by Ryan Michele
“Don’t hold your breath. Or, on second thought—do.”
Ryker’s eyes light in amusement, yet there’s something behind them. It’s as if he’s covering for something or someone. Maybe this in-your-face shit really isn’t him—it’s an act. Pity. I know a lot of women who would eat that shit up if it were true.
“Come on.”
I turn and follow Princess in through a large metal door. When it closes, I have to blink my eyes several times to adjust to the darkness. The place smells of smoke and stale beer, reminding me of Schade’s club and my time tending bar. Damn, that feels like a long time ago.
The place is covered in a dark wood paneling that looks as though it’s been there for more years than I’ve been alive. There’s a bar off to the right with nicks and dings all over it. Tables and chairs, some filled with people, sit in the middle of the place. A large pool table sits off to the side, and there’s a wall full of pictures all over it.
“Well, who do we have here?” a man with long hair braided down his back and a red, white, and blue bandana across his forehead calls out from one of the tables. He lifts a beer to his beard covered lips, takes a sip, then sets it down.
“Rylie,” Princess answers for me. “Dagger, meet my new head of security at X.”
He whistles. “What’s a little thing like her gonna do with that job?” I’m sure he’s joking, but I don’t appreciate being belittled.
“Wipe the floor with any motherfucker who doesn’t keep their fucking hands to themselves.” My tone is calm, even, and still. Yes, I can make my voice still in a way that conveys my seriousness. I’ve had quite a bit of practice over the years.
Dagger takes another drink then points the tip of his bottle at me. “She’ll do … for now.” He throws it down like a challenge, but I don’t take the bait. It takes a lot more to hook me these days.
Now, the scary as fuck guy to his right, he might be one of the few I don’t want to ever see in a dark alley. His face is twisted in a way that I think is permanent and strange. He’s all muscle and can more than likely take out anybody and anything. He’s definitely one for me to keep my eyes on.
“Rhys, this is Rylie.”
Scary man—okay, Rhys—says nothing, but lifts his chin.
“Come on; be nice,” a sing-song voice comes from beside me. A beautiful woman with blonde hair and a body to die for walks up to Rhys, making his scowl disappear as she sits on his lap, putting her arms around him. “Don’t be all hard to the new girl.”
He pulls her to him and kisses her hard. I hear her gasp, but she doesn’t pull away. His face changes. It doesn’t get soft, but there’s this slight change that is tender. That man loves her beyond all reason.
“Tanner?” Princess calls out as they pull away for breath.
When she turns to us, her eyes are a bit glazed over. “Yeah?”
Princess chuckles. “This is Rylie.”
“Oh, hi! Sorry.” She looks at Rhys. “Okay, not really sorry, but yeah.”
“Nice to meet ya,” I tell her, feeling a bit flushed after witnessing that kiss. Damn, it’s been a while, and seeing the passion they have for each other is a sight. Not to mention he’s got a few years on her.
“Stop doin’ that shit in front of me,” Dagger growls.
“Dad, we’re married and have kids. This shit happens all the time.”
This is a shocker. So, Dagger is Tanner’s father, and Rhys looks about his age. To each their own. Regardless, they’re hot together, so I count her as pretty damn lucky. Not many women have what those two have. And even though I don’t know her or him, I’m happy for them. Anyone who can find a slice of happy in this world deserves it.
“Hey!” A woman with long blonde hair and a wide smile comes up to Princess’ side. “I’m Bristyl, Cooper’s ol’ lady.” She holds out her hand, and when I take it, I notice instantly her strength. This woman is definitely not a push over. More so, she’s Cooper, Princess, and Cruz’s kid’s ol’ lady, and judging by the wide smile on Princess’ face, this woman has her approval.
“Rylie.”
Bristyl looks at Princess. “This is good. It’ll give you a break.”
Princess nods. “Yeah, Rylie here is solid.”
“She looks it. I work here at the shop in the office. If ya need anything, let me know.” She gives another wide smile before she drifts out the front door.
“There you are.” That male voice is so damn deep, and the man behind it is hot as all hell.
Princess marches up to him and wraps her arms around his neck. The infamous Cruz. It’s actually his last name, but it’s what he answers to.
Princess stands on her tiptoes and kisses him. He pulls her in close and deepens it.
Damn, it’s seriously getting hot in here. The way he kisses her reminds me of last night’s conversation about getting thrown against a wall and fucked hard. This man, he definitely does that with his woman.
She pulls away. “This is Rylie.”
He takes a beat to admire his wife then turns to me. His eyes and demeanor that were once happy with Princess turn cold and razor sharp. I don’t move or take a step back, even if his fierceness makes me want to.
Never back down. He wants me to work for him, then it’ll work. If not, then I’m out. That’s the good thing about this situation. I don’t like it, I’m done. No harm, no foul.
“Let’s go to my office.”
“Sure.”
Great, I’m off to a good start. I should just hightail it out now.
Chapter Seven
“I got your sister,” I say into the phone after Nox greets me.
“Who the fuck is this?” Nox barks from the other end of the line.
He’s always been the calm one, except when it comes to his sister. He’s always protected her, no matter what. I have to give him that, at least. He and I had our differences, but it’s been years.
“Oh, cuz, calm your shit.”
“Deke?”
“Showed up on my doorstep. Bringin’ her home,” I tell him.
A slight hesitation comes over the line. “Is she okay?”
“Nope. Busted face. Whoever that dickwad was she was with left her black and blue.”
“Fuck!” he growls. “I’ll find out who it is.”
My instant reaction is: fuck yeah, let’s go beat this motherfucker down. Then reality hits me. Drop her off and leave. That’s what’s best for everyone. Getting involved any more than I already am is bad news.
“Be there this afternoon.” I disconnect the phone and toss it in the cup holder.
Austyn begins to move from the passenger seat of my truck, her eyes flying open. “Where are we going?” she asks in a rush.
“Home.”
“You asshole! You told me I could stay with you.” She moves to take her seatbelt off. I’m going about seventy, so if she goes out, she’ll make a fuck of a mess of herself.
I reach over and grab her arm, tightly holding her in place. “No, I said you could stay last night. Already called Nox, and he’s expecting us.”
“Fuck, Deke, do you have any idea what you’ve done?” She fights just a bit, then groans, dropping her head onto the back window. I take it as my cue to let go. “I’m fucking dead.”
“Shoulda thought of that before you hopped in a car with someone you didn’t fuckin’ know. That’s some stupid shit right there, Austyn. Know you’re smarter than that.”
She sighs heavy. “Fuck, Deke, you have no idea what you’ve done. You have no idea what’s going on.”
“Fuckin’ enlighten me so I know what I’m gettin’ myself into.” Damn, this is a horrible fucking idea.
“I lied.”
I slam on the brakes and pull the truck over in a flash, my gaze shooting daggers at her as I clip, “What?”
She reaches out, putting her hands on the dashboard, bracing herself. “Don’t get pissed.”
“Too fuckin’ late. Talk.”
Her eyes fill with something, and
she quickly tries to mask it, but it was there—hurt, pain, regret.
“You can’t tell anyone, Deke. I’m confiding in you. I can’t let anyone know why I was in Grayson.”
“Talk!” I bark.
“Deke,” she snips back. “I mean it. This is serious shit.”
“Talk. I’ll decide.”
“You’re not gonna let me go unless I tell you …” Her thoughts trail off as if she’s weighing what to tell me. “I didn’t hitchhike. I’m not stupid. I took the Greyhound here, not wanting the tracker in my car to keep tabs on me.”
“Well, at least you have some sense.”
She lets out a huff. “If you’d have been around the last four years, you never would’ve bought the hitchhike thing in the first place.” My anger rises. “I needed to do something, and it couldn’t be in Sumner. Emery told me a while back where you were living, so I planned that something here so I could crash with you for a couple days.”
“What something? And don’t fucking blow rainbows up my ass, woman.”
A small smirk tips her lips. “We’ve missed you.”
“Austyn …” I warn.
She lifts her chin as she straightens in her seat like she’s gaining her courage. What the fuck is she up to?
She clears her throat. “Let’s just say, yesterday, when I came to town, I was pregnant. Today, I’m not.”
Shock hits me in the gut. This scenario wasn’t even on my radar. I feel as if the wind is knocked out of me.
“What?”
Her head whips to me, tears and anger burning in her eyes. “I’m not talking about it anymore, Deke. You got more than I wanted to give.”
“What about your face?”
Her fists clench. “You should see him. Fucker outside the clinic said I was a murderer. Said I didn’t deserve to breathe. Said I was a whore. He came at me, and I didn’t think he was actually going to hit me, but he did. I fought back, of course, but he got a couple licks in.”
“So, let me get this straight; you just had a procedure, and you’re out beating the ass of some asshole?”
“Yeah, Deke. That’s why I passed out at your place. They gave me some painkillers, and I took them after I got out of the cab at your place.”
“Fuck, Austyn. Why didn’t you tell me this yesterday instead of fuckin’ lyin’?”
“No one knows I was pregnant. I mean, no one except now you. You think I want anyone in our family to find out what I did? They’ll be pissed. But I couldn’t keep it.” Her breaths come shorter, and if I’m not mistaken, she’s biting back tears. There is a far off look in her eyes.
“Who’s the father?” Not only will I beat the motherfucker, but I’ll make sure I pass the information on to Nox, Cooper, and Cruz so they can get their shots in, as well.
Austyn crosses her arms over her chest and faces forward. “That, I’m not discussing.” Her tone is flat. I can feel her shutting down, so I change it up.
“Your brother knows you have a busted face. What are we gonna tell him?”
She slaps her hands to the side of her seat. “Fuck, Deke. They can’t find out who did it. That asshole will sing like a canary and tell them the demon I am. Think, Austyn.” She says the last part to herself, evidently trying to come up with another lie to cover up what she’s already done.
“You know, the more lies you tell, the harder it is to cover your tracks,” I tell her a lesson I learned the hard way. When it comes down to it, things were better for me to leave and stay gone than to attempt to continue the lies.
“I know that, Deke, but in this situation, I don’t have a damn choice.”
“You’re bringing me right back into the middle of shit I can’t and don’t want to be in. Did you think about that?”
Her head snaps toward me like something just dawned on her. Good. Maybe the little shit can get her act together.
“Sorry.” The word is so damn soft I barely hear it.
“Why did you do it?”
She lets out a small scream; the quiet gone. Then she throws her head in her hands and begins rocking back and forth. “This is why I didn’t tell anyone. I don’t want all these questions,” she growls. “Fuck.”
I don’t do this deep shit. The closest I’ve come is with Emery and school. This situation is completely on the other side of the spectrum, and while I want to tell her to woman up and fucking deal with what she did, I can’t. I may be a dick, but I’m not a complete bastard, and from her expression, this was a hard decision for her.
“You were mugged while comin’ to my place to get away. I didn’t know. When you got off the bus—because Austyn, they’ll find that shit out—you were mugged. You kicked his ass, he got away, you came to my place.”
“You think they’ll buy it?”
“Nope.”
She actually chuckles. “I’m so screwed, Deke.”
“You pay cash for everything and not use your real name?”
“I had a fake ID, and yes, I paid cash. I’m not some stupid kid, Deke. I had it planned out to the T. One thing I wasn’t planning on was the asshole coming at me and you taking me home while I’m busted up.”
I need to get her home, so I steer the truck back on the road.
Whatever she decides to tell them, they will investigate and will find out the truth. It’s the Ravage way. And I’m driving right toward it.
“Where am I takin’ you? Your mom’s?”
She shakes her head. “No, my place.”
This is fucked up on so many levels, and fuck me for bringing her home. It’s put me square in the middle of this mess and on my way to a place I said I wouldn’t go back to. But I’m not fucking heartless, at least not most of the time.
Austyn doing this shit on her own is beyond my comprehension. The girl of four years ago is no more. I have questions for her, but I won’t ask. It’s not my place. After I drop her ass off, I’ll be on my way. She’ll go on with her life, and I’ll be away from Sumner.
When my cell rings, I look at the number.
“Your brother.”
She groans and lets out a scream, then grabs the phone and takes the call. “Yeah?”
It’s faint, but I can hear. “Yeah? What the fuck are you doing, Austyn? Who’s the guy, and why is your face busted up?”
She looks at me. Guess I forgot to tell her I’d already told him she was with some asshole. Lies, all they do is compound, making each heavier than the other until they collapse. When they do, it takes down everyone in their path. Me, I don’t give a fuck. This isn’t my business. My life is in Grayson. Not in Sumner. Never in Sumner.
“Deke misheard. I took the Greyhound up here to surprise Deke.”
At least that’s the truth.
“Why?”
“Because I needed to get away, Lennox. Now get off my ass!” she bites back, gripping the phone tightly. I wouldn’t be surprised if I hear plastic cracking at any moment.
“You bring your ass to the clubhouse, Austyn,” he fires back, all while I take in their conversation and continue to drive, knowing I’ve fucked up, but no way would I let Austyn fend for herself to get home.
“No, I’m going home.”
“I’m not fuckin’ playin’. Dad’s pissed beyond measure. You don’t even want to know how Cooper’s taking your disappearing act. I mean, really, Austyn? Where the fuck is your brain? Takin’ off without tellin’ anyone where you’re goin’? Then we can’t track your cell. It’s fucked up.”
“No, I’m going home. I’m tired. I’ll deal with you all later.”
“If you’re not here, we’re comin’ to you. Don’t be stupid. Make the right decision.”
She pulls the phone away from her ear, staring at it. “He hung up on me.”
“No shit.”
She huffs. “Don’t add to my plate, Deke. It’s deep enough without you piling more on top.”
“You did this to yourself. And you’d better figure your shit out, because I sure as hell don’t want to drop you off at the clu
bhouse, but it’s your best damn bet at the moment.”
“Great, gone for four years and you take their side.”
I clench the wheel. “Fuck off. You think I want to go to that place? You’ll be lucky if I don’t push your ass out of the truck and keep driving past.”
“You wouldn’t.” No, but she doesn’t need to know that.
“Fuck yeah.”
Her eyes narrow. “You’re a dick. Just like all the other guys.”
“You expected different? You got a lot to learn, woman.” It feels different calling her a woman. She’s not even legal to drink yet, but here she is, dealing with a responsibility she didn’t intend on doing. All in all, she’s handling herself damn well, considering the circumstances.
“Fuck, this isn’t how I planned it.”
“Nothing ever goes as planned. That’s why you need to know every possible outcome.”
“You know, Emery said you didn’t talk much. I think I’d like it better if that were true.” I feel the urge to chuckle, something I haven’t done in a long-ass time, but I hold it in.
There’s no need to respond, so I don’t, just turn my attention to the road and drive. She needs time to think, and I need to prepare myself for what’s about to come next.
“Deke, please,” my mother pleads, tears running like rain down her cheeks. Each one that falls to the ground guts me just a bit more.
Since as long as I can remember, all I’ve ever wanted was to become a brother in the Ravage MC; to take a seat at their table with my father, grandfather, and uncle. Life decided to throw me a big “fuck you,” though, crushing those dreams into shards.
“Mom, I have to.” More like, I don’t have a choice at this point.
If I even wanted to stay here, it’s not an option. Nothing is an option, besides leaving. It’s for the best. The brothers think I’m a joke. Hell, my own family thinks I am. What else can I expect from them after I got high to numb it all for over a year.
It was a shit move, but it’s one that I have deal with. Probably for the rest of my damn life. Funny how all I ever wanted to do was grow up so I could join. Now I wish I could do it all over again. However, life doesn’t work that way.
“No, you don’t. Just stay, and we’ll work all this out. We can’t do that if you’re not here,” she tries again.