Staking His Claim

by Winter Sloane

  “Because I’m a fucking selfish bastard. I knew if I heard your voice again, I’d drive up to where you were and take you back with me. I want you for myself, but if I did that, I’d clip your wings.”

  She didn’t know what to say to that. Her heart beat so wildly that she grew certain it could burst out of her ribcage. How often had Sky imagined Ryker saying those words to her?

  His next words blew her completely away.

  “I won’t make that mistake. Ever. Now that you’re coming back with me, I’m going to make sure you won’t ever leave.”

  Chapter Three

  “Sky? We’re here,” Ryker said, parking his car opposite his apartment building.

  He cut the engine and looked over, smiling at the sight of Sky, leaning against the windows, snoring softly. His jacket looked oversized on her, but seeing her wearing his clothes summoned possessive feelings inside of him. Mine, he thought fondly.

  Sky opened her hazel brown eyes, looking groggy, half-asleep. “Here?”

  “Yeah, come on. Let’s head upstairs and I’ll tuck you in bed.”

  “My bed?” she asked as he got out of the car to open her door.

  “I’ve kept your room exactly as you left it.”

  She stumbled out, but he easily caught her. Sky let out a breath as his body crushed her soft curves. His gaze slid from her face to the swell of her breasts under that thin tee. How many nights had he slept alone in his bed, thinking of having her underneath him? Would she be pliant, eager?

  Fuck, but he was a dirty bastard for harboring those kinds of thoughts. He gripped her wrist, fingering the old scars underneath the long-sleeve shirt she wore. Old anger resurfaced. The scars had faded to white, thin lines, but he’d never been able to wipe the image of that night out of his mind.

  Ryker harbored little guilt for ending River and those two lowlifes. He pushed her sleeves further down and cursed when he saw the fading bruises there. Ryker should have put a bullet hole in that fucker Rodney’s skull after all. She batted his hand away, and he released her.

  “Let’s head up, and that’s sweet of you, to keep my old stuff I mean.”

  “Of course. I wanted you to have a place you can always return to, in case things didn’t work out.”

  Ryker grabbed her bag from the back and offered his hand. She smiled almost hesitantly, shyly at him, and took it. He led her inside the building and into the lift.

  “Are you disappointed in me?” she asked in a small voice.

  “What the hell are you talking about?”

  “I lost my job. I never mentioned that on the phone, and that’s what set Rodney off.”

  “Rodney’s a sorry excuse of a human being. If you changed your mind about him, tell me. I can make him scream for a very long time.”

  Most women would turn jittery, queasy, when he talked like that, but Sky met his gaze evenly and squeezed his hand. On the outside, she looked so tiny compared to him—petite and short, but underneath, she had steel in her spine. His woman was perfect.

  Mine. That word resonated inside of him with absolute certainty. Ryker had killed to protect her once, and he’d do it all over again just to see her smile.

  Need surged through him like a flood. His dick twitched in his jeans, but he needed to calm down. He waited years for her, and nearly thought she was a lost cause. Half of Ryker hoped she’d find a life outside of the Familia, that she’d be happy, but the other half of him wanted her here with him, to stand by his side.

  The rest of the world might see him as a monster, a killer in a suit, but she’d always been different, able to see past his flaws and accept him as he was.

  “Forget about him,” she said. “I already did.”

  “Did you love him?” he had to ask as they exited the elevator and walked to their unit.

  Theirs. He’d always seen the place belonging to the two of them. After killing River and his friends, he’d moved out of that crappy apartment and into this place, knowing Sky needed a fresh start. Neither of them had any fond memories of home to begin with. Sky lived on her own after her parents left, while River and he had moved from one roach-infested shithole to the next.

  Although he could afford a better, swankier place uptown, he kept this place because it always reminded him of good memories. He opened the door, turned on the switch, and waited for her answer.

  She shut the door behind her, locking it. “I thought I did, but I think I only settled for him because—can we talk about this tomorrow? A lot happened tonight. I’ll tell you everything tomorrow. Will you do the same?”

  Ryker nodded, realizing he came off as a kind of interrogator but fuck. Thinking about her living with a scumbag like Rodney easily set him off. What did she see in that asshole?

  Giovanni told him he had Gino do a check on the bastard. No dangerous red flags came up, and they’d step in if Rodney did cross the line but still. He didn’t realize he’d gone silent until she touched his arm, a concerned expression on her face.

  “Ryker?”

  “Yeah?” he asked, voice harsh. Shock reverberated through him when she suddenly hugged him fiercely.

  The smell of her floral shampoo and soap washed over him. He banded his arms around her waist, breathing in her scent. He’d missed the perfect fit of her body against his.

  She raised her face to his, smiling. “Thank you for dropping everything and picking me up. I really appreciate it.”

  Ryker didn’t know what made him raise her chin with his hand. He traced the swell of her tempting bottom lip with one callused finger, waiting for her to push him away. Instead, her cheeks turned an endearing shade of pink. Sky leaned forward and sucked on his finger, so slowly that it was hard to mistake the gesture for anything but erotic.

  His dick dug painfully against the zipper of his jeans.

  She pulled her mouth away, flickering her long eyelashes. “I couldn’t stop thinking of you, even when I was with him.” Sky let out a little, almost nervous laugh. “That really makes me sound like a bad person.”

  “No. It doesn’t. You have no idea how much that admission pleases me.”

  She startled, eyes wide as he leaned in close and finally took what he wanted. Ryker kissed her like he meant it, like this moment might be his only chance. He plundered her mouth, taking her hungrily, roughly. She didn’t resist, simply melting against his mouth, and fuck. She tasted better than he ever imagined, like heaven.

  He moved his hand lower, to cup one ass cheek through the denim of her jeans and gave it a squeeze. Ryker wanted to shove her up against the wall, to do away with her clothes. He wanted her bare for him, to own every inch of the creamy goodness of her skin. To see marks of his possession all over her body.

  She parted her lips so sweetly for him, and he thrust his tongue down her throat. She rubbed her body against him, and Ryker could have taken her right here and then. No more. After seeing the rat bastard she put up with, he knew he couldn’t allow any other men near her.

  Sky was his, had always been his from the moment she closed those broken fingers over his ankle all those years ago. In that moment, he’d been floored, shocked anyone in that state could summon the strength to live. Any other person would have surrendered to their fate but not his Sky.

  Ryker had been the fool. He’d let her go once, but he wouldn’t let it happen again, not after seeing how unhappy she’d been. He pulled away first, knowing that if this continued any longer, he’d end up taking her right here and now. No, she deserved better, and Sky said so herself. Too many things had happened tonight.

  She was still probably still reeling from leaving her old life behind and Rodney—he wanted her to think of only him the first time they had sex.

  Sky panted, staring at him. “Why did you stop?”

  “When it comes to you, I don’t trust myself.” He took a step back, giving her space. “Rest tonight. We’ll continue this tomorrow.”

  She let out a huff and stalked past him. Shit. He grabbed her arm, not wantin
g her to misunderstand.

  “I’m sorry I acted like a bastard two years ago, but I’m going to make up for that mistake starting now,” he said.

  Sky bit on her bottom lip, as if she didn’t quite believe his words.

  “You’re it for me, Sky. You’ve always been the one. I’ve held myself back but not anymore,” Ryker added.

  She glared at him. “Do you think it’s that easy? You really have no idea what kind of state you put me in when you told me you only saw me as a sister. I never recovered from that rejection.”

  “Believe me, sweetheart. It’s been hard for me, too. Even Giovanni agreed you deserved so much more than the only life I can offer you.”

  “What about what I want? Ever thought of that? Only you saw the real me, Ryker. Guys like Rodney, they’d only see me as this broken—”

  He stopped her right there. Ryker couldn’t believe after all these years, she couldn’t see what a strong, beautiful, kind soul she was. Ryker stole another kiss, this one quick, but equally full of need.

  “Stop doing that. When you kiss me, I forget why I’m mad at you in the first place. It’s unfair.” Sky sounded grumpy.

  “You’re not broken. Rodney’s an ass. He doesn’t see how strong you are, or how he’s so far beneath you. It takes a real man to appreciate you.”

  “And that’s you?” she asked with a raise of her eyebrow. “Show me.”

  “Oh, I plan to. Have a good night sleep, sweetheart, because tomorrow, I’m not about to let you rest.”

  She opened her mouth, closed it, then walked up to her room and slammed it shut. Ryker returned to his own room, grinning.

  Chapter Four

  Sunlight hit her face, and Sky yanked up the comforter to cover her head. Was it morning already? She dreaded waking up only to see Rodney slumped on the living room couch, beer cans all over the floor and coffee table. She always cleaned up after him, even when she needed to rush to work for an early meeting.

  Strange. Usually she woke up cranky from a lack of sleep. Sky couldn’t recall the last time she’d slept this soundly. What had changed?

  Wait a second. She took a sniff of the comforter. Not the brand she used but it was familiar. She peeled it off her and sat up. Her old room stared back at her—pink walls, old posters, sturdy desk. Even the bookshelf where she kept all her accounting text books lay intact.

  She stood up, walked over to her desk, and ran her finger over the wood. No dust. Her heart warmed, thinking about Ryker, having her room cleaned along with the rest of the house.

  I wanted you to have a home to return to.

  Yesterday, she called him, and he came to take her away without hesitation. Sky touched her lips, remembering the searing kiss he gave her, the look of pure and undiluted lust in his intense blue eyes.

  Her nipples hardened just thinking about Ryker pressing his huge body against hers.

  The door swung open.

  “Morning. Slept well?”

  She turned, mouth going dry at the sight of Ryker leaning against her doorway, barefoot, shirtless and only wearing a pair of well-worn denim jeans with plenty of holes in them and a t-shirt. She took a deep breath and walked up to him. Sky didn’t know where all her courage came from, but she touched his chest.

  She stilled as he lifted her fingers and pressed a kiss to them. Sky gasped when he tugged her close for a tight embrace, his grip like steel, but she didn’t want him to let go. She sagged against him and closed her eyes. So warm. So solid. Back when they lived together, she always felt like he’d distanced himself on purpose and always held himself back.

  “You’re home,” he said simply. “Still can’t believe it.”

  “I’m glad I made that call.”

  He spun her by her shoulders, flashing her a wolfish smile that made her insides melt. “Oh yeah. You definitely owe me for yesterday.”

  “Oh? What do you want in return?” she asked, smiling.

  Two years ago, she’d felt awkward, unsure of herself when it came to flirting. Ryker telling her he only saw her as a kid sister had shattered her, but now, she understood his reasoning. He only wanted the best for her. In some ways, she had a feeling Ryker still felt some guilt for what River had done to her.

  “A good morning kiss.”

  “That’s all?” she asked.

  “Nope, that’s just the first of my many demands.”

  She tiptoed, feeling shy all of a sudden, but he gripped her shoulders and leaned in close for another mind-numbing kiss. Sky gripped his biceps as he deepened the kiss. The apartment faded away from her sight. All that mattered was Ryker’s body, pressed up against her, and Ryker staking his claim on her.

  He pulled away, the devil in his smile. “I made breakfast.”

  She blinked. “What about work?”

  “I took the morning off. I’m heading over to the restaurant after lunch.”

  She brightened. “I want to come if Giovanni’s still in his old office. Do you think he’ll have time to see me?”

  Ryker chuckled. “Of course. He’s semi-retired now, or that’s what he claims anyway. Marco’s always been complaining that Giovanni’s never stepping down. It’ll be good. The guys would be glad to see you.”

  “Then it’s settled.” Sky realized she’d missed this so much, not just Ryker but the rest of the Familia. They headed to the dining room.

  Sky eyed the two heaping plates of pancakes, bacon, and eggs with skepticism, before her stomach let out an embarrassing growl.

  “Sit,” Ryker ordered, pulling out a chair for her.

  “What a gentleman,” she remarked, sitting down. Sky reached for the coffeepot and poured herself, then Ryker coffee.

  “Well, we both know I’m far from that.” Ryker took the seat next to her.

  “That’s what I’ve always like about you. You’re honest.” She took a forkful of eggs and bacon and sighed. “So good. When did you learn how to cook?”

  Ryker laughed. “I didn’t. I got breakfast from the diner two streets down and plated the food.”

  “Sounds like my Ryker.” The words slipped out by accident, and she blushed. She had no business calling him hers, and yet, his confession last night had changed everything. He fell silent, and she gave him occasional glances as she ate.

  “Did you mean what you said last night?” She had to ask. They moved the plates and cutlery to the sink. “I’ll wash, you dry?”

  “The usual, huh?” They worked side-by-side, and this took her back to all those evenings when they had their meals together. They also always split the household chores.

  With him standing so close, their shoulders brushed against each other.

  “I meant every word,” Ryker said simply. “I know what I said to you two years ago hurt you deeply, but I’ll spend the rest of my life making up for it.”

  Sky shook her head.

  “I don't resent you for making that decision. I was an adult as well. I could have refused to leave, but I chose to go. You’ve already done so much for me.” She finished the rest of the plates, leaned against the sink and looked him in the eye. “I’ve always wondered if you hated me, even if just a little, or if you took me in out of guilt.”

  Ryker set the plate he’d been drying down, along with the kitchen towel. “What the fuck are you talking about?”

  “Well,” she began, then hesitated.

  Sky never brought the subject of the past before, didn’t dare to. When she woke up five years ago in Ryker’s bed, still reeling and hurting from the gangrape, she wondered if she’d been dreaming.

  Any other man in Ryker’s line of work would have finished the job. Yet Ryker chose to save her and end his own brother. Even after she healed, he could have just told her to forget what happened and left her. Instead, he’d offered her a place to live, knowing she was about to become homeless.

  Ryker said it was because Giovanni wanted him to keep a close eye on her in case she’d talk to the police and tell them about River, and River’s connections
to the Familia. She always believed that reason, but now, she understood he’d simply wanted her close by, for his own personal reasons.

  Sky didn’t think after what she’d gone through, that she could survive by herself either. Her faith in humanity had been shattered after seeing what guys like River were capable of. Ryker and the Familia, they gave her a reason to live. They became the family she never had. She knew without a doubt they’d have her back no matter what. All she could offer them in return was her loyalty.

  “You’ve never talked about River,” she finally said. Sky always knew they needed to have this conversation sooner or later.

  “I never regretted killing him, if that’s what’s been eating at you. I promised my mother I’d look out for him, but he was getting out of control. If I didn’t end him, Gino and the others would have done the job for me.”

  Ryker reached for her hand and traced the old winding scars there, his expression contemplative. It struck her that Rodney always seemed repulsed by her old injuries, but Ryker had no fear of touching them.

  Ryker went on. “What River did to you was unforgivable. I kept thinking if I’d noticed him spiraling out of control sooner, then maybe this wouldn’t have happened to you.”

  “We wouldn’t have met otherwise. The past can’t be changed, and I think Fate put me in your path for a reason.”

  “Sky, the same blood runs in my veins. It’s a fucking miracle you’re still able to talk and be near me in the first place. Don’t you ever wonder if the same cruelty exists in me?”

  She stared at him, wondering if some kind of insanity had taken a hold of him. “Is that also why you turned me down all those years ago?”

  “Sweetheart, you’re too good for me, for this world of mine,” he said in a gentle tone she didn’t believe he was capable of.

  “You gave me a choice all those years ago. I chose wrong. Back then, I felt like a kid who didn't know what she wanted. Don’t ever think that way. You’ll never be like your brother, and you proved that when you chose to save me.” She closed the distance between them and he held out a hand, which she took. Sky let him envelop her in another warm embrace. “Ryker, I want to be here. I want to be yours.”