Page 11

Ryker

“Son, what the hell are you doing?” my dad asked as he leaned against the bar in the Hades Abyss clubhouse. “Anyone with working eyes can tell you don’t want to be here.”

I could have played dumb and acted like I didn’t know what he was talking about, but we both knew better.

I was physically here, but that was it. Laken still consumed my every thought, and I missed her so fucking much.

It had taken me leaving to realize just how much she meant to me.

Once I’d heard we were having a baby, I’d known I’d make a life with her.

But now… now I knew I didn’t just want a life with her.

I wanted her heart, because she’d sure as fuck taken mine.

“I’m no good for Laken,” I said, taking another swallow of my beer. “She’s better off without me.”

“Are you sure about that? You know, I’ve never taken you for a coward.

I know the Marines sent you into some hellish situations, and since you’ve been home, you’ve taken on club tasks I never would have asked you to do.

I used to think you had balls of steel, but the way you’re hiding from a woman, I’m starting to think they’re more like marbles. ”

I scowled at him.

Bear, the sergeant-at-arms, snickered. “More like shriveled peas. No, no… Wait. What’s smaller than a pea? I know! Mouse balls. He has a really tiny mouse balls.”

I growled at him, wanting to put my fist through his face.

“Don’t go insulting mice,” Marauder said as he walked up and joined the conversation. “Those bastards are bold as fuck.”

Bear fingered the patch on my cut. Diablo .

I’d hated that fucking name ever since they’d given it to me, which is why I never used it unless I was around the club.

Everywhere else I was just Ryker. I’d done some fucked up shit in my lifetime, and I might have earned the name on my cut, but it didn’t mean I was necessarily proud of everything I’d done.

“Maybe we need to change this out. I’m thinking Princess would be a better name for him these days,” Bear said.

“Nah,” Marauder said. “A princess has to be tough. He’s more like… Fuck. I got nothing.”

“Chickenshit,” Bear said. “That would be a good one.”

“Are you assholes done?” I asked, glaring at them. “I’m not a fucking chicken. You didn’t see what happened when I was at the hospital. I could have fucking killed her.”

My dad patted my shoulder. “But you didn’t. And now she’s home, she’s doing fine, and I’m betting that she misses you.”

“Do you have a crystal ball now?” I asked.

“No, he asked me,” said a voice behind me.

I turned and saw Torch, the President of the Dixie Reapers MC, standing behind me.

No one had said a word about him coming here, and I wondered if they’d planned it that way.

If I’d known he would be there, that anyone tied to Laken would be here, I’d have made myself scarce.

I didn’t need a reminder that I was here and she was there, not when I was pretty fucking certain I’d left my heart back there with her.

“And in case you’re wondering, she’s asked about you.

When she found out you’d left and hadn’t even said goodbye, I watched as her heart shattered into pieces.

She’s putting up a good front, acting like nothing’s wrong, but we all know different,” Torch said.

“And from what I hear, you aren’t doing so great either. ”

“He doesn’t even look at the club sluts,” Marauder said with disdain. “Who the fuck gives up free pussy? I think your girl broke him.”

Bear smirked. “Or maybe her pussy’s just…”

Bear didn’t get to finish his sentence before I stood and put my fist through his face, just liked I’d been dying to do.

Blood trickled from his mouth and covered his teeth as he grinned at me.

Asshole. He’d baited me on purpose, and I’d fallen for it.

He wiggled his teeth and spat some blood onto the floor.

“You’re lucky you didn’t knock any out,” Bear said.

I snorted. “Yeah, because all those are really yours.”

“Boy, do I have to take you back home the hard way or are you going to come easy?” Torch asked. “Because I didn’t come here on vacation. One of mine is hurting, and you’re the cause. So you’re going to man up and fix it.”

“You’re here for me?” I asked, then glanced at my dad who suddenly seemed very interested in the wall across the room.

Yeah, the fucker had set me up. I should be pissed, but part of me was glad he cared enough to interfere.

We might not have the typical father/son relationship, but he was there for me when I needed him, and he’d understood when I’d left and joined the Marines.

Torch scratched his beard. “The club and I have talked, and as much as we don’t like the way you handled things with Laken, the truth is that she wants you there. It’s obvious to any of us that she misses you, and I think she’s a little scared having to face this pregnancy alone.”

“Alone?” I asked. “She has all the Dixie Reapers there with her.”

“Yeah, but none of us is the daddy to her baby. You’re the one she wants,” Torch said.

“Flicker would be content if you never showed your face again, but even he agreed that something isn’t quite right with Laken.

She’s healed up just fine. Still gets headaches here and there, but the doctor said everything looks good. Baby is doing good too.”

“Then it sounds like she’s just perfect without me,” I said.

“Then why does she look so fucking sad when she thinks no one is watching her?” Torch asked.

“I’ve seen her get this melancholy look on her face and put her hand over her belly, and I know she’s not sad about the baby.

She’s excited even though she’s worried about her brother having to pay for everything. ”

Wait. Flicker was buying my kid the things they needed? That was my job. If anyone should be providing for my son or daughter, it was me.

“He’s been good about taking Laken to her appointments, asking the doctor questions to make sure he takes care of her properly,” Torch said.

There was a look in his eyes that I couldn’t quite decipher, but I knew he was telling me all this for a reason.

Maybe he knew I wouldn’t like the idea of someone else taking care of my kid, taking care of my woman.

And fuck, but that’s what Laken was. Mine.

I think I’d known it as soon as that first night.

I should have tied her ass to the bed so she couldn’t leave.

Maybe things would have turned out differently if she hadn’t snuck out that next morning, or if I’d asked more questions the second time I saw her.

“What’s it going to be?” Torch asked. “You coming willingly, or do I have to do this the hard way?”

“And what’s the hard way?” I asked.

My dad cleared his throat. “That would be me, as your President, ordering your ass to go with Torch. As of this moment, you’re the liaison between the clubs.

We reached an agreement, but he’s sending one man here, and I’m sending you to the Dixie Reapers.

You’ll still be Hades Abyss, but you’ll follow Torch’s rules while you’re there. ”

“And if I don’t want to go?” I asked.

“Didn’t realize I was asking,” my dad said.

I could read between the lines. Either I did as I was told, or I was out of the club.

The Hades Abyss had never meant much to me, not after I was old enough to leave and start my own life, but being back here…

I’d realized that maybe they meant more to me than I’d ever admitted to myself.

They were family, and you didn’t turn your back on family.

“If Laken wants to move here with you,” Torch said. “None of us would stop her, or you, from leaving. Your dad would just send someone else to our club. But Laken is family to us, and we’re hoping the two of you decide to stick around.”

“Looks like my future is all decided for me. And here I got out of the Marines so I’d be allowed to think for myself.”

My dad snorted. “Son, you were born into this club. You’ve never been allowed to think for yourself, so don’t go acting like that’s anything new. You’ve either followed my rules or the government’s, and I think between the two, you’d prefer mine.”

He wasn’t wrong. I sipped my beer and studied the two men over my mug.

Assholes. They both looked like they knew I was going with Torch whether I wanted to or not, and really, they hadn’t given me any choice.

I wasn’t about to give them the satisfaction of thinking I actually wanted to go, though.

The thought of seeing Laken again both thrilled me and terrified me.

I didn’t know what kind of reaction I’d get when she saw me.

But fuck if I didn’t want to hold her again, to breathe in her scent, and run my hands through that silky blonde hair that hung nearly down to her ass.

“Fine. When do we leave?” I asked.

“Now,” Torch said.

“Your stuff is already boxed and ready to go,” my dad said.

“Had it done while you were down here moping in your beer. A Prospect will drive the truck down with your shit. As a courtesy to me, and in hopes you decide to stay there with Laken, Torch is letting you use a house on the compound. Mostly furnished.”

“If I’m not here to work, how the hell am I going to earn money to take care of my family?” I asked.

“You’re working, just not doing what you normally would.

Torch needs help on any jobs, he’ll let you know and pay you accordingly.

But I’ll have funds transferred to your account every month, for as long as you’re there.

Don’t think being a liaison is going to mean you sit around on your ass all day.

We’re going to work you. Hard,” my dad said.

I shrugged and finished my beer. I’d never been afraid of hard work. As long as I didn’t bring shit home to Laken and my kid, I’d do what I was told without question. But the second that shit came to my door, then everyone would remember why I was called Diablo.

“Guess we’d better hit the road, then,” I said.