Page 74 of Ravaged Saints

Last night, Aspen said things were going too fast; we are all to blame for that. When she started to show that she was into us, we all made our moves. I kissed in front of Ryker to make him want her more, but of course, that shit didn’t work, and he ended up fucking Bryn.

I need to face it—Ryker isn’t comfortable with us. And honestly? I’m tired of being the one chasing after him, demanding his touch, pushing him forward.

Fuck that.

I go for a run to clear my head, but the images of Ryker and Bryn burn in my mind. I don’t even know why it bothers me so much. Maybe because I just wanted it to be us. I didn’t think he’d fuck her without at least telling me, and that just proves it: we aren’t a couple. There’s no “him and me.” We fuck, and that’s it. I push forward, my muscles tightening, my heart drumming in my ears, the boots crushing the floor like a punishment; the anger serves as fuel.

Arriving back at the gate, I hear Ryker shouting, and I punch in the code as fast as I can and storm inside to see him and Ethan.

“I put them in the basement!” Ryker yells; the veins on his arms and neck pulse with rage.

“Well, I didn’t touch them!” Ethan snaps back, stepping closer.

I shake my head. That is not a good idea. I can handle Ryker when he loses it, but Ethan? He’s not walking away if Ryker blows up.

“The fuck you didn’t. I saw you coming out of there after!” Ryker stands his ground, his body coiled tight, ready to strike.

Aspen steps outside, and she stops to look at them. Her face pales, and she walks around them, her eyes darting between them, hands clenched. I have been noticing she doesn’t deal well with aggressive behavior.

Knox and Dante follow a minute later, but they hang back, watching. I move closer, ready to intervene.

“Are you insinuating something?” Ethan yells, jabbing a finger into Ryker’s chest, and my gaze flicks to Dante. He knows Ryker’s on the verge of snapping. “You know what? I think this is all about Bryn!”

“What the fuck are you talking about?” Ryker growls, stepping closer.

“You want her, and I’m in the way because she’d rather have my cock than yours. You’re fucking jealous, Recon.” Ethan snarls, throwing Ryker’s unit codename like a challenge.

That’s it. Ryker loses it. He lunges, but Aspen, who is the closest one to them, steps between them, pushing Ryker back. He stops the second he feels her against him, but Ethan doesn’t.

He punches forward, hitting Aspen in the ribs, and she lets out a sharp cry, collapsing to the ground. Ryker pulls her away and launches himself at Ethan.

Knox and Dante jump in, dragging them apart.

I run to Aspen’s side and kneel, pulling her shirt up to check for injuries as she gasps for air, clutching her side. Bryn comes running.

“Oh my God!” She yells, but Aspen sits up straighter, wincing in pain.

“I’m okay,” she grunts through gritted teeth.

“There were twelve boxes of ammo,” Ryker roars, still trying to get at Ethan. “Two are missing!”

Knox has his arm locked around Ryker’s neck, pulling him back. Dante’s holding Ethan, who smirks despite the chaos, and I notice he’s not even trying to break free and reach Ryker.

“Bryn!” Dante calls. “Take him downstairs to cool off.” She rises, her eyes on Aspen, but she follows the instructions.

Ethan shakes Dante off and grabs Bryn’s hand. “I didn’t do shit! You’ve been on my case since town! Fuck this, Ryker!”

Ryker thrashes in Knox’s grip as Ethan storms inside the base.

“Easy, Recon,” Knox growls at him.

Dante turns to us. “Are you okay, doll? That was one hell of a punch.”

“I’m fine,” Aspen whispers, lifting her shirt. A small red bruise is forming on her ribs. Ethan missed most of the blow, but it still left a mark. The fact that fucker didn’t even apologize makes my blood boil.

“I’m fucking calm,” Ryker snaps. “Let me go, Knox!”

Knox releases him, and Ryker immediately turns to Aspen, worry softening his expression. “Is she okay?”

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