Page 36 of Rider Daddies
“For the time being,” Saint says. “Let’s try not to stress ourselves out too much. I highly doubt one lawyer is going to successfully cross a whole pack of us.”
I’m not so sure…
This is Tristan Hampton we’re talking about, from a family full of politicians. I’m pretty certain his father has gotten away with murder in the past just because he has a talent with words.
It’s not what you know, it’swhoyou know.
Nevadan sunsets are so much prettier than the ones in California.
I moved there at sixteen years, fully convinced that I was going to be living in a state of eternal sunshine, the one that everybody wished they could live in, but couldn’t because they didn’t have the finances.
The novelty wore off after a week. Sure, it’s quite something driving down Highway One during golden hour, the coastline on your right and the redwoods on your left, but you expect that. You see photographs all over Instagram. Road-trip reels. Everybody vacations to California and posts at least one sunset picture.
I couldn’t believe it at first when Mamma decided to move our life out there permanently. As soon as I was getting ready to board that transatlantic flight, I didn’t care about Papa’s affair anymore. In fact, I remember actually being grateful.
But here in Nevada, the sunsets are different. Special. Nobody comes to this corner of the world. It’s not touristy, so there are no preconceived thoughts as to what it might be like.
I never thought open land could offer so much beauty.
I sit on the veranda watching the sun come down, gradients of pink and orange filling the sky. It’s beautiful. Truly. Everything here is so far removed from the rest of the world that it almost makes you feel like you’re living in a different world completely.
Which is exactly what I need right now.
Until my bratty ex somehow found out my location and came back with his tail between his legs.
I hitch up my corset and head back inside, a chill to the air. I won’t lie—this outfitdoeslook a little bit like a medieval wench costume, but it’s all they had.
“How’s it going, boys?” I walk behind the bar and start to get things ready for the night ahead.
“I don’t know,” Ryder says. “Are you planning on seducing the whole clubhouse again?”
They refused my proposal of group sex…
What else was I supposed to do?
I fling my arms over my chest, giving them the side-eye. “Seriously? We’re gonna do this right before opening?”
“You know what happens if you do that again,” he warns.
“Let me guess—the night will end in the three of you setting out to ‘punish’ me. That sure worked out well for you.”
I stop what I’m doing for a moment, placing my hands over the bar. “Maybe I’m missing something, another rule set by your master or whatever, but what’s the big deal? Really? This is only a bit of fun. Come on. I was around you all last night. Your kind aren’t the jealous type.”
I chew on my lip, thinking for a moment. “I made it very clear the night I got here that all I’m looking for is something regretful…something temporary.”
Ouch, why does that second word sting so much?
“Why did you feel the need to ‘punish’ me last night for how I acted behind the bar?” I swipe my hands back over my chest again, leaning forward. “I made you a small fortune last night. Who cares if I whisper a few flirtatious comments and get a little handsy? It’s all in the name of money.”
Crickets. The three of them watch me like they’re waiting for more.
I squint my eyes. “Or was the whole ‘punishing me’ spiel just an excuse to get your hands on me?”
“An excuse,” Ryder spits out, as if the idea is preposterous.
Convincing…
It’s important to note that the three of them were totally against my idea to have them all. Is it too smug of me to believe that I charged in here the other night and ruffled a few feathers? Have I made the brothersjealous?
