Ryder

 

Ryder was still boiling over with anger by the time he pulled up to the warehouse where he was set to meet the rest of his crew. He’d been doing his best to keep a cool head when the situation with Kara’s ex happened, but what he’d really wanted was to toss that prick out of the nearest window and work him over with a tire iron. Seeing him threaten Kara like that had stirred something inside of Ryder, and he couldn’t help but be a little fearful at just what this all meant.

 

Killing the engine of his bike, Ryder hopped off and strode towards the gray steel door leading into the warehouse.

 

“What’s the word?” he asked, stepping into the open floor of the warehouse, the dozens of fellow members of the Midnight Hunters gathered here and there.

 

“Boss, you’re here!” shouted Crunch, hopping out of his seat and bounding over to Ryder.

 

“I’m here. Let’s not fuck around—get to it.”

 

“Big news, boss,” said Marlow. “We’ve been scoping out the usual Gremlins hangouts over the last few days, and they’ve been fucking ghost towns. Weird shit, which was making us think that maybe they were getting ready to skip town or something.”

 

“Right,” said Ryder, knowing that it wasn’t going to be that easy. “Let’s hear the ‘but’.”

 

“This morning, Switch was hanging out near one of their usual dives down south, and he spotted some dude in Gremlins patches leaving the scene.”

 

“So,” said Switch, “I followed the asshole. I tailed him for a good hour, and he ended up leading me to some shithole bar outside of town. Like, far outside of town. And parked out front were a dozen or so bikes. I parked down the block and checked the scene out, and over the span of an hour just about every goddamn Gremlin showed up. Every one aside from Franco, that is.”

 

“Sounds like they’re planning an attack,” said Ryder. “Or a diversion.”

 

“That’s exactly what we’re thinkin’, boss,” said Crunch. “They don’t have the manpower to take us on—we know that. But they do have enough boys to pull some distraction while Franco does God knows what.”

 

“What the fuck would he even be doing solo like that?” asked Switch, shaking his head.

 

“Settling shit one-on-one,” said Ryder. “I some shit happen last night. Listen up … ”

 

He told the rest of the crew about the fight in the alley and the message he’d sent to Franco.

 

“That’s fuckin’ it,” said Marlow. “He’s gonna come find you while the rest of the Gremlins make sure that we’re occupied.”

 

“Must be thinking that if he takes me out,” said Ryder, “then the rest of you all will be scattered enough that the number problem won’t be an issue.”

 

“Fuckin’ asshole,” said Crunch. “Figures a prick like him would take a one-on-one fight and try and work it like this.”

 

“That’s the end of this shit,” said Ryder. “I’m gonna take out Franco, and when he’s done, we’ll run the Gremlins out of town one way or another.”

 

“You’re really gonna do it, boss?” asked Marlow. “Just walk into whatever he’s got planned?”

 

“Yup,” said Ryder. “It’s the only way I’m gonna get that prick out in the open. Fucker’s like a roach—he only comes out when he’s damn good and ready to, and if you make too sudden of a move, he’s just gonna scurry down back into the shadows. I’m ready to end this shit.”

 

The rest of the crew murmured in agreement, nodding their heads and sharing knowing glances.

 

“We should’ve finished the job the last time we fought with these assholes, and this bullshit is the price we’re paying. But we’re not gonna make the same goddamn mistake twice!”

 

He raised his voice towards the end, bringing his crew to their feet and causing a cheer to break out among them.

 

“Now,” said Ryder. “I want us to have a plan down cold. Let’s get this shit worked out right fucking now.”

 

The rest of the crew was ready and they formed up around him. Over the course of the next hour, Ryder and the rest of the MC leadership led the meeting like generals preparing for an invasion. They assigned roles, made backup plans for backup plans, and made sure all of the angles were covered.

 

By around the time they were finishing up, Ryder felt a buzzing in his pocket. He pulled out his phone and saw a text from Kara.

 

I need you back here soon. Starting to get paranoid.

 

Ryder shoved his phone back into his pocket, realizing that he’d left her alone for too long.

 

Gotta get back to her, he thought. Franco’s already tried to make a move for her, and if he pulls another, he’s not gonna fuck up twice.

 

“You boys got this shit sorted out?” asked Ryder.

 

“We’re good to go, boss,” said Crunch.

 

“I want you all to stay frosty—I got a feeling shit’s gonna go down today, and it’s gonna go down hard. Stay in contact, and we’ll make sure these fuckers are running scared out of town by tomorrow morning.”

 

The crew let out another cheer as Ryder left the warehouse. Back on his bike, he gunned the engine and fired off a text.

 

Be there in ten.

 

With that, he took off. Ryder’s thoughts raced during the ride back. He knew now that he had two assholes to protect Kara from. Sure, Leon had likely learned his lesson, but Ryder knew that men like him sometimes had it in them to totally lose their shit and take drastic actions when they felt cornered. But Franco was the pressing concern. Ryder knew that meeting with his boys was necessary, but he hated having to leave Kara alone.

 

Letting the engine rip, he tore down the road towards Kara’s apartment. He soon arrived and found himself running up the stairs to her place.

 

“You there?” he asked, knocking hard on the front door.

 

“Yeah,” came a soft voice from inside.

 

Ryder opened the door and stepped in. Kara was seated on the couch in her pajamas, a faraway look on her face, Furball curled up next to her. Ryder looked around the apartment for any sign of things being not as they should.

 

“Anything happen while I was gone?” he asked.

 

“No,” she said. “Just a bitchy text from Leon, but that was it.”

 

Ryder searched around the apartment, glancing out of the windows and making sure that no one was lurking outside of the building.

 

“I don’t like this,” he said. “Pack your things.”

 

“What?” asked Kara.

 

“We’re going to a hotel for the night. Get your things.”

 

Kara opened her mouth to speak but seemed to realize right away that protesting wasn’t going to do her any good. Instead, she nodded and got up from the couch. A half hour or so later, Kara was packed and ready to go.

 

“I’m bringing him, though,” said Kara, pointing to Furball. “He’s my good luck charm.”

 

Now it was Ryder’s turn to open his mouth but not say a word. He knew that bringing a wounded kitten was nothing more than an added complication, but something about the way Kara cared for the thing stirred something in Ryder. She reminded him of his mother and her caring nature.

 

“Sure,” said Ryder, the word slipping from his mouth.

 

Kara allowed herself a smile as she scooped up the kitten.

 

“Follow me, and stay close. You see anyone on a bike that looks suspicious you let me know right away.”

 

“Got it,” said Kara.

 

Ryder was pleased that she was getting with the program but knew there was no time to screw around. Soon, the pair was on the road and headed for downtown Chicago, the skyscrapers growing larger by the second. Ryder pulled up in front of one of the towers and Kara parked.

 

“This where we’re staying?” she asked. “Looks pretty fancy; surprised you’re into this kind of scene.”

 

“It’s about safety,” he said. “I don’t give a shit about staying in a motel, but these fancy-ass hotels have tighter security. We should be safe here.”

 

The two of them checked in and were soon led to their room. Stepping into the two-bedroom suite, Kara set Furball down on the ground and walked to the windows, the view a sweeping one of the downtown area.

 

“I gotta admit, I’m pretty okay with this so far. But again, this doesn’t seem like your speed.”

 

“Figured you could do with something nice after all the shit I’ve put you through.”

 

Kara turned from the window and raised her eyebrows.

 

“Ryder, are you … doing something sweet for me?”

 

Ryder swiped his hand through the air.

 

“Not another word. Just trying to get things even between us.”

 

A small, cute smile formed on Kara’s lips.

 

“Well, I appreciate it. And everything else.”

 

“Save your thanks for after all this shit is behind us,” Ryder said. “Things are looking like they might blow up at any fuckin’ second, and we need to be ready.”

 

Kara nodded and squatted down at the minibar. After rummaging through it, she pulled out a small bottle of wine.

 

“I think something to drink is in order,” she said.

 

“Just a small glass,” said Ryder, his eyes on the setting sun beyond the window. “Gotta stay sharp.”

 

“One small glass coming up,” she said, a twinkle in her eye.

 

Ryder crossed his arms as Kara opened the bottle of wine.

 

What the hell’s going on with her? he thought. She seems like she’s being … kinda seductive. But I’m cool with it.

 

Kara flashed him another smile as she poured the two glasses.

 

“Why don’t we have these on the balcony?” she asked. “Might as well enjoy the view while we have it.”

 

“Works for me,” said Ryder.

 

Moments later, the two of them were seated on the balcony, the Chicago cityscape sprawled out in around them. It was all strange to Ryder—he wasn’t normally the type to indulge in pointless luxury like this. He was fine with the 25-dollar-a-night motel where’d he’d stayed in Milwaukee. But he wanted to put Kara at ease, so a fancy-ass place it was for the night.

 

And though he’d made sure to get two bedrooms, Ryder was finding himself more and more wanting to toss back his wine, grab Kara, toss her over his shoulder, and march to the bedroom.

 

“Um, I’ve been doing some thinking,” she said, her fingertip tracing the rim of her glass. “And, um, I want to just say thanks for what you did with Leon.”

 

Ryder raised his eyebrows.

 

“Not mad I made him piss his drawers?”

 

“I mean, I was at first, and I’m sure that he’s gonna chew my ear off about it before too long, but I, um, have just never had anyone look out for me the way you did. What you pulled with him wasn’t really my style, but I’ll be damned if it didn’t get the job done.”

 

“Assholes like him think they can make a fuckin’ stink and get their way. They don’t usually deal with guys like me, the type who aren’t afraid to clock them right in their fucking jaws if they pull shit like that.”

 

“I … definitely got that impression. So, thank you.”

 

“Not a problem,” said Ryder.

 

He didn’t say it, but the feeling for Ryder went both ways. She was happy to have him look out for her, and the more he thought about it, the more he realized that he was glad to have a woman like her to take care of. The feelings that she was bringing out from him were so new, so intense, that they almost struck Ryder as a little bit scary. And he wasn’t the type of man to scare easily.

 

“And I’ve been thinking about something else,” said Kara. “But … ”

 

“But … ” said Ryder.

 

“How about this: why don’t you go down to the hotel bar and have a drink? There’s something I want to talk about with you, but I need a minute.”

 

Ryder looked at Kara skeptically for a moment.

 

“Too good for the minibar?”

 

“Nah,” she said, a small smile forming on her lips, “just something I need to do.”

 

Ryder killed the rest of his wine and stood up.

 

“Lady shit; I get it,” he said. “All right, I’ll head down for a quick one.”

 

“Give me a half hour or so. I’ll message you when I’m ready.”

 

Ryder let out a small snort. He wasn’t sure what Kara had in mind, but he had a pretty good idea. He felt his cock stiffen in his pants at the thought of what he imagined she was planning.

 

“See you in a little while,” he said on the way out the door.

 

Kara simply winked at him as he left.

 

Ten minutes later, Ryder was seated at the hotel bar, an overpriced cocktail in front of him. The bar was an upscale affair, the place decorated with plenty of gold and glass, the bar a long curving sweep of copper.

 

As he sipped his drink, he noticed right away that with his jeans and T-shirt with the sleeves rolled up, he stuck out like the sorest thumb there was. He could feel the burning glances from the well-dressed patrons and took a small amount of pride in being able to freak out the normies so easily.

 

But he could afford a place like this; running an MC paid pretty decently. Ryder just wasn’t the splurging type.

 

Ryder killed his drink and ordered another. But when it showed up, he couldn’t help but notice that it was long after a half hour. Part of him was worried, but he brushed his concerns aside. Security was tight, and from where he sat at the bar he could see into the elegant lobby; a man like Franco walking in would catch his eye right away.

 

Probably just getting herself dolled up for whatever she’s got in mind, he thought.

 

He was getting hornier by the second, and knew he’d be sorely disappointed if he didn’t walk into the hotel room to see Kara lying on the bed and wearing something skimpy and sexy. Ryder was still having a hard time coming to terms with just how attracted to Kara he was. Between his animal lust for her and the strong feeling of protectiveness she instilled, Ryder was left feeling and confused.

 

Never had a girl make me feel like this before, he thought to himself. Just what the hell is going on with me?

 

Taking the last sip of his second drink, he checked his phone. It’d been an hour and still no word from Kara. His stomach tightened and he knew that he couldn’t screw around any longer—he had to check up on her, surprise or no surprise. Paying his bill, he headed back up to the hotel room.