Page 55 of Breaking the Rules (Roaming Devils MC 1)

“Are you really in love?” Superman asked. “I mean, nobody ever thought you, of all people, would be the first pussy-whipped member of the charter.”

He rubbed his eyes. “It’s not that. I mean, the sex is great, but with Ella it’s so much more. I’ve never felt that way before her and I haven’t felt it with any other chick I’ve banged.” He shrugged. “She’s my dream girl. My kryptonite. I’d kill anyone that hurt her and I’d die so she didn’t have to.”

“Yeah, we fucking know that one.” Vampire leaned his head back against the sofa. “We’ve got a shipment of coke coming in from our supplier. Do you want us to deliver it to Torch?”

“Yeah. Keep things exactly the way they are. Razor will eventually come back. Right now, he’s scared and hiding.”

“He’s afraid his head on a silver platter is next.”

“That too. He’s probably got eyes in the city. Keep things low-key. Don’t cause any unwanted attention. I’ve got to play nice with Ella’s dad so they won’t suspect that I’m alive if he’s coming over here to visit. I was supposed to have a little conversation with the police about the incident that happened.”

Superman laughed. “Hell, I bet that’s shitloads of fun.”

“The knife wound was more fun.” Ryker groaned. “You fuckers need to get out of here. Ella will be home in a little while.”

He’d been a good little boy while she was working. He’d stayed in bed, resting just like she wanted him to. He had a feeling that Razor would need to be dealt with outside the charter and its limits, so he was probably going to piss her off in the next few days. He needed to earn all the brownie points he could while he could.

“We’ll keep you updated.” Vampire stood along with Superman. “I don’t think Razor is coming out of hiding. He was grooming you to be the next leader and with the way shit went down and Ella’s connections to the police, he’s too worried about his ass.”

“He will,” Ryker commented. “Until then, do business as usual.”

After they left, Ryker decided to take a shower. He didn’t bother covering his stomach, though he did keep it away from the water spray. Some of what Ella had said was sinking into his thick skull. He got out and wrapped a towel around his hips. He needed a haircut. Staring at himself in the mirror, he took in the shaggy look he’d adopted. The longer hair didn’t suit him. Maybe he’d shave his head. That’d definitely be a change.

He heard the apartment door open while he brushed his teeth and glanced out to see Ella putting her stuff down. She looked tired and he could only imagine what kind of day she’d had at the hospital. He spit his toothpaste out and rinsed his mouth before going out to greet her.

“Hey,” he commented. “How was your day?”

She threw her arms around him and sobbed. Ryker stroked her hair as he enveloped her with his arms, holding her close while she cried against him. He didn’t ask questions and kept her close until she pulled away.

“I’m sorry.” She swiped at her cheeks. “It’s been a really long day.”

“Why are you apologizing?” He kissed her. “What happened?”

“I had to deal with knife wounds and bleeding arteries all day.” She sucked in a shaky breath. “You do it one time and they dub you as the fucking expert. I don’t want to be a doctor anymore.”

“Yes, you do.” He pulled her closer. He couldn’t feel any worse about what had happened if he tried. “You are an amazing doctor.”

She looped her arms around him. “It won’t go away.”

“I know.” He kissed her temple. “But look at me. I’m alive because of you. That’s something to be proud of.”

He took her hand and placed it on his chest. She blinked a few times. “I’m so tired.”

“We had a date in bed, remember?” He brushed her hair from her face. “You get changed and I’ll order some food. We’ll meet up between the sheets.”

She pressed her cheek against his chest. “Just hold me.”

Ryker held on to her, kissing the top of her head. “I will. Go lie down.”

When she finally moved away from him, Ryker pulled on a pair of shorts and ordered some food for them. Ella changed into her pajamas and crawled into bed, waiting for him to join her. It didn’t matter what the fuck was going on in his life—he’d stop everything for her. After the pizza arrived, he carried it to the bed and grabbed them both something to drink before sliding between the sheets.

“Eat and then get some rest, babe.” He pulled her against him and kissed her cheeks, her nose, and her eyes. “I’ve got you.”

“I deal with trauma every day.” She shook her head. “It shouldn’t affect me this bad.”

He grabbed a slice of pizza and handed it to her. “You’re overworked, fatigued, and taking care of a man-child.” She arched an eyebrow at him and he shrugged, grabbing his own slice of pizza. “You need to take care of yourself. You don’t have to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders, Ella. Lay back and relax.”

They ate their pizza in silence before Ella moved closer to him.

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