Page 39 of Ripper's Redemption

This club is more than just a club. They’re family, the closest thing to one I’ve had since my sister died.

I was seventeen when she was killed. She was out front playing ball with one of her friends.

It was an accident, but my mother and father didn’t see it that way.

When her friend threw the ball, she didn’t catch it and it went out into the road.

Ally chased after it and a car came whipping around the corner. The police were chasing them, they were caught dealing drugs, and boom—suddenly my sister was dead.

“Zane will be here soon,” I comment, pulling myself back into the present. “We’ll get him loaded up when he’s here and head back to the club.”

“Sounds good,” Bama nods, moving to help.

The three of us move the kid out of plain sight and wait for Zane to arrive.

Within fifteen minutes, Zane is pulling up with Bull in the passenger seat.

He parks the van directly in front of us and just as Bull’s opening the back door, the three of us are carrying the kid.

We toss him inside and Zane tells us he’ll meet us back at the clubhouse.

None of us waste any time getting back on our bikes and getting the hell out of here.

The roar of our bikes cuts through the night air as we roll up to the clubhouse.

The air hums with the bass of rock music and laughter spills out into the yard, where strings of lights cast a warm glow over the crowd.

I didn’t expect them to be throwing the party outside, since it’s so cold, but there are plenty of bonfires located around the party to keep everyone warm.

Tara’s surprise party is in full swing, and from the looks of it, people are having a blast.

Stiletto shuts off her engine. “Looks like everyone’s having a good time,”

“Yeah,” Bama adds, stretching out the kinks from the ride. “I can’t wait to go over there and get a fuckin’ drink.”

I dismount and scan the scene before me.

Tara’s at the center of it all, her laughter ringing out above the noise.

She’s a force of nature, that woman—always has been.

Her medium-brown hair catches the light, the blonde highlights giving it an ethereal glow.

God, she’s beautiful.

Inhaling deeply, I wonder what it would be like if I told her I didn’t want this to be some casual ruse anymore.

What if I told her I wanted to give this a God’s honest shot?

Fuck, I don’t even know if she’d want this to be real.

Yeah, we get along. The sex is great. But, everyone knows my reputation as a manwhore. I’ve never shied away from it.

“Ripper!” Zane’s voice pulls me back from my thoughts.

He’s standing by the door, his expression serious despite the celebration around us. “We need to talk. Now.”

“What’s up?” I ask, already knowing it’s not something that can wait. It must be about the kid we caught.

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