Ryker

I love her. I love her so fuckin’ much it hurts my heart and dick. That sassy, smart mouth, I’ve got bigger-balls-than-you attitude has me rock hard. It’s a good thing she didn’t check out my crotch during her rant, or I’d get an even sexier ear full. As long as my old lady is still breathin, she can hate me, curse me to Hell, or kick me in the nuts and I’d still crawl back for seconds, thirds, and fourths. Kat’s right. The girl I fell for years ago is gone. But she ain’t dead. Nope. She’s better. Grown into a fierce woman that I can’t help but respect … and itch to fuck in every room of every house on this block, the next block, and six more after that. I wanna wear that pussy out until my cock falls off.

As Kat penguin walks back to her room, hand perched on her lower back, and Rosie, the chick I don’t trust as far as I can throw her scrawny ass, follows behind, I yank my phone outta my pocket, scroll to Big’s number, and hit call. I’m not down with this shit. You don’t send some bitch to protect my old lady without givin’ me at least a heads up.

Lovesick, all starry-eyed like a damn cartoon character, my brother floats on cloud nine toward Kat’s bedroom. He wants another glimpse of that knife totin’ female. The woody in his pants is one clue that my brother’s sprung. Add the fact he isn’t actin’ normal, that’s the second clue. Someone’s in wild lust with the chick that just took him to the floor, then revved his kinky engine just the way he loves. A way that very few people know about. I’ve said it once, I’ll say it a thousand times, Kade’s a sadistic motherfucker in everyday life when you push the wrong buttons. In the bedroom, you might as well tattoo masochist across his forehead. Pain, pain, and more pain is his sweetest pleasure.

Big growls his greeting after the second ring. “You better not be callin’ to bust my balls.”

Sighing loud enough he can hear, I heed his warning. There are very few people I’m scared of in this world. Big Dick happens to be in my top two. And considering there’s less than five people on my list, that’s sayin’ something.

“I don’t wanna bust your balls. I wanna know what the fuck you were thinkin’,” I grumble, pacing my old living room.

The place I bounced Roxie on my chest so she’d fall asleep. The same place where I held all three of my girls as they passed out on me while watching some movie. Not that the babies were watching much of anything. It was Kat who didn’t wanna put them to bed. So I had one resting on my chest, as the other sat next to me, tucked against my side. Kat took the other. It was one of the best days of my life. Until I ruined it all for family and her protection.

Big speaks to someone else, his hand obviously covering the phone, before he gets back to me. “I was thinkin’ that I told Katrina I’d keep her safe. Rosie’s a sure bet to ensure that. This ain’t about you and your wounded pride. This is about keepin’ a woman safe that shouldn’t need savin’ in the first place. If Bear had kept his head on straight and you toed the line, none of this never woulda happened. Now I’m cleanin’ up your mess, by doin’ the only thing I know how. And that’s protectin’ family. That’s what I do. I keep mine safe. She’s a Sacred Sister, whether she knows it or not. She’s Ghost’s daughter. Your babies’ mama, and a badass to boot. I’ve got mad respect for her. So she gets the best of the best to keep her safe. Which, asshole, ain’t you.”

Restless, I scrub my short beard. “You sayin’ it’s Rosie?”

“I’m not sayin’ shit. I’m tellin’ ya it is.”

“Can’t say I agree with you there.” She’s too small. Too fragile. There’s no way she can take on a group of angry bikers. Not possible.

“Bullshit. She had your brother down in less than ten seconds. That takes skill.”

Of course, he knows about that already. Probably has an entire photo album dedicated to the moment. I can’t argue it happened. Still, that doesn’t mean shit when we’re talking club on club. This is war. We declared it. We’ve got a shit storm on its way, and a five-foot nothin’ chick is gonna protect the love of my life? Nah. I’m not buyin’ what Big’s peddlin’. Not for a second.

“Sorry, Prez, but I ain’t seein’ what you are. She’s tiny. Sure, she took down Kade. But that don’t mean shit to me when we’re goin’ to war.”

“Then you best listen to me, boy. ‘Cause Rosie is more qualified to be in this war than any of us. She may not be a Sinner ‘cause she’s got a pussy. But she’s a brother, through and through.”

Now I’m confused as hell.

I take a seat on a stool in the kitchen, perchin’ one elbow on the countertop. The same place Kat used to eat my special pancakes, and give me those light-up-the-world smiles that took my breath away. This house holds so many memories; every place I look another one resurfaces. It’s a damn miracle the guilt of leaving this all behind hasn’t killed me yet. Where’s Jim, Jack, and Jose when ya need ‘em? Drunk sounds mighty perfect right about now. Less feelings that way. Less stress. Less memories.

I shake my head to clear it. “Ya gotta elaborate, Prez, if you expect me to go with this.”

“You don’t have a choice. Rosie is in it. She’s Kat’s bodyguard until I say otherwise. You don’t run this show. I do. I mighta gave you the authority to decide where your family ends up. ‘Cause I wouldn’t want anyone tellin’ me what I should do with Bink, or my kids, if I had any. That was about respect. Nothin’ more. Rosie isn’t up for negotiation. You’ll get with the program, ‘cause I said so. Ya, hear me?”

“I get it,” I clip, clenching my jaw so hard I might crack a tooth. If he wasn’t my prez, I’d tell him to go fuck himself. That he doesn’t tell me what to do, and can lick my hairy nut sac. But I know what’ll happen if I open my mouth. The price would be steep. And I don’t have the time to recover from that before war. A visit to his shed doesn’t sound appealing to anyone. That’s the place people go to hurt, and die. Disobedience is for morons who have a death wish. I don’t. I’d like to keep my kneecaps right where they belong.

“Good,” he growls.

“Fine,” I grit.

“You about done lickin’ your prissy bitch wounds for me pullin’ rank?” There’s humor in the dickhead’s voice.

“Not even close,” I admit truthfully.

He chuckles. “Ya know, if you didn’t worry about Rosie bein’ there, and ya weren’t this pissed at me, I’d be ready to hand you your ass.”

This man makes no sense.

“What?”

“You think I want brothers who lie down and take it like a club whore?”

Easy. Ready on our backs. That’s what he’s getting at.

“No. I don’t.”

“Damn right I don’t. I want someone who’s gonna call me to find out about the chick I sent to protect his woman. I’d do the same thing. So ask your questions. I’ll tell ya what I can. But Rosie’s story isn’t mine to tell.”

Jesus Christ. This right here is why he’s the prez of the Sacred Sinners. He’s no bullshit.

Huffing a sigh, I rearrange my thoughts, smother my temper, and get down to brass tacks. “How’d you meet her? What’re her qualifications? How do you know for sure she’s good for the job?”

There’s movement as if he’s walking, the creek of a door closing, then the sound of … are you fuckin’ kidding me right now?

“Big, are you pissin’ with me on the phone?”

“Yup,” he states, no-nonsense.

“Fine. I’ll wait until you’re done.”

“No need. I’m done.” There’s the flush of the toilet and the sound of water running as he washes his hand. His breathing grates against the receiver for a second before he resumes our previous conversation. “I met Rosie in a bar four years ago when I was on a run. She was shootin’ pool. Some douche tried to feel her up. She didn’t take too kindly to that. One warning, turned in to two, and the man wouldn’t listen. She’s kinda soft spoken. Looks innocent. Small. Nobody would think she could kill a man with her bare hands. Well, I’m here to tell ya, she’s a fuckin’ beast. By the third time that man grabbed her ass, she backhanded him so hard it busted the man’s lip open. Then he was on her. Pushin’ her against the pool table, about to return the slap. Only, I got up, ready to stomp the shit outta that prick. But there was no need. Rosie smiled this cruel, sadistic grin. Her eyes glazed over. And she came unhinged. Let’s just say within two minutes there were three men on her, to keep her from killing the perv. If it weren’t for me, she’d be locked up for assault. The guy ended up in intensive care.”

“Jesus,” I hiss.

“After that, we talked. She told me her sad, heartbreaking story, and I offered her a job. She took it without hesitation. And that’s how Rosie became the unofficial member of the Sacred Sinners.”

“So she does what for us exactly?”

“She’s a hitman. We got a problem, she goes undercover, gets the Intel with Gunz’s help, and takes out our targets.”

“But she doesn’t carry a gun.”

“Nope. She doesn’t need one. The way Rosie eliminates the marks is a different brand of club justice.”

Well, color me intrigued. “You gonna tell me how she does it?”

“No. But let me just say, she has a black belt in most forms of martial arts. Did a stint in the military. Her hand to hand combat rivals anyone in the entire club. Give her knives, and she makes Kade look like a damn amateur. She’s also smart. Crazy smart. It’s a miracle she’s our ally. So try not to piss her off. You don’t wanna be on her bad side. Don’t worry. Ya don’t have to make nice. Just let her do the job I’m payin’ her to do. Trust me, you want her to protect Katrina. You’ve got enough to handle with the club on the brink of war, and your wife drama.”

That’s true. Vanessa’s a thorn in my side. The worst of it? She loves me. If I could fix that, I would. I don’t deserve anyone’s love. Especially not a woman’s I don’t even want.

Big keeps goin’. “This is the only way I can ensure she doesn’t get the short end of the stick. They want her. She’s Ghost’s daughter. She’s a sure fire way to pay him, and the club back for what happened. The money they want they’re never gonna see. The vengeance they’ve been stewing on for well over a decade has festered. Their club’s low rent. They used to be bigger dogs in the rink. Because of Ghost, they lost territories, suppliers, and respect. They’ve left Kat alone for all these years ‘cause she’s an innocent. Let’s be thankful they’ve lived by a code thus far. Not all clubs do. But, now that they’ve confirmed Mike ain’t dead, they’re gonna use any means necessary to make him pay for his sins. That includes—”

“Fuckin’ with my woman and kids,” I finish for him.

Big sighs like the weight of the world is on his shoulders. “Yep. They wanna pay him back. If he was dead, they’d have no reason to punish the daughter for the sins of the father. Now that Vanessa confirmed he’s alive, they’re gonna be itching to kill her.”

“You think they woulda killed her if we hadn’t found her?”

“Yes. And it woulda been dirty.”

Bile rises up my throat, and I gulp it down. Thank fuck I got to her in time. Thank fuck for those necklaces.

Big’s still talkin’. “They’d have tortured her worse than she was. Sent pieces of her body back to Ghost. Videos. Anything they could to draw him out and make him pay his dues.”

“Didn’t Kat say all they wanted was the money?” I believe that’s what she told Kade. God knows, she wasn’t gonna talk to me about it. She doesn’t trust me. Not that I can blame her.

“That’s what they let her overhear. That doesn’t mean that’s the truth. They coulda been playin’ with her head. Wantin’ to see if she’d break and give up any info she had. That’s what I’d do. I’d send in the biggest, ugliest motherfucker to scare her. Rough her up a bit. Then I’d stage an argument right outside her room to make it sound like somethin’ it wasn’t to weaken her defenses. Part of torture isn’t all physical. It’s mental. They were playin’ her.”

“You’re sure?” I prompt.

“No. But I know how I work, and I’d imagine they’re not much different with that much bad blood.”

That’s a valid point. I know enough about Ghost’s past, from Pops, but not all of it. Only the parts where Big helped fake his death due to a deal gone sideways. Then Ghost joined us, became VP, Pops fell hard for him, and they’ve been keepin’ tabs on Katrina. I got in the middle of all that when I did what I did. No use in trudging up past shit. That’s done. I’ve gotta face the present. Do what I gotta do to get her safely to the cabin I built for her and our girls. The rest’ll have to fall in place. Spillin’ blood has never been a problem for me. If someone has to bleed to protect my Tiger, then so be it. If Big says Rosie’s the right person to guard my family, I respect him enough to heed his orders. They weren’t made lightly. And knowing what I now know about Rosie, I’m happy he meddled. The Texas chapter might be the ones in the spotlight. But when you fuck with one Sacred Sinner, you fuck with the rest of ‘em. And we don’t go quietly.

Chatting a few more minutes with Big about what’s goin’ down. I finish the call in time to watch Kade roll two stuffed-to-the-gills suitcases to the front door. He lifts his chin at them, leaning against the wall next to the doorway, smirking like the D-bag he is. “Kat said you were to load ‘em in the truck.”

She sure did, the bossy sexpot.

Standing, I shove my phone in my pocket and start for the luggage. “I know, smartass.” Stopping in front of my brother, I take a page outta Kat’s book of sass and roll my eyes. “I’m also buyin’ her Sno-Caps, remember, and she’s forbade … forbidden … ah, fuck … whatever the word is, from arguin’ the fact that Sno-Caps are not a road trip snack. They’re strictly a movie watchin’ delight.”

Kade’s lingering smirk hooks into a half-cocked smile. “You’re serious about this Sno-Caps thing? I thought it was a joke.”

I arch a brow. “Kat and I take our Sno-Cap eating seriously. Point blank, they’re a movie staple. She, on the other hand, had to go and declare them an anytime treat. Because when she was pregnant with Rox, she couldn’t get enough chocolate. Anythin’ chocolate. So when we went to the gas station, or even drove past one, she’d wanna pull over and buy a box of Sno-Caps. Before we’d leave the parking lot, she’d start eating them in front of me. One at a time, in slow motion. Tormenting me with the damn things. Not offering me a single bite. Then she’d remind me that I said they were a movie snack. So she couldn’t share since we were in the car and there wasn’t a movie playing.” Smiling fondly at the memory, I shrug. Kade’s not gonna get it. Nobody gets it, but us. It’s a special inside joke of sorts.

He chuckles. “You two are ridiculous.”

“No. I was … am in love. Sometimes you let your woman eat Sno-Caps in the car to give her a moment of happy. Sometimes you let her hate you. Or let her boss you around so she feels more secure. Either way, the love doesn’t go anywhere.”

Kade’s eyes soften a fraction. “You’re a goner,” he mutters.

“No shit. You’re just figurin’ this out?”

My bro lifts and drops his left shoulder. “I wasn’t sure. I knew you were fucked up for years. Didn’t know why. Then you went and married Vanessa. I’d hoped that meant you’d got over whatever shit was drownin’ ya in the bottom of a bottle. Of course, that was before I met Katrina. Her visit to Texas put the rest into perspective.”

I run a palm over the top of my smooth head. “Yeah, well, it put a lot into perspective for me, too.”

“Good. ‘Cause the more ya start thinkin’ about what’s best for her and makin’ her happy, the less of a dumbshit you’ll be.”

He’s right.

“I’m tryin’,” I admit on an emotionally charged exhale.

“Try harder.” Kade claps me on the shoulder and brings me in for a back pounding bro-hug before pressing our foreheads together.

“I’m gonna win her back,” I promise my kin with something horrible and thick clogging my throat. My heart thumps my ribs in agreement.

Kade’s minty breath assaults my nostrils. He must’ve had a Lifesaver. “You’d better. ‘Cause I wanna know my nieces. In the meantime, I’m gonna do my brotherly duty and bone that knife totin’ Betty ‘til she can’t walk straight.”

I snicker. “You can’t bone Rosie.”

“Sure I can.”

I told ya he’s schoolboy smitten.

“She’s Kat’s bodyguard,” I remind, stepping away to grab the handles of the luggage for something to do. It won’t be long until we gotta hit the road.

Kade wipes his palms down the thighs of his jeans. “Still? I thought you’d talk Big outta that nonsense. We got her. She don’t need itty bitty Rosie to protect her. She couldn’t stop a field mouse, let alone a rival club.”

I’m not gonna argue the fact that she just took him to the ground.

Since Big didn’t exactly give me the go-ahead to fill Kade in on Rosie’s unusual place in the club, I choose a different tactic. “Kat has no lady friends where she’s goin’, so Rosie’s comin’ along.”

“Which means I can bone her?” Kade’s grasping at straws, his eyes pleading, tone hopeful.

Mashing my lips together, I shake my head. Not gonna happen. Kade and Rosie plus sex equals disaster in the making. She could end up hating him and wanting to leave. Then Big would kick my ass. After Kat did, for allowing Kade to get too involved in the first place. Nope. He can keep his distance. It’s what’s best for Kat. And what’s best for Kat is best for Kade. They’re as thick as thieves. His brain gets it. Unfortunately, his pecker does the pickin’ and there’s no logic when it comes to Kade Jr.

Not thrilled by my refusal, Kade glares at me for a beat before stomping down the hall to presumably tattle to Kat about something to get me in trouble. That’s how he works. He’s been that way since we were kids. Always lyin’ to get me yelled at. Not that I was much better. You do, what ya gotta do.

As if on cue, Kade pipes up loud enough I can hear. “Watermelon tits, Ryker ain’t listenin’. He won’t take your luggage to the truck.”

Kat must respond, though I can’t hear it.

“I dunno why he’s such an asshole. You should go ask him. He also said you weren’t allowed to have any Sno-Caps.”

There’s a feminine, dick hardening growl that emanates from the room.

Fuckin’ Kade.

To resolve this lie before it grows exponentially, and I’m castrated by my old lady, I holler, “I’m takin’ them to the truck right now, Tiger. Don’t let Kade lie to ya. And don’t worry, I’ll buy ya five boxes of Sno-Caps, and I’ll even let ya eat them slowly while I’m watchin’, for old time sake.”

There. That should do it.

Knowing Kat had to have heard me, I pick up the bags and haul them outside. It’s time to get the show on the road. The cabin’s ready for its first real visitors. I can’t wait to see how much Roxie and Scarlett love it.