Riley

The next day I’m on autopilot. Breakfast, classes, lunch then the library. Leaving later than I planned, I get to the parking lot, only to wander around in a circle. My SUV is gone. I dig out my phone to call campus security, only to notice a text from my mom telling me where to meet their driver when I’m ready to leave campus.

Fuck. They’re back and they took back the car they bought me. Taking deep breaths I head back to the warmth of the student center. I need to think. Their driver will only take me to their house. I’ll be a virtual prisoner. I can call Flint or Connal, but that still leaves me without transportation in the coming days. Gram is my only option.

Fighting back tears, I dial her. No answer, so I try her cell. Straight to voicemail. I consider this a bit of an emergency, so I call her driver, Rogers.

Success! “Rogers! I’m so happy you answered.”

“Of course, Miss Riley. Your grandmother is unavailable right now, may I assist you?”

“Please. Long story, but I no longer have a vehicle and I’m stranded on campus. Can you possibly come get me?” Silence stretches out so I’m forced to repeat his name, in case the call was dropped.

“Your parents are here, Miss Riley. From the volume of their voices, it seems unpleasant and I would prefer to stay nearby. Perhaps if you could take a taxi and I can meet you in town with the fare?”

“Is she alright?”

“Yes, Miss Riley. It’s merely your parents. How about if I run over to your apartment and leave the money in an envelope inside the downstairs door?” He suggests.

“Thank you so much, Rogers! I will come by in the morning.”

“Good evening, Miss Riley. I’ll let your grandmother know to expect you.”

Walking down to the security gate, I ask them to get a cab for me. While there are raised eyebrows, I’m shown a warm place to stay and before long I’m heading back to my apartment. Finding the money, as Rogers promised; I’m soon home. My own home; albeit an empty one.

Knowing I won’t be able to reach Gunner and calling Gram this late, especially after any earlier upset she might have had; would be selfish. I hesitate a moment and call Bree.

Going straight to her voicemail, I decide to leave her one; more out of a need to speak than anything else. “Bree. It’s Riley. You may be working late. I’m sorry, I shouldn’t bother you, just wanted to hear a friendly voice. Um, no need to call back.”

Feeling like an idiot, I decide to wait until the morning and text Connal, he may know of an inexpensive car I can buy. Making some hot chocolate and heading to bed, my phone rings.

“Riley, you ok, Hon?” I’m so relieved to hear Bree’s voice, I almost start crying.

“Bree, I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have…”

“No. I meant to call you earlier, Flint shouldn’t have said what he did and I already gave him an earful.”

“Oh, no, it’s just I was at school and the library then I came out and my parents had taken my SUV. They left a driver behind for me but I ended up in a cab. I was scared they wouldn’t let me out of the house. I’m sure I’m just being paranoid, but…” I can’t stop babbling.

“Shit! Riley, are you at your apartment? Is anyone with you?” She asks, instantly concerned.

“I’m here alone.”

“Can I bring my dog? I’ll be there in twenty minutes.” I’m so relieved to hear her suggest this but hate feeling so needy.

“I don’t have any furniture, just a bed. And nothing for a dog to eat.” I can’t help my ragged breath right now.

“I’ll be there soon. Don’t you worry; we’ll have a girls’ night. I’ll call you from outside so you know it’s me.”

True to her word, Bree is at my place twenty minutes later. A beautiful dog is bounding up the stairs ahead of her. “His name is Ragnar, ok if he just explores a bit?” I laugh, as Ragnar runs all around then circles back between us.

She comes in, dropping a duffle bag near the door and moves to place another bag on the kitchen counter. “This place is darling! Can I leave Ragnar’s food up here? He’ll get into it otherwise.”

I nod and walk over to hug her. “Thank you for coming, I know you were busy. I didn’t have anyone else to call right now.”

“Shush! It was nothing. Now I said a girls’ night. Do you have some towels that we can use to make a bed for Ragnar? I forgot his pad. I’ll make popcorn, I managed to remember that, and I brought a bottle of wine. Let’s get this all figured out.” She soothes me.

I move to make preparations for Ragnar, while she handles the other items. Changing into her pajamas, as I’m already in sweats for the night; we sit across from each other on the bed and I unload. I know she’s at least twenty years older than me, but she’s amazing. She listens, she keeps me on track, and then she weighs in. As I start to calm down, I realize I basically know nothing about her.

“Bree, can I ask, where are you from? Do you have children? I feel so bad to just throw all of this at you.” I take a deep breath and a calming sip of wine.

“I’ve lived lots of places. I wasn’t lucky enough to have a child, but I’m really, really good at being an Aunt. I was married a bit later in life and before I knew it he was taken from me. I wound up here last summer and met Flint. Who’s a force of nature in his own right.” She smiles at me and I can see the love that she has for him reflected on her face.

“Flint was pretty, um, intense, the other night.”

“He was kind of an ass to you; let’s just put that out there.” It must be the wine, but I start giggling. “I hadn’t arrived here prior to you and Gunner originally meeting; but let me say, I’ve never seen him with another woman. Not that I’m around the clubhouse, or him, twenty-four-seven, but the guys would heckle him about his ‘monk’ status. Hell, if he cheats on you; I’ll help you plot his demise.”

We both start laughing. As it’s getting late, we lie down; Bree promises to drive me back and forth to school the next day; I’m too tired to argue.

Gunner

All in all, the run went smoothly. I hate dealing with the crew from California, but the weather seems to have kept all the wolves and pigs at bay. I was watching my phone, worried about any news from Riley and the guys; but all seems quiet.

Pulling into the clubhouse, I’m anxious to get the briefing with Jas over with and get home. Sitting in a corner with Jake, Connal signals me immediately, but Vice motions for me to join him in the office. As the low man on the run, Royce hits the bar. Vice and I let Jas know the score and get a timeline for the next deal. Connal and Hawk are next up, and we debate sending the Probie with them.

Jas finally looks at me and tells me that Connal is waiting to talk to me, gladly taking my dismissal I head out to the bar to talk to him.

“You’re going to want this,” It’s not the best start when he has to give me whiskey before the news. I accept it and raise an eyebrow so he’ll get started. “Turns out her parents arrived the day you left. They reclaimed her SUV the next day,” He fills me in on Riley’s week and I signal for another drink. “…so she called Bree.”

“Good.”

“Yeah, Bree went straight there and spent the night. Riley called me in morning, and I set her up with the loaner car I keep at the garage. She gave me a budget, not a lot, but asked me to help her find something dependable to drive. I have something but been dragging my heels on that till I got your input. She said she could do seven thousand tops.”

“Double that; make sure it’s safe and dependable. And don’t fucking tell her I’m contributing, I’ll tell her if she asks.”

“In that case, I have something I can show you tomorrow. Older guy, doesn’t drive much and had already asked me to help sell his truck cause with arthritis getting in and out is hard on him. He’s asking twelve. Then let’s see, Friday night she was at her Grams; I hung around and followed her home – she started crying when she got in the car, but I just tailed her home and took off after she was inside.

“I gave her a call this morning to let her know I was checking on a vehicle for her and see if she needed anything. She sounded good, said Flint had just called her and she was stuck at home waiting for a sofa to be delivered. Said she’d have me for dinner when she had a place for me to sit; do you know if she can cook?” He looks hopeful. We’re usually all trying to find a place for a home-cooked meal.

“We mostly eat out, she did pasta one night, I don’t know. Thanks, Connal. I owe you.”

“You really don’t, you know that. But if she can cook, then I do want an invite!” Laughing, I hit him on the shoulder; turning to leave I see Frank. Fuck me. I haven’t seen him since last week and need to square that shit.

Walking over to the booth, I see he’s getting blown by Deb but he motions me over anyway.

“That was bullshit,” Frank grunts at me, reaching a hand around Deb’s head to control her rhythm.

“You’re right, I shouldn’t have hit you. I wasn’t expecting to see her here and overreacted. It won’t happen again but let me be absolutely clear: no one touches her but me.” I growl at him, not caring who’s listening.

“Fuck Gunner, that’s downright unfriendly; not sharing an ass like that.” He laughs, half panting over the job Deb is doing on him. Before I can knock the shit out of him again, Connal is almost on top of us.

“We all friends here, Brothers?” He drawls out. “Gunner, come to the garage tomorrow at eleven for that test drive, it’s all set.” He stands there as Frank looks between the two of us, then decides to pull Deb up from under the table, settling her on his dick; he smirks up at me. Like I fucking give a shit about her ass.

I head out behind Connal.

“You can’t hit him again until you claim her, you moron.” He smirks at me.

“But it’d really feel good.” We laugh then part ways. I shoot Riley a quick text before head to her place.

As I pull up, there is a large truck, a squad car, and the regular Saturday shoppers outside her place. With no parking in sight, I pull around to the spots in back and let myself in the back door with the extra key she gave me.