Page 74 of Breaking the Rules (Roaming Devils MC 1)

“Ryker?” Her mother moved past her and walked over to him. “Will you please tell Ella that you’d stay at our house tonight? No fighting. No macho turf war. We want to know that she’s safe and it’d be best if she was at our house.”

She didn’t look at him. She knew it pained him to even think about staying under the same roof as her father. She thought it’d pain him even more to see the sadness on her face.

“I’ll stay.”

Ella glanced up at him.

“If that’s what Ella wants.”

She nodded. Her mind was a mess. She’d fought junkies off of her before but this was different. Ryker drove her car to her parents’ house. Her nerves had yet to calm and the idea of sleeping, even as exhausted as she was, didn’t sound promising.

“Do you know those guys?” Ella asked. “When I gave the description, you had a weird look on your face.”

Ryker didn’t look at her. “Maybe.”

She swallowed, knowing that he most likely wouldn’t tell the police. “What are you going to do to them?”

“I’m with you tonight.”

“But Superman and Vampire aren’t.”

“Do you want them here?” he asked, arching an eyebrow at her. He pulled into her parents’ drive and parked her car.

“Please tell me how your MC works.” She swiped at her wet cheeks. “Apparently I don’t understand.”

“Will there be retaliation? Hell yes.” He pulled out her keys and handed them to her. “Torture? Probably. Murder? Depends on my mood.”

“So you do kill people?”

“It’s not that simple, Ella.”

“Did you kill Razor?”

He scoffed. “Why are you so worried about him?”

“I was there too.” She turned in her seat. “The least you can do is tell me what happened.”

“And make you an accessory to any potential crime I’ve committed? Not going to happen.”

“So you’re going to keep me in the dark?”

“For your protection, yes.” He opened the door and walked around to the other side. He opened her door and stood there, waiting for her to get out. “I love you, Ella. Nothing will change that. And I’m not going to put you in a position where you could potentially go to jail for anything I have done or will do.”

She stood and he closed the car door. “I feel like you’re two different people. There’s the Ryker that I know and then there’s the Ryker that the club knows.”

“The one you know only exists because of you.” He stared at her. “You make me a better person. I love you and I need you in my life. I’ve never said that to anyone. I’ve never felt it with anyone but you.”

The neighborhood was quiet. Her parents were inside and the lights were on downstairs but Ella didn’t want to go in just yet. Ryker didn’t push her. He probably didn’t want to go in either.

“Do you think we can have a life together?” She stared at him.

“I’m trying.” He leaned against the hood of her car. “I’m willing to do anything for you to make us work.”

“I know. Coming to my parents’ house was a dead giveaway.”

He smiled. “You mean more to me than a few uncomfortable hours with your parents. Plus, I’m counting on them sleeping downstairs and away from me.”

She reached for his hand. “You’re with me tonight, bud.”

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