Page 54 of Forever Zara

Their bodies together, love flowing from her to him. “I want you to remember something, Ambrosio.”

“What’s that?”

“Everything you do is for our family. For our safety. You take care of us better than anyone else ever could. I appreciate what you do every single day.”

One massive thump inside his chest, he dipped down until his forehead rested on hers. Reluctant to leave, but knowing this was the best viable opportunity. He had a woman who understood even when she should rage at him for leaving. “But please remember, you are the center of our family, Rider. You are my beating heart. I know what you’re going to do, and I want to remind you, I would die without you.”

“Icy,” he croaked, squeezing his hands around her waist.

“So come back to me, okay?”

“I always will, baby.”

Nothing would keep him from his woman.

“Love you.”

“Love you too.”

He kissed her, not as deep as he wanted to. Vowing he’d be back soon.

No one saw Rider slip out of the pricey Denver hotel, or climb into the SUV Hawk parked around back earlier that morning.

“You ready for this?” His VP asked.

“Ready to get it done.”

They spoke little on the way to the clubhouse.

It wasn’t long later that Rex rolled up in his F-150. It was good he could listen to instructions for once, to come alone.

His relative was greedy and would always let that greed decide for him. He didn’t show a sign of knowing what he was walking into.

Dressed as a Texan. A big belt buckle holding up worn jeans, and a cowboy hat, he sidled up to Rider standing in the doorway waiting.

Hawk was out of sight.

He didn’t smile.

But Rex did.

“So, you had a change of mind, huh, boy?” He let theboygo. “Needed some old-timer expertise from a prez who knows his shit.”

“Something like that,” Rider lied.

It was easy to appeal to Rex’s ego when he called earlier and asked if he could help Rider with a problem. Rex all but fell over himself to act the big man in the hot seat again.

“It’s a delicate matter,” Rider added. “Thanks for coming on your own. If anyone thought I couldn’t do this shit myself...” Inflecting shame into his tone was a hard pill to swallow because it made smugness coat across Rex’s face as he laughed. He clapped Rider on the shoulder, following him inside the clubhouse.

It had been a long time since the other man had been inside. Rider watched something like fondness through his eyes.

Pity for him. It was the last time he’d ever see this place.

“No shame in admitting you’re in way over your head, boy. Been tellin’ Ajax for years this shit ain’t for the soft-hearted type. Now, how ‘bout you fix us a drink, and I’ll sort this shit for you no problem. You can’t be lettin’ no fuckin’ other MC step on your toes, or they’ll be ass fuckin’ you in no time, Rider.”

He let the man spout on and on about how superior of a Prez he was to Rider.

Older.

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