Page 15 of Ryker

Flicker waved a hand.“Don’t worry about any of that.I checked with our health insurance, and they’re going to cover your pregnancy.It seems when you turned eighteen, Torch had a maternity rider added to your policy just in case.Guess he saw this coming sooner or later, and it’s a really damn good thing he signed the club up for a health plan back when you came to live with me.”

“It’s not right, though.You’re going to end up paying for everything.Diapers.A baby bed.Clothes.”

“And I will gladly pay every penny for the things my niece or nephew needs.Stop worrying, Laken.It’s not good for you or the baby.We’ll just take things one day at a time, okay?”

“All right.”

“Go take your shower and get dressed.Your appointment is in an hour.”

I stood up and kissed his check before hurrying to my room to get ready.Coming to live with Flicker was one of the best things to ever happen to me.He’d been an amazing big brother, and I knew he’d be an even better uncle.But my heart still ached for the one person I couldn’t have.Ryker.

Maybe one day it wouldn’t hurt so much.But that day wasn’t today.

Chapter Seven

Ryker

“Son, what the hell are you doing?”my dad asked as he leaned against the bar in the Hades Abyss clubhouse.“Anyone with working eyes can tell you don’t want to be here.”

I could have played dumb and acted like I didn’t know what he was talking about, but we both knew better.I was physically here, but that was it.Laken still consumed my every thought, and I missed her so fucking much.It had taken me leaving to realize just how much she meant to me.Once I’d heard we were having a baby, I’d known I’d make a life with her.But now… now I knew I didn’t just want a life with her.I wanted her heart, because she’d sure as fuck taken mine.

“I’m no good for Laken,” I said, taking another swallow of my beer.“She’s better off without me.”

“Are you sure about that?You know, I’ve never taken you for a coward.I know the Marines sent you into some hellish situations, and since you’ve been home, you’ve taken on club tasks I never would have asked you to do.I used to think you had balls of steel, but the way you’re hiding from a woman, I’m starting to think they’re more like marbles.”

I scowled at him.

Bear, the sergeant-at-arms, snickered.“More like shriveled peas.No, no… Wait.What’s smaller than a pea?I know!Mouse balls.He has a really tiny mouse balls.”

I growled at him, wanting to put my fist through his face.

“Don’t go insulting mice,” Marauder said as he walked up and joined the conversation.“Those bastards are bold as fuck.”

Bear fingered the patch on my cut.Diablo.I’d hated that fucking name ever since they’d given it to me, which is why I never used it unless I was around the club.Everywhere else I was just Ryker.I’d done some fucked up shit in my lifetime, and I might have earned the name on my cut, but it didn’t mean I was necessarily proud of everything I’d done.

“Maybe we need to change this out.I’m thinking Princess would be a better name for him these days,” Bear said.

“Nah,” Marauder said.“A princess has to be tough.He’s more like… Fuck.I got nothing.”

“Chickenshit,” Bear said.“That would be a good one.”

“Are you assholes done?”I asked, glaring at them.“I’m not a fucking chicken.You didn’t see what happened when I was at the hospital.I could have fucking killed her.”

My dad patted my shoulder.“But you didn’t.And now she’s home, she’s doing fine, and I’m betting that she misses you.”

“Do you have a crystal ball now?”I asked.

“No, he asked me,” said a voice behind me.

I turned and saw Torch, the President of the Dixie Reapers MC, standing behind me.No one had said a word about him coming here, and I wondered if they’d planned it that way.If I’d known he would be there, that anyone tied to Laken would be here, I’d have made myself scarce.I didn’t need a reminder that I was here and she was there, not when I was pretty fucking certain I’d left my heart back there with her.

“And in case you’re wondering, she’s asked about you.When she found out you’d left and hadn’t even said goodbye, I watched as her heart shattered into pieces.She’s putting up a good front, acting like nothing’s wrong, but we all know different,” Torch said.“And from what I hear, you aren’t doing so great either.”

“He doesn’t even look at the club sluts,” Marauder said with disdain.“Who the fuck gives up free pussy?I think your girl broke him.”

Bear smirked.“Or maybe her pussy’s just…”

Bear didn’t get to finish his sentence before I stood and put my fist through his face, just liked I’d been dying to do.Blood trickled from his mouth and covered his teeth as he grinned at me.Asshole.He’d baited me on purpose, and I’d fallen for it.He wiggled his teeth and spat some blood onto the floor.

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