Page 17 of Riot’s Thorn (Sons of Erebus: Reno, NV #4)

CHAPTER TEN

RIOT

L ooking around, I see why she wouldn’t like it here. It’s dark and old, but why get rid of something if it’s still functional? I think back on the mansion where her dad lived, and I guess it makes sense. If I updated my place when my brothers did, would she be happier? Would she want to stay?

Ben and Amy crawl over me, feeling my distress and wanting to make it better. Rats might be smart for animals, but their logic is shit because there’s nothing they can do to fix this. I appreciate their effort, though, so I give them scratches.

I think I know what I need to do, even though I turned down the idea initially. Pulling my phone out, I click on Rigger’s text. Church was last night, something mandatory for ranking members. Being the Road Captain, I should’ve been there, but Cy is lenient with me.

Cramped spaces and loud voices can sometimes be too much for me, so instead of simply exiting the room and going somewhere quieter, I’ve been known to flip tables and shove people out of my way.

Cy says it creates a hostile work environment for my brothers, so he allows one of them to update me afterward. Last night, it was Rigger’s turn.

Most of his text is bullshit business updates and stuff I don’t care about. Back when our business was illegal drugs and gun running, my job was integral to the daily workings, but now that most everything is legit, I’m only needed when we go on charity runs and other unimportant shit.

Honestly, it was nice when I was asked to help Killer.

It gave me a purpose. Sure, I take protection shifts at our brothel, the Honey Pot, and sometimes I’ll help Bones at his head shop, Dope, but it’s boring and forces me to be social, something I’m not good at.

Killing, though? That gets my blood pumping and requires my specific skillset. I hope Killer’s list never ends.

I scroll down a ways until I read that the club is having a cookout tonight, something I didn’t even consider last night. Maybe it would be good for Parker to get out of the cabin. Maybe if she saw my brothers with their women, she’d come around to the idea of staying.

The idea of the massive crowd that will flood the clubhouse tonight fills me with unease, but I’m willing to endure it for Parker.

That notion makes me pause because I’ve never really been concerned with the desires or feelings of others.

This is my life, after all, so why should I spend energy ensuring someone else’s happiness when I could be focused on my own?

Yet, here I am, torn between my usual self-interest and this unfamiliar urge to prioritize Parker’s happiness.

With that thought, I realize it’s time to confront the truth.

I need her to stay, and while it would be ideal if she also wanted that, I’m not above resorting to desperate measures, like keeping her captive for as long as it takes.

I don’t want to spend the rest of my life alone, and Parker is the first person I’ve been able to tolerate.

She might be my only chance to find the same partnership some of the other guys have, so I need to put in some effort.

I shoot off a text to Rigger telling him Parker and I will attend and ask if he’d fill everyone in on the situation. His response is quick. “Sure, brother.” Exactly what I thought he’d say.

Peeling myself out of the corner, I stand up straight and tuck my phone in my pocket.

Ben and Amy aren’t happy when I call them to their enclosure, but they obey.

It’s not like I’m forcing them into some brightly colored plastic cage like you see at the pet store.

That felt like torture to me, so I did a lot of research and created a six-foot, bioactive, naturalistic environment where they forage for their food, build their own nests from what they find handy, and can climb branches and live plants to get to the many levels.

Once I’m certain Ben and Amy are safe, I turn to face my house guest. “We’re going to a club party tonight.”

“We?” she asks.

“Yes.”

“You’ve got to be joking.”

“No, I’m serious. I can show you the text if you don’t believe?—”

“I believe you. I just don’t know why you think I’d want to go to a party.”

“You said you feel cooped up. Plus, this will get you away from my disgusting cabin.” I stare at the carpet, which is the most beautiful shade of teal. I know it’s old, but when I went to find replacement flooring, all the carpet was beige, and I’d rather see colorful but dingy carpet than beige .

“I’m sorry I said that. It was rude and judgmental, two things I try hard not to be.” She sighs. “I’ll go to this party, but I’m not lying to anyone. If they ask, I’ll tell them who I am and why I’m here.”

She thinks it’s a threat that might get her rescued, but she’s clearly never been around a motorcycle club.

We’re loyal to a fault. They could see me shoot Parker at point-blank range, and no questions asked, they’d help me hide the body and then give me an alibi if the cops came sniffing. They won’t bat an eye at an abduction.

“That’s fair.”

She stands, clasping her hands in front of her. “Do we need to bring anything?”

“Bring anything?”

“I’ve never been to a cookout. Old rich fucks can’t be bothered unless an event is catered, climate controlled, and have important people in attendance. But I’ve seen casual cookouts on TV, and it seems customary to bring something to share.”

“No, it’s not like that. Sugar, Mustang’s Mom, does all the cooking for us. Sometimes the girls help, but Sugar’s pretty controlling, so a lot of times, she’ll kick ’em out of the kitchen after five minutes.”

“Can I help? Maybe not cook, but surely there’s stuff to set up, right? How many people will be there?”

“I don’t know. I’ve never been to one.”

“Why not?”

“It’s not my scene.”

“Hanging out with your friends isn’t your scene?”

I blow out a breath, debating how honest I should be.

I want her to know the real me, but if she thinks I’m stupid or makes fun of me, I don’t know how I’ll react.

Choking her yesterday was child’s play compared to what I’m capable of, and the best way to summon the monster inside me is to make me feel dumb.

“My brothers aren’t interested in the same things as me, and big crowds make me uncomfortable. They’re loud, and I have a hard time focusing with so much going on.” I shrug. “It doesn’t bother me. I’d rather be home with Ben and Amy anyway.”

“If you don’t want to go, we don’t?—”

“No. You need out of the cabin, and I want you to meet my family.”

“Why?” she whispers.

“Because you live here now.”

“Riot, you understand I don’t want to be here, right? You’re keeping me here against my will.”

“I know that,” I snap, making her flinch. Not wanting to scare her, I cool my tone but keep my words firm. “You can come to terms with that and make the best of your new life, or you can continue to fight and be miserable. The end result is the same.”

She covers her mouth and sniffles, her cute nose turning red. “What about school? My apartment? My friends? You’re taking all that away from me. There’s not a fun enough party to make up for that.”

Her sadness feels like a personal attack, so I grab my cut, my wallet, and my keys. “The party starts at nine. I’ll be back before then if you want to go.”

I punch the code into my front door after a long ass ride.

There was no destination; I just needed time away from Parker.

In my mind, the decision to leave her old life has been made, and there’s no point in dwelling on what once was.

It won’t change anything. It’s better to move forward and adjust. But she doesn’t see it that way, and I can’t relate to that mentality.

The party is just getting started, and I can hear the boisterous voices of my brothers through the pine trees.

Did Parker decide she wants to attend? There’s only one way to find out, so I push the door open and step inside.

The living room lights are on, but Parker’s not here.

I’m quite confident she didn’t get out, but still, I worry she found a loophole the way my rats do when I forget to lock them up before leaving the house.

After setting my shit on the table and slipping off my cut, I head down the hall.

The bathroom light is on and the door is open, allowing me to see a shadow moving around inside.

As I get closer, I hear Parker singing. No, it’s more like a melodic whispering, as if she’s not sure she wants her voice to be heard.

Remaining in the hallway, I go just far enough to see my girl swaying her hips to a song playing in her ears.

She must’ve found my MP3 player in my closet because the relic of a former era is sitting on the counter.

It’s been years since I’ve seen that thing, and I can’t even recall what music would still be on it.

Nothing good, I’m sure, since my musical tastes have changed since I was a teenager.

I lean against the wall and cross my ankles as I take in the stunning beauty that is Parker.

She has on a blue and white ringer tee that shows a sliver of skin between the bottom hem and where her white jean shorts begin.

I’m certain the only pair of white pants I packed were long, unlike the ones she has on that barely cover her ass.

The crafty girl must’ve cut them down—not that I’m complaining.

Amongst the loot I brought home for her was a pouch of makeup and girly shit I found on her bathroom counter. Seeing her now, I’m glad I didn’t leave it behind because she looks stunning all done up.

Parker’s eyelashes are long and coated in black shit, her lips pink and shiny, and her cheeks have a healthy blush.

Her hands move to her hair, and she begins some intricate braid that involves picking up more and more hair as she goes.

The movement causes her shirt to ride up and makes her belly button ring twinkle in the mirror. Cute .

With my gaze transfixed on her exposed skin, I miss the moment she realizes I’m here.

My presence startles her, and when she whirls around, the corded earbuds yank on the MP3 player, and it crashes onto the floor.

Her glare is heated as she pulls the black buds out and crouches to pick up her stolen entertainment.

“You shouldn’t sneak up on people,” she says.

“I didn’t sneak. I opened and shut the front door, and my heavy boots made a decent amount of noise as I walked down the hall.” I motion down her body. “Does this mean you want to go to the party?”

“I have nothing better to do.”

“We could stay here, and I could show you how I normally handle sassy little girls. I’m a patient man, but there’s only so much I can take.”

The threat has her mouth clamping shut, but she proves she doesn’t need words to offend me when she holds my gaze as she slowly shuts the door. I have half a mind to kick it in so she has no privacy, ever. But that would be a punishment for me too.

Scrubbing a hand down my face, I call through the door, “Be ready in five.”

I quickly change since I’m a bit dirty after my ride, but all I own are a couple pairs of jeans and basic T-shirts, so I look the same, just a little cleaner. I wonder if Parker finds me attractive.

No one’s ever called me ugly, and it’s never been hard to find someone to fuck, but that could be because of who I’m associated with and not because I’m good-looking. Women like banging a bad boy who gives them a rough fuck so they have at least one exciting story at the end of their boring lives.

Back in the living room, I’m putting my boots on when Parker appears. I nearly choke on my own spit at how pretty she looks. She somehow manages to look sexy and adorable at the same time. Her clothing hugs her feminine curves, while her glasses and braids give her an innocent quality.

“This okay?” She holds her hands out to her sides.

I stalk over to her, crowding her space, and grip the base of her throat, careful not to apply pressure.

She sucks in a sharp breath that could be from fear or desire, it’s hard to tell, especially when her proximity stops me from being about to look her in the eyes. “You look like every man’s wet dream.”

“I’m not sure if that’s a compliment, but if it is, I need you to back off.”

Her request is denied, even when she places her hands on my chest and tries to push. Instead, I release her throat and grab her by the wrists, keeping her close. “I need to lay down some ground rules for tonight.”

“What kind of rules?”

“Stay where I can see you at all times.”

“Afraid I’ll run?”

“No, I’m not worried about that because if you do, I’ll just hunt you down.” I cock my head and finally meet her gaze so she can see the truth in my words. “Actually, feel free to run. It turns me on to think about chasing you down.”

“You’re fucked in the head.”

“More than you know.”

“Any other rules?” she sneers through clenched teeth.

“Don’t be bitch and don’t get drunk.”

“Fine.” When she tugs on my hold, I release her.

Opening the front door, I gesture for her to leave the confinement of the cabin. “I hope I don’t regret this.”