“If it is, I can offer you protection. I promise if you tell us what happened, we can help,” Marco continues. He steps up, walking around and resting back on the edge of the desk right in front of her.
“He threatened to hurt my baby,” she blurts out. “He told me if I didn’t, he would come after me and kill her. I can’t let anything happen to her. The minute he finds out you know the truth, he will come for us.” The panic in her voice is chilling, and the anger inside me rises like a motherfucking volcano.
“I’m sorry.” She looks up at me through her wet eyelashes. “I’m sorry for all the trouble I’ve caused you. Believe me when I say I didn’t feel like I had a choice.”
“Bullshit, you didn’t,” I retort. “You should have said something to Marco and stopped this whole thing before it started.”
“I’m sorry.” She continues to sob, and I’m suddenly snapped back by the hand resting on the top of my arm.
“Leave it, Ryder. She’s sorry, and we know the truth now. That’s all that matters,” Kailee whispers, and I turn to look into her eye. I move my hand until I’m cradling her face, running my thumb over her lips.
“I’m just glad you know the truth,” I murmur; distant voices in the background can’t pull me from this moment. “No more leaving,” I warn, lifting my brows.
“Never,” she chokes out. Her arms wrap around my body, and her head rests on my chest.
“Ryder,” Marco calls. I spin around to see them walking toward the door. “Let me sort this out. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
“Gotcha,” I say with a nod. “In fact, Marco…” I call after him as he makes his way out. “Make it ten.” I grin, and he laughs as he closes the door behind him.
Having her body pressed against me is making my dick twitch. I need to touch her, be inside her, as much as my body needs the air I breathe.
“Your body. Here. Pressed against me is driving me fucking insane,” I breathe out loudly. Her body moves against me as she laughs a little. Fuck, she’s so beautiful, and she’s all mine.
Stepping back, I separate from the warmth of her body. I twist the lock on the door and grab the chair, wedging it under the handle. I turn to see her biting the corner of her lip; her eyes fill with lust and desire, a mirror to my own.
“I need to be inside you,” I growl as I take her in my arms. I lean into her, nibbling and sucking her neck, moans escaping her.
“I need you too,” she exclaims. My hand instantly goes inside her panties, desperate to touch her in all the places I know she likes to be touched.
“Fuck, you’re so wet for me, Pip,” I murmur, bringing her leg up and resting it on the edge of the table. She spreads for me, and I circle her clit. She pushes down her pants to give me better access. She removes them completely, her arms wrapped around my neck. I push my finger inside, continuing to massage her clit with the pad of my thumb. Her moans are contained but like fucking music to my ears. Her body writhes against me as I fuck her with my fingers.
“I don’t know how much longer I can fucking wait, Pip.” I exhale a ragged breath. “I need to bury my cock in you. Right now.”
I drop my head, kissing her desperately as my hands work up to the back of her neck. I push her onto the table, her bare ass in the air. “Gonna make this hard and fast, Pip,” I groan, my voice strained and raspy. Unfastening my button, I push down my boxers and grab my cock. I line up at her entrance, pulling on the cheek of her ass to reveal her wet pussy. I moan loudly before surging forward, pushing into her and filling and stretching her completely. I move frantically, burying myself inside her. With each harsh thrust, she lets out the sweetest cry of ecstasy, and I feel her tightening around me. I keep moving, thrusting harder and faster, pressing my hands down on the flat of her back.
“You’re so close, Pip; I feel your pussy tightening around my cock. I’m going to send you over the fucking edge. Hold on,” I warn, reaching down and circling her clit until her body stiffens. Within seconds, her tight pussy clenches around me, and it’s all I need to instigate my own release. I thrust once, twice, and feel the intense wave of pleasure as I pulsate, coming deep inside her. I crash down on top of her, claiming a kiss, and sealing the fact that this girl is mine. That I own every part of her body, including her heart.
We quickly dress, remove the chair, and unlock the door. I sit down with Kailee on my knee, and she wraps her arms around my neck, burying her head into my shoulder. I’d be lying if I didn’t say it feels good. So fucking good.
Startling me from my thoughts, Marco pushes open the door, marching in and flopping into his chair dramatically.
“That fucking brother of yours is causing me more trouble than I care to mention.” He pushes his hand through his bright white hair, exhaling heavily. The look that flashes in his eyes is not familiar.
“Bad?”
“Bad enough.” He sighs. “Honestly, Ryder. You know me. If this was anyone else, I would have this fucking problem sorted by now.” And I knew exactly what he was talking about. He would never get his hands dirty, but he wouldn’t normally take shit from anyone.
“I’ve been patient with him,” he murmurs. “I’m just not sure how long my patience will last.”
“What happened, man?” I ask, needing the details.
“He showed up at the mansion last night. With a bunch of muscle.”
I wasn’t surprised because nothing about him surprises me anymore.
“What the fuck did he want?” I ask, Kailee frozen, as she sits on my lap waiting for him to reply.
“Revenge,” he says with a smirk, and I feel Kailee shudder. “He’s treading on thin fucking ice, Ryder. He’s fucked up, a real fucking mess.” I reach up with my right hand, rubbing and squeezing my forehead. I hate that motherfucker, but ultimately, he’s my brother, and that’s a tie I can’t cut so easily.
“He’s not my problem,” I say shrugging my shoulders. “Deal with it how you fucking want, Marco.”
“If only it was that easy.” He sighs, a saddened smile spreading on his face. “We’ve been friends for so damn long. I hate to see him this way. So vengeful and full of hatred. He said he knows I was behind you finding Kailee.”
“Didn’t hear it from me,” I bite out, dismissing him with a shake of my head.
“Well” — he waves his hands in front of him — “I got him removed and warned him never to turn up at my gate again. Told him he needs to get his shit together.”
I shrug. “It didn’t make any difference coming from me. Hopefully, he’ll listen to you.”
“Anyway” — he throws his hands up in the air — “I have something for you.” He smiles widely before turning and reaching into the filing cabinet. He grabs a small booklet, placing it on the desk and sliding it closer.
“I’ve been thinking.” His eyes dart down at the paper and then back up to meet my eyes.
I have no idea what it is, but when he removes his hand and relaxes back into his seat, I reach forward and take it.
I wasn’t well educated, by any means. School hadn’t been my greatest achievement, but I get by with what little I know. I look at the front cover entitled “Business Plan.”
I drop it back down, disinterested in anything business related.
“What the fuck are you doing?” he screeches. “Pick it up and fucking read it, Ryder,” he demands, his mouth gaping a little as his gaze fixes on me. I sigh heavily, picking it up and scanning through it.
“You’re opening a gym,” I say, throwing the booklet down again.
“No, you are.” He smiles widely at me.
“I don’t have that kinda money; you know the situation with my mom.” I glare at him.
“Take it with you and read everything I have set out in the plan. Including the financial details. Let me know,” he says, clapping his hands together.
“Ryder.” Kailee gasps. “This could be just what you need. This could really be the turning point for you.” She bends down, sealing a kiss on my lip
s.
Kailee
We drive back home, and I scan quickly through the business plan Marco gave to Ryder.
“This is fantastic,” I mutter, engrossed in the details of the plan. “He doesn’t want a cent toward the setup cost, but the business will be yours, solely in your name.”
“Why?” he asks. “Why would he do that? There must be more to it than that. What’s in it for him?”
“I have no idea, but it even outlines the youth boys’ program you talked about. This is amazing, Ryder. It’s like he’s giving you the opportunity to shine. To be the man you were always destined to be.”
“I’m not too fucking sure about that.” A smile tugs at the corner of his mouth.
“If you’re going to do this, Ryder, you need to work on the cussing.”
He laughs vivaciously. “Can’t promise,” he says with a wink.
Making our way inside, Ryder talks excitedly about the opportunity to run his own gym. I can’t believe Marco offered to do this for him. For us.
“What do you want to do when you finish school, Pip?”
“I think I’d like to go to nursing school. I want to follow in my mother’s footsteps.” I smile widely, my memories of her flooding my mind. She was such a caring, amazing person while the whole situation with my father is messing with my head. How could Mom not have known what my father was like, or did he hide it from her so well that she had no idea.
“What the fuck is wrong with your face,” he asks, his heavy hand on my arm pulling me to a stop. “Are you okay?” He softens his tone, bending his head until it’s within my line of sight.
“Just thinking about Mom.” I sigh. “I miss her. So much,” I choke out, desperately fighting back the tears trying to force their way to the surface. His arms encompass me, pulling me to his chest. His hand gently rubs the top of my head. He bends down, placing a soft kiss on the top of my head, and it’s the kind of comfort I’ve craved.
“Thank you,” I murmur. “I feel safe in your arms. I feel at peace.” My breathing slows, and I close my eyes, concentrating on the feeling, the warmth I feel here with Ryder. It helps push out the grief, the pain.
Ryder parts from me, taking my hand in his as he leads me inside. “Hey, Ma,” he calls out for his mother.
“In here, son,” she replies, her voice sounding different somehow. More croaky than normal, more hoarse.
“You okay?” he asks, rushing over to her. A box of tissues rests on her lap, and her hand holds them shakily.
“I’m fine. I’m fine.” She tries to reassure him as he slides in beside her on the couch.
“You don’t look fine. Has something happened? It’s not Jax, is it?” His voice lowers to an almost growl.
“No, no… It’s just that, I, uh…”
“Spit it out, Ma. I feel like I’m going crazy here.” Ryder exhales heavily, positioning himself on the couch and moving as close as he can to his mom.
“The doctors called, son. I don’t think it’s good news.”
The silence that falls in the room is deafening. After what feels like the longest time, Stella reaches her hand up to Ryder’s face. “It’s time, son. My time has come.”
“No,” he cries out. “Don’t talk like that. Whatever it is, you have to fight this.”
“I don’t want to. I want to be free of pain. I’m sick of struggling, and I certainly don’t want to be a burden to anyone. You two are just starting your life together. I can’t possibly expect you to put your lives on hold for me.”
“Ma, stop,” he soothes, wrapping his hand around her head and pulling her toward him. “We’re fighting this together. No arguments.”
Silent tears stream down my face, and my heart is being crushed as I desperately try to fight for a breath. This is all too fresh for me, too painful. I force my eyes shut, making my way to the kitchen and pressing the button on the coffeepot. I try to distract my mind, but the tears still flow; the images of my mom as she deteriorated and could no longer fight.
Breathe, Kailee.
Inhale.
Exhale.
I will myself to pull it together, to put my own pain to one side to be strong for Ryder. I grasp the countertop, breathing in through my nose and out through my mouth. This isn’t about me. This is about Ryder. I wipe away the tears, dabbing my face with a tissue.
I hear footsteps and quickly get to work making the coffee.
“I need a smoke,” I hear him mumble. I turn to face him, rushing over and wrapping my arms around him.
“She’ll be okay,” I whisper. “Let’s hear what her doctor says first.”
I look up. My eyes make contact with his, and for a second, I’m sure my hearts stops. The pain on his face is evident. Creases appear on his face that I’ve never seen before, his eyes glazed as though tears are there but not breaking the seal.
“It’s been coming for a long time. She’s sick. Fuck, she’s been sick for a long time. I just need to prepare myself for the worst,” he says matter-of-factly.
“It’s okay to hurt, Ryder. It’s okay to admit you’re in pain and that this is hard for you. No one will think any less of you,” I reassure him.
His lips pull up at the end as he smiles, but he doesn’t say anything. Separating from me, he heads outside. Getting him to open up, to be comfortable with his own emotions, will be difficult.
Stella’s doctor’s appointment is scheduled for today, and during the whole day in class, I check my phone, waiting to hear some news. Desperate for good news. I race out of school, my eyes searching the school parking lot for Ryder. I see his car parked a few rows back and zigzag my way through the parked cars until I reach Ryder. I reach for the door, my hand shaking as I notice him with his head resting on the top of the steering wheel.
“Hey,” I say warily, closing the door behind me.
“Pip,” he whispers, looking down at his hands, which are clenching and unclenching nervously. His face deepens, his eyebrows furrow, and he presses his lips together into a fine line. After a moment, he looks up at me again, still unsure what to say.
“What Ryder. What is it?”
“It’s fucking bad, Pip. Real bad.”
I swallow down the huge lump that has formed in my throat. I see the pain etched on his face, and it’s killing me inside. I watch as he shifts uncomfortably in his chair, and I reach for him, taking his hand in mine. I rest my head on his shoulder.
“It’s cancer, isn’t it?” I whisper.
“In her lungs. It’s spread, Pip.” His voice is strained, and he drags his hands over his face.
“I’m so sorry,” I say. His eyes land on my lips before he rests his hand on my cheek, leaning in and kissing me gently.
“I need you, Pip. I can’t get through this without you.”
“I’m here; I’m not going anywhere, Ryder.”
He kisses me deeper; the entire time, my heart hammers in my chest. I’ve realized that Ryder needs me as much as I need him. He’s the only person I have in my life, and the only person I can truly rely on.
“I have to find Jax. I know that piece of shit won’t be in the slightest bit bothered, but Mom has requested that I notify him.”
The sound of his name causes my stomach to knot, the color draining from my face.
“I got you, baby.” He cups my face. “I won’t let him hurt you, I promise.”
My heart hammers again, but this time, it’s not driven by love. It’s driven by fear, by anxiety as I think about seeing him again.
“Trust me,” he reiterates, his eyes widening. “I will not lose you too.” His eyes fix on mine, and I nod. “I risked my life once to make you mine, and I’d fucking do the same again, Pip.”
A smile tugs at the corner of my mouth as his eyes are fixed on me as if waiting for an answer.
“Okay,” I say in agreement, sitting back into my seat and buckling up.
We drive the short way to the one place I’ve tried to forget and avoid at all costs. The trailer park. And al
l the memories that came with it. The feelings that now haunt me because of my short time there. Deceit, betrayal, hurt, and anger. All feelings I didn’t like one bit. I can feel myself sinking into the seat as we pull through the gates and make our way outside the trailer. Ryder cuts the engine, sighing heavily as his eyes wander the area surrounding.
“Hey, Pip,” he says suddenly, pulling me from my thoughts. “Do you mind driving the car back, so I can take my bike to Mom’s?”
“Sure,” I say with a smile.
“Great. Stay here while I go and see if I can find my asshole brother.”
I give him a nod of agreement and pull out my cell phone to text Cady and Lina, explaining why I rushed off after school. My eyes flit back and forth between Ryder going into his old trailer and the phone in my hand. A few seconds later, he emerges from the trailer, looking over at me and shaking his head lightly. I guess Jax isn’t here. He walks the short distance to Eric’s trailer; my body shudders as my eyes follow him, and memories of Eric flash through my mind. He pulls on the handle of the door; the trailer appears to be unlocked. I look down at my phone and see a message has come through from Cady. I read her message before hitting reply. As I glance back up, my heart stops in my mouth, and my body stiffens as my eyes land on the one man I never expected to see again.
My father is here.
And he’s pointing a gun at Ryder’s head. I scramble, reaching for the handle as quickly as my hands will allow.
“No!” I scream at the top of my voice as I race to step from the car. “Let him go, Dad.”
“I can’t do that, Kailee. He’s caused a lot of trouble for me, and it’s payback time.”
“He caused trouble for you?” I screech, my eyes glaring at him with utter disgust. “What about what you did to me? How you tried to sell your own daughter in a human trafficking auction? I don’t even know who you are anymore.”
I watch, and I see the anger rising in Ryder’s face. His face contorts, and his nostrils flare. “Move the fucking gun before I do something we’ll both regret,” he growls at my father.
The edge of forever: A Blackhearts twins novel (Book two) Page 14