“Your worst nightmare if you don’t get away from her.”
Eric’s eyes narrow as he steps further away, eyes bouncing between us before he shoots me a glare. “Oh. I see. Didn’t take you long to replace me, did it?”
“You replaced yourself when you didn’t show up to our wedding,” I snap.
“I think it’s time for you to go,” Ryder says, voice low and dangerous.
Eric snorts. “I’m not going anywhere until Noia and I finish our conversation.” He turns to me with a sneer. “You can’t just throw away what we had because you’re screwing some biker.”
“Watch me,” I say, moving to stand beside Ryder.
Ryder puts his arm around my waist and pulls me against him, making Eric’s face turn a bright shade of red I’ve never seen before.
“You don’t know her like I do,” he continues, voice rising. “We have history. We were going to get married.”
“Werebeing the operative term,” Ryder says, his voice deadly calm. “She’s obviously moved on.”
Eric’s eyes flash with rage. “You think you can just waltz in here and take my place?”
“I’m not taking anyone’s place.” Ryder’s grip tightens on my waist. “You gave that up when you left her without a word otherwise.”
“That was a mistake?—”
“Yeah, it was,” I interrupt, finally finding my voice. “And it’s not one I’m going to let you make again. We’re done, Eric. We’ve been done since the day you walked away.”
“You can’t be serious!” Eric’s face contorts with fury. “You’re choosing this... thislowlifeover me?”
And that’s when Ryder’s control finally snaps.
Releasing me, he lunges forward, grabs Eric by the lapels of his expensive suit and slams him up against the wall.
“Call me whatever you want,” he snarls in Eric’s face. “But you will show her the respect she deserves, or I’ll make sure you regret it.”
“Rye,” I say softly. “He’s not worth it.”
For a moment, I think Ryder might ignore me and actuallyhit him. Muscles coiled like lethal springs, rage radiates from every inch of his body.
But then he takes a deep breath, releases Eric, and takes a step back.
“Get the fuck out,” he growls. “Now.”
Hands shaking, face pale, Eric squares his shoulders and straightens his suit. “This isn’t over, Noia.”
“Yes, it is,” I answer firmly. “Don’t contact me and don’t ever come back here again.”
Eric’s eyes dart between us one more time before he stalks to the door, throwing one last verbal jab over his shoulder. “You’re going to regret this.”
“Not even for a second,” I toss back.
The door slams behind him, and a minute later his BMW starts up and tears out of the driveway.
“Are you okay?” Ryder’s hands are gentle when they come up to frame my face. “Did he hurt you?”
I shake my head, suddenly overwhelmed. “No, I’m fine. Just shaken up.”
“I’m sorry,” he sighs, resting his forehead against mine. “I left my phone in my apartment when I went to work. I didn’t get your message until right before I came over.”
“Your apartment?”
