Page 82 of Riot's Thorn
“Okay. Please tell them to release a statement then.”
“I’ll send the email while you meet with Mr. Duncan at the funeral home. Have you decided what you’ll do with the company? I know you were months off from graduating, right?”
“Yeah, but I don’t think I’ll finish.”
“Really?”
“Really.” I leave it at that because how do I explain I’m not the same girl I was two weeks ago? A whole new world has been shown to me, and my eyes have been opened. The goals and dreams I had are gone, and I need time to figure out what to replace them with.
Roland opens the console and pulls out a protein bar. “It’s going to be a marathon day, so you should eat.”
“Thank you.” I open the wrapper and absently eat the chocolate cardboard. “How did you end up working for my dad?”
“My dad is an associate of your—was an associate of your dad’s. One day, I’ll take over for him, but in the meantime, I’m learning as much as I can about the world of business and finance.”
“Why don’t you just work for your dad?”
“We’d kill each other if he were my boss.” Roland chuckles. “I love my dad, but I’d rather learn from other men who are industry leaders so when the time is right, I can take our company to the top.”
“And women,” I say.
“I don’t follow.”
“You said you’d rather learn from more successful men, and I was just correcting you because it’s not only men who are successful.” There’s an insane amount of sexism in this business, something I knew I’d have to battle every day once I took over for Dad. I was hoping by the time that happened, things would be different because kids my age are pretty socially aware. Apparently, not all of us.
“You’re right. I’m sorry. I misspoke.”
“Well, I don’t know how much you’ll learn now that my dad’s gone. I’d understand if you wanted to leave for greener pastures.”
“No, I think I’ll stick around for a while, at least until you know what you’re going to do. I owe it to your dad to help you through this transition.”
“Good. I’m glad to hear it because I have no idea what I’m doing.” I chuckle.
“We’ll figure it out together.” Roland places his hand on mine and gives it a squeeze. His hands are big and warm, but they’re lacking the callouses and nicks and cuts Riot’s have. They feel all wrong, but I don’t want to be rude, so I don’t pull away. Thankfully, he doesn’t linger long before his hand goes back to the steering wheel. “Your dad spoke very highly of you, though, and from everything he told me, you’d be fine without me.”
He could be right, but I don’t want to find out. Just having someone to manage my schedule and put together to-do lists saves me so much time and effort. So, inappropriate touches or not, he’s staying. For now, anyway.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
RIOT
Ibrush a lock of Parker’s hair off her cheek, loving how innocent and peaceful she looks when she sleeps. She’s had a busy week with very little downtime, and I can tell it’s draining her. That’s why last night, I left some lavender-scented bath oil and a few other things to encourage her to relax.
It made me proud to watch her sink into a bath tonight, close her eyes, and let a little of her worry melt away. I like that even though we’re not together right now, I’m still taking care of her. Hopefully, I’m proving to her she can depend on me.
I tuck the stuffed rat I left for her a few nights ago under her arm, and she stirs, bringing it closer to her chest. The idea came to me when I was playing with Ben and Amy, trying to cheer them up. We all miss Parker, and with the construction, our lives have been upended.
Thankfully, Rigger and Navy let me move into their cabin while mine is being renovated, but it’s just not the same. I’ve lost control of my life, and it’s making me irrational and angry, something Killer’s grateful for because we crossed another name off her list this week, and fucking hell, did we make a mess of that guy.
Of course, Killer stabbed a million holes into him. Something about the way the knife feels as it moves through skin and muscle does it for her. While she was doing that, I flayed open his cock and balls. I always wanted to know what they look like on the inside, and now I do. His screams matched the way I feel inside right now, and it was comforting to know I wasn’t alone.
Once that was done, I sliced down his breastbone and peeled back the skin on each side of his chest until his insides were exposed. It felt like I was creating art, putting my feelings out into the world. I hope whoever finds him sees what I did and understands what I’m going through without Parker by my side.
These nightly visits aren’t enough. I want her to be conscious—arguing with me, understanding me, fucking me. I reach down to readjust my cock, but it feels good to touch myself, so I don’t stop. As I stare down at my beautiful fiancée, I rub myself to a full erection.
Parker put on quite the show tonight. After her bath, she drained some water before turning on the faucet. It had a removable head, probably to make cleaning the tub easier, or maybe Parker used it as it was intended—to get herself off. She draped her legs over each side of the tub, and even though I couldn’t see what she was doing, it was obvious. So was the orgasm she had.
Was she thinking of me? Could she sense me coming at the same time as her, spraying my cum all over a tree? It better have been me on her mind and not that Roland prick. She might not see what he’s doing, but I do. Picking her up every morning with coffee and breakfast in hand, opening her car door for her, and then walking her to the door each night—it’s all I can do not to kill the motherfucker. I still might if he lays one goddamn finger on her.
