As they entered the study, Zoya saw the bottles behind the bar.

  “You know, vodka is made from potatoes.”

  “So it is,” Jennie said with a grin as she flipped a switch and music began to fill the room. “Be my guest.” Fiddling with the dial, Jennie found a station, clapping her hands. “I love this song!”

  “You love eve… er… all songs,” Adira said, with yet another bout of giggles.

  Zoya had finished her first shot when suddenly Adira hoisted herself out of the huge recliner she’d dropped into only to begin weaving about the room. Zoya tilted her head to the side.

  “I think she’s drunk,” Zoya said. “I can’t understand a single word she’s saying.”

  “Oh, she’s not talking, she’s singing the song of the bees,” Jennie said, wrapping her arm around Adira’s waist, her hum joining in the tune, the two moving about the room as she began yet another story.

  Zoya had been a bit skeptical of how Jennie had introduced Adira to dancing with the bees, but she’d listened with rapt attention and hoped that one day soon she could join them.

  She’d been shocked to learn that Jennie had really been shot, and not the least bit surprised to learn how Drake and the others had defended her.

  With Adira snoring softly, she and Jennie left her room, their arms wrapped around each other’s waist as they walked through the darkened house towards Zoya’s bedroom.

  “Thank you, Jennie,” Zoya said softly, turning to give the woman a full hug. “I can’t even begin to tell you what you… what both of you mean to me.”

  Jennie hugged her back. “I’m glad because you mean the world to us.” They walked into the room and as Jennie pulled back the covers of the bed, Zoya pulled the sundress over her head, dropping it on the floor. When Jennie told her to lift her arms, she did so without thought as the older woman guided her head through the gown’s opening. Within minutes, Zoya was between the sheets and Jennie was tucking her in.

  “Jennie?” Zoya asked quietly. “Do you really think Stryder will forgive me?”

  She felt the warmth of Jennie’s palm as she placed it against her cheek. “He already has. I said you mean the world to us but, child, you are the world to Stryder.”

  Zoya felt her eyes flood with tears but they weren’t from sadness, they were from the sense of utter acceptance and peace she’d found with these incredible people. Jennie bent and kissed her cheek before leaving and Zoya turned over, drawing the pillow where Stryder had last rested his head to her. Pressing her face into it, she inhaled his scent. “You’re my world, too. Come back to me… come home.”

  Zoya slept late the next day, waking with a soft groan and an aching head. Not bothering to change, she walked into the kitchen only to clutch her head and moan. “Oh, God, please, turn it down.”

  Jennie lowered the volume of the radio, her curls bouncing as she shook her head. “And here I thought the younger generation had stamina.”

  “Depends on the activity,” Adira said as she joined them, wearing nothing more than her husband’s t-shirt she’d allowed them to put her into the night before. “Please tell me there’s coffee.”

  “There is,” Jennie said. “Sit down and I’ll bring it to you.” Adira sat, rubbing her temples until Jennie placed a steaming mug of coffee in front of her. “Zoya? Tea, or would you prefer a bit of hair of the dog? Tequila is a gift of the agave plant and…”

  Zoya felt her stomach lurch and groaned. “God, I don’t think I’ll ever drink again. Actually, I’d like coffee, please.”

  “Well, well, we’re gonna turn you girls into Texans yet,” Jennie said with a laugh. Both women drank their coffee in silence, nibbling on toast that Jennie insisted they eat. When Zoya’s head began to sag to her chest, Jennie said, “Go back to bed, the both of you.”

  “No, I want to be here when Stryder gets home.”

  “That won’t be until tomorrow at the earliest,” Jennie said. “You’ve got plenty of time to pull yourself together. Now, shoo.”

  Adira stood and held out her hand. “You heard her, let’s go sleep it off. I don’t know about you but if Maddox finds me like this, my ass is grass and I’ll be sleeping on my tummy, a position I’m not particularly fond of.”

  Zoya took her hand and the two left the kitchen. Adira steered them towards Zoya’s room, saying, “She didn’t say we had to go to our own rooms. How about a slumber party?”

  “I’d like that,” Zoya said.

  The next morning found both women recovered and Zoya antsy. After breakfast, the three had spent a couple of hours in the garden, Zoya weeding properly this time. Adira and Zoya helped wash and chop the vegetables they’d gathered as Jennie was planning on making a big pot of soup. Again, it was the older woman who gave Zoya direction.

  “You’re wound as tight as a spring. Why don’t you go for a run?”

  “I can’t,” Zoya said. “I promised Stryder I’d not run alone. And, to quote Adira, if he found out, it would be my ass that was grass.”

  “I’ll call Kurt at the stables. I’m sure he can round up someone to go with you,” Jennie suggested.

  Adira waved her off. “No need, I’ll go.”

  Zoya turned to her in surprise. “I thought you hated running.”

  “Well, hate is a strong word. It’s not my favorite activity but sisters are supposed to be supportive of each other.”

  Her words touched Zoya deeply. “I’ll make you a deal. You can run with me if you promise to show me how not to be afraid of horses.”

  “That’s great! We can ride together later…”

  “God no! I mean, not right now. I just want to get over this fear and then… maybe I can ride with Stryder, oh, and you, of course.”

  “Of course,” Adira said with a grin before adding, “you’ve got a deal. I’ll meet you back here in five.”

  The women ran along the road, ponytails bouncing, arms pumping and sneakers pounding. Zoya kept her pace slower than normal and yet didn’t mind. She was running and with every step, she felt her anxiety lessen. She figured they’d covered a little more than a mile when she became aware of the fact that Adira was doing a great deal of huffing rather than breathing. Gradually slowing down, she then stopped but kept jogging in place. “How about a break?”

  “Thank God,” Adira panted, bending over, her hands on her knees, gulping in huge swallows of oxygen. When she could speak without gasping, she straightened. “You love this?”

  “Yes, I do,” Zoya said with a laugh. “It calms me down and lets me think clearly.” Adira’s face showed her disbelief. Zoya held out her hand, “Come on, we can walk a bit. If you can make it to the lake, I’ll tell you a story.”

  “So, you don’t think it’s weird that even though Stryder spanked me when I ran off that day, all I wanted to do was jump his bones?” Zoya asked as they sat on the bank, tossing pebbles into the water as she shared her story.

  Adira smiled and shook her head. “Not at all. The first moment Maddox swatted me, I was shocked, pissed off and turned on. So, even if it is a little weird, who cares? I’m not about to give it up.”

  “Not even if he spanks you really hard?”

  “No if about it. He has, and I can unequivocally state that only makes me love him more.”

  Zoya thought about the statement, having no doubt that Adira was sincere. Finally, she smiled and nodd
ed. “Good to know, as I have a feeling that I’m gonna be answering that question for myself very soon.”

  “You do know that it is really the submissive who has the power, right? I promise if you tell Stryder that you can’t accept spanking as discipline, he’ll find something else…”

  “Over my dead body,” Zoya said. “If I’m going to be punished, I not only want to actually feel punished, I want to feel guilt free.”

  Adira reached over and gave her a hug. “We may not be blood sisters, but we are definitely made from the same cloth.” She looked up towards the sky and smiled. “It’s getting late. How about we head back and pretty ourselves up so that any hand to butt action will be the yummy kind?”

  Zoya giggled and stood, the two running side by side through the woods and back to the road. It wasn’t until they crested the last rise before reaching the house that she saw a truck driving towards them in the distance.

  “They’re home!”

  “Go,” Adira said.

  Zoya didn’t even hesitate, her feet flying as she ran full out. When the truck slowed and then stopped and Stryder stepped out of the back seat, she could feel her heart leaping into her throat. When he opened his arms, she could feel the tears streaming down her face, and when she reached him and he caught her, lifting her off her feet and crushing her to his chest, she knew she loved him with her entire soul.

  Chapter 19

  “You can put me down, now,” Zoya said. “I didn’t have time to shower and pretty myself up.”

  Stryder grinned and only hitched her higher, her legs having gone around his waist as he’d caught her in mid lunge. “You’ve never looked more beautiful and don’t tell me that all it took was a couple of days of Jennie’s influence to have you believe you are calling the shots.”

  “Of course not,” Zoya said. “Jennie thinks all you men walk on water.”

  “Does she now?” he asked as he quirked his eyebrow, adoring the look in her eyes as it arched higher. “And what does Adira think?”

  “Um…”

  “That’s what I thought,” Stryder said. “Well, young lady, let me remind you that if I want to hold you for every moment for the rest of my life, that is exactly what I’m going to do.” He adored the flash of pure pleasure on her face at his words. “Think of the water we’ll save since we’ll have to share the shower. Earth mother Jennie will be extremely pleased, don’t you think?”

  Her giggle was the most delightful sound in the world and the flush on her cheeks, the sparkle in her eyes, an incredible sight. Of course, the feel of her exquisite body pressed against his, her perfectly shaped ass resting on his forearms was simply the absolute best of all. He’d been hoping that Zoya would be willing to talk to him upon his return, but this… this homecoming was much more than anything he’d dared imagine.

  He carried her down the road, not even aware of her weight but very aware of her breath against his neck, her cheek pressed against his shoulder, and her fingers playing with his hair. As he climbed the steps of the porch, she pulled back just enough to look into his eyes.

  “I’m sorry,” she said.

  Stryder couldn’t deny that for the briefest moment, he considered just accepting her apology and letting the rest of it go. But he’d had nothing else to do on the long flight home but think. He’d never openly admit it, but Anson was right. If he truly loved Zoya, if he was ever to feel free with anyone, he would have to tell her about his past.

  “I’m home and we’re going to have that talk,” he said.

  “I know and this time, I promise I’ll listen.”

  He bent forward and gave her another kiss. “That’s all I can ask.” Once inside, he grinned when she squirmed a bit as he walked towards the kitchen.

  “I’m serious, I need to clean up before I see your father—”

  “I was serious as well. I’ll put you down when I’m ready,” he said, cutting her off. “The family always has a debriefing in the kitchen after a return from a mission. It keeps the same questions and answers from being repeated.”

  “But I’m stinky,” she whispered, the color rising on her cheeks.

  He chuckled and gave an exaggerated inhale. “Nope, you smell like sunshine, but we are still most definitely going to be sharing a shower.”

  “Yes, Sir. Whatever you say, Sir.” The fact that her long dark eyelashes were rapidly batting over gorgeous azure eyes caused him to chuckle.

  “Hmmm, perhaps Adira isn’t such a bad influence after all,” he teased, kissing the tip of her nose as he stepped across the threshold into the kitchen.

  He did set Zoya down in order to give Jennie a proper greeting. “Thanks,” he said softly.

  Jennie just smiled and patted his cheek. He bent and gave Adira a kiss on her cheek as she sat on Maddox’s lap. Scooping Zoya back into his arms, he took her place on the chair and settled her on his lap. “Where are Pops and Anson?” he asked.

  “In the ops center. Something about checking to see if the info they are expecting has come in yet,” Maddox explained. “They’ll be here in a minute.”

  Jennie brought a tray holding cups of coffee to the table.

  “Here, I’ll get you some tea,” Stryder offered.

  “No need,” Zoya said, reaching for one of the mugs. “I’ve discovered that I love coffee. Adira still likes tea in the afternoons but we both drink coffee in the mornings.”

  “Since when have you enjoyed jogging and coffee?” Maddox asked, the news obviously a surprise to him.

  “Geez, can’t a girl exercise without being grilled?” Adira said, reaching for a cup as well.

  Stryder and Maddox exchanged a look and then glanced at all three women. Jennie just grinned while the other two were concentrating far too hard on adding just the right amount of almond milk to their cups. When Maddox just grunted, Stryder knew the real answer to Maddox’s question would be asked of Adira and Zoya separately and their answers compared. Stryder had no doubt that it would be but the first of many times these two would find themselves praying their answers matched. The possibilities had him grinning.

  Anson entered the room and took a seat, followed by Drake. Once everyone had their coffee, Drake began the debriefing, leaving out some details that didn’t really need to be shared. Stryder kept his eyes on Zoya as she learned that the man who had kidnapped and then sold her was no longer a threat. He wasn’t surprised to see the relief on her face but when she reached out to Adira, taking the hand she’d extended and whispered, “An eye for an eye, as it should be,” he knew that Adira had shared specifics about her story and that these women had bonded far more than he’d realized.

  “Thank you, all of you,” Adira said. “And Jidd, he is well?”

  “Yes, your grandfather is very well and sends his love,” Drake said. “He will be speaking to you soon.” He looked around the table. “Poplov is where he belongs but we aren’t yet done. News of his death is racing around the world and people will begin to make mistakes as they attempt to gobble up shares of his operations. We’ve already begun to take advantage of those mistakes and could be called upon to leave at a moment’s notice. Anson and I will let you know if and when you are needed. Until then, go do what people do who have spent time apart.”

  Chairs scraped back but no one rose when the family patriarch lifted a finger. “Oh, one more thing.” He stood and walked into the large pantry off the kitchen, returning with one of the canvas tote bags that Jennie used when shopping. He walked to the end of the table, where Jennie was seated, and pulled something from its depths. Stryder’s eyes widened as first one, then another, and finally, a third empty wine bottle was set on the table. He shot a glance at Zoya, whose eyes were practically bugging out of her head, Adira, who was looking a bit green about the gills and finally Jennie, who just smiled, her entire being exuding innocence.

  “Exactly what part of ‘behave yourselves’ didn’t you understand?” Drake asked in a tone that Stryder and his brothers knew meant business.


  When Zoya began to speak, she only managed to get out “I’m so—” before Jennie interrupted.

  “I don’t tell you how to run your missions, Drake Steele, so don’t tell me how to run mine. A glass or two of wine is not going to hurt anyone when enjoyed in moderation…”

  “A glass or two?” Drake said, his hand sweeping over the bottles lined up like little soldiers before him. Shaking his head, his hand dipped into the bag again, adding another bottle that Stryder instantly recognized and though not empty, the level was definitely lower than it had been the last time he’d poured a shot.

  “And whose bright idea was it to mix hard alcohol with copious amounts of wine?” Drake asked, setting the bottle onto the table.

  “I know what you are thinking,” Jennie said, shaking her head. “Vodka is distilled from potatoes which, of course, are carbohydrates—”

  “That is definitely not what I’m thinking,” Drake cut in but Jennie barely paused.

  “It is perfectly reasonable for me to want to make our newest member feel welcome by joining her in a few toasts to her homeland. After all, Zoya has been nothing but polite in eating, without a word of complaint, mind you, every dish I’ve set before her. I can’t say the same about the rest of you.”

  Stryder couldn’t help but cut his eyes to his brothers, seeing them both flash a quick grin. It wasn’t often they were witnesses to conversations in which they were mentioned without worry that they’d need to explain their actions. He thought that even his father would have a tough time countering that logic. When Drake reached into the bag yet again, Stryder knew he never should have counted Pops out.

  He set the silly troll down in front of the bottles and Stryder had the fleeting thought that the chubby little guy looked rather pleased to have been invited to yet another party.

  “I distinctly remember the words ‘role model’ being spoken. Go ahead, I can’t wait to hear your excuse for this one,” Drake said.