Page 68 of Mending Scars

A smack on the window broke us apart. “Hey! Quit that shit! You bitches have a party to attend!”

I turned my head to see Nori outside Ryker’s door. A mischievous grin lined her lips as she took a drag from her cigarette and blew out the smoke from the corner of her mouth.

I buried my face in Ryker’s chest, which moved up and down with his laughter. “Perfect timing,” I mumbled against his shirt.

Ryker rubbed his hands up and down my back. “Guess we better go. Don’t want to keep her waiting.”

I groaned in protest, still craving release, but raised my head and opened the door to the truck. Nori snickered as I climbed down. “Sorry, I hope I didn’t interrupt anything important,” she teased before taking another puff of her cigarette.

Narrowing my eyes, I glared at her. “Cock block.”

Nori laughed and flicked her cigarette to the asphalt. “Sorry, girl. You know how impatient I am, and I’ve already been waiting fifteen minutes for you.”

I heard the truck door close behind me, followed by the beep of the alarm locking. “Hey, Nori,” Ryker greeted once he reached us.

Nori smiled with amusement. “Hey. You were supposed to get her here on time, not be the reason she was late.”

Ryker shrugged. “Sometimes I just can’t help myself.” His eyes ran over my body and a smirk tipped his lips. “Look at her.”

I looked down at myself and scoffed. “I look like a fat cow.”

Nori snorted as Ryker draped an arm over my shoulder and pulled me into him. “No you don’t, Warrior. You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”

A small smile curved my lips. “You have to say that.”

Ryker was about to reply when Nori interjected, “All right, lovebirds, let’s go.” She walked toward the restaurant, which I finally noticed was Luciano’s now that I wasn’t caught up in Ryker. I looked up at him and grinned widely. “Luciano’s?”

Ryker led me behind Nori, keeping his arm around me as we walked. “Your favorite for such a special occasion.”

I knew it wasn’t anything major, but all the little things that Ryker did to make me feel special meant the world to me. No one had ever done so much to make me happy. I squeezed him around his middle. “Thank you.”

Ryker kissed the top of my head. “Anything for you, Warrior.”

My phone chimed as we neared the entrance. I pulled away from Ryker and stopped to fish my cell out of my purse. “Let me grab my phone real quick.”

A text message popped up when I swiped my screen:

Unknown: Happy birthday hope you get everything your heart desires

My stomach clenched as fear rooted deep throughout my insides. My head darted frantically around the parking lot, searching for anyone suspicious.

Who the fuck is this?

Ryker placed his hand on the small of my back, causing me to startle and jerk away.

“Whoa, babe, it’s just me.” Ryker calmly spoke as if talking to a spooked animal. “What’s wrong?”

I gulped, then exhaled a shaky breath. “Nothing. I’m fine.”

Ryker gave me a knowing look. He wasn’t buying it. “Kaiya.” His tone was like that of a disapproving parent who caught their teenager in a lie.

“Hey, I’m starving here. Hurry the fuck up,” Nori interrupted.

Thank God.

I forced a smile. “I’m fine, really. Let’s get inside.”

He narrowed his eyes and reached out his hand. “Let me see your phone.”

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