Page 31 of Ryder

His eyes darkened.

His movements became meticulous.

Swift.

Deadly.

Before I could stop him, Hawke snatched the hatchet from the metal rolling tray beside him and buried it in the top of the Reaper’s skull.

Ryder

It was close to noon when we finally pulled into the clubhouse lot. Tired, dirty and sore, I flung open the driver door and stumbled from the cage, catching my footing before I fell on my face. Hawke didn’t say a word as he exited the other side of the vehicle, trudging across the open space until he disappeared inside the main building.

After he’d abruptly snatched the life of our enemy, we drove an hour out to the secluded area we’d used to get rid of countless other bastards, disposing of the Reapers without so much as another thought.

We never knew their names. Didn’t matter. The only thing that was important was that we were able to exact revenge on the man who’d attacked Edana and Braylen, and rid the world of two more of their kind.

I didn’t make it ten feet from the truck before Braylen came sprinting out of the clubhouse, Brutus doing his best to keep up with her, his missing leg not much of an obstacle. She ran straight for me, throwing her arms around my neck and jumping on me. She wrapped her legs around my waist and pressed her lips to mine as I held on to her for dear life.

Never in a million years would I have pictured that exact scene unfolding in front of me. Braylen was stubborn and mouthy, with a fiery temper to match. To see her fear and elation mixed together—for me, of all people—kicked me in the ass while making my heart thump a little faster.

“Miss me?” I chuckled, welcoming the breath of fresh air that was this woman. Especially after everything I’d just dealt with.

She hugged me tighter, essentially answering my question. But for as hurriedly as she welcomed me, she held no punches either. Unhooking her legs from around my waist, she lowered to the ground and steadied herself before smacking my chest. Hard.

“You’re an ass,” she chided, stepping back and planting her hands on her hips, her expression angry.

There she is.

“Man, you go from one extreme to the next. You on the rag?” I knew my mistake as soon as I said it. Never, ever say that to a woman. It only intensified her mood, as I soon witnessed.

“Shut up. No, I don’t have my period.” She narrowed her eyes and silently cursed me. “I was worried about you. You couldn’t call? Text? Nothing?”

“Bray—”

“No, you don’t get to give me some stupid excuse that you can’t contact me when you’re dealing with ‘club business.’” She used air quotes when she said it, like that was not what I was really doing. “Not after everything you’ve already put me through. Understand?”

Her brown eyes darkened, the fire behind them turning me on like never before. Here was this petite, feisty woman, throwing orders at me as if she held the reins in our relationship. Like she was in charge. For as much as it annoyed me, it made me want to hike up her skirt and fuck her right there in the open. Her pouty mouth and adorable scowl only added fuel to my overactive horniness.

Bending over and picking up Brutus, who was busy sniffing my boots, I cradled him under one arm and snatched Braylen’s hand with my free one. I dragged her behind me and made it to the clubhouse door in no time. Luckily, Reece was on her way out, Tripp following swiftly behind her, so I was able to snag the door with my foot since my hands were full. For the quick glance I’d given them, it looked like they’d been involved in some sort of heated conversation. I didn’t have the time or energy to ask if he was okay, and the annoyed look he’d shot me was enough of a warning to keep my questions and comments to myself. Besides, I had someone of my own I had to deal with, and I couldn’t waste any more time.

“Slow down,” Braylen shouted, tugging on my hand to free hers, but her attempts were laughable.

As soon as I entered the space, I saw Adelaide standing near the kitchen talking to Kena and Sully. Walking toward them, I untucked Brutus from under my arm and passed him to Braylen.

I finally released her hand. “You stay here. Talk to them,” I said, gesturing toward the other women. “I’m gonna take a quick shower.” She took a step closer, as if she wanted to come with me. “No.” I walked off before she could argue, hurrying toward my room to wash off the remnants of the past two days.

After the quickest shower of my life, I strode out into the common room, a towel slung around my waist and water droplets running down my chest. Braylen was still in the same place I’d left her, engaged in conversation, when I walked up behind her. Without warning, I swung her around and she let out a surprised shriek. I tossed her over my shoulder before she realized what was happening and practically ran back to my room. I heard everyone’s laughter follow us but I didn’t care.

As soon as we entered my room, I slammed the door behind me and locked it.

“Let me down, you Neanderthal,” she shouted, pounding on my back as if she could convince me to do so with her tiny fists. “What is wrong with you?” Walking toward the bed, I flung her down onto the mattress, straddling her before she could attempt to get up. “Seriously, what’s wrong with y—”

I cut her off by crashing my mouth to hers, nipping her bottom lip before thrusting my tongue inside.

Braylen moaned, the vibration and sound making my dick harder than I ever thought possible. When the shock of what I’d done finally wore off, she gave herself over to me completely, sucking on my tongue and even biting me back. “I can’t stand you sometimes, you know that.”

“You love me,” I goaded, realizing what I’d said right after the words left my mouth. I thought for sure she would deny it, but she said nothing, just stared at me before pressing her lips to mine once more.

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