Page 35 of Lexi, Property of Rhyder

I tap Tate’s shoulder and nod. “If you need help, I’m sure Prez would be willin’. We’re family.”

“I don’t want to get your club dragged into this. I respect your club for all of your help as it is.”

“Brother, you’ve come down to help us plenty of times, and when we needed you, you were there. We would pay the same respect.”

He nods in understanding. “Might need to take you up on the offer, and maybe I’ll talk to Quill. Perhaps we can come up with a plan to help stop this shit going down.”

“I’m down with whatever. Just say the word.”

Tate taps me on the shoulder. “Thanks, brother. I might go have that talk with Quill now.”

“Sure thing.”

I watch as Tate approaches Quill, and they walk toward the corner where they have an intense chat. I can’t believe this shit still happens—smuggling and selling women and girls as prostitutes or some other evil shit.

When we rescued Luke’s sister, Amy, and two others from the Foreseekers that night, it got to us all. To think if we weren’t there that night, then those girls would have been taken out of the country and sold.

Fuck, thinking about this shit makes me fucking furious. I need to order another drink.

Heavy metal rock sounds loud on the speakers to the point where I can’t even think. Walking outside to get a little peace and quiet, I grab my cell to text Lexi with a smile on my face.

Me:Hey, babe, I’ve been thinking about you.

Feeling that my words may scare her off, I delete the words sayingthinking about you. Then think,fuck it,and type it once again and press send.

Here goes nothing.

Taking another swig of my drink, I wait like a fucking pussy watching my cell screen. Placing my beer on the ground, I take out a smoke and light up. Leaning back against the concrete wall, I continue to stare at the screen.

Fuck this shit.

I press the call button on her number and wait for her to pick up, but it rings out and goes to her voicemail.

“Hey, babe, it’s me, Rhyder. Just checkin’ in. Call me, let me know you’re okay.”

I hang up and shake my head. I’ve never been like this before. Since when have I called a girl other than my mom to see if they’re okay? But Lexi is not just any girl, she’s special and means something to me.

I keep my cell in my hand and finish my smoke. A few minutes pass, and with frustration taking hold, I shove my cell into the back of my jeans and walk back into the clubhouse in search of a distraction. I glance around the club trying to find the same girl who approached me when I walked in. I finally find her dancing with a Sinner and walk up to her and whisper in her ear, “Changed my mind.”

She turns to me and smiles. “Is that right?”

I look down and focus on her tits.

Yeah, she’ll have to do.

I grab her hand, not caring that the Sinner member shouts out that she’s with him. I’m not in the mood to fight over her. Plus, he’s drunk.

Turning to her, I ask, “What’s your name, darlin’.”

“I’m Sydney, and you are.”

“Rhyder.”

“Wanna take this to a room, Rhyder?”

I smirk, then say, “Lead the way.”

I follow her through the crowd and a long hallway, then walk down further. Sydney stops and opens a door, moans and grunts sound through the room.

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