Page 47 of Sweet Anarchy

Rylee and Asher need to be kept in the dark about this for now, so we need to figure out a way to distract them both so I can leave without being noticed.

Thank God Rylee has four boyfriends. Strength does come in numbers and right now, I'm going to use the shit out of that advantage.

I managed to speak to Chuck privately after offering to help him with the stairs when he needed to use the restroom. Thankfully, he's on the same page about Rylee and offered to distract her while Blake and I head upstairs to chat.

We lock ourselves in my bedroom when the other three are back in the mancave together, reading over the texts again.

"Are you ready for this?" Blake asks, scanning the information from Bill.

I nod. "Piece of cake, really. I'll be back before sunrise. You just need to keep Rylee from coming in here. We'll tell her I'm sick from dinner and resting."

Blake scoffs. "She's not stupid. She'll want to check on you, but Chuck is going to play on his pain. Maybe she needs to see you in bed first, then we can sneak you out afterwards."

"Me and Rylee near the bed?" I taunt. "I'll never make it to the meeting."

He shoves my arm, scowling. "Stay focused. You need to be sensible. I'm not coming to save your ass if shit goes south."

"Yeah, you would," I tell him, grinning. "Mr. Hero complex."

I start gathering some things into a bag, shoving it out of sight before climbing into bed. I send Blake downstairs to tell Rylee I'm not feeling well, and as suspected, she comes up to inspect me herself.

"What's wrong?" she asks, heading over to the side of the bed and looking at me concerned.

"Just a sore stomach, babe. I'll be fine," I tell her. "I think I just need an early night."

Rylee frowns, sitting on the edge of the mattress. "Do you want me to stay in here with you?"

I resist the urge to grin at her or make a cheeky comment, doing my best to act like I'm dying. "Nah. You hang with Chuck. Poor guy was telling me before that his leg was killing him."

Her eyes flash and I think 'there we go' as she falls for my mastermind plan. She bites her lip, nodding.

"Okay," she says softly, giving me a smile. "I'll go keep an eye on him. But promise me you'll call if you need me?"

"Of course," I respond, doing a little groan. "I'm feeling a bit tired, so I'll probably be asleep before you even get down there. But I promise if I need you, I'll let you know."

Rylee nods, obviously satisfied with the plan. She crawls over the bed, kissing my forehead gently.

God, she smells and looks so good that it takes everything in my willpower not to pull her under the blanket with me and have my way with her. I've never understood how people can think she's selfish. She's got such a caring, protective nature. It makes me almost want to put a baby in her, or do something to nurture that side.

Maybe even marry her one day.

"I love you," I say to her, cupping her face. "Always and forever."

She beams at me. "I love you too, Zayn. Get some rest."

I watch as she moves off the bed, heading out of the room. I close my eyes for a second, frustrated that I'm going to have to leave shortly. I just want to stay with her but duty calls.

I give it a few minutes before I text Blake, confirming with him that she's downstairs again and distracted. Fetching the bag, I sneak out of the house into the garage, pushing my bike out. It will feel really good ripping this beast out again.

Pushing the bike down the driveway, I wait until I'm near the gate to start her up. I should be far enough away that they won't hear the engine in the mancave.

I shove my helmet on and kick the stand up, pulling out onto the road and heading towards the State Park.

It's a beautiful night, with not a cloud in the sky. It's still warm, the breeze offering a comforting heat to it as I ride.

When I arrive at the State Park, I'm met with a dozen other club members, all standing around chatting.

"You're late," Bill snipes at me as I walk up to the group.

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