Before Ridley could come up with a lie, Malia answered his question. “Nothing really. Why?”
Beckett fiddled with the black gauge in his right ear. “We’re going on a ride into the mountains. Thought you guys might want to join us.”
Cormac and Reese stood behind Beckett -—Cormac with nothing on his face and Reese with irritation.
Not a good idea.
“We’d love to.” Malia responded as Ridley opened her mouth to politely decline.
Maddox flashed a charming, pleased smile. “Excellent. I’ll text you the details. Do you still have the same number?”
Ridley bit back a sigh, casting Malia a dirty look. “Yeah.”
Beckett peered at her, his intelligent amber gaze peeling away her layers. “You know you can drop the illusions now. There’s hardly anyone else around and they aren’t paying attention.”
Ridley wanted to argue, but fatigue was hitting her hard after using her powers so long and so much. If she didn’t cut off the power, she’d burn herself completely out.
With a blown-out breath, she released the illusions, stripping away the cute blonde girls and revealing her haggard appearance.
Hopefully, they’d think it was from her overuse of power.
Concern flashed in Maddox’s eyes as he looked her up and down. “You’ve lost weight.”
Even Reese had lost his irritation and couldn’t hide the shock and worry on his face.
Malia came to her rescue. “She’s been training hard for this tournament.”
Not the best excuse, but Ridley would take it.
“Right.” Maddox drew out the word, skepticism in his voice.
“I’ve also been working on strengthening my powers. I might have overdone it. It burns a lot of calories.” A much better excuse. And it was also true.
She’d been interested to see how far she could push herself.
Beckett frowned. “Maybe you should back off from that for a while.”
Ridley waved off their concern. “I’m fine. We’ll see you guys tomorrow.” She needed to get out of there. Now. She wasn’t sure how much longer she could remain upright.
Maddox nodded, frustration tightening his face. “I’ll text you later with the details.”
“Sounds good.” Ridley raised her hand in an awkward wave and hurried off, dragging Malia behind her.
“Well, that didn’t go as badly as it could have.”
“What conversation did you just have?” It couldn’t be the same one Ridley did. “Get me out of here. I’m about to pass out."
MALIA GOT RIDLEY BACK to her place and she was barely able to convince Malia to leave. She just needed food and rest.
Malia paused with her hand on the door knob. “I don’t like this. We shouldn’t have done the tournament.”
Ridley groaned as she sank onto her couch, her nose wrinkling at her sweaty stench. “Yes. We should have. It was fun.”
Malia released the knob and turned, crossing her arms. “You’re not doing well. It was too much on top of everything else.”
Ridley rubbed the back of her head, trying to soothe away the tension in her neck. “Malia. I’ll be okay. I know I’ve been worrying you lately. It’ll pass.”
Guilt stained Malia’s face. “I shouldn’t have agreed to the ride tomorrow either.”
Ridley huffed a laugh. “That, I’ll agree with, but it’s too late to cancel now. They’ll think I’m scared to be around them. I don’t want them thinking they’re the reason I’m like this.” She still had her fucking pride after all.
Malia shot her a skeptical and frustrated look. “Don’t they at least have a little to do with it?”
Ridley shook her head. “No. They honestly don’t. We’ve known each other a long time. You know this happens with me from time to time. It always passes.”
“And it’s always torture to watch you go through it.” Malia shuddered.
“It’s not exactly a fun day at the circus for me.” She hated how vulnerable it made her.
“I’d think it’s exactly like a circus. Circuses are terrifying.”
“No. They’re fun. Clowns are terrifying.” Ridley hated clowns as much as Malia. Freaky things with their huge fake smiles and crazy eyes. They always had crazy eyes.
Malia scowled. “But the circus is where the clowns live. Therefore, terrifying.”
Ridley’s head fell back against the couch. “I am way too exhausted to have this argument with you right now.”
“Fine. I’m going. Do you even have food here?”
“Yeah. I’ve got half of a rotisserie chicken left in the fridge.” Ridley gestured towards the kitchen.
Malia’s lips twisted in disgust. “Appetizing.”
Ridley winked at her. “Protein, baby.”
“What about vegetables? You need spinach or kale or something.”
Ridley’s phone rang and her pulse jumped as she recognized the number. “Hello?”
“It’s me. I’ve got two names for you.” Jenn’s voice was quiet and all business.
Ridley sat up, exhaustion vanishing at the news. “What are they?”
“Nick Wallace and Frank Misner. It’s all I’ve got. No other info.”
Ridley memorized the names, not recognizing either one. “Thank you. That gives me a place to start.”
“We’re even. Lose my number.”
Ridley let out a harsh, sarcastic laugh. “For two names? I don’t think so.” Ridley hung up before Jenn could argue. Jenn owed her way more than a little research.
“What was that?” Malia asked.
Ridley looked up with a wide grin. “Finally, information I can give Maddox.”
“You’re not going to get any sleep, are you?”
“Probably not.” She had a lot of research to do.
Malia slumped with a sigh. “I’m ordering a pizza and I’ll stay to help.”
Chapter 4
Ridley
RIDLEY LET HER FRUSTRATIONS and worries float away as she and Malia rode side by side to the North Shore on their bikes, the salty air teasing her face, the sun warm and keeping the chill from the air off of her. Her new bike handled even better than her old one, the bright red and black Honda she'd been building finally finished. Malia still hadn't finished the restoration on hers, so she was riding her usual blue Kawasaki.
Ridley had been stuck with a little too much free time lately. Between no social life, the lack of missions, and the slower season for bike riding, she had way too much time on her hands. Without her focus on Maddox's brother's killer, she might have lost her mind.
She was lonely.
She missed the shitheads.
Not that she ever planned on admitting it out loud. Especially to them. Part of her was still pissed they hadn't reached out, even if just to hang out. But she hadn't either, so she realized how hypocritical she was acting.
A shiver skidded up her spine as she remembered the hurt and anger in Reese's eyes, the bitterness on his lips. Having him pissed at her was worse than the others. He was always so easy-going and fun and understanding. She hadn't meant to hurt him. Or any of them. She just couldn't be who they wanted, what they wanted.
It wasn't safe for her or them. And joining their team and moving in wasn't what she wanted. She just wished they could understand.
Irritation replaced the nerves. If they couldn't understand her reasons for what she did, then they certainly weren't worth her time. She'd help Maddox with his investigation like she promised and then they'd be done just like she’d decided and apparently needed to keep reminding herself of.
Her mouth hardened into a thin, frustrated line. They weren't the only ones who were allowed to be pissed off.
She wasn't going to duck her head in shame and tiptoe around them. They could fuck right off if that's what they expected.
Malia pulled into their driveway first and Ridley followed her, swallowing hard as the gorgeous beach house loomed in front of them. She'd enjoyed her time here with them, but it wa
sn't the life for her. It couldn’t be.
Eventually, it would be nothing but a dreamy memory.
Before Ridley or Malia could turn off their bikes or dismount, the guys spilled from the garage, engines roaring. Ridley fought a shiver at the sight and the sound. Not a single one of them had a piece of shit Harley and she approved. She worked on those more than any other bike and they sounded like ass.
The guys rode through the space between her and Malia, Maddox in the front, who shot her a grin and a wink. Ridley and Malia fell in behind Reese who nodded at Malia, but ignored Ridley completely. Ridley rolled her eyes, his shitty attitude fueling her anger. Beckett pulled up to Ridley's left side and shot her a tentative smile. Ridley forced one in return, glancing over her shoulder at Cormac who was taking up the rear. His blank expression didn't change, his eyes masked.
Ridley sighed as she turned back around. Maybe this was a bad idea. Damn Malia and her meddling. But she needed to give Maddox the information she had. And she couldn't remember the last time she went on a long, relaxing ride.
She wouldn't let them ruin this day for her.
With a grin, she revved her engine and sped up, daring the others to play with her. Beckett and Malia lurched into position on either side of Ridley, staying at her sides as Reese shot ahead to weave with Maddox, leading their group farther and farther away from civilization.
They headed up into the mountains along spiraling roads and beneath plush trees creating canopies of shade above them. They rode higher and higher, sometimes changing position when the roads became too narrow.
Ridley kept to the edge where only a slight mistake would send her careening into the valley below. Adrenaline shot through her, making her head heavy and her pulse pound and her lips spread into a wide grin. Thrills raced up and down her spine as she pushed her bike faster.
It was time to race, to see how fast this beauty of hers could handle. Beckett was there if she screwed up and hurt herself. Cormac pulled up behind her, a cocky smirk on his face.
Oh, hell no.
Ridley popped the clutch and pushed past the shithead, unwilling to let him beat her. Maddox was right on their ass, but Beckett, Reese, and Malia hung back, the mature ones of the group.
Boring.
Cormac tried to cut her off, but she swerved around him, riding right on the edge of the cliff, exuberant laughter falling from her lips. She brought her bike to within an inch of his, winking over at him, pushing closer, forcing him to the other side of the road. A matching mad grin curled his lips.
He was such an asshole, but he was also a kindred spirit. She was a bit of an asshole too.
But something they didn't know, was she took part in motocross, pretending to be a normal human. It was fun as hell.
Cormac may have some skills on a bike, but he wasn't going to be able to take her on.
Done playing with him, she opened her bike up and flew ahead, distracting him with tricks. If she had her dirt bike, she could really show them something. Maybe she'd invite them to watch her take part in the tournament coming in a few months. It wasn’t Malia’s thing, so Ridley usually went alone.
She chanced a glance behind her, seeing Maddox gaining on her, Cormac almost level. Or maybe she could invite them to join. She was impressed with their skills. When she and Maddox had ridden together before, it wasn't as intense, just a lazy, playful ride.
Ridley pushed harder, faster, determination fueling her.
She won of course. It took them another two minutes to join her at the peak of the mountain where she waited for them on top of the pile of boulders, staring out at the valley below, gleaming bright green in the sunlight.
"What the hell was that?" Cormac asked, all but spluttering.
She winked at them over her shoulder. "You losing."
Chapter 5
Maddox
RIDLEY LOOKED LIKE she was going to bolt at any second as she followed them inside their house. Maddox still couldn't get over the way she rode when she raced them. She was fearless and it terrified him and turned him on at the same time.
It had been clear she was going to decline coming on the ride and brunch after if it hadn't been for Malia. But he was done giving her space. It had been two months. He'd hoped she'd call or get in touch with them, but she'd remained stubbornly silent, so when he heard about the parkour tournament, he knew she wouldn’t be able to resist joining.
He shouldn't have been surprised at her silence and distance. The woman had an independent streak unlike any he'd ever seen along with walls too thick to penetrate.
It was his own fault they'd gotten off to such a rotten start. He shouldn't have blackmailed her, threatened her into working with them. Of course, she wouldn't want to stay. But based on the way she played with them as they rode, he was confident she'd forgiven them. Possibly even missed them. She'd just never admit it, give into it.
Maddox still hadn't given up on recruiting her to work with them. He just needed to figure out a better way, a different incentive. She didn't want to move in with them, she didn't want them paying for everything, she couldn't join them officially, she wouldn't give up her work with abused women which none of them wanted or expected her to. But she worked so well with them, even Cormac. And he was impossible to work with for most.
They could figure out something. But they couldn't if they disappeared from each other's lives, if they went radio silent for months at a time. He'd stayed away from her long enough, trying to give her time and to give his squad time.
But it hadn't worked. None of them had been able to move on or get this insane woman out of their heads. Maddox and the rest of the guys had stomped around the last two months, frustrated and grumpy. Reese was the worst. He was usually the one who teased and annoyed them into better moods, but he'd been lost to his own demons, pouting and offended, taking Ridley's decision personally.
Reese still wanted her though. His eyes followed her whenever she wasn't paying attention, pain and longing on his face. And he’d been the one who kept pushing for ideas and ways to take down her father, suffering through several sleepless nights as he dove into that prick’s life.
Even if she never ended up working with them, none of them wanted her to disappear from their lives and Maddox was done letting her run. They could still be friends and still hang out and work together. He shouldn't have let it go for so long.
"Stop."
Maddox's brow furrowed at Beckett's voice. "What?"
Beckett flipped the bacon sizzling in the pan. "Stop beating yourself up. You may be the leader, but we all could have reached out. It wasn't your responsibility alone."
Maddox focused on the fruit he was slicing. "It was my choices that brought her here. Mine to try and get her on our team, mine to blackmail her."
"None of us argued other than Cormac and it didn't take long for him to agree. It's not all on you, so stop acting like a martyr. We'll fix this. You took the first step, but we'll all handle the rest." Beckett bent over to check the quiches in the oven.
"You think Cormac and Reese are on board?" They hadn't said much the night before after Maddox invited Ridley and Malia. But they hadn't complained either.
"They'll get there. You know how they are."
Maddox did. Reese had deep and painful abandonment issues and Cormac was wildly protective of him on top of his own trust issues and general dislike of everyone.
He peeked through the kitchen window outside where those two sat on the deck with Ridley and Malia, a tense quiet surrounding them. Malia and Reese tried to carry the conversation, but Ridley barely paid them any attention, her gaze on the ocean, a tired sadness in her eyes. Cormac glared at the side of her face, his eyes searching while Reese completely ignored her, even turning his body so most of his back was to her.
"You need to go save them. Take the fruit and coffee out there. I'll bring the rest once it's finished."
Maddox snorted and did as Beckett suggested. Relief filled everyone's faces expect Ridley's
when Maddox stepped outside and set down the thermos and platter on the table. Ridley barely glanced up when he took the chair next to her.
What was going on with her? She was normal during the ride, but since their return to the house, it was like she'd burrowed back into herself. Before she left, he'd try to get a moment alone with her and make sure she was all right.
The woman who burst into their lives with swagger and secrets was missing, leaving someone weighted down with pain and exhaustion. Dark circles ringed her eyes and she’d lost weight. He wasn’t arrogant enough to think it had anything to do with his team. Something was on her mind and knowing her, they were the last people she’d confide in.
Beckett emerged from the kitchen, his arms full of food. Maddox hopped up to help him unburden himself, setting up the brunch food and drinks on the table. Ridley finally turned away from the ocean and focused on the spread in front of her as everyone began heaping food on their plates and pouring coffees.
Maddox passed the eggs to Malia on the other side of Ridley, remembering she didn't like them. A small smile quirked the left corner of her lips, but Maddox pretended not to notice. She shifted in her seat, bringing her scent of engines and coconut wafting over to his nose. The familiar smell made him half-hard as he remembered their night together when he got to wrap himself in her scent. She had imprinted herself on him that night. He hadn't been able to get her out of his mind since.
Fuck, he wanted her. The strength of rebuilding after a horrible past called to him. So did her humor and arrogance and fearlessness and determination to help others the way no one helped her.
Ridley played with the fruit on her plate, a frown pouting her lips. She dropped her fork with a clatter against her plate and raised her eyes to meet Maddox's. "I've been investigating your brother's death and I have two names for you. They may already be names you know since I don't have whatever information you've already gathered, but I figured I'd pass them on in case it's new info."
Boom (Aces and Knaves, #2) Page 2