“You too. That was some fucked up shit.” Lucifer downed the glass of whiskey and handed it to me for a refill.
“Now, tell me what happened. How did you get away? Why you smiling? You’re freaking me out a little bit,” I said. I couldn’t remember the last time I saw a smile plastered across Lucifer’s face. He took the seat next to me, and put his hand on my shoulder. For a second I thought he was about to tell me that everything was going to be okay.
It won’t be when you tell him who you invited Anna over for a chat. I swallowed hard as I waited for him to speak.
“They arrested the last remaining Hell Riders member, but not before I told him that if he so much as breathed a word about the Black Souls, I would hunt him down myself,” he said.
“How did you get out of there before cops raided the place?”
“Thankfully they came in from the opposite side and I managed to get away before they got too close.”
“Do you think that this is going to change anything? I mean, they have so many other bikers going on record saying that I was the one responsible for all that shit. How are they just going to chuck that out now?” I asked.
“Why don’t we ask your detective friend?” he suggested.
“About that, Lucifer I—”
I was interrupted by the knocking on the front door. I held my breath, and headed over to open it, I glanced back at Lucifer and he raised both of his eyebrows in shock. I waited for him to explode, to start yelling at the top of his lungs, and tell me I’d made a ridiculous decision by allowing her to come here. But he surprised me.
“Anna, what a nice surprise. Come in, I don’t think we’ve had the chance to officially meet. I’m Lucifer.”
Oh, this is going to be fun.
12
Anna
The place was cleaner than I expected, and it didn’t take me nearly as long to find as Ryker suggested. Seeing Ryker again calmed my nerves. I hadn’t been able to stop thinking about him since we slept together. My heart nearly exploded with joy when he said he cared about me. It had been a long time since I cared about a man and it was nice hearing him say he cared and worried about me.
I turned to Lucifer, surprised by his warm greeting. “It’s nice to meet you, Lucifer. I don’t know if Ryker told you that I was stopping by, but I really didn’t want to discuss anything with him over the phone.”
“I take it that you must’ve heard about what happened at the parking garage downtown.” Ryker chimed in.
“I did, and I had a feeling that you were involved in that. Please, tell me that you didn’t leave anything behind that would point to you?” I asked.
He looked at me, before turning to glance back at Lucifer. That’s when I notice all the cuts and bruises on them both. I sighed.
“What is it?” Ryker asked, sensing my unease.
“With the way you two look, you took quite the beating. We’re going to have to find a way to get your case thrown out and fast. Harold is hell bent on making sure you go away for this, but I feel like he has a bigger plan at play here,” I explained.
“What do you mean?” Lucifer asked.
“I asked him why all of the other bikers were let go. The Hell Riders are not part of the investigation. Harold insisted they weren’t even the ones staying in that house in the first place. All he told me was that I had to focus on you guys. He’s been gunning for you for a long time, and I’m starting to think that maybe it has something to do with why the Hell Riders threatened Lucifer that night when you saved me, Ryker.”
Ryker ran his hands down his face. “You think the chief is playing dirty?”
My shoulders dagged. “I think so, and I may very well lose my job over this.”
Ryker reached for my arm and wrapped his hand around my wrist. “Why would you lose your job?”
“I’m the one that’s helping you. I’m the only chance you’ve got, Ryker. We need to gather evidence on Harold, and convince the higher-ups that he has a vendetta against you all that’s influencing his actions. This is going to trial, and I plan on fighting Harold every step of the way,” I said, anxious at the thought of how that conversation was going to go down.
“If what you’re saying is true, and the chief is somehow involved in all of this, wouldn’t that mean he would do everything in his power to stop you from helping me?” Ryker asked.
I could see the look of concern on his face. I smiled warmly at him, placing my hand on his shoulder to let him know that everything was going to be fine, and that I would find a way to take care of myself.
“I don’t know. He could be the mastermind behind all of this. He has a deeply-rooted hatred for bikers, and I have a feeling that he just happened upon an opportunity one day, leaving him no choice but to run with it. If that’s the case, it’s going to be an easier ride than we thought, but I need to get down to what’s actually going on, and who he made a deal with. Something about all of this isn’t making sense, because he wouldn’t have reached out to the Hell Riders all the way out in Tijuana just to take you down. That means that there’s someone right here gunning for the both of you.” I watched as they exchanged looks.
Lucifer shook his head, as though he wasn’t about to give up any information that would incriminate either of them. If I wanted to protect Ryker, that meant accepting the good and the bad.
“I’m not stupid, you guys. I know that there’s illegal shit that goes on in this club. I’ve agreed to help Ryker, and I intend to make sure the truth comes out when it goes to trial. There is no stopping it beforehand, but if you both can’t be honest with me right now, then I’m afraid I can’t have anything further to do with you.” I turned to leave, but just before I did, Ryker grabbed my arm.
“Wait. We’ll tell you what we know,” he said, glancing back at Lucifer who didn’t look too keen on the idea. He hesitated and then nodded in understanding, knowing that this was probably the only way that I’d be able to keep Ryker out of jail.
Ryker led me to the kitchen island, just as we heard bikes pull up to the clubhouse. We needed privacy if we were to continue this conversation. Lucifer joined us. He placed his head in his hands, frustrated that it even had come to this in the first place. They told me everything that had been going on over the last few months, and how they expected that there was someone within the club that was selling them out.
The mere thought of it made me even more curious. I thought club members were supposed to be loyal to each other. A traitor would be a big deal.
In order to get Ryker’s case tossed out, I would have to make it my business to find out. I listened to every detail about all of the stolen contraband that were hiding out in warehouses in undisclosed locations, the guns, the bikers that were all armed even though they had no licenses. I had to decide right then if this was going to be too much for me, because once the conversation concluded here tonight, there would be no way for me to back out of this.
“A few months ago, I would’ve never stood for something like this. It goes against everything that I’ve ever been taught, and there was a time where the law was sacred to me. I believed in helping people, in fighting for what’s right, but now I see that not everything is that straightforward. I’m still in, and I’m willing to do what it takes to keep you out of jail, but there can’t be any secrets between us. Secrets will hurt your case. I need you to tell me everything if you want my help in convincing a jury you’re innocent. Understood?”
“Understood,” Ryker said.
Lucifer nodded in agreement but he stood with his arms folded tightly to his chest. I knew this was hard for him to deal with. Lucifer didn’t seem like the kind of man whose decisions were challenged often. Letting someone like me in to help was hard for both of them.
But before I could help Ryker, I needed evidence that proved Harold was the one driving this whole show from the very beginning.
This was not how I imagined my life to be when moving back to Coronado, but I had to admit this was the first time I
was really fighting for something I believed in. Ryker didn’t deserve to be in jail, and I didn’t know if that was my bias since sleeping with him, or if I truly believed that. Regardless, I was going to do what I could to help him win his case.
That was all that mattered right now.
Lucifer left us alone, and it was the first time since Ryker and I slept together that we were in each other’s company again. It felt like just yesterday that we were captivated by each other, lost in the moment, completely forgetting everything that was happening.
I wanted to feel like that again. To have his hands on my body and him inside me.
But right now, we needed to focus on getting the information we needed to take this to trial. I needed to get my hands on something that could help me bring Harold’s shady practices to light. We weren’t going to get anywhere without concrete evidence, and I needed to get my hands on it fast. There would be no saving Ryker if the jury made up their minds about him before the trial really began.
“Ryker, I know things must be tough on you right now, but we have to find a way to get close to the Hell Riders again,” I said. This was going to be risky, but it might be the fastest course of action to get to the bottom of this.
“I don’t think that’s possible, Anna. If the police know that I’m anywhere near them again, they’re just going to take me back to the police station where they’ll probably hold me in a room until my trial starts,” he said. I could tell that he was scared, but we had to do something.
“That’s a risk, but we have to do this. I’m putting enough on the line as it is, and if I thought there was any other way to do this, I would’ve brought it up to you by now. Don’t you see? Without something to turn the tables on the Hell Riders, you won’t be getting out of this, and I can’t let that happen,” I said, glancing down at the floor, feeling the nerves return, and suddenly my stomach started to flutter again.
“Why is that?” He asked, his voice smooth. He leaned in, and his familiar heat sent chills down my spine as he brushed against my cold skin.
“Don’t make me say it,” I said.
“Maybe I need to hear you say it,” he teased.
“I care about you, okay? I know we only just met, but I don’t know what I would do if something happened to you. I want to help you fix this, and the only way we’re going to do that is if we head back out onto the street, drive your bike down to wherever we can find some Hell Riders, and get the information we need.” I pushed him away, even though I wanted to be curled up in his arms where I’d forget about Ryker’s possible conviction.
“What? You mean that you want to come with me? Hell no, there is no way that I’m letting you anywhere near them again. Don’t you remember what happened the last time you were around them?”
“Yes, but I really don’t have any other choice here. I am a trained cop and I’ve done undercover work before. I can handle this. If you’re going in after them, you’re taking me with you. Otherwise, I’m going to go out there and find them myself,” I replied.
The front door opened, and Lucifer walked in with raised eyebrows.
“Lucifer, please tell Anna that it’s ridiculous for her to get anywhere near the Hell Riders, and there’s no way that she can be around them.” He glared at Lucifer, clearly angry at my suggestion.
“I’m glad one of us is thinking straight,” I snapped.
“Ryker, I know you don’t want to hear this right now, but you’re in trouble. If you don’t let Anna help you, I don’t know what else we can do. Is this risky? Yes, but it may be our only chance to catch the Hell Riders in a mess they can’t explain, and if we get the evidence we need, you will walk. Right, Anna?” He asked me, and I nodded.
“It’s not that simple, especially with Harold making everyone’s lives hell. His only focus here is to take you guys down. If you’re there with me Ryker, nothing bad is going to happen. Keep low, let me go in by myself pretending to be looking for a good time, and you’ll move in when you’re ready,” I said, proposing the idea to him. He stood there with his arms crossed, mimicking Lucifer’s stance, while I waited for one of them to say something.
“Well?”
“It’s not a bad plan, Ryker. I’ll come with. They’re celebrating down at La Grandeur. I know that place like the back of my hand, and so do you. She’ll be okay,” said Lucifer, and Ryker reluctantly nodded.
“Let’s go,” he said, finally giving in, grabbing his jacket from the armchair next to him, and I followed him out to his replacement bike. I saw the way he looked at it, and it was clear that it did nothing for him the way the other one had. I remembered the look on his face when he told me that the Hell Riders bikers had burned it, and that it was a part of him. I couldn’t quite understand what he meant then, but I was starting to see just how important all of this was to him. Everything he had told me was true. The way he treated all of the Black Souls like family, how he cared for them, had their backs at all times, and the same could be said for Lucifer. It was admirable what they did for each other, and it was starting to change the way I saw them for sure.
“You better hold on real tight, baby?” He teased, and I smiled, taking the helmet from him and slipping it on over my eyes. It wasn’t long before we were out on the road, feeling the piercing wind, looking out to see just how beautiful the city was at night, and I realized that it was the first time in my life that I truly felt free. It was a feeling I didn’t know how to process, but it was one I was starting to hope would stick around. Maybe it isn’t so bad in your world, Ryker. Maybe I was too quick to judge you after all.
13
Ryker
I couldn’t believe this was about to happen. I didn’t want Anna walking into La Grandeur, and I certainly didn’t want her cozying up next to some Hell Riders biker in the hopes that they would give her information.
This was a bad idea.
If anyone recognized her from the night they cornered her in the alleyway where we first met, we’d be busted. She could be in real danger, and we should abandon the plan and head home. There had to be another way—something else that we can do, something that didn’t require putting Anna in harm’s way.
I would kill them if they hurt her.
Her grip tightened around my torso. It was a comforting feeling I’d never experienced before. It warmed me, and calmed me.
I wasn’t sure what it was about her that made me care so much, but I had felt this way from the moment I met her. We had a connection. And if anything happened to her, I’d be devastated. When I let her into my life, I never thought we would end up here.
If I would’ve known it would come to this—me charged with crimes I didn’t commit and her going undercover to prove me innocent—I probably would have stayed away from her. That was easy to say now that we were knee deep in this shit together, but I’d do whatever it took to keep her safe.
I hated putting her in this position. It didn’t matter how much she told me she cared about me, it didn’t change or reduce my worry for her safety. She had a daughter to think about. The last thing that little girl needed was to miss her mommy coming home at the end of a work day to care for her and tuck her in at night. She didn’t deserve that anymore than Anna deserved to be tangled up in this mess with me.
Even if Anna got out of this undercover operation without getting hurt, she still had her job to think about. She loved her job, and if she lost it because of me, I’d never forgive myself.
I didn’t want to be the one to bring trouble to her doorstep. If I had been more careful the night that I was canvassing and checking out the hideout the Hell Riders were squatting in, I wouldn’t have been in this mess in the first place. Beating myself up about it wasn’t going to do any good, but I couldn’t help it.
I needed to focus on staying alert because we were quite literally walking into a potential trap. If we weren’t careful, we could both end up dead.
We were approaching La Grandeur, and I hated that I had to let Anna walk in there al
one. But the bikers would never talk to her if they saw her with me. The thought of them getting within fifty feet of her enraged me, and I had to deal with her sitting with them. I felt my blood pressure rise at the thought of one of them touching her.
Calm down, Ryker.
Everything was going to be fine. I had to believe that. With both Lucifer and me here, we’d be able to step in and help her if something went wrong. Anna had all the protection she needed. Plus she was a trained detective. She knew what she was doing.
I still didn’t want this to get ugly. If it did, it was just going to be another scene for the police to search. If that happened, we couldn’t be caught here.
I slowed my bike down, and parked behind a shed in the back where no one would see us together. Anna let go of her tight grip around me, and I immediately missed the feel of her hands on me. She pulled off the helmet, and let her long strawberry blond hair fall around her shoulders. God, she was gorgeous.
She handed me the helmet and smiled.
Lucifer pulled up right next to us, and we glanced at each other and then to her. Neither of us wanted her doing this. If she got pulled into closed quarters with any Hell Riders, we might not be able to help her.
“I’m going to be fine,” Anna said. I appreciated that she tried to reassure me, but it didn’t help. I knew all too well what she was about to walk into.
“You say that, but I have a hard time believing it. Those bikers are scoundrels. I hate the thought of you talking to them, let alone having to watch you talk to them. I’d have to keep my distance, and could only interfere if something bad happened.
“Are you sure you want to do this? Think about your job, about Hope. I want you to make sure you understand what you could be giving up for me, Anna,” I said, and that was the truth.
She stared into my eyes, and blinked those long eyelashes at me, as she reached up to caress my cheek. She leaned in, and pressed her soft, full lips against mine. I wrapped my arm around her, pulling her close as I kissed her hard. I needed her to know how I felt about her, and how hard this was for me to see her walk into the line of fire for me.
Ryker: MC Romance Page 10
