Page 9 of Untamed Instincts

Ryker felt it too.

Whoever it was had grown closer.

“Admit it,” Killian snarled then rounded his bike, heading toward Ryker, who had his back turned away from the dumpster not ten feet behind him.

“Don’t walk up on me if you’re not prepared to get your ass handed to you.” Ryker removed his leather and draped it over the seat of his motorcycle. “It’s been a good minute since you’ve felt my right hook, bro.”

Killian bared his canines in the nearly empty parking lot as he advanced toward Ryker. The only vehicles that remained—aside from their bikes—was Jake’s pickup and someone’s SUV.

The owner more than likely had too much to drink and hitched a ride with a friend knowing Jake wouldn’t have it towed.

“Admit you cheated.” Killian’s voice had grown deeper, indicating just how pissed he was.

Ryker hadn’t cheated. “Admit you’re a sore loser,” he countered.

Killian slammed his palms into Ryker’s chest. He purposely stumbled backward, bringing himself closer to the dumpster.

His brother landed a right hook. Ryker once more staggered back but not intentionally this time.

With a deep snarl, Ryker attacked, going for blows with Killian. Normally, Hyett would be the voice of reason. But he was at home with his mate. Something about stacks of laundry, but Ryker hadn’t been listening.

Killian struck him with a lucky punch. Again, Ryker’s stumble wasn’t deliberate, but it put him in the perfect position to pivot around the dumpster and grab hold of the person hidden behind the container.

Killian stood at Ryker’s back, his anger coming off of him like heat off of pavement.

“Toro.” Ryker grabbed the vampire by his shirt front. “I thought I smelled something putrid and decaying. Why are you watching us, maggot?”

“It’s not always about you, Ryker,” Toro sneered. His teeth were slightly stained with blood and the metallic scent of his breath told Ryker the vampire had recently fed.

“Your donor better have volunteered.”

“What are you doing in Midnight Falls?” Killian demanded.

Ryker was still stuck on Toro’s feeding. Vampires, in general, were lowkey and bedazzled their donors, wiping their memories clean afterward.

Toro derived some sick thrill from his “meals” being fully aware fangs were about to sink into their jugular. He not only fed off of their blood but also their terror.

Even though he wiped their memories when he finished feeding, his method was sadistic.

“I don’t have to answer any of your questions.” He yanked backward, freeing himself but leaving ripped fabric in Ryker’s fist. “I really liked this shirt.” He narrowed his eyes.

“What are you doing in this town?” Ryker repeated Killian’s demand. Uncurling his fingers, he let the scrap of fabric fall to the ground.

Roughly two months ago, Ryker and his family had moved to Midnight Falls, leaving behind their old lives, as well as old problems.

Nothing good could come from Toro being there. Aside from his inhumane feeding habits, the vampire offered his services to preternaturals who needed a problem taken care of.

Ryker was willing to bet Toro was in town to fulfill a bargain.

“As delightfully nauseating as this reunion has been, I have matters to attend.” Toro used his inhuman speed to disappear before Ryker could find out what the vampire was up to.

“We need to tell Dad and Hyett that Toro is in town,” Killian ground out.

As Ryker pulled out his phone, his brother grabbed the torn piece of shirt off the ground.

“If Toro becomes a problem, we’ll give this to the cops so they’ll have his scent.”

Ryker really hoped it didn’t come down to that.

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