Page 52 of Ryder

“Just don’t go out with George. Promise me?” The corners of his lips curved up the slightest bit.

“You’re an ass.”

“I know. But I’m an ass who loves you.” He held out his hand, and I finally accepted, taking hold and allowing him to pull me up to stand in front of him.

I cupped his cheek, then slowly trailed my fingers over his neck and down his chest, coming to rest my hand over his heart. The man was it for me, and I’d regret never telling him in case something did happen.

“I love you too. I fought against it at first because I refused to fall for you when you were so guarded, but my heart won out in the end.” There was so much more I wanted to tell him, but I didn’t even know where to begin.

Instead of choosing to keep it serious, an uncharacteristic trait of Ryder’s that was slowly becoming more frequent, he tried to make light of my freak-out. “By the way, I knew you loved me.” A cocky look took hold before he continued. “I mean, come on, how could you not?”

As we all took time saying goodbye to our men, I couldn’t help the emotions which flowed freely once more. Only that time I wasn’t the only one.

Kena hugged Jagger extra tight, breaking away briefly to sign that she loved him, and that she’d kill him if he got hurt. She smiled through her anguish before he pulled her back toward him, kissing her over and over before whispering something in her ear.

Tripp and Reece huddled near one of the trucks, talking low amongst themselves before embracing for long moments. Tripp was turned toward me, and I could see how sad and worried he looked leaving his woman.

Stone and Adelaide, along with their daughter, Riley, were having a family moment when Marek, Sully, and Kaden joined them. Anyone looking at the small group could tell they were close, closer than anyone else in the club. Other than my sister and me, of course. Both children must have sensed the sadness of the moment, because they broke out in cries simultaneously. Adelaide and Sully rocked them, trying their best to soothe them while they themselves were distraught.

Right or wrong, I took comfort in not being the only one who was visibly upset.

Ryder wrapped his arm around my waist. “It’s gonna be okay, babe. You’ll see.” He leaned down and gave me a kiss, and just before he pulled away, I latched on to him for dear life. Lacing my fingers in his hair, I pulled him as close as I could and kissed him like I never have before. As we tasted each other, I poured every bit of love I could inside him, stealing his breath for my own to keep until he came back.

Only then could I breathe again.

Ryder

Two days had passed since we’d left, and every second away from Braylen was agonizing. Even though the rest of the guys were bothered by the departure, they seemed used to it. I didn’t think I’d ever become accustomed to leaving her behind, crying and worried out of her mind that she was never gonna see me again. Christ! Every tear she shed tore away a piece of me, and there wasn’t a damn thing I could do to comfort her, other than tell her how I felt and promise to come back.

Neither of which she initially took very well.

I talked to Braylen every time we stopped, and her voice gutted me. I knew she was going through it, but so was I. Something I had to remind her of. During our last call, she told me she loved me and not to worry about her. Truth be told, my jealous streak spiked with the thought that she was spending time with one of the guys at the club, taking her mind off her worry for me. When I voiced as much, she called me crazy, then reminded me that she didn’t want to be a distraction for whatever I had to do. She just wanted me back safe and sound, and in one piece.

As planned, Etch, Smiley, and Miles joined us, taking turns with the rest of us driving back to California. I learned that Smiley—who was constantly grinning, hence the name—was twenty-six, had two baby mamas and a whole lot of drama. Minus the kids, he reminded me a lot of Hawke, or at least who Hawke was a year back. Personality-wise only. Physically, he was the exact opposite with his bright blond hair and heavy facial scruff. He seemed to be a good guy, telling us that he was honored to wear the KC cut.

Miles had a serious look plastered on his face at all times. He was older than Smiley, closer to my thirty-four years, although he seemed like he might even be older. Hard life. That was what I thought of when I looked at him, and in some ways, he kind of reminded me of myself. Before Braylen.

His light brown hair came to his shoulders, thick and wavy. I overheard Adelaide and Sully whispering about how lucky he was to have such hair, a conversation I definitely wouldn’t be mentioning to either Marek or Stone.

“You guys can set up in these rooms.” Marek showed our Texas brothers to some of the empty rooms at the club, since we wouldn’t be needing them during their visit. He’d contemplated setting them up at Zip’s house, where Reece had initially stayed before moving in with Tripp, because it was so close to the clubhouse, but decided against it at the last minute.

Zip was one of our fallen brothers. He was a good kid, loyal as hell. Unfortunately he’d been killed when some of the Reapers had run his vehicle off the road, snatching Adelaide and Kena per Psych’s request. We paid him homage by burying him on the compound since our club meant everything to him.

“Get situated, then meet us in Chambers,” Stone announced, checking to see if they needed anything before joining the rest of us.

Before long we were all gathered around the wooden table, our guests leaning against the wall much like we’d done when at their place.

“Okay,” Marek started, “the trackers are still live, and it looks like they’re are at the docks.”

“No doubt waiting on some sort of shipment,” Trigger offered. “We ambush them there. Quick and unexpected.”

The ol’ man was anxious to move on our enemy, just like the rest of us, but we had to be cautious. Like I’d mentioned before . . . it could be a trap.

“All of ’em?” Stone asked, frowning at how easy this all seemed.

“Enough of ’em.”

“You all know what I think,” I said, leaning back in my chair and crossing my arms over my chest. Everyone remained quiet, too busy processing all of the what-ifs, I was sure.

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