Ryker (Kings of Korruption MC Book 1)

by Geri Glenn

  He places the pads on her chest and steps back. “Clear!”

  Chapter Nineteen

  Charlie

  I wake up slowly to a steady beeping sound coming from somewhere beside me. My body aches, and before I even open my eyes, everything comes rushing back to me. Fear for my life. Krueger. I remember him stabbing me; about to rape me. I’d passed out before that; I’d thought I was dying.

  My throat is dry, and it hurts to swallow. Opening my eyes, I know from the familiar sounds and smells that I’ll find myself in a hospital. I look around the room, amazed I’m still alive. My sweeping gaze stops when I see Ryker slumped in a chair directly beside me. He’s sound asleep, clothes rumpled, hair a mess and a full beard covers his face. Even in sleep, he holds my hand.

  My heart clenches a little. God. I was so angry at him. Actually, I’m still angry at him, but here he sits, likely worried about me, wanting to be a good friend. I’d screwed up sneaking away from the protection of the club – I’d almost died because of it. Ryker had been trying to protect me, and I’d let my wounded heart get the better of me, putting myself in danger. So now, I’m angry at me too.

  Just then, a nurse comes quietly into the room. She smiles when she sees me, approaching the bed with a glance over at Ryker. “You’re awake,” she whispers.

  I try to answer but my throat feels like I’ve swallowed a handful of razor blades. She reaches over to the bedside table and pours me a cup of ice water from the pitcher that sits there. She places a straw in it and holds it up to my lips. I take a sip, finding the cool water does wonders to soothe my pain. I gulp it down, managing three swallows before she pulls it away. “Not too much, honey. You need to start out slow so you don’t make yourself sick.”

  She pulls out a thermometer and places it under my tongue. While waiting for the results, she nods over to Ryker. “Your man over there hasn’t left your side since you got here.”

  I glance over at him. He’s so gorgeous. My gut clenches and I try to push back the swell of love I feel for him. I can’t love him. I hardly know him. Not to mention, he used me for sex and then went and screwed Lucy only hours later.

  “He’s kinda scary.” I look back at the nurse, seeing her stare at him. She looks back at me and winks. “You’re a lucky girl.”

  Tears fill my eyes. If she only knew; I’m not lucky. Ryker’s here because he cares about me, sure, but that’s as far as it goes; as far as it will ever go. She finishes what she’s doing and gives my arm a squeeze. “I’ll send the doctor in.”

  Nodding, I smile weakly. The closing door clicks loudly when she exits the room, causing Ryker to jump. He sits right up, eyes darting around the room, sleep still heavy on his face. When they land on me, I hear his breath catch.

  “Charlie?” I blink slowly, still trying to battle the first round of unshed tears. His voice hitches when he says my name. “Oh, baby girl. Thank fuck.” His voice hitches again with emotion, and a single tear escapes my eye. He reaches his thumb out and swipes it away before it gets too far down my cheek. “I was so worried about you. I’m so fucking sorry, baby. So sorry.” His own eyes glisten with unshed tears.

  “Not your fault.” My voice is scratchy, my words slow. It hurts to talk. Closing his eyes, he leans forward to rest his forehead on mine for a moment before pulling away, holding my eyes captive with his own.

  “It is. I promised you he’d never hurt you again and I didn’t keep that promise. I will never be able to tell you how sorry I am.”

  Another tear falls; he catches that one too. “My fault.”

  “No, baby. No it wasn’t. I know why you left, and I get it. I just ...” I place my hand on his cheek. “God, Charlie.” He catches another tear on my face. “I’m just so happy you’re ok. When I walked into that cabin, I thought you were dead. And fuck me if I didn’t want to die right along with you.” Guilt. I know he’s feeling so much guilt.

  Emotions swirl through me, causing my sore throat to close up and the blood to rush between my ears. Tears fall freely from my eyes. Placing both hands on my cheeks, he wipes them away with his thumbs. “No more tears. That fucker gets no more of your tears.”

  God. Why does he have to be so damned sweet? I need to harden my heart to him or I’m never going to survive. I can’t accept his friendship or his concern. He’d used me. I’d been falling in love with him, and he’d called us a “mistake.”

  I close my eyes and turn away from him, needing a minute to strategize. How can I deal with this guilt ridden, sweet as hell Ryker? I need to remember everything that went on before Krueger got ahold of me. I need to or I’m going to fall back under his spell, and he’s going to crush what’s left of my heart into dust.

  “Sleep, baby girl. I’ll be right here when you wake up.” He misunderstands my closed eyes for fatigue and that’s ok with me. The less I have to deal with him, the better. I want him to leave, but at the same time, I need him to stay. His presence helps keep my fear at bay. For me, Ryker equals safety.

  I lay that way, my heart aching, eyes closed, face turned away for a few more minutes before sleep claims me, the darkness once again rescuing me from danger; even if that danger comes from my own heartache.

  ***

  Ryker

  Charlie’s been in the hospital for eight days now. Three of those days were spent with her unconscious, and today they were finally releasing her. I haven’t left this place once since arriving in the ambulance with my girl. They’d almost lost her a few times. Her lung had collapsed and she’d had a lot of internal bleeding, not to mention the huge amount of blood she’d lost. After a lengthy surgery, several blood transfusions and four days in the intensive care unit, then four more to recover, she was finally able to go home.

  Jase and Tease had spent a lot of time here also, waiting out in the waiting room for news on how Charlie was doing. They’d been a huge help, bringing me food and a change of clothes when I needed them. They both knew there was no way in hell I’d ever leave her again.

  That douche fucker Jeremy had been here too. He’d brought her flowers, and I have to admit, I was jealous as hell when she’d smiled at him and asked for some privacy. I left the room without complaint, standing out in the hall, but I heard them in there. She actually had a conversation with him, reassuring him that she was ok and trying to ease his worry. She rarely talked to me at all. That just about killed me.

  Jase had dealt with the police. They’d come to question me and I’d told them everything. They considered my part in beating the hell out of Krueger self-defense. Krueger was in the hospital for a couple days before being moved to the local remand center, awaiting trial. He’ll be in jail for a long, long time.

  As for Deed and the Devils, they were pissed. Getting the cops involved went against biker code and I’d broken that by calling an ambulance. I couldn’t bring myself to care though. Charlie would have died otherwise, and there was no way I’d have let that happen. I hadn’t spoken to him myself, but I’m pretty sure I can smooth things over with Deed if Gunner can’t. It’s not like they can’t get their information from Krueger in jail. They have plenty of brothers in custody right now, and they can get that dirty job done from the inside.

  Charlie’s been quiet and I have to admit, I’m worried. I’ve avoided bringing up Krueger, or that night, because I don’t quite know where her head’s at. What she went through is enough to fuck up anybody’s mind and I want to protect her from any further pain.

  Now we’re just waiting for the doctor to sign her release papers. I watch Charlie sitting on her bed, eyes to the window, quiet. Too quiet. I’d give anything to know what’s going on in that head of hers.

  Just then, the door swings open and Charlie’s doctor walks in. “Alright Ms. Daniels, your release papers are signed and you should be ready to go.” He offers her a smile. She looks up at him, face blank and just nods. A small frown creases the doctor’s face before he continues. “As I’ve mentioned to your boyfriend here, you –“

 
“He’s not my boyfriend,” Charlie rushes out, sounding annoyed. “Please forward all information to me regarding my care.”

  I notice the doctor glance over at me, but my eyes are glued to Charlie. This is the most emotion she’s shown since that first night she woke up, but I’m not sure I like the way she’s showing it. Is she pissed at me?

  Her doctor clears his throat. “Ok, well, as I’ve shared with Mr. Cole, you will need to have someone stay with you for a couple of weeks. Your injuries are healing, but there is still danger of infection, and you have to be sure not to exert yourself. I want you on bedrest for at least another couple weeks, at which point, we will reassess your progress.”

  Tears shine in her eyes as Charlie listens to what I’ve already heard, her expression bordering on hopeless. “Ok. Um … ok. I will call a friend and see if –“

  I jump out of my seat, moving to stand in front of her. Placing my hands on either side of her face, I lean in close. “Charlie. Look at me.”

  She hesitates, then raises her eyes to meet mine. Fuck. The light in her eyes is barely even there anymore. She looks so broken. How can I fix this? “Baby girl, do you really think I’m gonna let you go home and not take care of you?”

  A tear slides down her cheek; I quickly swipe it away with my thumb.

  “You don’t have to come home with me, Ryker.” She sighs. “I have friends.” Her eyes harden and her jaw tightens. “Real friends. And they will be more than willing to come and help me out for a couple weeks.”

  “Fuck that, Charlie.” Frustration slowly creeps its way in and I try to keep it from coloring my voice. “You’re coming home with me. I’m going to take care of you. Not some girl from work. Not Dr. Douchebag. Me.”

  Her voice cracks and the tears flow faster now; too quickly for me to wipe away. “You don’t have to do that, Ryker. Krueger is gone now. I’m not in danger anymore. You don’t have to take care of me out of guilt. I’ll be fi –“

  Before I can stop myself, I reach out and grab her ponytail, sitting high at the back of her head. I wrap it around my fist, then tug her head back firmly so she has to look me right in the eyes. “Enough!” I’m so far past frustrated now, barreling my way right through to anger. Guilt? She thinks I’m doing this out of guilt? I see the doctor take a step towards me, but I ignore his ass and focus on my girl. I need to make her understand.

  “This has nothing to do with guilt. Not one fucking thing.” I’m breathing heavily, my breaths causing her hair to blow around her face. “I’m going to take care of you because your mine to fucking take care of. I should have done it from the beginning.” I shake my head in frustration and groan. She’s staring at me, eyes wide, lips parted in shock. I’ve finally gotten her attention. Using my fist in her hair, I bring her face closer.

  Slanting my head, I place a gentle kiss on her lips. She kisses me back just as gently, and I hear her swallow back a sob as she brings her hand up, cupping the side of my neck. My lips still on hers, I whisper, “Baby, you’ve been taking care of everyone else your whole life. It’s your turn to be taken care of. Let me take care of you.”

  A sob escapes her throat before she nods and looks up at me, tears streaming down her cheeks. We stare into each other’s eyes for a moment before we hear someone clear their throat. Shit. The doctor.

  We both turn to him and find him smiling wide at us both. “Now that we’ve got that settled, here are your prescriptions, after surgery care instructions and your next appointment date.” He hands a small stack of papers to Charlie, then looks to me. “She’s to stay in bed as much as possible. She only leaves it to use the washroom. It’s very important that she maintains minimal physical activity.”

  I reach out and grab her hand, giving it a squeeze before answering. “Got it. She’s in good hands, Doc. Thanks.”

  “Also,” he continues, giving me a hard stare, “she needs to be kept calm. Getting her worked up is not good for her recovery. Try to keep her happy, ok?”

  I look down at her and kiss the tip of her nose. “That’s the plan.”

  Chapter Twenty

  Charlotte

  I’m going insane. Two weeks I’ve been in this stupid bed and stared at these same damned walls. Two weeks I’ve been staying at Ryker’s house, waiting for the doctor to remove his bedrest order. That also means, it’s been two weeks I’ve been sleeping in the same bed with Ryker, enduring his sweet and protective side; I need to get the hell out of here.

  It turns out, Ryker is pretty amazing. He can be so gentle and kind. Both of these he has been in spades since I got out of the hospital. Each night I have nightmares. I wake up in the night screaming, still feeling Krueger’s blade at my throat or teeth on my skin, his voice still ringing in my ears. Each time, Ryker holds me and soothes me, eventually helping me get back to sleep.

  We don’t talk ever about these nightmares. He knows what they are and I know they bother him. I can tell by the set of his jaw, and the look in his eyes when he asks if I’m ok. The truth is, I’m not ok. Though, other than the nightmares, Krueger never enters my thoughts. I don’t cower from men or have vivid memories of that night while I’m awake. He’s not the reason I’m not ok; the reason I’m not ok is Ryker.

  He’d broken my heart. He’d used my body, and while I’d been falling in love with him, he’d pushed me away. Now, with him so near, it’s extremely hard to hold him at arm’s length. He’s in my space all the time. He brings me food and drinks, helps me to and from the bathroom, then waits outside the door, prowling like a mother lion, until I finish what I need to do. Each day is filled with us, in his bed, watching endless Netflix marathons and playing video games. Sometimes, he tries to talk to me and I can’t help but get sucked in.

  He tells me about his past. His father was a monster and his mother’s death was tragic. He’d been through so much at such a young age. I know what it’s like to be alone after the death of a parent. He tells me funny stories about him and Jase, and growing up in the MC clubhouse. His childhood was so very different from mine. I answer his questions about my mother and sister, tell him about James and how I’ve never had many friends. He listens intently, as if soaking up every little piece of information about me he can.

  During these talks, I realize that Ryker is funny and intelligent. He praises me over and over for being brave and strong. He also tells me that he wishes he had met my mother, because it’s clear from my stories that I get my strength from her. Maybe he’s right.

  Through all of this, my heart keeps getting sucked farther and farther into a deep, irrevocable love for him. The heart that he’d broke slowly mends and it seems to forget what he’d done to break it in the first place. But my mind doesn’t forget. I remind myself constantly that he played me for sex, then screwed that skank the very same night. He said that I wouldn’t make a good old lady, and with the way he’d said it, I knew that he’d meant it. I know he cares about me, and it’s clear he was scared for me, but now I just need to go home.

  Ryker and I have just returned from a trip to my doctor, who had looked me over, asked me a million questions and then, finally, granted me my freedom. I still have to take it easy. He’d stated that I was healing nicely, but rigorous exercise or movements could impede my healing. As long as I promised to follow his orders, he said there was no reason why I had to stay in bed anymore. Needless to say, I’d made that promise.

  Now we’re back at Ryker’s house. He hadn’t said much as we left the office or when we got back to his house; he went right to the kitchen. I can hear him banging stuff around out there, and I have no clue what he’s doing, but I couldn’t care less. I have some packing to do.

  Pulling out the small backpack I’d used the first night I’d come here, I start shoving my clothes into it. I search through every drawer and under the bed, wanting to make sure to leave nothing behind. That way, once I’m gone from here, I’ll have no reason to return.

  There’s too much stuff to cram into my bag, so I start a large pile of c
lothing on the bed. I’ll have to ask Ryker if he has one I could borrow. I’m just about to go into the bathroom for my toiletries, when Ryker comes stalking into the room, a bottle of beer in each hand.

  He has a slight smile on his face, but when he sees my bag and pile of clothes, his face creases with a frown. “What are you doing?”

  I try to keep my tone light. “Packing my stuff.” He stiffens and places his hands on his hips. “You heard the doctor. I’m ok to be alone now, Ryker. I’m sure you must be itching to get your room back.”

  “You’re not going,” he declares.

  Um … what? I sigh. I don’t want to fight with him. “I am, Ryker. My stuff is almost ready to go. If you aren’t going to take me, I’ll call a cab.”

  Ryker breaks from his stance and stalks over to me. I watch him come, gasping when he doesn’t stop in front of me, like I expect. Instead, he sets both bottles on the dresser, grabs my arms firmly, using them to back me against the wall. His face lowers to mine until we’re almost nose to nose.

  “Don’t go,” he whispers.

  My belly flutters. Looking into his eyes, I see tenderness swirling through them. I need to ignore that. I need to leave. “I have to. I can’t stay here anymore.”

  His eyes search mine. I can only hold his stare, unable to breathe. His closeness is wreaking havoc on my heart. Finally, he moves impossibly closer, running his nose along mine. “You’re still pissed at me.”

  My belly stops fluttering, anger taking its place deep in my gut. Standing up straight, I place my hands on his chest and attempt to push him back. He moves only a little while he takes in my glare. “Yes, I’m still pissed at you!” I give him another shove. “Did you think if you were nice to me for a few weeks, I’d just forget?”

  His eyes close and he rests his forehead on mine. He stays that way for several seconds before taking a deep breath and looking into my eyes once more. “I’m so fucking sorry, Charlie. I promised you that fucker would never hurt you and I fucked up. I’m mad at myself –“