Page 7 of Keeping What He Wants

Ryker opened the door and grabbed the food from the prospect. After a short conversation, he closed it and carried it back to kitchen bar. Ella watched as he sorted through the order. He’d gotten her favorite and pushed it toward her and stepped back to make her some coffee.

“He still thinks you beat me up.”

Ryker didn’t look at her. “I figured as much.”

“He thinks I’m protecting you and all your criminal activity.”

Ryker snorted. “He doesn’t know you very well, does he?” He glanced over at her. “Talk it out. He may be a stubborn asshole, but he loves you more than life. It’s the only thing we have in common.”

Once her coffee was made, they sat at the table together and ate their breakfast. Ella didn’t like the butterflies swarming in her stomach. The past few months had been hell, and she didn’t even know where to begin with him.

Ryker reached for a biscuit and held it out for her. “Eat.”

She refused it and kept her attention on her food. “What did he want you to help him with? Is that why he arrested you on bogus charges?”

He chuckled and bit into the biscuit. “You never turn that brain of yours off, do you? You’re too fucking smart for your own good.”

“It’s better than being stupid.”

A knock sounded at the door, and Ella reached for her fork. Ryker didn’t say anything as he went to answer it. Her father came in and stood in the foyer, waiting for her to acknowledge him.

“Come on.” Ryker came to the kitchen and pulled a seat out at the table. “Have a seat.”

Ella lifted her coffee to her lips. She didn’t know what to say. Everything she came up with, she wanted to scream at him.

Ryker watched them for a moment. “You two are so much alike. How the fuck can I love one and despise the other?”

Pat folded his arms over his wide chest. “Love is relative.”

Ella snorted. She lifted her food to her mouth and took a bite. Actually talking to him was not possible.

“I didn’t hit her on purpose. It was a complete accident.”

“I hear about fists accidently ramming into faces all the time.” Pat looked over at Ryker finally. “How’s the lip?”

“He didn’t hit me with his fist.” Ella narrowed her eyes at her father. “It was his elbow.”

“Is that supposed to be better?” Pat asked.

She shook her head. “I can’t do this anymore.”

Her father shrugged. “Then don’t.”

Tears fell to Ella cheeks. She didn’t know how to make things right again. The hole in her chest ached. She’d been so close with her father, and now he acted like he didn’t give a damn.

“Ella.” Ryker reached for her, and she pulled away from him.

“Stay away from me.” She stared at her father. “Don’t ever come near me again.”

Ryker kicked Pat underneath the table. “Talk to her, asshole.”

Pat narrowed his eyes at Ryker before turning back to Ella. “It’s for the best.”

“I’ve done nothing wrong!” She felt the dam breaking inside her. “You’re the one that blames me for everything you resent Ryker for. He doesn’t give in to you and you take it out on me. I’m your only daughter and you would rather push me away…” She stopped, her voice breaking. She shook her head as sobs threatened to consume her.

The coldness in her father’s eyes didn’t waver. She was talking to deaf ears. Instead of continuing, she left them sitting in the kitchen while she went to her bedroom.

Sometime later, Ryker found her in the bathroom, huddled on the shower floor with the hot water streaming down on her, she sobbed and sobbed, her heart shattering with every breath she took.

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