Page 61 of Ride with Zane

“Between you and?”

“Don’t, Zane, you’re in so much trouble.” I growl while walking away. His arm grips my wrist and pulls me into him. His mouth crashes on me leaving me breathless. Consuming me. It burns me inside.

“You have to understand the less you know…”

“Fuck you and your rules! How am I supposed to protect you, Rock? How can I trust you’ll come back in one piece?”

“I’ll always come back to you, Princess, you’re the one who makes me feel alive.” He wipes my tears away while I close my eyes. “I’m the one who should protect you, baby. Not the other way around.”

When we leave the room, he scans The Black Panthers. “What did Royal do?”

“Nothing,” I sigh heavily. A fight is not what I need now. I can stand for myself.

Rock leaves my hand and marches toward him pinning him to the wall.

“Prez, I swear I did nothing but follow orders.”

“Still she’s not where she’s supposed to be.” The fury in his voice makes me smile. I don’t know why but I find it so sexy.Ash, what the fuck is wrong with you?

“I make it clear I’m not a puppet and now I wanna go home, Rock.”

Chapter Sixteen

Ashley

The drive home from the hospital is silent. Rock sits beside me, his gaze fixed on the passing scenery, a mask of concern and guilt etched on his features.

As soon as we step into our room at the clubhouse, the weight of the unspoken hangs heavily in the air. I can’t contain the surge of emotions crashing within me—a whirlwind of fear, anger, and betrayal. “You should have told me.” I finally break the silence, my voice edged with frustration.

Rock’s expression softens, his eyes filled with remorse. “I know,” he mutters, his voice laced with regret. “I wanted to protect you, Ash.”

“You can’t protect me by keeping things from me,” I snap back, feeling the sting of his attempt to shield me from danger. “We’re a team, Rock. We should face everything together.”

“Not this time, Princess.” I can see he’s tired and given the time I back off. We’ll talk later and it’s better for him to tell me everything.

Ican’t sleep for more than a few hours. I don’t know if it’s the adrenaline or because of the nightmare I had but I can’t shake off this awful feeling. Anger surges within me as I grab my bike’s keys, determined to head to Icylight.

“Where are you heading?”

I freeze in place not recognizing the voice. When the man shows himself, I roll my eyes at him. I don’t know him but the vest and a few patches he has somehow makes me relax. “To Icylight.” I try to reach the door, but he extends his arm and I arch a brow at him.

“We’re in lockdown and no one leaves or comes in the hood.” He shrugs. “Prez’s order.”

“I can leave and for sure you won’t be the one to stop me.” Arguing with the brothers falls on deaf ears. They are just following orders, but I can’t sit still. The ice is my refuge, my solace amidst chaos. Training for the night is a way to channel my emotions, to unleash the torrent of pent-up frustration and fear. “You wanna go wake him up?”

He moves away and I walk by and leave the clubhouse. “Kent, Ryder, you’re going with her.”

I keep my mouth shut. At least I can go away. I put on my helmet and jump on my bike. Starting the engine, I feel the vibration zapping on my skin. I’m not used to having someone to look at my back but the guys seem okay with it.

Parking, I hop off the bike and nod to the Panthers before pulling out my card and get inside.

I lace up my skates and hit the ice with determination. The rink is my canvas, and I carve figures with newfound fury and determination. Each movement is fueled by my anger anddisappointment, a rebellion against the helplessness that seeks to engulf me.

One. I miss a turn and the skate slips, making me fall.

Two. Can’t balance properly, landing on my ass.

Three. Spinning too much makes me forget the distance to the edge and makes me bump into it.

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