Page 94 of Rider Daddies
An audience grows, bikers finishing their conversations to turn toward the front door.
It’s like watching a predictable TV drama.
“I’m surprised to see that you’re still functioning without your other half,” Ash says.
“Barely,” Ryder scoffs.
This is the first time I’ve seen Ash laughing at one of Ryder’s sarcastic comments.
“How was the burial?” Saint asks.
Tristan raises a sparse brow like this is light entertainment for him. “You think I care about Manual?” That question is directed at me. “Come on, darling, I told you before that this has nothing to do with him.”
Ryder twitches.
“Stop speaking in riddles and tell us what you’re doing here,” I snap. “You want me back? Guess what? You lost your chance when you stuck your tongue down Willow’s throat. I forgot to thank you for that, by the way. Imagine if you didn’t? You and Manual would be passing me around like a used toy.”
“Manual and I were never friends.”
“Is that supposed to make me feel better?”
“Look at this disgusting place.” Tristan extends his vision out into the main room.
“If you’re so disgusted, leave.” Ash cocks his gun, keeping it at bay by his knee. “You had your chance and you failed. Lucia belongs to us now.”
Tristan’s face turns beet red.
He looks at me differently now, his eyes glazed over with want, like I’m the center of his universe.
Flattered, I’m sure.
But it’s too late.
“I don’t understand.” I remain at the bar. “If manipulating me to the altar had nothing to do with Manual and the trafficking ring, why else did you do it?”
“Love.” He says it matter-of-factly. “Because I love you.”
“So much that you kissed Willow on our wedding day?”
“A man has needs, but they vanished the moment I touched your best friend. She wasn’t you.Nobodyis you, Lucia.”
Should I be blushing?
Fucking dick.
“A man has needs,” Ash says. “But he also has respect and a duty of care to the woman he loves. May I remind you that you condoned human trafficking and locked up your so-called love in a moldy motel room.” He snorts. “Talk until your tongue runs dry, comrade. It doesn’t change anything.”
Ryder jumps forward, slipping out his gun.
The conversation must be boring him to death.
“Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t kill you?” Ryder says.
I thought something was abnormal aboutme.I feel better about myself with Tristan here. No man on this earth—unless they have some hope of winning—would look straight into the muzzle of a gun and strike a pose like this is a photoshoot.
“Unlike all of you degenerates, I have my foot in the law.”
Ryder changes the cartridge. “Not for much longer, big guy.”
