Page 104 of Ryder
I shrugged. “Surviving. It’s easier today.”
He nodded. “That’s good. Every day is whatever you make it. Each one can be a challenge, but you’re strong, I can see that. You’re more than surviving. You’re living.”
“Thank you. I appreciate that.”
Ryder cursed again, and Torch tried to shush him.
“This is bullshit.”
I gestured at Has-Been to come closer.
“What happened?” He groaned as he glanced back at Ryder.
“Uh… shit went down during Church. He should probably tell you himself.”
Ryder drank another glass of vodka, and turned to throw the glass at the wall. The crash made me jump, even though I saw it fly from his hand.
“Is it about me?”
Has-Been watched, as Torch tried to calm Ryder down.
“There’s been some opposition to his declaration that he’s taking an old lady.”
I looked at Ryder, who suddenly stared right at me.
“It’s bullshit, is what it is.”
I cleared my throat as I approached him, stopping at the counter between the living room and kitchen. He was so angry on my behalf, but wasn’t it my own fault?
“Because of what I did?”
He slammed his hands on the counter.
“No.Because of who your fucking father is.”
Oh. Even though I’d been half ready to run a moment ago, this hit me hard, like suddenly it wasn’t up to me anymore. And now it seemed like someone else could make this decision for me, I knew that I’d fight for it. I just needed to remember how to breathe, because suddenly that was a more immediate issue.
“Tori?”
I practically fell into one of the leather armchairs as my legs weakened, and I gripped the arms, fighting against my lungs for oxygen.
“Babe.”Ryder crouched in front of me, and rested a hand on my thigh, rubbing slowly back and forth, calming me, easing my panic.
“Will they make me leave?” I gasped out, my throat raspy and dry.
Torch handed a glass of clear liquid to Ryder, and he held it up, frowned, sipped it, and looked back at him.
“Vodka?”
He shrugged. “Maybe it’ll help.”
He looked at me again. “Babe, you need to calm down. Whatever happens, you won’t lose me, okay?”
I reached for the glass, and he shook his head, lifting it to my lips for me. I took a gulp, and choked a little on it as I swallowed, and felt the icy cool liquid burning a bitter trail down my throat.
“You saying you’ll leave the club?” Has-Been was hovering behind Ryder, and I watched his shoulders fall as he sighed.
“I don’t want that, but I won’t let a bunch of assholes tear us apart, because they’re too fucking scared of mafia affiliation. If Reacher is the one pitching it, they should be fucking agreeing with him.”
