Page 38 of Ryder

Chapter 22

Scarlett

We arrive at the party in another stretch limousine. While I was a little bummed not to be able to hang on to Ryder, I was relieved to know my hair wouldn’t be a complete disaster at the party.

The new bar opening for the Raven’s Tap House is bursting with people. Red and black lights flash all around us, and the parking lot is packed. For a small town, this bar is really drawing in a big crowd. I’m sure having a celebrity like Raven Ryder here helps, too.

As we emerge from the limousine, Ryder takes my hand, and I gladly allow it. He looks dapper in a black suit with a red handkerchief placed in his breast pocket. We walk up to the entrance, and I see a red carpet has been laid out. Photographers from local papers are pushing up against one another, trying to get the perfect shot of Ryder. I smile at him, dazzled by his mere perfection.

I hear his name being called all around me, and it’s like a whirlwind. There are even a few paparazzi who managed to get the scoop that he was traveling into Hollow’s Cove.

“Ryder,” Drake calls out, and we move toward the front door.

Drake shakes hands with Ryder, and then the rest of Raven’s boys join us on the red carpet.

I go to move away to allow the men to have their pictures taken, but Ryder stops me.

“What are you doing?” he asks me.

“This isn’t about me. I was moving out of your shots,” I say.

Shaking his head, Ryder pulls me next to his body and wraps his arm around my waist. “You are with me. I want you in every picture they take,” he says, leaning in and placing a kiss to my lips.

I hear everyone around us go nuts, and then the flashes are almost blinding. I simply smile and never take my eyes off of Ryder as he answers questions about the bar opening from reporters. We stand there and take a few more pictures before we are escorted into the bar.

Once inside, I take a moment to look around. This bar has the same biker vibe as Drake’s bar, but with a more farmhouse family feel. There are tables placed around the room, and a large mahogany bar sits to the left. I can see the entrance to the kitchen, which gives diners a beautiful view inside. Family photos of the Raven’s line, the walls and barn doors with black metal brackets house the restrooms to the right. It is so warm and inviting, and as I glance around and see several families already enjoying meals, I can already tell this place will be a success.

“This place is incredible,” I say to Drake.

“Thanks, it was a combination of all of us. The wives designed the layout, but my brothers and I put in the work. We are happy with how it turned out.” He beams with pride as he speaks.

“A big thank you to Ryder for helping us fund this place, too,” Blaze Raven says. Behind him, I see Jagger, and clubhouse member, and Storm, Axel, and their families as well.

“We are family, I was happy to help,” Ryder says, and for the first time, he seems a bit shy.

I nudge his side while everyone continues talking. “Hey, are you shy?” I quietly tease him.

Glancing down at me, his lips curve. “Nah, I just hate that they keep thanking me. I was happy to help them, especially with the guys wanting to donate to All Our Children. In fact, I have an announcement to make,” Ryder says.

He releases his hold on me, and I see him run through the crowd. He stands tall on the bar and whistles. Everyone in the room hushes and turns to see what is going on. I watch with a strange curiosity. What on earth could this man be up to now?

“Hey, everyone. I want to thank you all for coming out to support the opening of the Raven Tap House. My family means the world to me, and I was happy to be part of this endeavor in the Raven franchise.”

Everyone begins cheering and clapping, and Ryder beams as he watches everyone around us. Holding up his hands, he starts to calm everyone down again.

“Alright, I have one more thing to announce, and then we all need to party. Tonight, half of the proceeds made are going to be donated to All Our Children, a home in Los Angeles that takes in troubled and orphaned children. My beautiful date, Scarlett,” he says, pointing to me, “She works there, and believe me, it is a remarkable place for these children.”

Everyone cheers again, and I can’t control the tears that are now flowing down my cheeks. I can’t believe he is going to donate money to All Our Children. He has already done so much with the Ravens already promising to help out, plus the time he invests with those boys-- it’s all so much.

Ryder jumps off the bar, and as he approaches me, I can’t fight my feelings anymore. I pull him to me and crush my lips against his. He is taken aback at first, but then his arms snake around me, and we become lost in one another. It doesn’t matter that we are surrounded by hundreds of people. Right now, all that matters is the two of us.

When we finally part, my breathing is rapid as I catch my breath.

“I take it you liked what I said,” Ryder says through a smile.

“I loved it,” I breathe.

Ryder’s eyes watch me carefully like he is trying to read my thoughts. I think he knows how I truly feel. I know it has to be radiating off of me by now.

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