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16
Ryder
Penny sleeps through me going on a run, taking a shower, and eating breakfast. I let her, knowing she needs the rest.
Being the good Samaritan, I even scramble her an egg while I’m at it. Putting it on a plate, I set it on the nightstand along with another Percocet and a glass of apple juice.
I tell myself that the only reason I’m doing this for her is because I don’t want her to break more shit. I try not to think about the reality. How I feel about taking care of her like this. I don’t understand why I do, I just know that it feels kind of good. I like her needing me, depending on me.
I like this way too much, but I hate that it’s with her. Why couldn’t it be someone else who makes me feel this way? Anyone else…
A pained groan drags me out of my thoughts.
She blinks her eyes open and looks up at me, confused and disoriented. Glancing around, she realizes where she is, but the confusion never leaves her features.
“I’m going to help you sit up, so you can eat.”
She nods slightly, and I slide my arm under her body and lift her up, scooting her to the headboard. I hand her the medicine and juice, watching her take it without hesitation.
When I hand her the eggs, she eats right away. I walk around the bed and carefully sit down next to her, not wanting to leave her.
“Where did you sleep?” she asks between the tiny bites she’s taking.
“On the couch,” I admit, watching her eyes go wide in shock. “I didn’t want to move and hurt you by accident.”
“Why are you being so good to me?”
“I don’t know,” I answer honestly. I don’t know why I feel this need to protect her, take care of her, and keep her with me. All I know is that I do.
“Why did you borrow the money from the club?”
“I didn’t. I mean, I did, but I didn’t know.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Tommy wouldn’t let me leave the house, but sometimes he would bring people over. His friends. They all knew, of course, but no one ever offered to help me until one night. His friend, Ryan, told me he could help me leave. I thought Tommy had told him to say that, like it was a test or something, but I was willing to risk it. So, I agreed.”
I stay silent as she continues, “A few days later, when Tommy was at work, Ryan came and got me. He kicked in the door and made me go with him. I didn’t know where we were going. If I was safe or had simply traded my jailer. He parked the car in some back alley, and we met a guy, one of your guys. Ryan told him I wanted to borrow five grand.”
You’ve got to be shitting me.
“Before I knew what was going on, the guys gave him a stack of money,” she continues. “Ryan took it and shoved it in his pocket. He told me that this was his payment for getting me out. Then he got into his car and left.”
Immediately, I imagine all the ways I’m going to hurt him. The need to avenge, to somehow make things right for Penny, overcomes me.
I’ve got a name, know who he hangs around with. It will be easy to track him down. I will make him pay, and I will enjoy doing it.
* * *
As I predicted,it wasn’t hard to find him.
I waited until Penny passed out again before I called Maddox and had him help me track this Ryan guy down. As soon as he sent me an address, I left, leaving Mojo to protect Penny.
It’s dark when I pull up to his house, the light coming from the windows telling me he is home. I cut the engine and get out of my truck.
When I walk around the house and look in through the window, I can’t believe my luck. Thomas is there as well. Half lying on the couch, an X-Box controller in his hand. Ryan is sitting next to him.
Great, I’ve got myself a two for one special.
