Ranger (Reckless Kings MC 3)

by Harley Wylde

  “I don’t think I’ve ever met him. You have two brothers, right?”

  Yeah,” she said. “Jackson is a little younger than me, but he’s already graduated high school. Langston is the baby. He came along after Cowboy brought us to the Dixie Reapers.”

  “You make it sound like the stork dropped him off,” I teased.

  She huffed at me. “I’d just as soon not think about my parents having sex, thanks.”

  “Oh, so you think you were dropped off by the stork too. Just so you know, our kids aren’t arriving by giant bird.”

  She smacked her hand against my arm. “Stop it! Let me get in the shower while you talk to Beast. If we get in together, neither one of us will actually manage to get clean. My parents should be here before too much longer. I’d prefer to be clothed when they arrive.”

  “Fine. Take away all my fun.”

  “Really? Fun? By all means. Greet my dad while you’re stark naked. I’m sure it will go over famously. Maybe we should go another round, so I’ll have memories to last me a lifetime.”

  I raised my eyebrows. “Why a lifetime?”

  “Because my dad will geld you.”

  I winced and got off the bed, feeling the urge to cover my cock and balls. Damn. I knew she was right about getting cleaned up before her family arrived. I needed to change the sheets on our bed too and check the guest room. Danica hadn’t actually slept in there, but it wouldn’t hurt to make sure everything was in order.

  She scurried into the bathroom, and I got my phone. I had five missed calls from the Pres and another three from Hawk. Great. I had a feeling they were going to chew my ass when I called back.

  I dialed Beast first. He didn’t even bother saying hello when he picked up.

  “It’s about fucking time.”

  “Sorry, Pres. We were, uh… I didn’t hear the phone.”

  “Right. More than enough info. Cowboy is already here, along with his woman, their youngest, and they brought far too many Reapers with them. Grimm, Tempest, Warden, Wire and his woman, and Savior are here. I have no fucking clue where to put everyone.”

  Shit. Looked like her family would be staying here for sure. Unless Beast gave them the guest house. Although, seeing as how Wire brought his woman with him, they’d probably get the guest house.

  “Wire also brought his oldest with him. Apparently the kid is friends with Cowboy’s youngest. I’m going to put them and both kids in the guest house. There’s enough bedrooms there for both families to stay at the house. I’ll see if I can convince Cowboy and Jacey to give the two of you some space. No promises,” Beast said.

  “And the others?” I asked.

  “I’m working on it. We definitely need more guest housing for the future. I’m thinking a set of apartments, similar to what the Devil’s Fury put in. We could do four, all on one level, with at least two bedrooms in each.”

  “The club is growing,” I said. “Before too long, we’ll have more in-laws visiting.”

  Beast sighed. “I know. I think Forge and Brick are at the top of the list of actually wanting a woman at home. Most of the others are content with things the way they are.”

  “They have no idea what they’re missing,” I said, glancing toward the bathroom. Dani had started humming in the shower and I smiled, thinking how much I loved having her here. We may have only been together such a short time, but already I knew this house hadn’t been a home until she’d gotten here. She was my world.

  “No, they don’t,” Beast agreed. “I’ll get with Hawk and Forge, see what we can come up with for our guests. I can’t hold off Cowboy much longer.”

  “Dani’s in the shower, and I need to get cleaned up. She’d probably like a chance to change the bedding, even if they aren’t staying here. I’m sure her mom will want a tour or something.”

  “Well, if Cowboy starts pounding on your front door, don’t say I didn’t warn you. He’s pissed as fuck your woman didn’t say shit about this Lewis guy. Can’t say as I blame him. If it were my daughter getting those notes, I’d feel the same.”

  I heard the shower shut off and knew I’d have to tell Dani her family had already arrived. “Stall him another twenty minutes if you can. If not, at least hold him off long enough for me to shower.”

  I ended the call and went into the bathroom. Dani had her hair wrapped in a towel and another around her body. She wiped the condensation off the mirror before reaching for her moisturizer. Even though I knew I needed to rinse off, I couldn’t help but lean against the wall and watch her. Everything she did fascinated me.

  “You’re starting to creep me out,” she said.

  “Your family is here. Along with a fuck ton of other Dixie Reapers. Beast is trying to figure out where to put everyone, but he’s hoping your family can share the guest house with Wire, Lavender, and their kid.”

  Her shoulders drooped a little. “Who came with him?”

  “I don’t remember everyone mentioned. Except Grimm. He’s here.”

  She nodded. “All right. I’ll finish getting ready and make sure the house is picked up. So much for getting groceries.”

  “Make a list and call one of the Prospects. They can run and get whatever you need.”

  “I don’t have their numbers,” she said.

  “Code for my phone is 7656. Look for Logan.”

  She blinked and turned to face me. “Did you just tell me how to unlock your phone?”

  “Yeah. You’re my woman, right?”

  “Yes, but… I’m not sure my mom even knows how to get into my dad’s phone. Why would you give me that information?”

  I walked over and cupped her cheek. “Because I trust you. Just don’t read my text messages or listen to my voicemails. If you did, I’ll have to change the code and you’ll have lost my trust.”

  She narrowed her eyes. “Better not be any women texting or leaving messages.”

  “You’re cute when you’re jealous. And no, it won’t be. But I don’t need you reading something that’s club business. Understood?”

  “Got it. Now shower and get dressed.”

  I swatted her ass, loving the way it made her cheeks flush. She bit down on her lip, her gaze dropping to my semi-hard cock. If her family wasn’t here already, I’d bend her over the bathroom counter. Hell, if she hadn’t already showered, I might have done it anyway. I didn’t think she’d appreciate me getting her all dirty again.

  While she finished getting ready, I washed off quickly and pulled on some clothes. I let Dani check the rest of the house and I changed the sheets on our bed, shoving the dirty ones into the washer. I’d just started the machine when it sounded like Cowboy was trying to knock the front door off the hinges. I knew it had to be him.

  “I’ll get it,” I yelled out.

  I heard Danica somewhere toward the back of the house. I didn’t know what she was doing, but I hoped she was ready for her mom and dad. I wouldn’t be able to hold them at bay. The second the door opened Cowboy pushed his way inside with Jacey on his heels.

  “Come in,” I said, shaking my head. “Dani should be out in a minute. She said something about straightening up.”

  “Is she okay?” Jacey asked.

  I motioned for them to step into the living room and have a seat. “She’s okay. A bit scared to leave the compound. She doesn’t think Lewis is anywhere nearby, but it seems he’s hiring people, or blackmailing them, into helping him.”

  “Wire and Lavender were going to head over to Shield’s and see if the three of them could find some dirt on Lewis Stevens,” Cowboy said.

  “Uh, if they’re going to Shield’s, and you’re here, where are the boys?”

  “With Grimm.” Jacey smiled. “He’s rather good with kids. All the Dixie Reaper kids adore him.”

  I was thankful one of the kids in particular hadn’t liked the guy enough to hook up with him. I’d met him a few times. He seemed like a good enough sort, and he had the type of looks I knew women gravitated toward. Not to mention the s
light Russian accent he let slip occasionally. I’d seen women lose their damn minds over a guy with a foreign accent.

  Dani rushed into the room, her wet hair still up in a towel. Her dad gave me a glare, clearly knowing exactly why she’d need a shower this late in the day. I just shrugged a shoulder. He knew the score. I’d claimed his daughter. Hell, first chance I got, I was going to knock her up. Assuming I hadn’t already.

  “I can’t offer you anything but coffee, which I haven’t made yet,” she said. “I was making a grocery list.”

  “Beer on there?” Cowboy asked.

  “Uh…” Dani glanced at her phone, and I assumed she’d made the list on there. “Not yet, but it will be.”

  Her dad grunted and folded his arms over his chest, looking around the room. After heaving a sigh, he met my gaze. “Saw the fencing and lean-to for the horses.”

  “Once the issue with Lewis is settled, I’ll be adding more fencing and a six-stall barn. Beast said I could have another three acres for the horses.”

  “How much is fenced now?” he asked.

  “Little over an acre. I’ll probably leave the small shelter up front and only take out a section at the back big enough for a gate. It will give her a way to pen them up near the house if she needs to.”

  “Know anything about horses? Or did you YouTube that shit?” Cowboy asked.

  I took a seat in my favorite chair, figuring this conversation might take a while. If he wanted to grill me, I’d let him. He needed to know his daughter was safe with me, and that I’d see to her every need. Even the ones pertaining to her love of equines.

  “My mom and stepdad have a farm a little northwest of here. I grew up around horses. I want to take Dani to meet them, but I was trying to give her time to settle in.”

  “They know you’ve claimed her?” he asked.

  I shook my head. “I haven’t told Mom about her at all. I knew if I did, she’d want to meet her right away. Figured I’d make the call and plan on visiting the next day. Otherwise, she’d nag me until I brought Dani to meet her.”

  I noticed the room had gone quiet. Danica and her mom had both vanished. I started to stand, until Cowboy held out a hand, stilling my movement.

  “They’re fine. She took her mom out to see the horses,” Cowboy said.

  “I didn’t hear them leave.”

  He smiled. “Long as I’ve been with that woman -- and I wanted her long before I got to claim her -- I know when she leaves a room.”

  I wondered if the same would happen with me and Dani given enough time. I hoped so. I wanted what Cowboy and Jacey had.

  Chapter Nine

  Danica

  Mom and I leaned against the fence as Pharoah and Sunny ran the length of the paddock and back. I couldn’t wait for them to have more room, but I appreciated the effort Ranger had put into giving them a safe place to stay for now. At least I hadn’t had to board them somewhere.

  “Think you’ll be happy here?” Mom asked, looking around.

  I knew what she saw. Houses relatively close together. There wasn’t anyone behind us, but one of Ranger’s brothers lived about fifteen feet from the opposite fence line. Another lived on the other side of the house. Not close enough we could see into their windows. Still, it wasn’t the same as living at my parents’ place in the country. Everyone was nearby here. On the one hand, it could be a good thing if I needed someone quickly. On the other, I missed the wide-open spaces.

  “I’m with Ranger and that’s what matters. He’s given me a way to keep the horses close, and he doesn’t mind if I ride in the rodeo. Since we have a home and I don’t need to save up to buy a house, there’s no reason I need to go to as many of them. I can hit the ones within a day’s drive.”

  “You’ve never really dated. Maybe a few here and there, but I don’t remember you ever having a steady boyfriend.”

  “What’s your point, Mom?” I asked.

  “Are you rushing into this? Are you… settling?”

  I blinked at her, not understanding why she’d ask such a thing. Ranger was all I’d thought about after he’d left. It had taken everything in me to pull up to the gates and ask to see him instead of driving straight through to the rodeo, but not because I didn’t want him. I’d been terrified he’d changed his mind and wouldn’t want me. It might be too soon to say I loved him, but I certainly cared about him. I wanted to spend my life with him.

  “How long did it take you to fall for Dad?” I asked, trying to turn the tables on her.

  “It’s different. I’d been in a long relationship already.”

  “Right. You married a spawn of Satan and stayed faithful to him even when Dad was right there, wanting to take you away from the nightmare we’d been living. I love you, Mom. I really do. I just don’t understand why you stayed with him so long. Why you didn’t let Dad help before things became so dire.”

  She heaved out a sigh and looked out across the open land behind the house. “Because I was scared. For me. For you and your brother. I felt trapped and didn’t want to risk your dad getting hurt. I didn’t realize at the time he wasn’t just a cowboy but was also a Dixie Reaper. If I’d known about his past, maybe I’d have opened up sooner.”

  “Do you regret how quickly things happened between the two of you once we left?”

  “Of course not!” She glared at me. Then her face softened. “Oh. I see. You’re falling for him, aren’t you?”

  “I care about him, and yes, I think I could love him. He accepts me as I am, Mom. And he knows about horses. He’s the closest I’ve ever come to finding a guy like Dad.”

  She put her arm around me and squeezed. “Your dad is one in a million. If you think Ranger is even a little bit like him, then you’ve got a good one. I just didn’t want you to wake up in a week, a month, or a year and decide you’d made a mistake.”

  “I didn’t make a mistake. Ranger is good to me, Mom. He makes me happy. And he makes me feel safe. I’d planned to tell him about Lewis. He just happened to find the letters first. Except he thought they were love letters and got pissed.”

  “That’s what happens when you keep secrets,” Mom said.

  I stared at her. “Really? You’re going with that?”

  She shrugged a shoulder. “Seems fitting. Look at the secret I kept from your dad. It nearly cost us our lives. Men like your dad and Ranger aren’t afraid to face down danger, especially to protect those they love. If you’re scared or feel threatened, let Ranger know. What if you hadn’t said anything and Lewis cornered you somewhere?”

  I knew she was right. I didn’t like it, but I understood. I’d hoped it would all blow over. When I’d realized it wouldn’t, I’d decided to confide in Ranger. “I said I’d planned to tell him.”

  “Just not your parents,” she said.

  “Give it a rest, Mom. You’re beating a dead horse.”

  She gasped in outrage and glanced at Pharoah and Sunny. “They can hear you!”

  I snickered and led her back toward the house. Whatever Dad had to say to Ranger, I hoped they’d gotten it out of the way. I should have known he’d give him the third degree. Even if Dad had been the one to push me to come, he’d had to beat on his chest and make sure Ranger knew not to hurt me. As if he would!

  The house was quiet when we stepped inside, and I peered into the living room. Dad and Ranger were both drinking beer and watching TV. At least they hadn’t tried to kill one another. Since they had cold drinks, I assumed it meant Logan had gotten my list and picked up everything I’d asked for. At least we would have snacks, drinks, and I could make something for dinner. My family might be here for a not-so-happy reason, but it didn’t mean I couldn’t enjoy my time with them. Soon enough, they’d go home, and I didn’t know when I’d get a chance to visit again.

  “Do the two of you want some pretzels or popcorn?” I asked.

  Ranger looked at his watch. “No time, Dani girl. While you were outside, Beast sent out a message to everyone in the club. Church in twenty m
inutes. The Dixie Reapers will be going too, so you and your mom will be alone here. I already asked Logan to stay within shouting distance.”

  “Does that mean the hackers already found something?” I asked.

  “Not sure, honey. Beast didn’t say. I’ll tell you what I can after Church, but you know how this works.”

  Yeah. Club business was off-limits. “I call bullshit.”

  My dad choked on his swallow of beer and Ranger just stared at me.

  I folded my arms. “When your ‘club business’ pertains to me, then it damn well is my business. I want to know what’s going on. Don’t leave me in the dark! Information is power, Ranger. The more I know, the better I can protect myself. You can’t be glued to me twenty-four seven.”

  “She’s not entirely wrong,” my dad said. “Protecting her is one thing. When your protection puts her in danger, that’s something different. You can keep her in the loop with enough information she can keep herself safe. If you don’t and something happens, you’ll regret it the rest of your life. All two seconds of it.”

  Ranger set his beer aside. “Trust me. If I do anything to get Dani hurt or killed, you won’t have to take me out. I’ll do it myself.”

  “No, you won’t!” I stalked over to him. “Take it back right now. You think I want that? For you to die and follow me to the grave? Because I don’t. I want you to live your life. Find happiness.”

  “You want me to be with another woman?” he asked.

  “Well. Not while I’m still breathing. But if you’re asking do I want you to die alone? The answer is no. Everyone deserves to be loved, Ranger.”

  He reached out and took my hand, tugging me down onto his lap. “I will follow you to the ends of the earth. And yes, I would follow you into the next life. I will, however, make you this promise. If we have children, I will stay alive for them. I won’t settle down with another woman. You’ll always be a part of me, even if you stop breathing. But if I die before you, I want you to find someone who will keep you safe and treat you right. Someone to guide our kids, make all of you smile and laugh. And I’ll be waiting for you on the other side.”