“We need to go now, and we’re taking the bike, so grab that helmet and let’s go,” he points toward a black helmet sitting on the entrance table next to the door. He wants me to ride on his bike with him?
Ten minutes later, I’m out the back, and I get my answer. Ryder swings his leg over the mean and dangerous-looking motorcycle. “Get on.”
I pull the helmet he made me get over my head and fasten the little buckle at my chin before I swing my leg over the bike. Unsteady on one leg, I have to hold on to his shoulders while I position myself behind him. Unsure what to do, I leave a few inches of space between us while sitting straight and trying to find something to hold on to that isn’t Ryder.
“Slide closer and wrap your arms around me unless you want to fall off,” he finally says, a hint of amusement lacing his voice.
I follow his orders, scooting my butt until my crotch is flush against Ryder’s backside. At first, I only sling my arms loosely around him, but once he starts the bike, making it rumble and vibrate loudly under me, I grip onto him like an iron shackle. I can’t hear him because the thing is so loud, but I can feel his stomach under my touch, and I know he is laughing at me.
I spend the rest of the ride in equal amounts of fear and excitement. I’ve never ridden on a motorcycle before, and this is quite the experience. When we pull up tothe same club Ryder took me from two weeks ago, all the excitement vanishes, and I’m left with deep-rooted fear.
“You remember what you are supposed to do?” Ryder asks when I slide off the bike behind him.
I pull off the helmet and answer, “Yes, run all the numbers in my head and make sure they’re correct. If they’re not, I’ll ask you if I can have a drink.”
“Good job. Let’s go,” Ryder says and starts getting off the bike.
Before thinking about it, I reach over and grab his arm, holding onto his bicep tightly as I can feel it flexing underneath my touch. His body stiffens at the way I hold on to him, but I need to know. I need to make sure he’ll protect me tonight.
“No one in there is going to hurt me, right? You’ll stay with me the whole time.” At my words, he relaxes, his body softening.
“Yes, no one is going to hurt you as long as you do what I say,” he assures me. We head toward the door, but right before we get to it, Ryder stops briefly. “One more thing. If anyone should ask you, act like I’m the one who did this to your face.”
“Why?” Why would he take responsibility for that?
“Just fucking do it.” He rolls his eyes at me.
As we enter, flashbacks of the first time I was brought to this place rush through my head. I was scared then, thinking I was going to die. I am still scared today, but not like I was before. Deep down, I know Ryder will protect me, he always has, even when I didn’t deserve it.
Even though a lot has changed since I was here last, the bar is just as I remembered. The smell is the same, the people are the same, hell, most of them are wearing the same clothes, it seems. All eyes are on me as I follow Ryder closely through the club like a lost puppy.
Every time we pass one of the few women here, they give me nasty looks and glare daggers at me. I’m not sure why, though. Is it because I’m here with Ryder or just because they know I don’t belong here? All the other girls here are dressed sexy and provocative, wearing high heel stilettos and dramatic makeup. In my leggings and pink long sleeve shirt, I couldn’t be any more out of place.
Even worse than the women’s death stares are the men’s eyes roaming my body like I’m some kind of sideshow. I feel like I’m on display, and maybe I am.
Ryder stops so suddenly that I run into him, my face smashing into his muscular back. My still bruised cheek throbs on impact, my hand instantly coming up to cradle the sore spot.
“Watch where you walk, bitch,” Ryder barks at me. The harshness and iciness of his voice has my spine stiffening in fear. He never talks to me like that. He never calls me names other than little owl. This is not the Ryder I know, and I don’t think I like this one… I don’t like him at all.
Chapter 18
Ryder
I glance back at Penny,finding her staring at me like I just slapped her. I’ve done some messed up things to her, but I’ve never talked to her like this, and doing so now leaves a bitter taste on my tongue.
“Finally,” Huck calls and walks up to us, grabbing his crotch with his free hand while his other is holding a bottle of beer. “I thought you would never bring her back and share with us.”
“I’m not,” I tell him, holding out my hand to stop him from coming any closer. “She is still mine, and I like to fuck her without a raincoat on my dick. So, no one fucks her until I’m done. I don’t want to be catching any of your diseases.”
Huck throws back his head and laughs. “You’re a fucking asshole, you know that?”
Oh, I fucking know.
“Fine, I’ll wait,” he says, licking his lips while seeking one last glance at her.
You’ll be waiting for nothing.I won’t let anyone touch her.
“Ryder,” Maddox calls and waves me over to his table where he and three more of our brothers are already sitting. Bradley, the youngest of my brothers, and also one of the smartest. He does all of our surveillance and tech stuff. Then there is Trick, our trusted mechanic, and Bear, our gray-haired brother, who looks more like a lumberjack than a biker.
