by Janie Marie
Of course, she knew he was talking about the guy looking at her, but he really didn’t need to worry. “The only guys I care about are you and the others. Don’t get pissy.”
“I’m protective, not pissy.” He slammed the door and walked around it to get in. When he was seated beside her, he started the car and continued, “I’ve seen that prick with someone else before. Don’t ever be alone with him, understand?”
“Okay,” she told him, putting a hand over his as he angrily shifted gear. “I’m excited about seeing you tonight. It’s not too brutal, right?”
He was quiet, just driving as he stared straight ahead, but he finally moved his hand, letting hers cover the shifter as he guided her into each gear. “I’m brutal. It’s part of the reason why you never got to know this shit about me.”
“Are you worried I’ll freak out?”
“You are going to freak out,” he said, not teasing. “I send guys to the hospital, babe. But you want to see what I do, so you’re gonna see.”
“You can do it now,” she pulled her hand free and turned to stare out the window. It wasn’t like she was angry that he was being protective. She wasn’t. But she felt the change in him—like the whole world shifted because he was worried about her.
He made it to the main road and sighed as he put his hand on her thigh. “Hey, are you mad at me? I’m not gonna be like that about every guy who looks at you. Only if I feel something off.”
“I’m not mad.” She really wasn’t. “You’re just upset, and I can feel it.” It was like her chest was being pressed on, like her breath was being sucked away.
“Then we should talk about happy things.” He patted her leg but didn’t let go. “Like the scouts couldn’t take their eyes off me yesterday.”
“Really?” She grinned up at him now.
“Of course.” He leaned over and kissed her quickly. “Always forgetting who I am, silly girl.”
Slightly drunk on him, she moved so she could lean her head on his shoulder. “I never forget, but I’m always amazed by you.”
“Feel the same about you, Sweet Jane,” he said, pushing her to sit properly in her seat. “You’re a horrible passenger, though.”
“Rude.” She sulked, adjusting her seatbelt.
“Protective,” he deadpanned before he snapped his fingers. “Keanu.”
“What?”
“Keanu. That’s what you should name that little fucker.”
She laughed, asking him, “Like Keanu Reeves?”
He nodded, his smile stretching wide. “First, I know he’s your favorite actor,” he said, making her heart flutter that he’d even know that. “Second, because when we were kids—before you turned into my mean, beautiful girl who haunted me for years—you didn’t mind being close to me. And there was one Saturday night when you were with us. It was me, David, Tercero, and Luc who had sat down to watch a movie with you, and you wanted to watch Bill & Ted’s, the one with the Grim Reaper, then you said Keanu Reeves was funny. Every one of us were instantly jealous of that guy. So, Keanu fits. We are jealous that little fucker gets to sleep with you, and he’s something you share with all of us.”
“Ryder Godson, you are the sweetest guy in the world.” She couldn’t believe he’d remember something so far back or that he’d think to include the others in it. “I love it.”
“I know you do.” He pulled up next to Sylvia’s house and grabbed their backpacks but dropped them quickly to hold her face and kiss the life out of her. “Now get your sexy ass out of my car. Time to play teacher with me.”
Two hours later, Jane clung to Ryder’s arm as they walked toward an abandoned-looking warehouse. “Do I look okay?” she asked him. The place was sketchy as hell, and it didn’t help Ryder had parked them where there was no way to see from the main street. His car wasn’t the only one like that in the parking lot either.
His gaze connected with hers before sliding down her figure. She’d worn a pair of black jeggings with a white tank top and converse. It seemed appropriate when she saw he wore a pair of dark jeans, T-shirt, and a black leather jacket instead of his school letter jacket. “You look like you want me to strip your sexy ass down bare.” He smirked, his eyes flashing. “I don’t like to say I’m fucking you, but I see it, you want to be fucked long and hard now that you’re off your period.”
Tingles shot up her arm. “Ryder.”
She was stunned by his gorgeous smile.
“What?” He laughed as he turned, walking backward but still holding her hand. “You know it’s true. If I didn’t want to show off for you, I’d wrap you around me and love you the way you like me to.” Then he tapped her nose, his smile slipping into the cold mask of the bad boy she knew he was. “But you’re in trouble. I didn’t say it earlier, but I know you’re hiding something from me. So, no dick until I say.”
Her breath hitched, and his smile returned. Deadly.
“Gotcha.” He stopped walking and gently gripped her chin as he stared down at her. “I know you’re seeing my brother, or brothers, behind my back.”
A choked noise got stuck in her throat.
He leaned down, kissing her, breathing in deeply as his lips stayed against hers. “I know you want to tell me, too,” he murmured. “I know you don’t want to keep secrets, but you were asked to.”
Her eyes watered as she wrapped her arms around his waist, her heart hammering violently in her chest. “Don’t leave me.”
His eyes glowed in the setting sun, like an emerald being struck by a ray of light. “You’re my Sweet Jane, hun. We’re longer than always.” Now, he cupped her face, his palms warming from the magic he created when he touched her. “Just answer me this, do you still love me?”
“Yes,” she rushed, hugging him. “So freaking much.”
Those eyes searched hers, and he eventually nodded. “Are you considering picking someone over me? ‘Cause I deserve to know if I need to fight for you. I’m not fighting these fucks because I love you . . . you have to know that by now.”
Bobbing her head, she tried to get closer to him. “I mean, yes, I know you’re accepting them because you love me and, no, I’m not picking anyone over you. I am keeping a secret because I was asked to, though.”
He exhaled through his nose. “Kingston did this, didn’t he?”
She stayed quiet as her answer.
A low grunt slipped past his lips. “Sly, fucker. I knew it seemed too easy.”
“I’m sorry.” She pushed her hands under his shirt, pressing her palms against his smooth skin. “It’s just his way of making sure I’m not pressured.”
“I wouldn’t pressure you, babe.” The muscles in his back tightened. “You tell me first, if you decide you don’t love me anymore. Or whatever—just tell me shit. I’m trying to give you what you want and deserve, but if it’s not me—”
“Ryder,” she said firmly, “I am loving you until the end of time.”
“Longer,” he said, smoothing her hair back. “Always longer.”
She nodded, biting her lips only to laugh when he growled and leaned down to nip them.
“You know better,” he scolded, his kiss rough in the sweetest way. It was something only Ryder could pull off. “I’m still husband?”
Grinning, she pushed her hands down the back of his jeans.
“That’s my ass,” he said, chuckling.
“Husband ass.” She squeezed, almost moaning as the muscular globes flexed. There was no more denying it; someday she was going to marry this boy.
“Damn right it is.” He pecked her and tugged her hands free. “But you’re still in trouble. My mind is spinning with fear you’re going to fall for their slick shit. You’re a sucker for the Italian shit as well as Luc’s sophisticated bullshit. I know I agreed to you seeing all of us, but I'm not putting it past my brothers to try and have you all to themselves.”
Jane couldn’t believe her cocky bad boy could be so insecure about her. Yes, he was taking a dig at her for being won over by t
heir charms, but he wasn’t trying to insult her. He was vulnerable. Tercero was right—Ryder needed to see she’d still choose him above all.
“I really like Tercero,” she told him. “And with Luc, there’s something I can’t explain, but I swear I love everything about you, especially how sweet and funny you are with me. I know you’ll destroy for me if you need to, and I know you’ll say the dumbest things just to make me laugh. You’ll do it all just for me.” She reached up to touch his cheek. “You’re magic. There is no one else like you, and I’m so fucking happy that I get to say you’re mine.” She lowered her hand and pressed it above his heart. “Now, please, show me the guy you’ve kept secret from me.”
He covered her hand. “I keep it from almost everyone, but mainly you. I thought you’d be afraid of me if you knew what I did. I already know you don’t like smoking or drinking—I’m quitting by the way.”
Gosh, he was too perfect. “You don’t have to change for me, but I will say I’m allergic to smoke, so I can’t be around you for that,” she whispered. It was hard to accept this about him, but she would, as long as he was safe.
“I know—that’s why I’m stopping. I don’t want you sick. Plus, it was to calm me when I wasn’t able to be close to you. And because I struggled with you hating me. Now, there’s no reason to take the edge off.” He darted his gaze between hers as her heart grew for him. “I’ll stop drinking because I want to be sober around you all the time. You taste better than any fucking drop of alcohol anyway. But I need to fight. It’s who I am.”
“Then fight,” she said, still unsure if it was okay he was changing so much of himself for her. “I won’t be afraid of you. Turned on, definitely. But never afraid.”
Now, he laughed. “Then I’m definitely not letting you sit next to Sin.” He took hold of her hand. “Come on. The sooner my fight starts, the sooner we can party together.”
“Party?”
He nodded, holding the door open. “Sin suggested I let you see how we do things. If it’s not your thing, we can leave.”
“Is it your thing?” She watched him shrug.
“You’re the only thing that matters to me, angel. But I’m definitely more relaxed around this group. So, as you might’ve noticed, I rarely participate in the parties my brothers throw—here I join in.”
“Why?” She knew Ryder wasn’t close to the others, but she’d assumed he wasn’t close to anyone.
“‘Cause they don’t give a fuck like me, I guess.” He nodded to a big guy sitting at the end of the hall. He was bald, and he had a nasty scar running down his face.
“Godson,” the man grumbled, holding out his hand.
Ryder’s only reply was giving the guy a stack of bills he’d pulled from his jacket.
The man counted it, then eyed Jane. “This your girl?”
“Obviously,” Ryder said, tightening his grip on her. “We done?”
“Yeah, we’re done.” He motioned for Ryder to enter, and her bad boy didn’t hesitate to pull her along.
“You pay to fight?” she asked Ryder quietly.
“Yeah.” He grimaced, adding, “And for everything they provide.”
What on earth did they provide? The place looked like a dump, and she didn’t imagine them providing clean towels and water. She scanned the dirty floors and worn out chairs around a fenced arena. Not many people were there yet, but her blood went cold at the sight of half-naked women dancing on a makeshift stage.
“Jane,” Ryder said quietly. “Hey, I don’t pay for the women. It’s not better, but when I say they get me stuff, they get me liquor and weed. I’m stopping, though. I just had a small debt.”
Her pulse thundered in her ears as she watched a guy holding out a twenty to a woman, who immediately dropped to her knees and started undoing the guy’s pants. “What the hell, Ryder? This is where you prefer to be?”
He growled, picking her up when she turned to leave. “See? This is why I kept my shit private.”
“Yeah,” she said, shoving his shoulders, “silly me for having a problem with you paying for prostitutes and calling it a fight club.”
“Jane.” His voice took on that tone that demanded she calmed down. When she did, he kissed her cheek and spoke in a low voice. “I’m not going to tell these guys they need to stop fucking around just because I don’t agree, or because my girl is here. There are other girls who come with their boyfriends; you just accept it.”
He shifted his hold on her, keeping an arm under her ass as he pulled her arm around his neck so he could hold her face. “Just take a look, babe. Those guys can’t get women unless they pay for them.”
Her eyes flitted over to the group; they were rough looking for sure. Not ugly, just unimpressive next to guys like hers, and their injuries from years of fighting didn’t help.
Ryder chuckled, nuzzling her neck. “They have anger problems, drug addictions, and they can’t hold decent jobs. The club gets them what they need to keep them as fighters. It’s this or on the street for them. They make enough money to at least keep a roof over their heads, and many of them live together. It’s not like the people who run this care about them, but they care about keeping guys who can bring in money. Some are good fighters; others are good at taking a beating or entertaining a crowd.”
“So, the girls are just for them?” She returned her focus to Ryder, thankful the blowjob was turned the other way. She couldn’t believe people did this stuff.
“Whoever wants it,” he said with a shrug.
“Even you?”
His expression went cold, the same as the tone he spoke to her with. “I’ve had women look my way, offer to give me freebies, or even women who are here for the rush of the fight, but you know I’ve always been waiting for you. Stop thinking I’m the asshole you made me out to be.” She flinched, but he kept going. “I’m not a piece of shit when it comes to you, Jane. I’m not perfect, but I didn’t cope by fucking around with another woman. I fight, I get high, and I rarely get wasted to mellow out the fact I never had you. I won’t need any of it now. I’ll either have you here, watching me, or I’ll rush home to be with you.”
Jane frowned. It wasn’t like she wanted him to do drugs or drink, but was that part of the boy she loved?
“Talk to me, babe.” He jiggled her a little as he slightly softened his expression. But not enough to look like the sweet guy she knew he wanted to be with her. “Do I need to cancel today and do my fights without you?”
“No.” She hugged him, relieved when he returned it with a stronger one. “Let me see you,” she murmured. “If you didn’t do that, I’m okay. I promise.”
“I didn’t do that.” He smacked her butt and lowered her to her feet. “Come with me to the locker room. If I tell you to close your eyes, it means a guy is naked or someone is fucking in there. Just close your eyes so I can get changed.”
Her face was hot, but she nodded. He probably thought she was such a prude. No drinking, no smoking, no sex with prostitutes. Okay, the last one was wrong no matter what.
“So fucking cute, babe.” He took her hand. “Let’s go. The rest of the guys should be getting here soon.”
Quietly, they slipped past the hookers, and Jane could barely believe she was doing such a crazy thing as thinking of actual hookers. But, thankfully, the locker room wasn’t far, and it was fairly empty. Except for a few guys. And Than.
“Than,” she shouted, waving.
He was sitting on a bench, talking to another man, or it seemed, he was selling the guy something. Drugs. Than’s a bad guy.
Jane almost gasped; I am such a goody-two-shoes. Well, if goody-two-shoes had sex in cars with bad boys and got fucked on their period by their stepbrother. . . . Oh, no, I’m a bad guy too.
“Hey,” Than said, nodding to Ryder as he got up, pocketing his cash. “Jane, I didn’t expect to see you here.”
Ryder released her hand as he turned to open a locker. “You’re scaring my girl with your illegal activities, Than.”
>
The boy in question smirked at her. “She’s not afraid of me, and she’s a little wild one at heart.”
Now Ryder chuckled. “She’s wild with me. This is all new to her—don’t corrupt her.”
Fire lit in Than’s eyes. “She’s hanging with the wrong crowd if that’s what you want.”
“She’s what I want, always.” Ryder kissed the top of her head and asked her, “Is this crowd too much for you?”
She beamed up at him. “No. Like Than said, I must be wild at heart.” Then she threw a glare at Than. “Don’t talk to him about me like I’m not right here.”
A sinister grin transformed his face, and she saw for the first time the dark guy she’d been having lunch with. “Apologies, my queen.”
Ryder moved a bit away and tugged off his shirt. Hot damn. He flexed for her, smiling. “Do they treat you like the queen you are, angel?”
“They do keep calling me queen—it’s weird. People keep staring.”
“Let them stare—you’re my beautiful girl.” His smile was wicked as he glanced at Than. “Did you tell her why you call her queen?”
Jane frowned as she looked between them. Luc was the king, according to most in their towns, but she knew they called Ryder king, too.
“Figured you’d let her see.” Than inclined his head toward Ryder’s locker where someone had graffitied the Grim Reaper and the words ‘The King Reaper’ across it.
She smiled at the image, running her fingers across the scythe. “You did take that movie to heart. Death . . . I like it.”
“I knew you would.” He leaned down, kissing her softly then murmured, “My girl greets Death with a smile and a kiss.”
“More than that,” she said, giggling.
Than squeezed past them. “Let me escape before this gets to ‘more than that’.”
Ryder chuckled, pecking her once more as he ushered her to the bench. “Than, I want her taken care of. No deals around her.”
“No problem.” Than nodded at him. “Do the others know she’s here?”
“Not yet.” Ryder unbuttoned his jeans, winking at her as he sat to untie his shoes. “No smoking around her, either—she gets sick. And definitely don’t push her to try anything. She’s not used to this stuff.”