Chapter Eight
My date was only two days away and the more I waited, the more excited I got. I wanted to spend as much time with Ryder as possible, but I didn’t want to seem desperate. I said hello to him when I passed by his shop, but I tried not to stick around too long. I didn’t want to be a pain in his ass.
He was the mechanic for Damien’s gang, and from what I heard he was amazing with his hands. I could only hope that statement held up in the bedroom as well. I was slipping into my normal attire when my phone started to ring. I glanced down at the name and my heart jumped into my throat. I answered it tentatively.
“Fang.”
“What have you found out?”
My chest became tight and I swallowed. “I’ve been here like a week, Fang! They haven’t completely opened up to me.”
“They’re housing you and they haven’t told you shit?? You haven’t seen shit?”
“Housing me and telling me their secrets aren’t the same!”
“Have you gotten close to Damien? He’s the one you need to kill.”
“Kill? You didn’t tell me anything like that!”
“Either you need to get him and his little wife alone where we can take them out, or you have to do it!”
I closed my eyes and blew out a breath. “I need more time.”
“You better get your ass in gear. You don’t want me to decide that I don’t need you or your mom around,” he snapped before hanging up.
I winced but set the phone down, taking a deep breath as I shoved the phone into my pocket and started for the door. I needed some fresh air. Fang was getting to me and I couldn’t afford to break and blow my cover.
It had just stopped raining and the sky was a beautiful mix of reds, oranges, and purples. Despite the fact that I’d spent quite a bit of time in Tennessee, I didn’t think I’d ever get used to the scenery. It would always be breathtaking to me.
“It’s lovely, isn’t it?”
The sudden voice behind me made me jump. I spun around, wide eyed and ready to fight. Ryder stood just behind me and cocked his brow. “You’re always ready to throw a punch,” he mused.
“Yeah. Got picked on a lot when I was young,” I said.
“I can’t see why,” he said, staring at me in a way that made me nervous.
“I was a weird kid. Quiet, kind of kept to myself,” I said, looking up at him.
He nodded and stuck his hands in my pocket. “I guess I can see that,” he said softly.
I nodded and fell silent, unsure of what to say next. Luckily he broke the silence. “You want to see something cool?”
I blinked but nodded. “Sure,” I answered.
He chuckled and nodded for me to follow him. “Come on.”
He brought me to his garage and pointed toward a bike. “You see that?”
It was a beautiful piece of art. All of the metal was chrome and everything else was matte black. I’d never really learned to ride bikes, but I could still appreciate their beauty.
“Oh wow! Is that yours?”
“Yeah. That’s Athena.”
“Athena. Like the goddess of war?”
“She sees a lot of fights. I figured giving her a powerful name couldn’t hurt,” he said with a grin.
I nodded and reached out to touch the leather seat. “I really like it.”
“You want to go for a ride?” he asked.
“Oh, I don’t know about that,” I said, my fear of bikes nearly edging out the excitement of being pressed up against him on the back.
He grinned and grabbed my hand. “Come on. Get on.”
I hesitated but finally climbed on the bike. He slipped in behind me and turned the key, revving the engine. My heart started beating faster as terror ran through me. I wasn’t really sure this was what I wanted. The idea of flying down the road on this motorcycle was horrifying. Luckily, he didn’t give me much of a chance to consider it.
We took off down the road and I couldn’t help the scream that forced its way through my lips. I was pressed against his chest, gripping a little bar that sat just above the gas gauge. His body protected mine and soon the fear ebbed away.
As we drove along the open road, I could feel my fear and worry melting away. I leaned into him, trusting him to take care of me and keep me safe. When the ride came to an end, he pulled up to the house I was staying at and offered me a smile.
“This your stop?”
I chuckled and slid off the bike, nodding. “Sure is.”
He held his hand out and I took it without hesitation. Once he had my hand he dragged me close and pressed a long, tender kiss to my lips. I was too shocked to return it, but when he pulled away, he just smiled.
“See you Saturday.”
He took off and left me wanting more.