~ Ryder ~
The brothers gathered around the table for church. Today’s meeting dwarfed others because their club president’s life hung in the balance. It had been ten days since that fateful night when he’d taken a bullet in the back. Though not fully recovered, he was moving easier and able to pick his baby up at will.
Today, Darkness had chosen to bring his daughter to the meeting. Ryder was certain his intention was to remind everyone of the little person their decisions would most impact. Their club president might be odd, but he was smart in his own way. The baby was alert and looking around the room. She was wearing blue jeans and a white T-shit, and a tiny pair of black boots someone had brought in for her. The kid was gnawing on a round, rubber teething ring like it was going out of style, which was just about the cutest thing Ryder had ever seen.
His heart squeezed with happiness for his friend, who wore an expression of pride as he looked down at his little girl. His heart skipped a beat when the baby looked up at Darkness and made a happy sound. The scary biker dropped a kiss on her forehead, and she continued to play with the toy in her hand.
“Damn, Darkness, if there’s a more heartwarming sight in the entire world, I’ve not seen it. Your little one is perfect.” Ven’s rough voice sounded pleased for his longtime friend.
Ryder teased his father. “What were Rose and I, chopped liver?”
His dad chuckled. “Rose was all kinds of cute. You came out of the womb a terrifying hellion.”
“Maybe that’s why I fit right in here,” Ryder mused. Glancing at Darkness, he smirked. “The eyes give it away. It’s clear as day, seeing her there on your lap.”
Grabbing his gavel, Darkness tapped it on the table lightly. “Call to order, brothers. We’ve got business to discuss. We’re starting with you this morning, Ryder. As the club’s Sargent at Arms, you’re vested with all things related to protection. Spell out what we’ve learned so far about the attempt on my life.”
Ryder watched the baby grab the gavel the moment Darkness laid it down. Fidgeting with it, she accidentally bumped herself in the head with it. Her eyes got big, and she looked all around.
Ryder stopped midstride to watch her. She waved the unwieldly object around, bumping herself in the head again. This time she got serious, peering all around to figure out who was hitting her. Several of the brothers laughed. Her suspicious expression mimicked that of her father, increasing the family resemblance. Even Darkness chuckled, replacing the gavel with her toy.
Smothering his smile, Ryder strolled up to the front of the table and turned on a large monitor hanging on the wall.
Pulling up a wedding certificate with Darkness and Abby’s names, he pulled up the birth certificate beside it. “These are pretty much the documents that are screwing you right now, boss. Abby, by her own admission, is in deep with the Seven Devils. She admitted to being Devil’s old lady. She also admitted to trying to kill you because they talked her into getting a life insurance policy for a quarter of a million dollars.
“I checked into her story, and the policy doesn’t pay out if there was foul play. That makes me think the whole issue about her trying to snip you was bullshit. I think she just wanted to pretend to be a victim who was being forced to do something horrible to get back on your good side.”
“That was pretty stupid. I don’t have a good side where she’s concerned.”
Ryder nodded. “I believe the fact that you slept with her at Sturgis last year made her think you were still sweet on her.”
“She was pretty persistent, and I was pretty drunk. That was the extent of it.”
“Well, Sturgis was in August. Sammy was born thirty-eight weeks later and two weeks premature, according to the hospital records I pressured Dr. Reynolds into obtaining for us.”
“How is that relevant?” Darkness asked.
“Well, that information coincides with the information Abby listed on the birth certificate, in terms of you being the father. As you already know, the paternity test came back positive. You are little Sammy’s father.”
Darkness frowned and pulled the child closer. “As you already pointed out, anyone can see that.”
Overlaying the results of the paternity test on the screen for everyone to see, Ryder spoke slowly. “I just want every man here to be a hundred percent certain that Sammy is one of our own, ‘cause this is where things get tricky.
“Abby admitted to getting pregnant intentionally, hoping to get money out of you. She stashed the baby with this couple who runs a private boarding school. We just had to pay over eight grand in back fees.”
“Proves that bitches ain’t to be trusted,” Darkness muttered under his breath.
“Don’t you see? They couldn’t take out an insurance policy and kill you unless they figured out how to make it look like an accident. That was just a smokescreen. What they really wanted was to scare some cash out of you by throwing one curveball after another.”
Darkness snorted a laugh. “God knows I ain’t easy to scare.”
Grinning, Ryder continued his speech. “Their plan was to rattle your cage with a near-death shooting by none other than your own damn wife, and then have her hook you up with your little newborn daughter. Any damn man would fall in love at first sight with their own innocent little child. My guess is, Abby insinuating that if she left with the child and no money, they’d take it out on your little one was supposed to seal the deal.”
“Well, if that’s the case, they’re pretty fuckin’ stupid. The fact is, they almost fuckin’ killed me. If I’d died, it would have thrown a wrench into their plan and brought down the fury of the Blind Jacks on their club.”
“Yeah, at least one of the Seven Devils is an extremely poor shot, and I’m betting I know which one. One of their crew ended up dead in a ditch on the outskirts of town the morning after you got shot. He was killed, execution style, with a single gunshot wound to the back of the head. Dr. Reynolds pulled the autopsy off the hospital computer for us. It revealed he was addicted to heroin and in withdrawal when he died. If he almost blew the whole deal with his shaky trigger finger, they might have cut their losses. What good is a strung-out brother who can’t even shoot straight?”
Ven spoke out. “That actually makes sense.”
“There were a couple of things they didn’t anticipate,” Ryder continued. “One is you needing recovery time because of a misplaced bullet. And two, you ain’t quite stupid enough to cough up a quarter of million dollars without thinking things through. Abby is fit to be tied after being locked in a cell for ten days, by the way.”
Darkness murmured, “Fuck that bitch. The problem is, what are we doing about the situation she dropped in our lap? I don’t care to pay up the money…”
Hickory chimed in with a sense of urgency. “If you do that, they’ll keep using women to get to us with children. That’s a shitty thing to go through, and I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy, let alone another brother. Once is enough with this shit.”
Ryder spoke again. “I’ve been mulling this over and running through different scenarios in my mind. I think we should drop the bitch. If she’s dead, there’s no one to contest the parental rights. That solves the kid part. We need to hit the Seven Devils hard and teach them our club is not their fucking ATM machine.”
Darkness held up one hand. “We’re not killing the mother of my child. I may hate the bitch, and she might be poison, but my little one is not going to forgive us just killing her.”
Ryder sighed. “I thought you were going to say that, so I developed a plan B.”
Ven stared at him in disbelief. “I sure the hell hope it’s better than plan A, son.”
“We hit the Seven Devils and take out their president, Ratchet. That’ll probably advance Devil to president again. That dude’s got to be chafing under daddy’s rule, after being in charge for the last ten years while his old man was in the pen. He’ll be grateful that we’re doing him a solid. We offer Abby fifty grand or something nominal to sign over custody of the child she clearly doesn’t want and another little bonus for signing divorce paperwork. She can kick Devil the fifty grand and look like she’s a stand-up gal, keeping the bonus money for a rainy day fund.”
Ven nodded. “I like that plan much better. Ratchet is a nasty piece of work, and he’s smart enough to cause everyone a world of hurt all the way around. Getting rid of him is a no-brainer.”
Shifting the child on his lap, Darkness wrapped a protective arm around her. “Tossing them some chump change will soften the blow of taking out their president. The loss of one of their own will dampen their enthusiasm for fucking with us in the future. If I divorce Abby, then we’re not related anymore. That means neither she nor Devil can collect against the policy.”
Ryder asked out loud, “Do any of you have any other suggestions?”
Ace spoke up immediately. “I don’t mean to be a dick, but I think getting her to actually cancel the life insurance policy on you should be part of the deal.”
“Good thinking, brother.” Ryder shot his friend a grateful smile. “Why leave anything to chance, right?”
Darkness cradled his drowsy child to his chest. “I’ve heard enough. Let’s vote this shit.”
Needless to say, the vote was unanimous. Ryder watched his brothers leaving the meeting, each making a fuss over their president’s little one on the way out. Stupid fuckers actually thought she was allowed to have lollipops. There was a little pile on the table after they’d filed out of the room.
Ryder’s father approached him. His face appeared to reflect two warring expressions: pride and concern. “You did a good job of figuring all that shit out and presented it in a way that left no doubt in anyone’s mind about the appropriate course of action, son.”
Ryder’s anxiety clicked up a notch. Nothing with his old man was ever cut and dry. “Thanks, old man. You don’t have to point out how critical the next phase of the job is, ‘cause I already know.”
Ignoring his request, his intrepid father continued giving his wise counsel. “Planning a surgical strike against a rival MC is complex and dangerous business. A misstep could cost your brothers their lives. That’s how we lost our last club president.”
White-hot fury fired to life in Ryder’s gut. “Don’t make your insecurities mine, old man.”
Maintaining his reasonable tone of voice, Ven’s expression took on the barest hint of irritation. “That ain’t my intent, son. I’m trying to impress upon you the importance of formulating a good plan and double checking all your details. This is the kind of job that will ensure you are remembered as a legend or a failure as Sargent at Arms.”
“I don’t give a shit about any of that. I’m just lookin’ to get a brother free of this shit so he can enjoy something nice that’s come his way.”
Slapping him on the shoulder, his old man nodded. “That’s the correct attitude. Get to work, son.”
Stalking past Darkness and his daughter, Ryder gave him a polite nod. Once outside the room, he made his way to the stairs and rushed up the steps two at a time. He wanted to check on his woman. Something about seeing her and stealing a kiss was all it took to tip his crazy world back into proper alignment.
Finding her in the empty, newly renovated living room, Ryder snuck up behind her and slipped his arms around her waist. He barely jerked back in time to avoid her flying elbow.
“Stealing a kiss has never been so dangerous, baby girl. What’s up with that?”
Dropping her paintbrush onto the end of the paint pan, she turned around with a smile that stole his ability to think.
“Sorry, I didn’t know it was you.”
Trying not to smile, he asked, “What ya gonna do now that you know?”
Wrapping her arms around his neck, she pulled him down for a kiss. Lifting her slightly off her feet, Ryder let everything fall away and focused on the moment. As she opened for him to deepen the kiss, Ryder delved into all the delights she offered. Her soft tongue sucked on his, causing his dick to grow. The gentle abrasion of her nails as she sifted her fingers through his hair and lightly scratched his scalp had him feeling like more beast than man.
It didn’t matter to either of them who, if anyone, was watching their romantic interlude. The lust flowing back and forth quickly overwhelmed whatever sense of propriety they normally had.
Pulling back slightly, he cupped her face in one hand. “Thanks for that, sweetness. I needed it.”
Wiggling down out of his arms, Tiffany grabbed his hand and led him away. His tongue slipped out to run across his bottom lip where he could still taste her. Hell, he hoped this was turning into what it looked like because it looked as if he was about to get seriously lucky.
Grabbing a couple of cold beers from the bar, they ended up on the rooftop at the back of the property. It was a secluded spot where they often came to drink a cold one and enjoy the stars or the view of the nearby river. It was the perfect day, and his little firecracker certainly knew what he liked and needed.
They settled down in their special spot. All the vehicles coming and going in the front of the building, the noises from the shop, and even the noises from the renovations were all a dull hum in the background.
Ryder opened their drinks with a twist of his palm. “You have paint in your hair, baby girl,” he observed as he handed hers over.
Grinning, she shoved a hunk of hair framing the side of her face back. “A little paint never hurt anyone. It’ll wash out. I like helping to make their special space a home.”
“Helping? Fuck that,” Ryder declared. “I hear you and Rose have taken over the whole renovation.”
Tapping her bottle to his before taking a drink, she responded shyly, “Sorry about that. We just want everything to be perfect. Darkness has even been participating more. It’s going to be a fantastic place when we get it all finished.”
“Well, most of the furniture has been delivered. We’ve got it stacked in the garage.” Seeing the concern jump onto her face, he added, “Don’t worry, it’s all still in the packaging, safe and sound.”
Changing subjects, she asked pointedly, “Want to talk about what has you so worked up today?”
“Hell the fuck no,” Ryder said forcefully and took a long pull from his bottle. “Trust me, you don’t want that shit rattling around in your brain.”
Tiffany studied him for a moment before casting her gaze back out at the view. “I’m guessing the club decided what to do about this thing with Darkness.”
“I know you were along for part of that ride, but this is where you get off the bus. I can’t be talking to you about what happens next,” he reminded her gently.
Tiffany kept her sights forward. “I hope the club isn’t thinking of killing Abby.”
“Darkness would never agree to kill the mother of his only child,” he assured her. That much information wouldn’t hurt to give, and at least it might help ease her mind a bit.
“I’m glad.” She nodded to herself. “God knows she deserves it, but something about her thinking isn’t right.”
Ryder agreed with her to an extent. “I think she’s a snake in the grass and putting her down was clearly the best of some poor choices. Now she’s just gonna keep trying to get one over on Darkness.” He shook his head, thinking one beer wasn’t going to be enough tonight. “We need to talk about something else. This is just getting me worked up again.”
Tiffany cast him a sideways glance. “Whatever you’ve got planned, just be safe about it. I don’t know what I’d do if anything happened to you, babe. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
Damn, didn’t that make a man feel good. “That’s real sweet, Tiff. This is the worst part of the job, but keeping them safe is my job.”
“Anything I can do to help?”
“Stay home and keep the security system on when you’re not here. I’m going to be scarce for the next couple of weeks. I gotta work out a plan and see it executed safely. I ain’t gonna have much time for us.”
Almost before he stopped talking, she spoke. “Don’t you even think twice about me. I’ll keep myself busy with the renovation and helping out with the baby. You never know, I might even work in a little reading and relaxation.” Perking up, she announced happily, “Your mom invited me to can jam with her. Can you believe that?”
Cutting her an indulgent smile, he tossed his empty bottle down into a huge fire pit below. “Don’t look so damn happy. She used to make me help, and it ain’t no picnic. You’ll spend most of the time washing glass jars and stirring really hot goop.”
Tiffany threw herself onto her back, giggling. “I don’t care if I have to wash a million jars. It’s better than sitting around bored.”
Coming down beside her, Ryder pulled her closer. She really was the most beautiful woman he’d laid eyes on. Moving a strand of paint-streaked hair out of her face, he murmured, “Thanks for holding off on accepting that job until things cool down. You’re a star.”
“I just want to be with you,” she said softly. “And I’d never want to throw a wrench into what you have going on or make your life more complicated. Besides, I’ve never been in a situation where I could just live one day to the next and enjoy life as it comes. I’ve always been studying hard, working on my nursing degree, studying for the licensing exam, or running from my deranged stalker. It’s good to just take time and be a woman intent on loving her man.”
“You always say the sweetest shit. I suck at saying nice stuff.”
“You get your point across.” She smiled, reaching up to touch his grizzled cheek. “I like the way you show love. You say nice things occasionally, but mostly you do things that let me know how you feel. You also fuck like a sex-starved biker,” she said with a laugh.
Unable to keep the stupid grin off his face, Ryder threw his head back and laughed with her. It was uncanny how easily Tiffany could push away all the unpleasantness of his life, giving him a moment of happiness when he needed it the most.
Leaning in for another kiss, he felt her melt into his touch. It went so well, he tugged the front of her shorts open and slid his hand down to her tender core. “You’re fucking drenched. That wouldn’t all be for me, would it?”
Biting her bottom lip, she nodded.
“Unzip me, doll. I want to feel your hands on me.”
Like the beautiful, eager bitch she was, Tiffany quickly did exactly as he asked. For his part, Ryder couldn’t get her shorts off fast enough. Lifting her leg, he slid his thick cock across her tender flesh, covering himself in her arousal. Dragging his dick all the way down her clit caused her to moan and move against him in a deliciously wanton way that thrilled the hell out of him. Why hadn’t he thought to do that before? Ryder rubbed her harder and longer until she was breathlessly moaning his name and totally lost in a haze of lust.
Capturing her lips, he slid home. Tiffany spread her legs wider and scraped her nails down his back. After that, it was on. Ryder couldn’t get it fast or deep enough to suit him, but hell if he didn’t try.
Tiffany whispered shit in his ear that only a woman would say. It was sweet, loving, and totally unnecessary for him to get off on fucking her. However, he was a greedy bastard, and therefore, wanted it all with her. Feeling her come apart around his dick was the best feeling in the fucking world. Grabbing her shoulders, he held her firmly in place as he emptied his seed deep inside her warm, soft body.