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Hanging her head, the now defeated woman sighed. “He doesn’t know. I didn’t want my baby around club shit.”
“The way I heard it from Devil, there was a choice to be made, and you picked him over Darkness. Sure it ain’thiskid?”
Tiffany had never seen an emptier look in someone’s eyes before, and she wasn’t sure if it was there because of her feelings for this guy called Devil…or Darkness.
“Devil doesn’t give a shit about me. He’s got an old lady. The big thrill for Devil was depriving Darkness of me.”
“Seems like a lot of trouble solely to wreck cupid’s arrow, doll,” Ryder said with a heavy dose of irritation in his tone.
Shrugging, the woman winced from the pain in her damaged shoulder. “His club uses me to mule drugs and guns back and forth over the state line. I’m fast, smart, and can usually talk my way out of a vehicle search if I get pulled over.”
Tiffany’s eyebrows rose. The things she was hearing and seeing today…
Closing the distance between them, Ryder stooped down to look her in the face. “And best of all, you’re expendable.”
Letting out a stuttering breath, the woman nodded. “Please just pick up my baby and bring her to me. We can sort it all out when Darkness gets out of the hospital. We can’t take a chance on Devil and his men going through my belongings. They might discover childcare receipts or other documentation to lead them to my child.”
Leaning forward until he was nearly touching noses with the clearly terrified woman, Ryder spoke in a calm, but deadly voice. “If you are lying to me, I’ll gun you down where you stand without a second thought. If you try to run, I’ll kill you. If you try to harm any of us, I’ll nail your dumb ass quicker than you can blink. If you even think of double crossing me, I promise to hunt you down and make sure it’s the last stupid decision you ever make. In fact, you’re going to have to work pretty damn hard to stay alive under my watch.”
Bowing her head, she nodded quickly. “I understand. Whatever you say, I’ll do. God knows I’m used to following orders.”
Turning to Tiffany, Ryder studied her briefly before speaking. “Patch her up and clean her up. I’ll be in the bar.”
Tiffany nodded, relieved this deadly little heart-to-heart was finally over. “Okay. You’re making the right choice here, babe.”
Reaching over, he cupped the back of her neck and dragged her forward for a brief kiss. Pulling back, he murmured, “Don’t ever trust this bitch. She’s nothing but trouble. Also, I didn’t ask for or need your approval on club business. Remember that, princess.”
Stunned by his bland, but perfectly reasonable take on the situation, Tiffany nodded.
Before Ryder could stand, she smoothed the last bandage into place, grabbed the woman’s hand, and pulled her toward the door.
Ryder’s voice floated on the air behind them. “Don’t be long, babe. I’m itching to get started on this one.”
Throwing her hand up over her shoulder, Tiffany gave him a little wave. “Come on, before he changes his mind.” Climbing the steps and leading the way to the private rooms upstairs, she opened the door to a private bath. “You can clean up here. I’ll get you something to wear.”
“Thanks.”
“What’s your name?” Tiffany asked.
“Abigail Fucking Andrews, according to my Darkness,” the woman replied smartly.
Tossing her a little smirk, Tiffany gave the woman a gentle shove into the room. “That sounds like our illustrious leader. Nice to meet you, Abigail Fucking Andrews. I’m Tiffany Stone.”
“You can call me Abby. Just don’t ask me for advice, ‘cause I tend to go a bit mental.” She made a little hand motion beside her head, rolling her eyes and twisting her features in demonstration.
Trying not to laugh, Tiffany responded playfully, “Then you’re perfect for Darkness. He’s a bit mental most of the time.”
Sobering, Abby said, “Girl, you’ve got no idea.”
Hearing Ryder’s impatient voice rushing them from below, Tiffany whispered, “Get clean quick. I’ll be right back.” Running down the hall to Ryder’s room, she pulled out some clothing she left for emergencies and raced back down to the bathroom.
Along the way, it occurred to Tiffany that she hadn’t had time to fully process the evening’s events. Maybe sometime in the near future, she’d take time for the nervous breakdown she so richly deserved.
~ Ryder ~
Sliding his cell phone back into his pocket, Ryder murmured, “Turn right at the next intersection.”
“Yes, sir.” Tiffany’s voice held an equal balance of sternness and levity.
