Page 19 of Stryker's Ruin

He raises an eyebrow and points to the phone as if asking if I’d like to speak. I shake my head no and he smiles and winks.

“Yes sir, I’ll have the conversation with her. We’ll see you tomorrow.” He disconnects.

“I doubt that Vince is happy with you. He likes to be the one to hang up.”

He grins. “He can call back. I have more important things to do than listen to him try and impress me. You feel better?”

How does he dare be so disrespectful? Is it because he’s a man or secure in who he is?

“Yes, much.”

“Good. It might be a little cool tonight so why don’t you wear the jeans, white crop top and canvas shoes. Bring the jean jacket. We’re gonna be a little more casual.”

He’s looking at his phone when I return to the living room. Tonight, he’s dressed in all black which makes him seem even more intimidating. The intensity with which he’s studying the device is almost scary. But when he glances up at me and smiles, my gentle, caring Stryker is back.

“You look amazing. Dinner first, then a river cruise.”

After a quiet dinner with a view of the city, we board the cruise. The guide on the boat recites details of the historic and new buildings as we pass. Stryker shares a few anecdotes from his experience of the town, and we enjoy a glass of wine. On the return he settles us in the bow of the boat, standing behind me with his strong arms embracing me.

I love standing on the deck with the breeze whispering across my face and his warmth surrounding me. I’m finally alive. I don’t want this night to end.

Walking down the ramp, he glances at his watch. “We’ve got time, but we need to hustle. Taking my hand we rush to the end of the Pier. He guides me to the line leading to the big blue gondolas of the Ferris wheel.

“Are we really going up?”

“It was one of your flyers.” He smiles down at me. “So yeah, we’re going.”

“Thank you, thank you, thank you.” I jump up to kiss his cheek and he wraps his arms around me and gives me a twirl.

“My pleasure.” His gaze focuses on my lips. “My pleasure,mo stór.”

We’re waiting in line when a small child runs past followed by a slightly older boy. They stop a few feet away from us and stare at the ice cream vendor on the street. The little girl stares longingly as other children walk away with the cool delight. The older boy takes his little sister’s hand. “Come on, Mom’s almost here and we need to go.”

“I really want ice cream, Joey. It’s been so long since we’ve had any.”

“Mom lost her job. There’s no extra right now.”

A woman pushing a stroller stops. The little girl turns. “Please Momma? We could all share one.”

The sadness on the woman’s face tells of her heartbreak and despair.

Stryker looks at the guy behind us. “Will you hold our place just for a moment?” When the guy nods, Stryker takes my hand and goes toward the woman. He talks softly to her. I can’t make out all the words. He pulls his wallet from his pocket and gives the boy money and shoos him toward the ice cream vendor. Then pulls a card and more cash from his wallet and hands it to the woman. She kisses the back of his hand, tears streaming down her cheeks. The boy returns and tries to hand back the change, but Stryker just ruffles his hair, and we walk toward our place in line.

“You told her about a job. That was the card you gave her.”

“Brian at the apartment is always looking for good help. No big deal.”

But it was to that woman and her children.

“Got your ticket?” the wheel operator interrupts as we approach.

Stryker shows him his phone and the man glances up. Stryker nods and the man grins, then ushers us into a gondola. “Don’t forget the kiss at the top,” he shouts as he closes the door and we take off.

CHAPTER 13

Stryker

Call me a sentimental fool, but I bought all eight tickets ensuring we’d have a car to ourselves. I’m not sharing her excitement with anyone.

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