Page 30 of Keeping What He Wants

She saluted him.

The night was chilly due to the rain, and he worked his way to the club house in the van. After he parked, he got out, ran to the door, and stepped inside the club. A few members crowded around Mad Dog while others seemed to support the prospect. Division was the number-one enemy within a club, and Ryker could already see it taking place.

“What the fuck happened?”

The prospect told him about Mad Dog going to Young Blood and fucking their women. He went on to describe how chummy he’d gotten with Cramer, their leader. He also said that a Young Blood had handed him a shiny gun like the one on the news. Mad Dog defended himself by saying he didn’t do it. He didn’t know who it was, but it wasn’t him.

“Why would he say it was you if it wasn’t?” Ryker asked Mad Dog.

“I don’t know. I didn’t do anything with Young Blood. I have no business with them.”

Ryker glanced over at the prospect. He didn’t think that the man was lying. He was a pretty respectable character. Minded his own business a lot. Seemed loyal. “What were you doing near Young Blood territory?”

The prospect swallowed. “I have girlfriend that lives over there. She’s not part of Young Bloods, but they’re her landlord. I saw Mad Dog ride by her apartment and I followed him.”

Ryker rubbed his forehead. “And you think he’s a rat?”

“They talked a long time and then shook hands.”

“I haven’t seen Cramer since that thing blew up with Razor.”

“You were there. I saw you,” the prospect insisted.

“No, I wasn’t.”

Ryker gestured for them to be silent. “If you don’t have any proof, then there’s nothing I can do. You know the rules. I don’t take anyone’s word for anything. Right now, I’m inclined to believe Mad Dog. As the secretary of the club, he is the hierarchy and it is a pretty bold place for a prospect to make such accusations without anything to back them up.” Ryker stuck out his hand. “I need the cut. I’m not banning you from the Roaming Devils, but you’re not a prospect anymore.”

The prospect stared at him. “But I saw him.”

“And now you know for the next time, use your damn camera phone to take a picture.”

The prospect jerked his cut off. “So what? I’m a hangaround now?”

“If you want.” Ryker tossed the cut to the bar. “I don’t give a shit. You’re just not up for membership anymore. And if there’s any more trouble, I’m not going to be so lenient next time.”

Ryker left the crowd and went to the main meeting room. He grabbed the list of members Mad Dog kept and went over it.

“Do you think he was telling the truth?”

Ryker glanced up at Superman and Vampire standing in the doorway. Both came in the room and closed the door behind them.

“I think they were both telling the truth.” Ryker glanced back at the list. “I think the prospect saw someone, but I don’t think it was Mad Dog.”

“Then who was it?” Vampire asked.

“Good fucking question.”

****

Ella took a bubble bath. It was the first time she’d actually relaxed in at least two weeks. Lying back against the side of the large tub, she closed her eyes and drifted to sleep. The next time she woke, Ryker was standing over her, pulling the plug on the water before grabbing a towel to wrap her in.

“I fell asleep.”

“I see that.” He lifted her and sat her down so he could dry her body off. “You’re all pruney.”

He tightened the towel around her breasts. Ella wrapped her arms around him, loving how he felt against her. He didn’t say anything as he held her. He pressed his lips to her neck, lightly kissing her.

“I don’t go in until tonight. Can we do something today? Something fun?”

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