Page 12 of Laying it Bare Biker Style: Ryder

Chuckling, he pulled on a pair of graysweatpants. “Let’s go get you some food. You have to bestarving.”

Slipping out of the bed, I scurried tothe bathroom. After quickly running a toothbrush through my mouth,a comb through my hair, and using the toilet, I padded back out tothe room.

He nodded to the door and I followedhim out into the hallway.

Grayson stood, leaning against thecounter, sipping on his coffee. He smirked at me over the rim ofhis mug. “Oh good. Since we have a chick living with us now, Ithought she could make us some breakfast.”

“And yesterday, you wereconsidering me the bastard when it came to her.” Ryderscowled.

Grayson merely shrugged, his smirkgrowing smug.

I hid my giggle.

Knocking on their front door shiftedour attention from their banter.

“The girls already?” Ryderslid his phone from his pocket and sent a text. When it beeped asecond later, he shook his head. “Geez, let me feed her first. Hada bit of a rough night.” Grumbling, he stormed toward the frontdoor to let in our company.

My heart warmed that he was annoyed onmy behalf. But a small amount of guilt filtered in as well,considering if I hadn’t disrupted our sleep, we wouldn’t be runninglate this morning.

“You could’ve picked her upat the garage. You didn’t need to come over so early. Hell, wehaven’t even eaten breakfast yet.” Ryder growled at Angel and Mistias he led them into the kitchen.

“This couldn’t wait. Wefound out what happened to Sage. And any situation would havepissed you off, but I think you’re going to go into a furious rageafter I tell you what we discovered.”

Well, shit. They could confirm thedetails of my nightmare. And I wasn’t sure how I felt aboutthat.

Three

~Ryder~

“How did you come to learnthis information? You didnotput yourself in danger, did you?” After Sage’srevelation last night, I wanted details about her attack more thanI wanted my next breath, but if Angel endangered herself in theprocess, I was going to be putting her over my knee. Well, probablynot. I didn’t want to do that with anyone else anymore. And wherethe hell did that come from? I had no business thinking of Sage inthat manner. Although no matter how much my brain said no, my dicksaid hell yes. Besides, I needed to focus on the task at hand. Theguilty party or parties were going to pay for what they put Sagethrough. I demanded names and why this incident was permitted tohappen at all. I could roll through my dirty images of Sage at alater time. As long as the images didn’t turn into the realdeal.

“Pshh. Misti and I ran intothose cunts from Pyro Devils last night at a club. Not by choice,but when we saw them there, I took my opportunity to get someanswers. And I may have threatened to cut a bitch.” A devilishgiggle erupted from her lips.

Sage stiffened and wentpale.

I wasn’t sure if it was the reminderof last night’s terror or the thought of Angel wielding a knife,but I didn’t want her dropping to the ground so I wrapped my armsaround her middle and propped her back up against mychest.

Angel’s giggle morphed into a cruelgrin. “My name has nothing to do with my demeanor. And I got Louiseto spill her guts without ripping them from her.”

“Tell me what you got.” Imotioned for the girls to take a seat at the bar.

Instead, Angel leaned against themarble top and crossed her arms. “Apparently, the Pyro Devils got avisit from Wasp, one of the members of Brutal Demons. I think theyneed to beef up their security there if they can’t keep outunwanted people. Anyway, I guess the girls got worried he mightwant to try something with one of them so they slipped a roofieinto Sage’s drink so they could offer her up instead.” She unwoundher arms and stretched them out in front of her, mimicking placingthem around someone’s throat. “I wanted to choke her to death,right there in the club. But Misti wouldn’t let me.”

Running a hand through her auburnhair, Misti shrugged her shoulders, a grim look on her face, mayberegretting that decision.

It took every ounce of strength I hadnot to punch my fist through the kitchen wall. The fact that Sagestood in front of me, a slight tremor to her body, kept me groundedenough to use my arms for something more productive; providingcomfort. There would be time to unleash my fury later, when Idished out some justice.

“Well when Wasp finished upmeeting with some of the guys, he came back out front wanting someaction. Sage was so out of it, she was easy prey. The guys didn’teven stop him. Wasp took her back to one of the rooms and then hedisappeared with her.”

“At least that settleswhether I belong to them or not. They are supposed to protect theirproperty and they didn’t protect me.” She untangled herself from myarms and twisted to look up at me, her expression unyielding. “Iwant you to teach me how to use a gun. I willneverbe put in that position again.They haven’t cared to come looking for me before – they wouldn’thave had to look very far – so if they decide to come for me now,I’ll put a bullet in their chest first.” Her voice came out steadyand full of vehemence. “I will not be returning tothem.”

Without thinking, I cupped her cheeksin my hands. “I’ll teach you how to shoot and I’ll also get you agun to carry, but you won’t have to defend yourself. You belong tous now. If that’s okay with you. And we protect our own.” I somehowmanaged to cut myself off before I admitted I would be putting abullet in Wasp’s chest, after using my fists to issue some of myown violence. First of all, the rage burning in Sage’s eyes was agood indication she wasn’t a shrinking violet and demanded a sliceof her own vengeance. And more importantly, the other three werealready scrutinizing my reactions to Sage a little too closely. Icouldn’t help that my protective nature kicked in and they all knewme well enough to know it was a fierce part of my personality. Andthat was all it was. Releasing her face and taking a step back, Iheaded to the refrigerator to grab the carton of eggs and packageof sausage. “Sage and I are starving so we are going to fix somebreakfast. Anyone else want? Actually I’m really only asking Angeland Misti. Grayson already voiced his opinion on thematter.”

“No, thank you. Angel and Iare actually in charge of making food for the guys at the club.Where do you want us to pick up Sage?”

“Can you get her from thegarage? After we eat, I’m heading in and she’s going with me. Untilthis shit is settled she will have a guard detail when I’m notaround. I was going to send Boots with you girls for your day out.But he’s just a Prospect. He’s good, but now that I know we’re notdealing with the asshats from Pyro Devils but a more dangerousgroup; I’m not taking any chances. I’ll see which one of the guysis off today and he can tail you. Also, if Wasp finds out he’s beenratted out and by whom, you two won’t be safe either. Maybe the twoof you shouldn’t wear Twisted Flames shirts when you are outwithout any of the guys around.”

“When we’re done at theclub, we’ll drop by the garage, but we’ll change first. Because Ithink I have to agree with you for once. It’s quite a surprise; youusually don’t have good ideas.” Then Misti turned her attention toSage. “And other than having a tail, but you won’t even know he’sthere, they are like professionals; we don’t talk at all about thisshit. This is going to be a normal girls’ day out. Just fun stuffand spending Ryder’s money. We’ll see you in a bit.”

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