Page 63 of Breaking the Rules (Roaming Devils MC 1)

“I do love you, jerk face.”

“Yeah? Prove that tomorrow morning.”

She laughed. “Maybe.”

“Sweet dreams, babe.”

They disconnected and Ella went back in the living area. She stayed up a while talking with her parents before her mother went to bed. Her father shut the TV off and the room fell silent.

“You can’t tell the department what I told you. I told Ryker that he had to respect that I have a relationship with you. I’m going to tell you the same. I know he’s not who you pictured me dating, but I do love him. He loves me too. You can’t go after the Roaming Devils. I know you’re in guns and gangs, but you have a huge conflict of interest now.”

He rubbed a hand over his face. “I can’t say that I won’t go after the Roaming Devils. All I can say is that I’m going to do my best to keep you safe.”

“Then the least you can do is know when to be my father and when to be a cop.”

He nodded. “I can do that. What you told me tonight is between you and me. And you can tell Ryker I respect him greatly for protecting you like that.”

She stood. “He’s not a bad guy. I know you don’t believe me, but he’s not.”

“I know things about him and his club that you don’t know about. We’ll agree to disagree.”

His comment shouldn’t have scared her, but it did. She knew Ryker dabbled in some bad stuff, but not knowing what that was made her pause. What did her father know? What was Ryker keeping from her?

“What do you know?” she asked.

Her father propped his chin on his hand. “If I tell you, I’ll become the bad guy. The messenger always gets the blame.”

“No blame. What do you know?”

“I can’t tell you what we’re investigating, but I know he’s killed people. I know he’s done drugs. Sells drugs. I know he makes his money illegally. I also know that he has a temper. He can get pretty violent. He has sex with any woman that will spread her legs. I know you think you’re in love with him, and maybe he tells you what you want to hear, but I know he gets bored easily. He’s not capable of a real relationship because it was taught to him for his entire life that the club comes before everything else, including women.”

Ella thought about what he’d said. Some of it she already knew. Some made her question Ryker’s sincerity. Was she just another notch on his bedpost? She didn’t want to think so. He never pressured her into anything. He made her feel like she was the only woman in the world for him. Despite everything, she didn’t believe he could fake his feelings toward her. He helped her when she needed it. He’d protected her, taking the blame himself, when his own father wanted her dead. That didn’t seem like someone that would leave her when he grew bored.

“What are you thinking about, sweetheart?”

Ella shook her head. “We just have very different views of him.”

“Doesn’t that scare you?” Her father stared at her. “Ryker can be two different people when he has to be. He can’t even come to my house and have dinner with me.” He cleared his throat. “I don’t doubt that he cares for you in his own twisted way, but I don’t really think what you’ve got is exclusive either. I just don’t want you getting your hopes up for something that isn’t really there.”

She nodded and stood, unsure of what to say. He had some very valid points that she needed to address. Hugging him, she leaned in and kissed his cheek. “I think I’m going to bed. I’m sorry I blew up at you at the hospital. I was just really stressed out.”

He hugged her back. “I understand. And you’re forgiven. I’m sorry too. I shouldn’t have done that. I just wanted to get some evidence that put the evil behind bars, where they belong.”

She nodded. Her father would always be the cop. He wouldn’t change easily but maybe he would adapt slightly if Ryker was in his life. If Ryker actually participated from time to time. Maybe she was destined to be caught between them. She wasn’t unrealistic enough to think they’d be friends, but she did want them to be civil. She didn’t want to have to pick and choose.

****

Ryker couldn’t stand being cooped up in the apartment any longer. The more he thought about it, the more he wished he’d gone to dinner with Ella. If for nothing else than to get out and do something. Plus, he would have gotten to sleep with her last night, which was something he missed greatly.

He had to get out today. He needed a fucking haircut more than anything else. And he was going crazy staying cooped up. He was fairly certain he could ride his bike and that was another need he was itching to take care of. It’d been too fucking long since he’d been on two wheels, riding with the wind in his face.

The door opened and he smiled as Ella walked in. He damn near pounced on her, grabbing her from behind and lifting her into his arms. She squealed as he carried her to the bed.

He kissed her as he tugged her shirt up, smoothing his hands along her stomach before unbuckling her jeans. He tore his mouth away to tug them off her hips and down her legs.

“You’re going to hurt yourself.” She ran her hands along his sides.

“I’ll live.” He yanked her jeans off and tugged her ass to the edge of the bed. He went for her shirt next, lifting her up and tugging it off her body. He leaned in to kiss the swell of her breast before pulling the cup down and taking her nipple into his mouth.

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