“Where’s the fun in that?”
“I like you, Sadie Ray. I like you a lot, and I think you’re worth the risk. But I’d rather not end up on the receiving end of one of Savage’s—”
“Stop. Worrying,” I mutter. “I can handle Rhett, I promise.”
Wes studies me for a second, his blue eyes so intense I feel a little breathless.
“What?” I ask.
“I could get used to this.” He kisses me, soft and tender, his hand sliding deep into my hair as he takes what he wants from me.
My palms flatten against his chest as I hitch my leg around his waist and—
“Let’s go,” Rhett hammers his fist on the door, startling us.
“You were saying?”
Wes frowns, the moment between us is gone. “I’m going to clean up.” He drops a kiss on my head, leaving me in bed alone.
I head downstairs last. I needed a minute to catch my breath and get ready to face everyone. Especially my dad. But to my relief, there’s no sign of him yet as I enter the kitchen.
“Morning.” I smile at River, who’s picking apart a pastry.
“Jax got takeout from the coffee shop down the street,” she says.
“Hmm, my hero.” My eyes flick over to Rhett and Dane who are near the door, deep in hushed conversation. Wes catches my eye and gives his head a little shake.
Fine.
I won’t pry, yet. I probably don’t want to hear whatever Rhett is chewing Dane out for anyway.
I need coffee and something to eat before I get into it with him. Because we will have it out, one way or another. That conversation is brewing, like a storm circling on the horizon.
“How are you feeling?” River asks, and I don’t miss the knowing smile on her face.
“I’m fine,” I say, tilting my head slightly to her. “Why do you ask?”
“No reason.” She gives me a half-shrug but barely keeps the grin off her face.
Once I grab coffee, I join Wes at the table. He’s quiet but doesn’t seem fazed by the awkward morning routine unfolding around him.
“Not hungry?” I point toward the array of breakfast items courtesy of Jax.
“I’m good,” he says, his eyes dropping to my mouth. He looks starving but not for pastries, and I flush from head to toe.
Someone clears their throat and the simmering connection between us is broken. When I look up, I find Rhett glaring at us.
“Someone got up on the wrong side of bed,” I sass, snagging a croissant and taking a bite.
“Sadie, girl,” Dane warns as he joins us.
“He started it,” I grumble.
“Seriously princess, you need to—”
Voices in the hall silence Rhett and he grinds his teeth, clearly not happy that he didn’t get to reprimand me like a child again.
Asshole.
“Mornin’,” Dad says as he stalks into the kitchen with Jax hot on his heels.
“Hey, Daddy.” I smile.
“I’m glad you’re all awake. We need to talk.” He does a double take when he notices Wes in the seat beside me. “Your mom is fine. Dee is going to give you and her a ride back home when she’s ready.”
“Thanks, sir.”
“Shit, son, don’t call me that. Makes me feel all kinds of old. The name’s Ray.” He makes a beeline for the coffee machine. Once he’s poured himself a mug, he turns around and leans against the counter.
“I wouldn’t usually do this,” he levels Wes with a stern look, “especially not with outsiders present, but since Sadie Ray dragged you into this mess, it seems only right you hear this too.
“The Reapers have a rogue member in their ranks. The prez’s nephew, Darren Creed, has always been a loose cannon. He lost his old man in the war a way back, and he’s always made it clear he wasn’t happy with the truce.
“With Nolan Creed on his death bed, I got wind that Darren might try something stupid. I didn’t think he’d come after my own, though.”
Dad slides his eyes to me, anger simmering there. “He saw an opportunity with Evan and took it. Ritz confirmed that Darren is missing, which means Sadie Ray and River don’t go anywhere without at least two guys on them at all times.”
I scoff at that. “Seriously? And how is that going to work when we’re at school?”
“You’re out of school until we find him.”
“What?” I balk. “You can’t be serious? You’re just going to lock us up like—”
“You were assaulted and held captive,” Rhett snaps. “And you’re acting like a spoiled brat.”
“This is my life,” I argue. “You can’t just lock me away. What if Darren is gone? What if you can’t find him? What if—”
“ENOUGH!” Dad slams his fist down on the counter. “I will not risk something happening to you again. Either of you.” His gaze flicks to River, who has gone pale.
“You can’t take us out of school,” I say again. “It’s senior year.”
Rhett stares at me like I’ve lost my mind while Dane looks at me with nothing but pity. Of course, he gets it. He knows what it means to me to have my independence and freedom. Unlike Rhett, who’s spent his whole life wrapping River in cotton to protect her.
“This is not up for discussion, Sadie Ray—”
“Dane and Wes are already there,” I protest. “They can look out for us. Rhett too, if he ever bothers to show up for class. And Darren would have to be really stupid to show up at the school. You can tell Principal Winston, and he can have the security keep an eye out. I can’t lose school, Dad. Please…”
He lets out a heavy sigh, dragging a hand down his face. “Straight to school and back home or to the compound. No deviations. No detours. No distractions. You ride with one of the guys at all times.”
“Prez, come on—” Rhett starts, but I cut him off.
“Thank you, Daddy.” I leap out of my chair and rush over to him. He opens his arms and pulls me into his big body.
“We’ll get this fucker, Sadie Ray. And when we do…” A shudder rips through him.
“I know, Daddy.” And I do.
Because while he might be overprotective and overbearing and suffocating at times, I know there isn’t a single thing he wouldn’t do for me.
15
Rhett
Unable to stand and watch as Sadie says goodbye to Wes before he climbs into Dee’s car where his mom is waiting for him, I throw my leg over my bike and take off, leaving the clusterfuck that is the four of us behind.
I’m fucking pissed about what I walked in on this morning. But I’m not pissed she did it. If I’m being honest, I expected her to. What I’m angry about is the fact that I wasn’t included.
It’s your own fucking fault, asshole.
She looked so beautiful with her lips still swollen from their kisses, her hair a mess and red bite marks over her neck and chest. My grip on the handlebars tightens as I remember her rosy nipples poking through the thin fabric of her shirt.
I could have pushed everything aside and taken what I needed. I knew that, but fuck. Every time I think of her, I think of him and just how close he came to taking her away from me, making her do something she didn’t want.