by Faith Gibson
“It’s not your fault. He lost his mind somewhere along the way, claiming it was all to protect me.”
“I can’t fault him for wanting you safe, but what he did for the Ministry had to be about more than that. He embezzled money, and he armed them with weapons. That isn’t something a GIA agent would do. Not without ulterior motives. If he had been undercover, it would be one thing, but once your mom passed away, I think he probably used Haven as an excuse to hide you while he worked with them for his own gain.” Ryker took Rhi’s hand in his and kissed her knuckles. He wanted to shield her from the pain her father had caused. Ryker didn’t admit he thought David was using Rhi to make the Ministry money. Her father was going to jail, and she’d been through enough heartache for one lifetime. “You are an amazing woman, and I am proud of you. However, I think it’s best if we don’t broadcast what you’re capable of. It’s bad enough Josiah is aware of a portion of it.”
“He’s not the only one. When I was at Xavier’s, I had a dream. I’m pretty sure it was my mind’s way of making me remember something from my past. After the incident with the rabbit, I overheard my parents arguing. David said he saw me heal the rabbit and that my grandmother knew too. Grandmother fought with my mom, and after Momma ran out of the room, Grandmother said something about someone named Abraham getting impatient. I still don’t know what that means.”
“That means you’re still on the Ministry’s radar. Now that David is in custody, I’m not as worried. He was the one able to track you down.”
“But they still know where you live.” Rhi twisted her hands in her lap. “I’ve already brought enough trouble to you and your family.”
“You are my family. Both Mac and Kerrigan were targeted by Josiah and his brother. We’re not going to stop until every single leader of the Ministry is brought down for what they’ve done to you, Mac, and Kerrigan. Now, let’s go get Mac and Eli so we can go home.”
“Home?” Rhi whispered.
“Yes. Your home is with me. Are you okay with that?”
Rhi nodded, and Ryker wiped her tears with his thumbs before placing a kiss to her lips. Instead of going straight to New Troy, the three of them headed to Stefan’s home to pick up Mac and Eli. Ryker sat in the back seat with Rhi while Sultan drove. He was ready to get Rhi home, but he wasn’t so selfish as to rush out of Stefan’s without staying to eat the meal Claudia had cooked. It had been a long, trying day for his mate, and he would do anything to help her feel better. Claudia and Elizabeth did that. Neither one looked much older than Rhi, but their maternal sides were ever present. Rhi lapped up the affection. He needed to make sure Rhi got to spend time with Rory once they were back home.
Before hitting the road, Ryker asked Mac to follow him outside. He had been watching her and Eli interact. There had been tension between the two before he left, but they seemed to have worked through their issues. Eli was attentive, smiling at every move Mac made, every word she spoke. There was a lightness in his daughter that hadn’t been there before. Ryker had worried how Eli would treat Mac knowing she had been raped, but the love Eli had for Mac shone through his eyes and the gentle way he stroked her scarred cheek.
“What’s up?” Mac asked as soon as they were outside.
“Just making sure everything is okay with you and Eli. Before I left, he seemed, I don’t know, hesitant.”
“He was, but after I explained everything that happened, he understood I didn’t have a chance to talk to him before Josiah took him away.”
“And he’s okay with… everything that happened?” Mac bit her bottom lip and turned away. “McKenzie, look at me.” When she did, he placed his hand on the back of her neck. “I’m here for you, honey. Whatever you need. I won’t pressure you, but I think you would do well seeing a therapist. You’ve been through a fuck-ton of trauma. All three of you have.”
“Maybe we can get a family discount,” Mac joked.
Ryker huffed out a laugh. “Maybe. So you think Eli’s going to be okay with everything?”
“Yes. We’ve talked. A lot. I know it won’t always be easy, because we both have things to work through, but I figured we could work through them together. All of us.”
Ryker leaned forward and kissed his daughter on the forehead. “You can include me in that scenario. I promise I’ll help anyway I can.”
“Thanks, Dad.” Mac hugged Ryker with a strength born of Gryphons, even if she didn’t get that particular gene.
As soon as they finished eating, Ryker approached Stefan and Xavier. “I can’t thank you both enough for all your help.”
“No thanks needed. We might not be related by blood, but we are family.” Xavier stretched out his hand, and Ryker shook it, then did the same with Stefan, thanking him anyway for his hospitality.
Rev and Bethany had remained at Stefan’s just in case they were needed, so Sultan hitched a ride home with them. Ryker and Rhi rode up front while Mac and Eli sat close together in the back seat. When Eli asked what was going to happen to him, Ryker was honest.
“You’re coming to stay with us, if that’s what you and Mac want.”
Ryker watched in the rearview mirror as the two kids exchanged a silent conversation. It was Mac who answered.
“It is. We have three bedrooms, so there’s plenty of room.” Mac rested her head on Eli’s shoulder. Ryker appreciated his daughter suggesting Eli sleep in his own room, but they were adults. Adults who were in love.
“Yes, there is. With Rhi in our room and you and Eli sharing, that will leave a spare for when the twins come to visit.” Ryker caught Mac’s eye in the mirror and winked. His daughter blushed, but the smile she gave him was worth everything. “We’ll give you time to get settled, and whenever you’re ready, we’ll see about getting your GEDs. Lucy can help with any documentation and identifications you’ll need. The way I see it, the future is wide open for the three of you. If the two of you are still interested in working with animals, I’ll see to it you have the education to make your dreams happen. If you’ve changed your minds, I’ll help any way I can. For now, though, we need to get Eli some clothes.”
“I don’t have any money,” Eli reminded Ryker.
“Don’t worry about that. We have a special account set up for anyone we rescue from the Ministry. This is what our family does. Don’t think of it as charity. Think of it as help getting you started on your new life.” Ryker never liked shopping, always leaving it to his mom, but he wasn’t taking Elijah home emptyhanded. They stopped at the mall, and after a couple arguments, Ryker convinced Eli to get what he wanted, not the cheapest options on clearance. While he waited on Eli to make his choices, Ryker called Spyder, letting the male know it was safe to come out of hiding. The Hound had sounded way too happy about that, but Ryker didn’t ask what happened with the waitress. It was none of his business.
Three hours later, Ryker pulled the SUV into the driveway at his house. Their house. He had gone from living alone to now having three others in his space, and he couldn’t be happier. Ryker carried the females’ luggage inside while Eli grabbed his shopping bags. Elijah stopped just inside the front door, taking it all in. The young man’s eyes were wet, and Ryker gripped him gently on the shoulder. “Welcome home, Son.” Ryker ignored the tears, not wanting to embarrass Eli. “Mac, why don’t you and Eli put his clothes in the washer, then you can show him around. Rhi and I are going to unpack her things and rest a while.” Ryker didn’t wait for anyone to disagree with his plan. He turned to Rhi and took her hand, leading her toward the stairs.
When they were alone in their bedroom, he closed the door. “Why don’t you put your toiletries in the bathroom while I put your clothes away?” The tall chest was full of Ryker’s underwear and T-shirts, but the dresser was practically empty. He sorted Rhi’s things, and they both finished at the same time.
“You can rearrange things once we get you more clothes. I would have bought you more new ones today, but I wanted the focus to be on Eli.”
“You don’
t have to buy me stuff.” Rhi stood with her arms hugging her body, so Ryker took the few steps to close the distance between them. Pulling her snug against his chest, he wrapped his arms around her.
“I’m going to spoil you, so you might as well not argue.”
“But what can I do for you? I have nothing to give in return.”
“Oh, but you do. You already shared your gift with me when you healed me. I want more of that. More of you. Just love me, Rhiannon. Just love me and let me love you in return. I want your happiness. That’s all I need from you.”
“That I can do.” Rhi tilted her head back, offering her mouth, and Ryker took it. No more words were needed. Rhi tugged Ryker’s tee from his jeans and slipped her hands between the material and his skin. His Gryphon and he were on the same page. They wanted to mark Rhi. Mark her as theirs. Between kisses, they took turns removing the other’s clothes until they were both naked. Rhi rubbed her hands over his chest, trailing her fingers over the ink on his right pec before placing an openmouthed kiss on the ink.
His cock was hard and throbbing. When Rhi encircled his erection with her smaller hand, he almost came at the first touch. He wanted to bury himself balls-deep in his mate, but he wanted her to be comfortable touching him too, so he let her explore. Mac’s voice just outside the door had Rhi jumping back. With the four of them living together, there would be times when things got loud and possibly awkward, but Ryker never wanted Rhi to shy away from sex, even if someone else was in the house.
“Don’t worry about them, Angel. I have a feeling they’ll be too busy getting reacquainted to care what we’re doing.”
“Does that bother you? That they’re, you know.”
“No. They’re adults who love each other. Having sex is a natural part of their relationship. Just like it will be ours. But if them being this close to us bothers you, I’ll build us a house with bedrooms on opposite ends.”
“You’d do that?”
“I’d do anything to make you happy.”
Rhi bit her lip, and it was killing Ryker. He wanted her more than he’d wanted anything in a long time, but he wouldn’t take her if it meant she was uncomfortable. After a few seconds, Rhi took his cock in her hand again, and Ryker both sighed in relief and burned with need.
“I want you, but I don’t know what to do,” Rhi admitted.
“Do you want to get me off with your hand or your body?”
“Yes.” She grinned at him, and Ryker’s heart skipped a beat.
“Why not both then? You make me come with your hand to take the edge off, then we can make love.”
Rhi nodded. “Show me.”
Ryker did just that. He fisted his hand around hers, showing her how he liked to be stroked with a firm grip. His mate caught on quickly. She even twisted her fist over the tip, using his precum to help with the glide. Rhi’s eyes were focused on what her hand was doing, but when Ryker reached out and teased her nipples, twisting each one until they were hard peaks, Rhi gasped and looked up. Her pretty, blue eyes darkened with lust and need. He already knew how she tasted, but now he wanted to know how she felt when he was buried inside her pussy. When her strokes halted, he placed his hand back over hers and urged her to continue. It didn’t take long for his orgasm to hit. Ryker leaned his head back and closed his eyes, doing his best not to shout the house down. His release spilled over her hand. Before he could pick his T-shirt off the floor to clean his jizz off, she lifted her fingers to her mouth and took a tentative lick. Ryker almost came again right then and there.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Rhiannon
Ryker lifted Rhi’s hand, cleaned it off with his T-shirt, then tossed the shirt to the floor. Rhi was ready for more. She had wondered what sex would be like, but before Ryker, she had dreaded it. Mostly because she had been worried it would be with someone like James. It was the main reason she’d been determined to escape Haven. Having to live somewhere she wasn’t accepted was one thing, but to be given to a man she didn’t like? That had been the worst scenario she could imagine. Rhi remembered the way his parents had stolen kisses, not caring who was watching. Now, she could have that with Ryker. That and so much more. Josiah had preached about sex being wrong unless it was between a married couple. She disagreed.
Still, Rhi was nervous and excited at the same time. She had no idea where her boldness was coming from, but she wanted to give Ryker the only thing she had to give besides her love. He already had that. How could she not love the male who had rescued her from her previous life? He could have left her in that dumpster. Could have walked away at any time after taking her to the hotel and his parents showing up. Could have gotten mad at her for bringing trouble to his home and family. But he hadn’t. Ryker had done everything in his power to keep her safe. He had given her a home – a real home – and a large family she hadn’t yet met most of. She wanted to give him something in return. Rhi remembered him hinting at the way he liked sex. When he promised to be gentle, she figured that meant he preferred it rough.
“Don’t hold back. I want to see the real you. I want to give you what you need, how you need it.”
Ryker shook his head. “I won’t hurt you.”
“I know you won’t. Even if you’re rough, you won’t hurt me. I trust you, but I want you to trust me.”
That must have been what he needed to hear. Ryker picked Rhi up and placed her in the middle of the bed, lying down on top of her. He propped himself on his forearms and bent his head to kiss her. What started off as gentle exploration quickly turned heated. Rhi’s body ached with need. She ran her nails down his back, and his muscles rippled beneath her fingertips.
Ryker pulled away and stretched to open the nightstand drawer. After rummaging around he sat up. “I don’t have any condoms. There’s no chance you’re on birth control is there?”
Rhi shook her head. “No reason to be before now.”
“Fuck.” Ryker scrubbed his face with both hands. “How do you feel about babies?”
“I love them, but I understand if you don’t want them.” Ryker was older with a grown daughter. Rhi had always dreamed of being a mother herself, but she would give up that dream to be with this amazing male.
“Honestly, I thought that ship had sailed, but I would love to have a child with you. Granted, I’d like to have more time for just the two of us before we start a family… Fuck it. If it happens, then so be it. Are you okay with that? If not, we’ll wait until we can get protection.”
“I’m more than okay with it. I don’t want to wait.” Rhi reached out and stroked him, bringing his erection back to life. “I want everything with you.”
Ryker moved between her legs, his now-hard cock nestled against her core. He rocked his hips back and forth, letting the tip tease her hole. Her body thrummed in anticipation, her nipples aching to be touched. Rhi, still feeling bold, teased her stomach with her fingers, inching them up toward her breasts. Ryker’s eyes tracked their movement, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallowed hard. He likes that. Keeping her gaze on Ryker’s face, Rhi remembered how he had twisted the nubs, so she did it to herself. Fire spread from her chest, down her stomach, to where she was still empty.
“You gonna watch? Or are you gonna take me?”
Ryker’s eyes snapped to hers, and he grinned. “When did you get so bold?”
“When you decided to tease me and not give me what we both want.”
The smirk fell from Ryker’s face as he thrust into her, not stopping until he was fully seated. Rhi cried out, forgetting about the barrier.
“Shit, Angel. I’m so sorry.” Ryker started to pull away, but she grabbed his arms.
“No. I’m fine. Please, make it feel better.”
Ryker closed his eyes for a couple seconds, but when he opened them, there was something else behind them. Something akin to what she felt for him. It was too soon to be in love, wasn’t it? Ryker pushed back in, and the pain was soon replaced with a pleasure Rhi had never known. It was more than sex
; it was two bodies connected, making them into one being.
“Okay?” he asked.
“More than. It’s perfect.” Rhi hadn’t tried using her energy from the inside since the first time she figured out she couldn’t heal herself, but now she was stronger. Digging deep, Rhi imagined pushing her essence into Ryker through their connection.
“Holy shit. Are you…?”
“Did you feel it?”
“It’s unbelievable. You’re unbelievable.” Ryker lowered his head and took her mouth with his, tangling their tongues. Rhi wrapped her legs around his hips, digging her heels into the globes of his butt. “Harder,” she urged. Sliding her arms under his, Rhi gripped his shoulder blades. The power in Ryker’s body was impressive. She couldn’t wait until she could get a good look at all of him. She wanted to explore every inch of the male with her hands and her mouth.
Ryker changed the angle of his thrusts, hitting her clit just right. She knew her body. Knew the signs of her impending release, but she wasn’t ready. “No, no, no,” she chanted, and he stopped moving.
“What’s wrong?”
“I’m too close. I don’t want this to be over already.”
Ryker smiled and began moving again. “Don’t worry. We’ll have all night to do it again. And again.” He held back, though. Rhi encouraged Ryker to take her hard like she knew he wanted, but he didn’t. He was gentle. Too gentle, and it drove her crazy. He took her to the edge over and over.
“Ryker, please.”
“Shh, Angel. Let me make love to you.”
Rhi nodded, reaching up to run her fingers through his beard. Who was she to argue if he wanted to make love? Using her feet, she pulled him tighter, urging him to go faster, but he didn’t. Ryker grabbed her legs under her knees, raising her butt off the bed, changing the angle in which he thrust into her. The cords in his neck tightened, and his face was bathed in concentration. Too soon, Rhi was coming. She gripped his biceps and pressed her head against the pillow as her walls clamped down around his cock, gasping through the pleasure.
