Page 31 of Blade

“What the fuck, Em? No Hey bro, good to see you,” he mocks, then says, “No You look great. Whatcha been up to? I’m your brother. At the very least, I should get a Hey, big brother, I miss you.” He places his hands on his hips, looking wounded.

“You know why I don’t do that,” Emryn replies, turning her back to him. “Why did you really come?”

This must be Emryn’s brother, Ryan. She hasn’t spoken much about her brother, but from what I’m seeing, there’s a lot more to the story than what she’s shared.

“I missed my baby sister,” he coos, sidling closer. “Can’t a guy want to be with his sister and just hang out for a while?”

“It’s never that easy.” Emryn turns back to face him. “I like it here. I’ve met good people?—”

“I’m happy for you. I’m glad. And I won’t be in your way. A couple of days at most, then I’m slotted for a fashion shoot in Bermuda. And just like that,” he snaps his fingers, “I’ll be gone.”

“I have company coming over,” she tells him.

“A guy?” her brother asks.

She sighs, “Yes,” then rushes to add, “I really like him, Ryan. I actually think I’m falling in love with him. I’m begging you, please, don’t ruin this for me.”

My heart swells when I hear the words, but her slumped shoulders and dejected tone are worrisome. Suddenly, I feel the need to do some recon on Ryan Ellington. But first, I need to step in, because I hate the expression on Emryn’s face.

I use my key and come in like it was any other night. “Hey, babe. Who’s your friend?” I ask, at the same time reaching for her. She instantly comes to me, holding me tighter than she ever has before. There’s another red flag. What the hell is going on with her family?

Emryn stumbles over the first couple of words. “Th-this is my brother, Ryan. He came for a short visit, in between jobs. He surprised me. I had no idea he was coming.”

“A visit from family is always good, babe. Right?” I stare into her eyes, and although her mouth murmurs, “Yes,” her entire being is saying, hell no. I take a few steps closer to Ryan, extending my hand. He takes it and grips it tightly, too tightly, like he’s got something to prove.

Ryan’s a pretty boy with a magnanimous grin, but I don’t trust him, and from the way Emryn’s acting, he’s created some nasty problems for her. That ugly feeling in the pit of my stomach is warning me that trouble is brewing. I don’t like him, but, for Emryn’s benefit, I plaster on a smile and pretend that I do.

“Good to meet you,” I say.

“I didn’t know my sister had hooked up with a dangerous MC dude,” Ryan jokes as he looks down at the insignia on my black leather jacket.

“We’re only dangerous if you cross us. You don’t plan to do that, do you?” I kid him back, but I’m also giving him a warning.

“No way, man. I’m a lover, not a fighter.” Ryan clasps a hand to his heart, looking wounded that I would even suggest such a thing. I’m sure he’s not stupid enough to go up against the Pride, or any other club, for that matter, but what he doesn’t understand is that Emryn and I are together, and what hurts her, hurts me.

“Ryan’s joining us for dinner,” Emryn says, changing the subject. “I made steak fajitas.” She looks from me to her brother. “Um, we’ll eat, then I’ll make up the spare bed.” Emmy sounds tense, and her hand is fisted into my jacket.

“Great, babe.” I look down into her eyes and drop a kiss on her lips. “Let’s get that on the table. I’ll give you a hand.”

“I’ll just wash up. Be right back.” Ryan excuses himself. I lead Emryn to the kitchen.

“Give me the quick version, Emmy,” I demand.

“He’s my brother, and I love him…” She trails off and avoids my eyes.

“Babe.” I call her attention back to me. “This is no time to hide shit. What are we in for?”

“He’s lost, okay?” she replies in a sharp whisper. “He’s older, and there are younger men to grace the pages of the glossy magazines. Ryan isn’t adjusting well to the changes that are happening. He refuses to accept it.”

I can understand that, but there’s more, I know it. “Okay, and…?”

Emryn shrugs. “Ryan spends more money than he’s making. He just figured the pot would always be full.”

“More, babe.”

“Ryan’s a charmer, and he’s got the ability to charm women, and most men. He shows up, they fawn all over him, and give him stuff. And then he leaves like the wind,” she says.

“He takes their money.” I say it like it is, crossing my arms over my chest.

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