Page 13 of Raven's Hacker
He was cussing up a storm, walking back into the shop away from everyone. I went into the shop to make sure it was still cool to bring Ryder around to show him our bikes, like we had planned out the night before. I wanted to cheer him up afterhe was so down about his dad finally making an attempt while we were working to get him out of their lives.
“Hey guys. We still good to show Ryder the bikes? Or should we try next time?” I asked, not wanting to step on toes, but needing to know if I’d be able to bring them out of the SUV.
“We’re good!” Prez said, trying not to sound exasperated by the whole situation. I saw Hound, another club brother, whispering something to Bullet in the back of the shop. I saw my brother nodding his head, taking some deep breaths, as Hound walked back to where we were.
“You good, Bullet?” I asked, genuinely wanting to know how my friend was. He nodded, turning to look at me. Pissed didn’t even begin to describe the murderous look he had on his face, and it looked like he’d been crying. Looking back at the SUV, Parker looked pissed as Kai was doing his best to explain what happened, in, I’m sure, terms that kids wouldn’t ask too many questions about. Raven sat there listening in, but not giving away too much. Bullet’s voice sounded rough and ragged, maybe even a little evil, when he asked for his first-ever favor.
“Can you get me everything you can on Becca’s stepfamily and her dad? I want everything. Bank statements, jobs, wills, records, all their dirty laundry. I want it all. I also need to know how they know Alexis, the woman that I cheated on Becca with.” His words were hard as he tried to hide just how pissed he was. Hades looked ready to do his job. Someone was going to have a shit few years. Or decades. Depends on how long Bullet wanted to toy with his prey.
The day went well, other than the hiccup with Bullet and the women. Ryder got to see all our bikes. We turned them on and revved the engines for him. He beamed, and his face was just that of pure joy. He sat on the back of mine, and I revved ita few times for him. He was laughing and shouting in my ear so I could hear him over the engine, that he wanted one when he grew up. He couldn’t stop talking about the bikes for the rest of the day.
After Raven and Ryder left tonight, I would be looking up all the information he needed. Bullet told me I didn’t have to get on it right away, that I could wait until I found a house and had a proper office to work out of, but I wanted to get it done. That dirty laundry and whatnot wasn’t exactly something that I wanted Ryder to see, so I would at least wait until they left. I didn’t want to see other people’s dirty laundry. Some of it was as bad as shit on sheets.
I had tried to enjoy the last few hours of them being here, being with me, as we pulled into a parking spot at the airport. Kai was with us this time. He had said his goodbyes to Parker and the kids at home before we left. Honestly, I didn’t want Raven to leave. Or Ryder. Either of them. I helped them with the luggage, walked them in, and I swear to god, time seemed to move at warp speed. As soon as I blinked, it felt like I was standing in line with them as they waited to go through security. I was talking to both of them before they were beyond my reach, promising to come visit them.
“Just follow along with Grandpa Jefferson and Kai, okay? They’re good lawyers. They’ll help if you’re sure this is what you want,” I told Ryder, hand on his shoulder as he nodded at me, a soft smile on his face. He was a mature kid, more mature than I felt he should be for his age, though he was still sweet, still onlyten. Just as I was about to turn to say goodbye to Raven, Ryder wrapped his arms around me, gripping me tightly.
“I’m gonna miss you, B,” he sniffled into my shirt. I wrapped my arms around him, and it felt so natural, like I hadalways done it. I whispered into his hair, my arms holding him tight.
“I’m gonna miss you too, little dude. I’ll see you soon, though,” his big watery eyes looked up at me, “Promise,” I said, releasing him and holding out a pinky for a pinky promise. The most scared of promises. He wrapped his pinky around mine, looking into my eyes so I knew he understood the gravity of the promise we had just made. He grabbed his bag from Kai, who looked shocked. None of my brothers had ever seen me so openly affectionate, or willing to touch or be touched, with anyone. Not even them. It was something that needed to be seen to be believed, according to Hades.
I turned to Raven, and my girl was quietly crying. I opened up my arms, and she walked into them, crying into my chest. I held her tightly for a few minutes, breathing her in, knowing it would be at least a few weeks before I would see her again. Kai and Ryder were passing through the security checks already, and I knew I had to let her go soon. I motioned for the few people to go ahead of us, earning a few knowing glances from some of the older couples going through security. I pulled back from her just enough to see her face, holding it delicately in my hands, wiping her tears.
“Please don’t cry, love,” her eyes widened at the endearment, “I’d been trying to find the right time to say it all weekend. But every time felt too perfect. I didn’t want to ruin our time together if you don’t feel the same.” I paused, giving a half smile at the shock on her face. I continued, wiping more tears from her face.
“I’m going to miss you, Raven. I hope this doesn’t fuck up plans for me coming to you two next weekend,” I smirked, trying to lighten the mood. I dropped my hands and took a step back.Just as I turned my head to start walking away, she grabbed my hand, pulling me back to her. Her arms went around my neck, and she pulled me down, kissing me.
Holy fucking shit.
My first kiss. Ever.
I froze for a moment before melting into this amazing woman. God she was fucking perfect, just like this kiss. She kissed me senseless, allowing me to explore her mouth as she made little sounds that I tried like hell to swallow. I didn’t want anyone else to hear those. Ever. For the rest of my life. I wanted those little sounds I pulled from her to be mine. Forgetting we’re in public, I slide a hand under the edges of her shirt, gently running it across her stomach. We pulled away from each other, giggling, as people whooped and cheered for us. My face was as red as a tomato. I couldn’t believe she kissed me.
And I kissed her back!
I leaned in for one more kiss. A quick, chaste kiss. One for the road.
“That was my first kiss.” She looked at me, eyes wide again. I’d told her some of what I’d been through. She also knew that since I hadn’t consented, I didn’t consider those to count. Not in the way that mattered. I just…hadn’t told her I hadn’t been with anyone else, though I assumed she had most likely assumed that also because I wasn’t someone who liked other people’s touch.
“Are you still…” she leaned in like she was about to spill state secrets, and whispered, “a virgin?” I nodded and kissed her again.
“Don’t miss your flight.” I turned and started walking away. About halfway down the corridor, I turned around. She was still standing there, watching me. Walking backwards, I smiled.
“I LOVE YOU, RAVEN!” I shouted. Everyone looked at me, then back in her direction, trying to find the woman I was shouting at. I couldn’t take my eyes off of her as she smiled, tears in her eyes again.
“I LOVE YOU TOO, BECKAM! SEE YOU NEXT WEEKEND, BABE!”
Nothing.
And Idomeannothing, could wipe this smile off my face.
T W E L V E: No More Rights.
Raven’s POV
After another three months of traveling back and forth on weekends, and sometimes spending more time if we could, we had gotten to the point in our relationship that I think I’d be okay with moving in. There was an end-of-summer party coming up at the MC that Beckam invited us to. I asked if my parents could come so they could meet him and his brothers. Of course, he said yes, so I invited Mom and Jefferson. Beckam said he was looking forward to it, that he had a surprise for me.
Kai and Jefferson have been working very hard on getting Matthew to either willingly give up his rights or have all his dirty laundry aired out very publicly, and taking this to trial. And I promised that I would tell every single person I knew that I was taking him back to court to strip his rights because he’s not shown up for Ryder in almost eighteen months! It had been so long that we didn’t even hear from him at all this summer, when Ryder had all the time in the world to spend with him. He’s been super active on social media, according to Beckam. Posting with different women, all younger, always either at a new club or hotel in some beach resort location. It was sad, but I think he’s got a lot going on, mentally.
