Page 86 of Ryker

I run across the street, screaming her name, her body the only thing I focus on. I have to get to her. I have to stop her. I have to make her understand I don’t want to be like this. But halfway across the street, I stop because what’s the point? She deserves better than me. I’m not going to change. I can’t. “KENZIE!”

A horn blows and wheels screech. I’m blinded by headlights and the chaos of my life crashing into me.

SLAM!

I fly into the air and land hard on the asphalt while Kenzie keeps running farther and farther away from me...

I feel like I’ve been hit by a car again. Everything fucking hurts.

Tara left. All she wanted was a kiss and I couldn’t give it to her. How pathetic is that? But how can I give that one piece of myself to a woman who can’t stay.

You’re a great man. Say it.

I told her I wasn’t a great man. I told her I was a whore.

You’re a great man. Say it.

I told her I was a whore, and she didn’t run or look at me like I was garbage.

You’re a great man. Say it.

I told her I was here only for her pleasure and that I would give her anything she wanted. I said I’d make all her fantasies come true. All she just had to tell me what she wanted, and I’d make it happen.

She wanted a kiss.

I’m not a great man, I’m a fucking coward.

Chapter 30

Tara

Ryker is an asshole. It’s the only thought that circulates my brain as I leave the club. Then I realize all my shit is still inside, including my goddamn cell, laptop, and car keys.

Fuck my life.

Head high, I march my sweet ass right back inside and straight to Ryker’s office. I hate how good it smells in here. The way this motherfucker affects me should be criminal. Rushing over to his desk, I grab my phone first and start piling my files on top of my closed laptop.

Then I see it.

One of the computer screens shows my suite with Ryker sitting on the floor and my stomach drops. He looks like he’s suffocating. His chest heaves and he’s clawing at his legs. Is he having some kind of attack?

Vault barrels into the room and quickly attends to him.

Oh my god, what the hell is happening?

Dmitri storms in next. They sandwich Ryker on the floor. Is Ryker having a seizure? Should I call 9-1-1?

My hand trembles as I try to find the volume. I’m not even sure if there is sound on this camera system, but I need to know what’s happening and I’m not going back down there to find out.

I don’t even know why I care.

Clicking a volume button on the laptop, sound filters through the tiny speaker.

Dmitri’s in Ryker’s face. “Breathe slower.”

“I… I can’t… I can’t see anything.” Ryker sounds terrified and something inside me fractures.

Dmitri claps his hands on Ryker’s cheeks and gets in his face. “You gotta inhale and exhale slower, man. Come on. I’m right here. We’re both right here.”

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