Page 154 of His Virgin Romance Series

CHAPTER5

Ryder

“Hey,”Lonny said, walking into the garage where all the motorcycles were stored. The smell of oil, grease, and fumes was in the air, and it comforted me.

“Just got here?” I asked.

“Yeah,” Lonny nodded. “What are you doing out here?”

“Just trying to find a quiet fucking place to think,” I admitted.

“Is that it?” Lonny asked with one raised eyebrow. “Or are you just trying to avoid Abby?”

I looked at Lonny pointedly. He was keeping his expression calm and measured, but I could sense the smile beneath it.

“Why would I be avoiding her?” I asked indifferently.

“Oh, I don’t know… the men seem to think that there’s tension between the two of you.”

“Yeah,” I said sarcastically. “And that kind of shit bothers me? Fuck that. I’m in here because I want to be.”

Lonny held up his hands. “Just saying… No need to bite my head off.”

“Any leads on Walter Black?” I asked, changing the subject because I didn’t want to have to continue to be defensive about it.

“We’ve been searching,” Lonny replied. “The guy’s a ghost.”

“Which means only one thing,” I said, feeling as though my suspicions were being confirmed.

“He’s connected to some dangerous people.”

“Yes.”

“Who do you think we’re dealing with here?”

“The Lucifer’s Knights,” I said quietly.

“No,” Lonny said, shaking his head. “It can’t be.”

“Why not?” I questioned. “We don’t know every member of their crew, and new pledges tend to feel invincible once they join the ranks. It’s a mark of honor to be ingratiated into the inner circle of the Knights.”

“Pledges are not a part of the inner circle,” Lonny pointed out.

“No,” I agreed. “But I think this guy might be.”

Lonny frowned. “If that’s the case… this has the potential to become bigger than it needs to be.”

“What do you mean?” I demanded.

Lonny looked at me in surprise. “Do I need to remind you of what happened the last time we went head to head with the Knights?”

My eyes flashed towards Lonny. He looked a little uneasy, but he pushed on, ignoring my dangerous mood.

“We lost good men in that fight…including your father.”

“Harlem lost his son,” I said darkly.

“My point exactly,” Lonny nodded. “The truce was negotiated only because both sides had suffered significant losses, and neither one wanted to risk more. The wounds were fresh, and everyone was still grieving… Once the dust settled, the truce had already been agreed on, and neither one could go back on their word.”

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