Page 2 of Keeping What He Wants

She stared at the scene. Her father loved making the arrest—Ryker could see it in his eyes. He could only imagine how that made Ella feel.

“Why are you arresting him?”

“He’s a dopehead, Ella.” Patrick Hawkins pulled Ryker away from the bannister and shoved him toward the steps. “You should know this by now.”

“Don’t.” She shook her head. “You’ve wanted to make him pay for everything for the last month, and it’s not going to work. Stop doing this.”

“Ella, go back inside,” Ryker pleaded with her. “I’m okay.”

“No, you’re not.” She looked like she was ready to cry. “He’s just punishing you because he doesn’t want you with me.”

“The law doesn’t work that way, Ella. He has nothing to do with me and you.” Pat handed him off to another officer.

Ryker glanced back at her. She was pissed. The damage between her and Pat was done. After the incident at the club, when Pat had attacked him, Pat hadn’t spoken with Ella for two months. It had nearly killed her, but Pat wanted to play those damn games.

Now this.

The cops shoved Ryker in the backseat of an unmarked police car. Why her father was dragging her into the mess, he didn’t know. It pissed him off to even think about it.

****

“There are no drugs in my apartment. I don’t even know why you would think that there were.” Ella stood with her arms over her chest. She’d given her permission for the search, but they didn’t have to be jackasses about it.

“I don’t know anymore, Ella.”

“Yes, you do know.” She turned to face him. “You’re being an asshole, and for what reason? I’m your daughter.”

“You’re not above the law.”

She snorted. “Wow.” Her fury only grew as she played his words over and over in her mind. “What do you really think I’m doing? You think Ryker and I are running some kind of drug ring? When? I bust my ass in the ER daily. I barely get to see him.”

“Girlfriends know more than they’re willing to share. You think you’re protecting him when all you’re doing is creating a mess for yourself.”

“Protecting him from what?”

“Getting in trouble. If you know where the processing house is, you need to tell me. I may be able to get a lesser sentence for you. But I can’t help you if it all blows up in your face.”

“You don’t need to help me. I don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about.” And she really didn’t. Ryker didn’t talk to her about anything like that. He didn’t bring the club home with him. He didn’t involve her with that part of his life.

“I hope you’re telling the truth.”

“The apartment is clean, sir.” The two officers came back to the door and glanced over at Ella. “There are no drugs here.”

The K-9 unit left, and she stood with her father outside her apartment door.

“Was this necessary? You really thought I would allow him to bring drugs in to my house. Where I fucking sleep at night?”

“I don’t know.” Her father glanced away. “I don’t know you anymore, Ella. I never thought you’d be that girl.”

“What girl?”

“The one that lets some guy beat up on her. Use her for sex and alibis. I never thought you of all people would support him and that damn motorcycle club.”

“He never beat me up. I told you several times that it was an accident. I reached for him, he moved his arm back. My face just happened to connect with his elbow. It really is that innocent.”

Her father shook his head. “You tell yourself that. He is a despicable human being who deserves to rot in prison for the rest of his life. And when I find out where he does his dope processing, he’ll land a one-way ticket. I promise you that. I’m going to give him the fucking ride to the pen.”

Her father turned and left her staring after him. Such hatred shined in his eyes. There was nothing she could do to make him believe Ryker was a good man. At least not as good as she saw him. The war they fought would always exist, and her father wanted nothing to do with her because if it. She went back into the apartment, clenching her teeth as she seethed from the entire event.

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