Page 31 of Ryder
“Thank you. This means so fucking much. Honestly. Getting out for a bit has done wonders for my mood.”
“Well, I’m all about keeping your mood up, or some lame ass shit like that. Honestly, I just miss the two of us being on the road, you know? You being benched has had me in pretty much the same position, since we normally team up for stuff.”
Suddenly I realised that we’d both been fucked by that bitch. He was right.
“My god. You never said.” Or did he? Would I have even listened an hour ago? I was feeling all kinds of normal again, after some fucking road time.
“I’m saying it now. Keep your head on straight, because I need us out and about again. We have a better chance of luring your little bitch out into the open too. She was messaging you. She clearly didn’t get enough of you before.She wants an encore, Ry.”
I tried to hide the shudder of revulsion that ran down my spine at that thought. She wasn’t getting a fucking encore. Not on her terms, anyway. She was getting a dose of fucking justice. Club style.
“What if we find her?” I asked him then, wondering what his plans were.
He sipped his coffee, his eyes darting away for a moment.
“You take the lead, brother, and I’ll follow. You want to kill her, I’ll watch. You want to torture her; I’ll pass you the fucking tools.”
He wasn’t finished, but clearly he was unsure whether to continue. He let out a deep breath before he spoke.
“You want to fuck her up like she did to you, and I’ll do what you need me to do.”
I glanced around, glad that the tables near us had emptied since we sat down. The curse of being bikers. Nobody trusts us worth a damn, and maybe they were right not to.
“You’re talking about both of us raping her.” He flinched at my words.
“Just so we’re clear. That’s what you’re saying,” I pressed, and he chewed on his thumbnail.
“If that’s what you need. I’m your brother. I got your back.”
Well, shit. Now we just needed to find the bitch, and fast. I needed this over and done with. I needed my fucking life back.
We took a morerelaxed ride back to the clubhouse, because I had no desire to die on the road like he’d suggested. I hadn’t even realised how reckless I’d been on the way out here. When we got back, I took some time to fuss over the bike, because I wasn’t ready to be inside yet.
Torch had disappeared inside almost immediately, but he returned with a couple of beers, and then we sat on the concrete by our bikes, and enjoyed the sun a little while longer.
“Honestly, I feel so much more normal now,” I muttered, sipping my beer slowly, enjoying the icy cold brew.
“I’d never have called you normal, but whatever,” Torch, ever the wise-ass, muttered right back.
Stitch joined us, his own beer in hand.
“Good day for a ride,” he spoke quietly, that usual hippy-like calm making him seem relaxed and easy. I wished I knew what that felt like, because I’d never been that way. Always quick to anger, quick to frustration, and lately, more like a goddamn hair away from losing my shit.
“Yeah,” I finally answered, because Torch was silent.
“Probably not the best time for bad news then, eh?” Stitch added, watching me as I turned to look at him.
“Jesus. Don’t tell me you’re still keeping me locked up. I’m good, and doc says I’m clean.”
He smirked. “I’m sure the club girls will be pleased, Chrissy especially. You know she’d let you claim her.”
Yeah, and I’d considered it in the past. When we were together, it was like we were absolutely on the same wavelength, completely in tune. I just didn’t love her, and when I claimed an old lady, I wanted it to be because I was desperate to be with her,and her only, for the rest of my days. I guess I’m a sappy fucker, but that’s what I wanted.
“So you said there’s bad news.”
Stitch cleared his throat. “Uh… some guy was found dead this morning.”
I felt a sudden panic that it was gonna be the guy I’d attacked.
