Page 54 of Breaking the Rules (Roaming Devils MC 1)

She shook her head. “Do whatever you want.”

“Why are you pushing me away?” He glanced to the side. “I’m trying to understand you. I want to make things right.”

“You’re not trying.” She stared at him. “You don’t give two shits about what I say. You nearly died, but who the fuck cares? You’ve got things to do.”

He pressed his palms against his eyes. Thankfully, he didn’t say any more. She went to the dresser and pulled out a clean pair of scrubs. She was scheduled to be in the OR all day and the idea of it made her nervous. On top of everything else, she wasn’t even sure she wanted to be in emergency medicine.

Ryker went to the bed and got in without saying another word. He rubbed his eyes, watching as she got ready for work.

“I do care about what you say.” He licked his lips “I know I nearly died and you saved me. I don’t mean to sound and act so caviler about it, but you need to understand that we process things differently. I don’t dwell on what happened. I know it scared you, and for that I wish I could take it back. But I told you, Ella, that if it ever comes down to a choice between me or you dying, I’m going to pick me. I want you in my life. I’m still trying to figure out how to make it work, though. I love you and there is very little on this earth that I wouldn’t do for you.”

She turned toward him, still in her bra and panties. “What if it was me? Switch the roles. I’m the one that had a brush with death and a fucking hole in my stomach. What if you were the one that kept me from dying? Would you process that differently?”

He nodded. “Yeah, I would.”

“Would you be okay with me going out with my friends or going to work four fucking days after my life-saving surgery? Or worse, would you actually have sex with me if I wanted it?”

He lay back against the pillows. “No. I wouldn’t.”

“Exactly.” She stared at him. “You would tell me I needed to rest. You did it when I had strep and you’d do it if I were in your shoes.”

“You’re right. I didn’t leave you, though. And I wouldn’t leave you.”

“I’ve got to work. It’s not like it’s a choice.”

“I know that. But when you’re home, you’re distant. You act like you don’t want me around.”

She grabbed her scrub top. “I don’t know how to take care of you. You do whatever the hell you want. You don’t listen to me. How can we even have a conversation?”

“Okay. Fine. Tonight, me and you have a date in bed. I’ll rest and you can entertain me with stories of your day.”

She pulled her pants on. “You’re actually going to stay in bed all day? I don’t believe that. The moment I leave, you’ll be up, doing whatever you want.”

“I’ll do it if you promise to get rid of the hostility and agitation.”

She blew out a breath. “Okay. I promise.”

He smiled. “You’re gorgeous, even without sleep.”

“There’s your infamous charm.” She finger combed her hair. “I was wondering when it would show itself again.”

“I can give it to you anytime you want it, baby.”

She shook her head. There was something about him that she couldn’t quite let go. It was both refreshing and frustrating at the same time. He was far from perfect, but she enjoyed being with him. Knowing he would be there when she got home gave her comfort unlike anything else. Maybe she didn’t like certain aspects of his life, but she’d come to need him just as much as he needed her.

That was the part she didn’t adapt to well.

****

“Razor is hiding out in the New Orleans chapter.” Superman plopped down on the sofa. “I called one of my buddies and he said that Razor gave them some big story about how the entire charter turned against him and they’re plotting some kind of war against us. He said he looked pathetic admitting that he couldn’t control his own charter, but he’s really making you out to be the bad guy. He thinks you’re dead.”

Ryker snorted, propping his hands up behind his head. He lay on the bed, keeping his word to Ella, but was damn near going out of his mind. His fucking father thought he was dead. That was actually good news for him.

“Keep the rumor floating that I’m dead. He doesn’t need to know any different. As for what we’re going to do with him, we need to get him back to town. He’s no good to me in New Orleans, and Ella will bitch something awful if I go after him.”

“Ella’s wearing the pants in your relationship now?” Vampire asked.

Ryker grinned. “She is while I’ve got a hole in my side. I should have known better than to fall in love with a doctor.”

---