Ryder
Snake passes me a beer and we watch our women chatting near the bar. Their laughter wafts across the room towards us and I grin. Snake shakes his head. “You’re a changed man, Boss.”
I shrug. “Not really. I’ve always been like this, it just needed the love of a good woman to bring it out.”
Brewer grins. “It happens to us all.”
Rock laughs. “It’s funny, but until you have it you don’t realize what you’ve been missing out on. Take Flash over there. Still sticking it in every whore going and thinking nothing could ever be so good.”
I look over and see Flash pushed up against one of the whores in the corner. He doesn’t care who watches either. She won’t be his first tonight, that’s a given.
Then I look at Ashton and my heart soars. She’s sitting chatting to the other old ladies and her eyes are shining with excitement. She catches my eye and I watch those eyes change to something else. The lust in them calls to me and I shift off my seat and am drawn to her like a lackey. The guys laugh as I push past them to claim my prize.
Lou laughs as she sees the purpose in my eyes. “Oh, not again you two. This is becoming old.”
Ashton grins as I reach for her. I pull her from her seat and push her hard against the bar. Then I kiss that mouth like it’s been begging me to all night. She runs her fingers through my hair and gives back as good as she gets. Fuck this, we thought we may make at least an hour here tonight, but as I take her hand I know we have made just twenty minutes.
The others laugh as we make to leave but the sound of the doorbell shatters the moment. Someone’s here and they’re not expected.
Pulling back, I see the guys spring to life. Snake moves with purpose towards the door and everyone takes their positions. The girls sit back down and look with interest as Snake leads a familiar face back into the room.
Ashton springs forward with a welcoming smile on her face which drops as she sees the face of her friend, Jennifer.
“What’s happened?”
Jennifer is not alone. She’s holding her daughter tightly as the tears flow down her face.
“I’m sorry. I had nowhere else to go. Greyson came back and threatened to take Imogen. He told me he was coming with a court order tomorrow to take her back with him to France. I can’t let him take my baby girl, Ashton. I just can’t.”
She starts to cry and Ashton looks at me with alarm. I nod at her and say softly.
“It’s ok, darlin’, you did the right thing. Ashton and Bonnie will show you to a set of rooms you can stay in. We’ll sort it all out, don’t you worry.”
Ashton smiles at me gratefully and I watch as they pull Jennifer and Imogen from the room. Snake comes and stands beside me.
“Another broken Angel to re-build.”
I nod. “So, it would seem. I wonder if her husband knows what he’s about to take on.”
Snake laughs. “They never do.”
We walk back towards the bar and grab a couple of stools. Lou hands us both a beer and Snake looks thoughtful. “Whatever happened to Kitty? Have you heard anything?”
I nod. “Only today as it happens. Let’s just say mission accomplished. The shit will be hitting the fan around lunchtime tomorrow.”
Snake grins. “And what about Kitty? Is she expected back?”
Shaking my head, I smile softly. “No Kitty has found a much better proposition. Let’s just say, this was her parting gift to the Reapers. She didn’t want to return here under her old terms. She’s realized that she wants more than we could give her and is spreading her wings with no hard feelings.”
Snake looks thoughtful.
“What do you think about that?”
I grin. “It’s worked out well all round. Kitty gets her happy ever after, as do I. She’s more than happy and will always be a Twisted Reaper. She knows we’re here for her if she ever needs us.”
Snake nods. “What about Tyler? Have you heard how he’s doing?”
Stretching out, I raise my beer to my lips and take a long, hard, slug. “Tyler’s story is something else. It won’t be much longer before he returns a free man. Time will tell his story and when he does come back, Ashton’s life will be complete.”
Lou wanders over.
“Did I hear you mention Ashton?”
I raise my eyes. “So?”
Lou winks. “I was just wondering how long it would be before you two created your own little bundle of trouble.”
I wink and grin wickedly.
“Who says we haven’t already?”
Lou laughs as Snake grins and slaps me on the back. “So, congratulations are in order then.”
I nod and look around me with complete satisfaction. “Yes, everything has worked out very well for everyone. Cassie has her mom and a new baby brother or sister to look forward to. I have the hottest wife I could ever have dreamed of and Ashton has her happy ever after. All we need now is for Tyler to step up and finish the job.”
Turning to the others, I grin.
“All I know is he’s gonna have a whole lot of fun doing it.”