I’D BEEN HOME FOR OVER a week and a half and Ryder decided we should have a picnic. I was set up out in the beautiful backyard, lying on stuffed beanbags and pillows. The lagoon-like swimming pool had the sun shining off it and I wished I could swim, but not all my casts were waterproof.
Ryder had set me up and went back inside the house to get a picnic basket full of food, but he’d been gone for a while now. He had suggested we go out for our picnic, but it was a lot of work with me still in casts and healing, and I was happy staying at home. I loved the house and the surrounding ground, sure from the outside as you pull up in a car it looks like a fortress, but once you’re in it a haven of palm trees, lush green grass, hibiscus flowers and many others. The pool was one of my favorite places to relax on a sunny day with its palm trees, green shrubbery, large rocks and makeshift waterfall.
“Sorry. I forgot the wine.” I turned to see Ryder coming towards me with an old fashion picnic basket, an open bottle of wine and two wine glasses in his hand. He gently placed the basket down right next to me and then sat and poured wine into the glasses. “I know you haven’t taken any pain meds today so you could go on the picnic and if you like, you don’t have to drink much.”
Narrowing my gaze, I raised my brow. “Why on earth would I do that? The whole reason I didn’t take any pain meds was so I could get plastered on wine.”
He chuckled then held out his glass. “Cheers then.”
We tapped our glasses, but I knew I really couldn’t drink much wine and get plastered like I wanted to, because I was pregnant. “I can’t drink. I’m pregnant. I read that I can have a sip or two, but it’s advised no alcohol.”
“Oh, okay. When did you find that out? And it’s good then it’s just sparkling apple cider. I wasn’t sure about alcohol with your meds. Ryder sounded off, like his mind was elsewhere, but he was looking at me waiting for my answer.
Being unable to move around because I was disabled, had made me bored out of my mind. I’d been on the internet looking up everything. The things I now knew about pregnancy and giving birth scared the crap out of me. “Let’s just say the internet is a scary place when you’re pregnant and bored.”
Ryder cleared his throat. “You can eat grapes, oranges, strawberries and apples though?”
I nodded. “Yep, no sushi though, deli meat, or soft cheeses.” I pouted, because that had been a blow, I loved a good creamy cheese with a cracker. The sushi wasn’t anything for me to care about as I wasn’t a fan and I wasn’t a huge fish eater anyway.
He smirked, his lips quivering as he looked like he was trying not laugh. “Would you mind getting out some fruit?”
Staring at him for a moment, I wondered why he was letting me do something. Since, having arrived home from the hospital I’d barely lifted a finger. The most strenuous thing I did was wipe my frigging arse. He leaned back against a cushion and smiled, shrugging. I unhooked the clips on the basket and opened one side. I gasped at the little fluffy caramel fur back and tail. I rushed to undo the other side of the basket and my heart almost exploded from the cuteness I saw. Asleep, curled up is a caramel Labradoodle.
“OhmyGod!” I blurted without taking a breath. “Oh. My. God. You didn’t…” I darted my gaze up to see Ryder leaning forward with a heart stopping smile on face.
“Are you going to pick him up?”
I nodded, resisting the urge to squeal and wake up the little angel. I carefully picked him up the best I could with my cast hand as I have finger movement from that hand, and hugged him to my chest. He woke up and his head popped up and I fell in love instantly. I took him all in, from his adorable floppy soft ears to his cute little button nose. I paused at his neck as I spotted his collar and couldn’t miss the ring hanging from it. I looked closer, laughing when the puppy licked my cheek. The name tag said, “Marry us”.
Oh, my God. He did it! Ryder gave me a dream worthy proposal.
I hugged my puppy close, not caring about the tears falling from my eyes. “Yes. A million times yes. I can’t believe you. This is perfect. You’re perfect. This little guy, er, he is a boy?” I held him up and confirmed before Ryder answered. “Yes, boy. He’s perfect. Yes, yes. I’m so happy you gave me a proposal I deserve.” I sat the puppy down and leaned in and kissed my fiancée.
We didn’t pull away until a tiny bark interrupted us. Laughing at how adorable it was, I gazed down at my puppy. My heart filled so full to bursting with love and happiness. I wanted to tell Ryder I loved him, but I wanted to wait to say that another time, so I could have another special day.
“What are you going to name him?” Ryder patted the puppy and undid his collar, getting the ring and tag off. He did up the collar again and then picked up the ring, reached into his pocket and pulled out a gold chain. He put the ring on that. “I thought this would be best. With the cast, it won’t fit.”
I nodded. I loved that Ryder thought enough about my condition and that the ring wouldn’t fit. He was always doing little considerate things like that. It was something I hadn’t expected with such an alpha man like Ryder.
“You thought of anything to call him?”
I had no idea. I’d never had a pet. I always wanted one, but with moving about so much with the Army it wasn’t really practical. Looking down at the puppy I noticed he was small, smaller than what I thought the breed should be. “Is he a Labradoodle?”
“He’s a Mini-Labradoodle. I almost got you just a Labradoodle, but I had a feeling this little guy was right up your ally. He’s not a little rat dog. He’ll be a bit bigger than a large house cat. You’re both so little.”
I mock growled at him and the puppy barked and pounced which had me giggling at just how adorable he was. Ryder leaned over and gathered my hair to one side and then put the necklace on me. He kissed my neck and fell back onto the cushions. I held up the necklace and looked at the ring. It’s the same massive diamond and black onyx ring he’d placed on my finger weeks ago and it was stunning.
The little puppy climbed up me and licked my neck. I giggled at the tickle of his fur, wet nose, and tongue. I could already tell he was going to be affectionate and cuddly. “What about Snuggles?”
“Ah, no. I am not telling people I have a dog named Snuggles. I’d do just about anything for you, but not that, and not to mention the dog is a boy, vixen.”
I tried pouting at Ryder, but I could tell he meant it when he crossed his arms over his chest and turned his head away.
“Fine,” I grumble. “What about Caramelo?”
“He’s a dog not a food.”
“What about Curly or Tiny? You know, ’cause he’s a Mini.” I raised my eyebrows up and down.
“You happy to call that out when you take him for a walk? ‘Tiny, Curly, come here?’ Think about his street cred.”
“Ha, a dog and street cred.” I rolled my eyes and threw up my arms. “Well, you think of a name.”
Ryder moved so he was next to me and I inched closer so I snuggled against him. “Okay, what about…” He picked up the puppy and held him close to his face, studying him. “Buster. Ranger. Fido.”
“No. No way. They’re so plain. Typical dog names.” I turned in his embrace and he put the puppy back on the ground. I tried to think of boy names, or cool dog names, but my mind was blank. “Is this how it’s going to be when we try and name our baby?” When I realized what I said, I froze. We hadn’t really talked or mentioned the baby I carried. I didn’t even know how he felt about having a child so soon. He stroked my cheek and leaned in and brushed his lips over mine.
“I’m smart enough to know that if you go through cooking my child for nine months and then give birth to him, you get the right to name him whatever you want.”
I threw my arms around him and he grunted at the impact of my cast. I still wasn’t used to it. I peppered him with kisses. “Perfect and all mine.” I sighed and unhooked my arms from him. “You name the puppy if I get to name our children then.”
He winked and I groaned as he said, “Children huh? You already planning on us having more?”
Kissing his cheek, I looked around and spotted the puppy not far off the blankets. “Maybe I am. Go get the puppy. Let’s name him first before we even talk more about children.”
I was enjoying the last peace and quiet, it being just me and Divinity in the house, before her friends descended to talk about what she was missing at work, and what was going on with each of them. I was sure the wedding would be discussed too. Divinity had the folder she had started with my Aunts and mother. I was actually surprised we’d lasted over a week without my family or any of her friends visiting. I had told as many as I could that we wanted some quiet relaxing time when we got home, but I never thought people would listen, especially my family. Tyson had gone and picked up the puppy from the breeder and dropped it off for the proposal, but he didn’t stick around for a visit.
We were still undecided on a name for the puppy after almost twenty-four hours. I’d given up making suggestions and told Divinity she could name it what she wanted as he was a gift from me. She was currently testing out names on him, and let’s just say I hoped she had better taste for names for our children.
“What do you think of Bear?”
We were snuggled up on the sofa watching an Avengers movie, but I could tell neither of our minds were really focused on it. “For a Mini Labradoodle? What if he gets a complex? That’s a big name for one so little.”
She twisted her torso so she could turn her head and stuck her tongue out at me. “Well we can’t all be hulking giants.”
“I’d stick your tongue back in before I get it.” I snapped my teeth at her playfully, then tilted her chin up as I leaned down. Divinity sucked her tongue back in and I moved closer and captured her lips to my own, pulling away only when she started to deepen the kiss and run her fingers up my chest. My body lit up and my cock, semi-hard just lying cuddling with her, became rock hard. Fuck. I’m so horny, but damn scared to do anything about it because I didn’t want to hurt her any more than she already was. Most of her bruises were gone, it was just the ones that had been really bad that were still there and they were mostly a fading greenish-yellow. Even with the bruises, my woman was beyond beautiful. “No we can’t all be tall. You, my little vixen, are the perfect height for me.”
Her sigh said a lot. It was filled with the same sexual frustration I was feeling. “You have a silver tongue Ryder. I’m thinking your last name suits you.” She turned back around and wiggled and fussed getting comfortable snuggling me. “Have you heard from the guys on the case? Have they heard from my dad or has anyone else? Are you or they any closer to finding X?”
I wished I could tell her I knew something. She wasn’t having nightmares every night now, but she was still having them a lot. I was starting to get the feeling that she was using the house as a crutch of sorts. Since leaving the hospital and coming home she hadn’t wanted to leave the house, even to go and visit my family or out for dinner. Our engagement lunch was supposed to be at the vineyards, but she didn’t want to leave. I was giving her another couple of days before I said anything, because this wasn’t like the Divinity I’d come to know. The one I knew loved getting dressed up and going anywhere. I hoped that when we found X, and I was sure we would, it would settle Divinity. I didn’t know when, but I was determined to nail the son of a bitch. When we caught him, I’d kill him, and I hoped it would give her the closure she needed. “No.” I felt her whole body go stiff against me. “But we are close. I hate to say it but the Devil’s Queens are helping by beating, killing, or scaring the shit out of any of X’s people they find. It going to force him out of hiding to deal with it.”
“You haven’t mentioned my dad. So I’m guessing neither you, nor your buddies who are dealing with the case have either.”
I was hoping she would forget about her dad, well, more like forget about him being missing. It wasn’t that I worried about Eric being hurt or even getting himself killed. No, I worried about the damage he could do. I had a sinking feeling that he was off the grid and had taken leave because he was searching for X on his own. Scrubbing my hand over my face I decided to tell Divinity straight. “I don’t expect we’ll hear from him, not until he has X.”
“I hate that I’m agreeing with you, but I know my dad and he wouldn’t let anyone get away with hurting me.”
Squeezing her tighter to me I kissed the top of her head. “I know these won’t calm any fears you have, but your father knows what he’s doing and bet he’s dealt with worse than X.” She didn’t answer, but I guessed that if she didn’t agree she would have told me.
We watched the movie for another half an hour before her friends came and I retreated to my study. I spent the next couple of hours going over my cases and was surprised I’d gotten lost in them for so long without checking on Divinity. She was getting around a lot better now she was used to the casts.
Leaving my office, I went to the family room expecting to find Divinity there with her friends and when I didn’t, I went searching the house. The house was huge, but until that moment I didn’t realize how many rooms there were. I had no idea why I needed a sitting room, a lounge room, a family room and a games room. Divinity and I spent over sixty percent of our time in the family room. I noticed Divinity was slowly making that room hers, too, by adding little knick-knacks, pictures, throw pillows, and a soft blanket or two.
After checking the house, I headed for the doors to the outdoor entertainment area, hoping to find her there before I called Chad. I didn’t even make it to the doors before I heard the women.
“What do you mean something is up with him?” one of her friends said, and I paused before rounding the corner to where the French doors were so they couldn’t see me.
“He hasn’t fucked me since my kidnapping. Ha, he hasn’t even done oral. All we do is kiss and anytime I start to get worked up and we take things further he stops. I’ve never been more sexually frustrated in my life.” Divinity growled a sound of frustration. “I don’t know what’s wrong. Do you think all these casts are turning him off me?”
I hunched my shoulders as guilt assaulted me. Should I have just let myself go and not halted our make-out sessions? I’d been damn horny myself and eager to make-love to my woman, but I didn’t want to hurt her and I worried sex would. I didn’t want Divinity to ever think I didn’t want her. I loved her.
“Is he hard? Can you tell? He is tall and all muscle, I assumed his dick would be big enough to tell.” I was sure her best friend Lucy asked that question.
I debated for a moment if I should make it known that I was there, but shoved that thought aside when I heard Divinity answer.
“Oh, his cock matches. It’s as huge as him and you want to know another reason why I love him? He knows how to use his dick.”
I froze as her words sank in and I realized she said another reason why she loved me. Did this mean she said she loved me earlier in their conversation? I decided to wait and listen for a little longer.
“I don’t think he’s stopped being attracted to you.” I didn’t recognize the voice of the woman who spoke. “I think he’s just worried about hurting you, maybe?”
“Grrr, I’m feeling great. I just have the annoying casts now and I’m so bloody horny. I swear all I think about is Ryder and all the things I want to do with him. My body is on constant arousal. I need release.” Divinity giggled. “I’m actually scared that I’m going to attack him at night and have my way with him and soon if he doesn’t have sex with me. I’ve never been like this before. I think the pregnancy is heightening my already high sex drive.”
“Does he satisfy or are you left having to finish yourself once he’s asleep?” I was sure it was her boss who asked.
“Every time I’ve been with Ryder I have come, most of the time more than once.”
“Damn, you lucky bitch.”
“Hold on to him tight, Divinity. He’s a keeper.”
“I’m so happy for you Divinity. To have a man like Ryder and for him to treat you like a princess and be having a baby together and being in love. You do love him, don’t you? You meant it when you let it slip before?” Lucy asked her.
“Yes. I love him. He may drive me nuts with all this overprotectiveness, but he’s so good to me and I love him so much and would do just about anything for him. Even put up with him denying me what I want.”
Holy crap! My woman loved me and she was just as horny as me. I was going to have to research how to make love to her safely with her casts. I refused to cause her harm, but knowing that she has needs, the same ones as me, I have the desire to fill them. Because the caveman part of me is determined to make her happy and never want or need anything again.
I was damn horny and I was scared to wake in case what was happening was just the best dream I’d ever had. I was getting concerned that Ryder didn’t find me attractive anymore because he hadn’t had sex with me since the kidnapping. It was really starting to worry me, so much so, I had a major bitch fest to the girls last night about it.
“Please tell me this isn’t a dream, and if it is I don’t want to wake up,” I moaned. Ryder was between my legs eating me out.
“Nope, can’t think of a better way to start the day than doing this.” He delved back in, his tongue sliding deep while his fingers caressed my folds and held me open for his play. My man knew how to make me hot and wet. I loved that he wasn’t a fumbling idiot who didn’t know what would feel good and not, but most of all I loved that he liked giving me oral sex and almost always did foreplay. There had been a quickie or two before my kidnapping that was fast, hard, and hot, and just what we needed, but most of the time he made sure I was beyond satisfied before his dick ever entered my core.
His tongue delved deep and his fingers caressed my clit. I enjoyed the tingling passion flowing and building in my body. I twisted my hips and was glad that was a part of my body that wasn’t in a cast. The pressure grew higher and higher and I was close to falling apart.
He sank two fingers into my core and drove them in and out as his tongue flicked my clit over and over. Then he sucked my clit into his mouth, and that was all it took for me to fall apart.
Ryder didn’t waste time as he kissed his way up my body and took my mouth. I didn’t care that I could taste myself on him, it heightened my blissful state. I was eager for him. I wanted his cock buried deep in me. Ryder’s lips brushed up and down my neck, shots of pure need pulsed through me, adding to my blissful feeling from my orgasm.
Hating my casts, I didn’t know what I should do and it became clearer why Ryder hadn’t touched me like this since my kidnapping. I laid there like a starfish and made a promise to myself that I would return the amazing pleasure Ryder was giving me when all my casts where off. His hands were everywhere as he explored every inch of my body. The caresses of his rough fingers added to the tingling feelings running over me and raising the fire within me.
I arched into every touch as his fingers trailed over me. Hesitating at first, I slowly, carefully, eased my hand up and trailed my fingers over his chest. I enjoyed his deep grumble.
I could feel his hard length against my thighs. His eyes captured mine and I stared into his dark green eyes as he moved closer to me and eased up so his cock rested against my pussy lips as his hands settled on either side of me. “I’m sorry I haven’t had you like this. I heard what you said to your friends and trust me when I say definitely still desire you. Damn, my little vixen, all I have to do is look at you and my dick gets hard and I need to touch you. To hold you. To be inside you.” He ground his hardness against me and I squirmed, wanting his cock inside me.
“Please, Ryder. I need you inside me. I’ve been so bloody horny. Please give me what I need.”
“Oh, I’m going to give you just what you need.” His dick parted my folds and teased me with what I craved. He ran his tip over my nether lips and with each pass over my entrance I moaned with need for more.
“Please,” I begged. “No more teasing.”
The grin that spread over his face was pure male smugness at knowing the effect he had on me. “Oh, don’t worry, vixen. Because you begged so prettily I’m going to give you just want you need.”
Ryder didn’t give me a chance to respond before he thrust deep. The onslaught of his cock filling me in one powerful push drove my passion to a new high. My body was on fire and I loved what this man did to me.
Gripping the sheets so I didn’t accidently hurt Ryder with my casts, I arched my hips up meeting his, trying to contribute to the rapture I was feeling. Right now, missionary position was becoming a favorite. I was on fire and knew I wouldn’t last long. I had been eager for this intimacy for weeks, even covered in all the casts and aches and pains. I loved this man and everything he did to me.
Ryder balanced on one arm and his fingers tickled me as they ran down my stomach and rested on my clit and circled it. His lips meet my own and I basked in the extra contract. I deepened our kiss and tangled our tongues as his cock drove into me over and over.
I tore my mouth from his to show him my joy. “Yes. Yes. Oh God. You feel so good!”
His deep chuckle vibrated and I loved how it heightened my already pulsing body. “Mmm, my little vixen, your passion drives me wild.”
I loved that he liked my eagerness and that he got just as wild as I did. His thumb circled my clit and I was so close to falling over the edge. I wished I wasn’t so broken and could help more to reach my release quicker. “Please. I need—Oh need— please, I’m so close.” I begged as I arched up to meet his thrusts. His head came to rest at the nape of my neck and nibbled.
I screamed and I swear my body came off the bed as his teeth scraped my sensitive spot just below my ear. I trembled beneath him, so close to falling over the edge. My body was on fire and I felt hot everywhere.
“I love you,” I blurted. “Oh God. I love you.” I couldn’t believe I told him that while we were fucking. It wasn’t making love, we were being too rough, hard, and raw, and I was striving for my second release.
He drove into me and stilled as soon as I told him the second time, like the first hadn’t registered. “Do you mean that or did you just say that in the heat of the moment?”
I was on fire. What he was doing to me right now was evil. My whole body was alight, ready to explode, and he had just hit pause. I wanted to hit hm. I wanted to curse him, but I knew I couldn’t. I’d picked a shitty time to say what I should have said days ago. I mewled when my body tingled with awareness and pure need.
“Urgh, how did you just stop?” I was so not ready to stop. I was way too close.
“I just heard something I’ve been waiting to hear from you. I stopped because I want to hear it from your lips again if you mean it.”
“Yes, I mean it. I love you,” I groaned. “I’m so sorry for the shitty first time to say it, but damn you feel so good and we have gone without this for a month now.” I carefully brought my arms up, mindful of the cast, and wrapped them around him. I brought him down so my lips took his until we were panting for breath and my passion was starting to build. I eased away reluctantly. “I love you Ryder. I should have told you days ago when I figured it out, but I wanted it to be a special.”
His lips brushed mine and his hand came up and his fingers caressed my cheek. “I love you too. You’re definitely a one of a kind. This is special. You telling me while we are intimate, makes what we’re doing special.” He sighed. “Don’t be mad, but I already heard you say you loved me when you were talking to your friends. We want to show you how much we love you.”
I wasn’t angry he’d heard me and my friends. He’d heard us talk in the hospital so he knew we talked dirty. I felt his dick pulse inside me and giggled. “We, as in your dick? Is that him agreeing with you?”
He slid out before driving back in again a couple of time. “Hell yes. Hearing those three words have me ready to blow my load.”
“Mmm, yes,” I moaned. “Tell me more.”
He gazed down at me now as he propelled himself into me each stroke determined to get me hotter. “I love feeling your pussy quiver in anticipation of how close a release is. I was so close to letting go when you told me you loved me. I can feel my balls drawing up getting ready to fill you up. I like knowing I’m inside you and sliding down your thighs when I’m not around. I love watching your eyes glaze over as I fill you. I love knowing you’re mine.”
Fuck yeah. I loved his dirty talk. It hadn’t taken him much time to get me back where I was before I blurted out how I felt with his dirty talk.
“Give me more. I’m so close. Please. Pease. I want to come. Give me what I need,” I begged.
His growl vibrated through me and pulsed at my core. His face buried in my neck and he sucked. Fuck, he knew what drove me wild. My whole body felt like it convulsed as he sucked and thrust in just the right spots. I let myself explode and shatter until euphoria settled over me.
Ryder’s thrusts were frantic now and he mumbled, “Fuck, you’re perfect for me. Everything and more. Damn I am a lucky man,” he snarled, and drove his cock in deep. Leaning his head down by my ear he whispered. “I’m never giving you up. You’re all mine. You were made for me. Mine. All Mine.”
I could feel his release it was so strong. His cum shot from his body, filling me up, and I just knew there would be a wet patch. Ryder settled over me and we just laid there basking in our bliss. He was careful not to lay his weight on me, but right now I wouldn’t have cared if he did.
When his dick slipped out he groaned and rolled to the side and gently brought me against him.
“Totally worth the wait.” My sigh was dreamy as I cuddled him.
His fingers stroked my arms in a soothing matter and I was sure while we laid there all my aches and pains vanished.
So the puppy was called Teddy. Yes, I gave into a cutie’s name, but I felt it was the best of her suggestions. I bought the puppy for her so I felt she should name him. Teddy was a little shit and should have been called trouble. In the two weeks since we’d had him, he’d eaten four of my shoes, pissed on any clothing of mine within his reach and had Divinity wrapped around his paws. She loved the little devil.
Divinity still hadn’t left the house and she was supposed to go and get some of her casts off, but made up some excuse why she couldn’t leave. I’d spoken to her psychiatrist thanks to Divinity giving permission to the woman to discuss things with me and she said that what Divinity was doing was common when something like what she had gone through happened. It was strange because Divinity was still the bossy, knows-what-she-wants woman who could go head to head with even Aunt Gillian, but as soon as she had to leave the house she became meek, and quick to come up with any excuse to stay home.
She’d been home from the hospital for over three weeks and since arriving at the house hasn’t left. Lucy, one of her closest friends had called me last week and asked what she could do to help me with Divinity moving onto being able to leave the house, and I’d told her the physiatrist had just told me to be patient with Divinity. The problem was, I was supposed to be back at work by now, but I was still putting off leaving her when she was feeling like this.
We hadn’t heard from her father since he’d gone MIA. From what Divinity could gather, the Army had given him basket leave. With it getting close to three weeks since he’d been off the grid, I was starting to get worried myself, but then a flash of him being an arsehole, or a memory of what he’d done when we’d rescued Divinity would remind me he could take care of himself better than anyone I knew.
Arron had done his HSC and it was getting closer to Christmas. It was looking like Divinity and I would be having a Christmas wedding. At the moment, with how Divinity was, it would be held at the house. I needed to get her to leave. She needed some of the casts off. “Vixen, I know it’s safe here at home, but I promise it will be safe at the doctor’s. If you go today I will be with you the whole time, and Chad and Leo will be coming with us too.”
Her eyes went wide at the mention of leaving and she looked anywhere but at me and for a moment I hated myself for pushing her, but she needed to go. The doctor wasn’t willing to come to the house and take off casts no matter who I was.
“I…er. I think it’s best if the casts stay on longer.” She looked terrified. Her eyes were huge and her whole body seemed to shrink and her hands jittered.
I raised my brow. I knew she hated all the casts. “I promise I won’t leave your side. You’re safe with me. Nothing will happen. We will go from here straight to the doctor’s office and back home. Please, vixen.”
She nibbled on her bottom lip and her fingers played with the hem of her shirt. My heart sank. This wasn’t my feisty, full of life, take no shit woman. I swore if I ever got my hands-on X, I’d make him pay.
My mobile buzzed in my pocket and then rang. I ignored it, intent on getting Divinity to her appointment. It rang two more times before she sighed and I reached into my jeans pocket and pulled out my phone.
“Argh. Fine. Answer that call and I promise I will go to this damn appointment. Happy now?”
I was. If this would get her out of the house and on the road to leaving and being herself more, I’d answer the frigging phone. It rang again, the same number as the last couple of times and it was a number I didn’t recognize. I hesitated for a moment before answering. “Ryder Silverman here. Who—”
“Meet me at Richard’s club in fifteen.” And then the caller hung up. I knew who it was though, as soon as I heard the deep timbre of the voice. Eric. Finally. I called Richard right away to tell him to get to the club and to not respond if the alarms go off.
I turned to Divinity. I didn’t want to leave her and not have her go to the doctor, but I had a feeling this call was important, something to do with X. It could help Divinity with closure. “I have to go. That was your father. Now, you can stay here and wait for me to come with you when I get home, or you can go with Chad and Leo.”
Her big brown eyes turned a warm light chocolate color as a huge grin spread over her face. “I want to come with you.”
Resisting the urge to smile, I shook my head. “No. I don’t know what I’m going to yet. Wait.” I was ecstatic though, that she wanted to come. The Divinity I knew was still in there.
“No.” She glared at me and I couldn’t help the smile. I chuckled at her growl. “I can help. It’s my dad.”
“No way. How can you help with the casts on? If they were off sure you could.” I watched as the light in her eyes flashed as what I was saying sunk in.
She stalked towards me, all traces of the woman who was afraid to leave the house gone. “Fine,” she gritted out. “I’ll go get the casts off, but I’m going to meet you and Dad straight after.”
I was grinning like a loon and didn’t give a shit. “Deal.” She grabbed her purse from the bench and stormed as best she could with her casts out the front door to the waiting car that Chad drove.
I went and grabbed what I might need, got in my car, and was on my way. I made it to Richard’s club in record time and let myself in with a key and disabled the security system.
I didn’t know what I expected when I saw Eric, but it sure as shit wasn’t what I found. He strolled in like he didn’t have a care in the world, a body over his shoulder. Even from the middle of the club dance floor staring at the back entrance I could see the guy was in bad shape.
Eric made his way to me and paused to look me over. That’s when I noticed the guy was flung over the wrong way so he was facing up. But that’s not what had my mouth gaping open. Instead of having his hands tied together, there was a wicked looking knife skewering them together. The same had been done to his feet.
“How you doing? You been treating my daughter like the angel she is?”
What. The. Fuck. Eric was insane. I was sure I looked like a bugged-out idiot, my eyes popping out of my skull, unable to believe what I was seeing and hearing. I was a detective and had seen some strange, and just wrong, fucked up shit, but this just jumped to the top of my list. Clearing my dry throat, I mumbled, “Your daughter is my whole world. She gets treated better than any angel. I love her.”
“Good. I’m so glad she’s happy. I saw you got her a puppy. That’s good. Divinity always wanted a dog.” He smiled. A genuine smile. Like he didn’t have a beaten and unconscious bloody man flung over his shoulder with knives sticking out of him. We might have been chatting over lunch or something. And how the fuck did he know I got Divinity a puppy when we hadn’t seen or talked to him in almost three weeks, and we’d only had the puppy for two?
I shook my head to clear my thoughts so I could focus on why we were here. I actually didn’t want to know how he knew. What was the saying? “What you don’t know won’t hurt you.” I was sure in this case that applied. “We going to talk about the body now?”
“Sure. I have a gift. I’ve had some fun. I thought I’d let you have some too.” He dropped the body down at my feet not even removing the knives.