Page 77 of Riot

“You were keeping people safe. I know there’s not a mean or bad bone in your body, so you can’t tell me otherwise.”

I press a kiss to her button nose. “You put a lot of faith in me that I’m not sure I deserve.”

“You deserve it, you just need to be reminded every now and then.”

“Maybe that’s not a bad thing.”

She lays her head on my shoulder and I enjoy the warmth and comfort. “It’s definitely not.”

16

HALO

Nothing could makeme change my mind on how I feel about Riot. Not even hearing that story about his childhood.

I can’t even begin to imagine the horror of seeing his mom like that. Then his father turning the gun on Lace? I shudder at the thought. It makes my dad look like a saint.

I’ve never seen such a desolate look on a person's face before, like it truly still haunts him to this day, and of course it would. Seeing your mom like that would’ve been traumatic to say the least.

Nothing about him going on to be a killer shocked me. Maybe it should have, but as lame as it sounds, I feel like I know him. I know his heart. I meant everything I said. I can’t imagine what kind of courage it would take to shoot your own father, even after what he’d done. The scars would run so deep, forever etched into his soul.

I’m itching to take Cookie for a walk, but since he still has to rest, I’ve set him up with his pee mats on the living room floor, and when Riot’s here, he’s been able to carry him downstairs so he can have a short hobble out on the nearby grass. I can’t wait to take him to the dog park. He’s been an angel. How anyone coulddump this beautiful animal is beyond me. I don’t understand why people have to be so goddamn cruel.

A text brings me back from my thoughts.

You’ve been added to the Queens of the MC chat.

Star texted me earlier saying some of the girls have set up a group chat, and now that word is already around I’m with Riot, it’ll be a way for us to converse when we can’t all be at the club at the same time. I’ve met most of the women in the club, and they’re all really cool.

I click on the group members and I can’t help but laugh when I see Manny is the only guy added. That’s hilarious.

So far there’s Star, Deanna, Jas, Luna, Crystal — Ryder’s ol’ lady — Indigo, Summer, Stella, Aspyn – Rock’s ol’ lady — and just as I’m about to type hello, Bella also gets added.

Me:

Hey, everyone, thanks for the add!

I don’t know who’s online, but when I see Luna typing back, I wait for her response.

Luna:

You’re apparently Riot’s ol’ lady now, or that’s what he’s telling everyone

I feel a rush of excitement go through me.His ol’ lady.

Me:

We all know he can be a little OTT

Luna:

Clearly, you haven’t spent any time with Tag

No, I haven’t, but I’ve heard some wild stories. Such as Tag buying the house that Luna was living in, unbeknownst to her, so she could live in a nice area with a pretty garden and be safe. It’s kinda sweet, if you take out the fact he had a spare key and let himself into the house when she wasn’t answering her phone. These men of the club are hardcore when it comes to protection.

Me:

Nope, can’t say that I have. But if the rumors are true, I’m sure he means well

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