“Yeah,” Savage said, carefully pulling Ryder in for a side hug. “I heard about you two shacking up. How’s that going?” Ryder chuckled knowing that Savage was asking to piss Hart off. The guy hated even thinking about him and Tatum together, in any capacity.
“It’s going very well,” Tatum said, cuddling into Ryder’s side. Savage barked out his laugh and shook his head at her.
“Yeah—I really fucking like your little sister, Hart,” he repeated. “How about we have a seat in the corner booth over there? I’ve invited Bowie and Rachet if that’s okay with you both?” he asked, looking between Hart and Ryder.
“Rachet?” Hart asked. “Do I know him?”
“No,” Savage said. “But Ryder met him when we were in Mexico helping out Whiskey. He’s a good guy and I have a plan that might need his involvement.”
“I’m good with it,” Ryder said. “Rachet was a huge help in Mexico. He’s a little weird, but still, a good guy.”
“I don’t know,” Hart said. “I don’t want everyone involved in this. The more people who help me, the more people I put in danger. I’ve already involved you guys and Tatum; I don’t want that hanging over my head.”
Rachet walked in through the side entrance and nodded to Savage. “I overheard what you were saying, man. If you don’t want me here, I’ll walk back out that door, but I have my own beef with the Anarchy Kings. You won’t be involving me in your problems with them—I already have my own. It’s your call, man,” Rachet said, holding his hand out to Hart.
He took it and smiled, “Thanks, Rachet,” Hart breathed. “Name’s Jackson Hart but everyone calls me Hart.”
“Good to meet you,” Rachet said. “I’m guessing you’re the sister we’re here to protect,” he asked Tatum.
She smiled and held out her hand, “I’m Jackson’s sister, Tatum. Thanks for offering to help, Rachet,” she said.
He turned back to Hart and laughed, “Guess not everyone calls you Hart, man,” he teased. “Ryder,” he said, nodding. Rachet looked him over and whistled. “How the hell you break your leg?”
“It’s a long story,” Ryder started.
“My sister ran him over with her car,” Hart helped.
“Shit,” Rachet said, smiling down at Tatum. She seemed just as mesmerized by the big guy as most of the women in Savage Hell were when Rachet stopped in for a beer. “Well, that’s one way to get a guy, Honey.”
“I didn’t do it on purpose or anything. And I didn’t get him—Ryder isn’t mine,” she squeaked.
Rachet looked her and Ryder over. His arm was around her, steaking his claim and she had hers wrapped around his waist. “Yeah—you got him all right, Honey,” Rachet assessed. “And from the looks of things, he’s not unhappy about being run down by you, Tatum.” She made a cute little “humphing” noise that made them all laugh and Ryder couldn’t help himself. He pulled her against his body and kissed her, loving the way she slapped at his chest. He didn’t care if she was embarrassed that he kissed her in front of her brother and the guys. When he was around her, he couldn’t keep his hands off her.
He broke their kiss and smiled down at her, “Rachet’s not wrong, Baby,” he agreed. “I’m pretty damn happy you ran me down with your hot little sports car.”
“God,” Hart grumbled, “can you two give it a fucking break?”
Ryder chuckled and held out his broken leg. “Your word choice is shitty, but I see where your sister gets it from now, man.” Tatum laughed and slapped at his arm.
“I’ve gotten better at not saying certain words—like broke,” she protested.
“Sure, Honey,” Ryder agreed, gently kissing her cheek. Hart groaned again and he shot him a smile. “Get used to it man, your sister and I are together and that’s not going to change.” He hadn’t made any promises or declarations to Tatum but he wanted to. It was time he started cluing everyone in on how he felt about her.
“It’s not?” Tatum questioned. She looked up at him and he couldn’t help but dip his head to kiss her again.
“Nope,” he breathed against her lips.
“As romantic as this shit is,” Hart said. “We have a big problem and I’m afraid that you’re in the middle of it, Sis.”
“Me?” she asked.
“Yes,” Hart said. “I’m so sorry, Tatum. It was my job to keep you safe since Pop died, and I’ve failed you.”
“Not true,” Tatum protested. “You’ve always been there for me, Jackson. Whenever I fucked up, I knew I could turn to you and you’d help me. You’ve been an awesome big brother,” she insisted.
“Not this last time,” he mumbled. “You came to me and I should have helped you instead of telling you to try to figure your shit out. It hasn’t been that long since we lost mom and I thought I was doing the right thing and making you figure things out. Instead, I pushed you right into Ryder’s life,” Hart said.
“I’m not complaining about it,” Ryder said.
“Honestly, Jackson,” Tatum said, “I’m not either. I’m so thankful that I met Ryder. I know this sounds crazy but you shoving me out of the nest and telling me to figure out my shit was actually a good thing. I’ve found a job that I love and got rid of an asshole roommate.” She made a face and Hart looked about ready to tear someone or something apart. Ryder knew that she hated her old roommate and even joked about him being willing to let her stay in exchange for sexual favors. He thought she was kidding but now, he wanted to tear the asshole apart for making her that offer. He felt bad for her old roommate when he heard about his run in with the Anarchy Kings beating the shit out of him, but not so much now. Right now, if the Anarchy Kings were coming for her, he’d be the one stepping up to protect her, and the sooner that Hart realized that the easier this would be.
“Y'all can discuss this later,” Savage said. “Right now, We need to fill you two in on what’s going on and come up with a plan—a damn good one.”
“I’m still trying to figure out who’s coming after me. We can get to the why part later. You keep saying Anarchy Kings and Dragons. Which is it?” Tatum asked.
“Both,” Savage said. “The Dragons are a charter or chapter of the Anarchy Kings. For example, I run Savage Hell’s MC and we’re a part of the Royal Bastards.”
“Oh—so it’s not just a bar name, it’s also your club’s name and you all have to answer to the Royal Bastards, is that right?” Tatum asked.
“Pretty much,” Savage said. “We’re a part of the Royal Bastards and we generally try to follow their rules. Same with the Dragons. They’re a part of the Anarchy Kings and after the trouble we had with the Dragon’s old Prez, Dante, the Anarchy Kings want revenge.”
Tatum turned to look at her brother, “I thought you said your friend was the new Prez of the Dragons. Why can’t you just ask him to explain that it’s all been a misunderstanding?”