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A sharp pain constricts my chest, numbing my body from head to toe, as my breathing becomes labored.
There are murmurs coming from the other side of the door, but I can’t see who they belong to, and no matter how hard I strain, I can’t hear a word they’re saying over the ringing in my ears.
Who the fuck killed my father?
Determined to avenge him, I almost step inside when Banner yells, “Reapers, the fucking Reapers are here. Roll out. Roll out. Roll out.”
With uncertainty coursing through my veins, I stutter over what my next move should be. Emmett calls my name from the door behind me, pulling me from my inner turmoil. Glancing over my shoulder, my eyebrows furrow as I debate whether to stay or go.
My heart pleads for me to stay at my father’s side, while my head sees the bigger picture.
The third order in the club's list of rules flashes in my mind.
Every man for himself to protect and serve the greater good of the club.
Glancing down at my father, I burn the image of him lying in his own blood into my mind one last time before I retreat. With Euro’s earlier warning and the chatter behind the door being calm even after the shot rang out, this somehow links to Prez. There’s no proving that though, not here, and definitely not now, but there will be, in time.
I move toward Emmett; every step purposeful as my mind rumbles like the sky.
I’ll find the answers.
I’ll charge at it all in the name of my father.
I’ll learn the secrets that were hidden here today.
I’m a Ruthless Brother, and ruthless is my game.
TWO
Ryker
**TWELVE MONTHS LATER**
I forcea smile to my lips asanotherclub whore perches herself on the bench next to me. Molly twirls her light brown hair around her finger and places her other hand on my thigh. She squeezes for good measure, but I still couldn’t give a fuck about what she has to say. Even if they are words of sympathy.
“I can’t imagine how it must feel losing your daddy, Ryker. A whole year without him. We’ve all missed his presence, but it’s nothing compared to what you must be dealing with.”
I hum, biting back the scoff that tempts my lips as I grab her hand and tear it from my denim-clad thigh.
What she misses most is the fact that mydaddyfucked her without beating on her too, unlike half the other men she spreads her legs for, but I refrain from commenting as such. Instead, I repeat the same words I’ve said since I stepped out into the compound yard thirty minutes ago.
“Thanks, Mol. I appreciate the condolences, but I need some time alone to process everything right now.”
Her eyes drop in disappointment, but she still pushes up to her feet as I release my grip on her hand. None of those that have approached me like what I have to say, but they take the hint all the same.
“If you change your mind, Ryker, you know where to find me,” she murmurs, planting a kiss against the stubble on my cheek before sauntering off.
I don’t wait to see if she glances back, that would only offer her hope, and there’s none of that here.
Gray smirks as he nudges Emmett beside him. “Look how happy he is with all the attention.” Gray sits taller in his seat, raising his brows at me as Axel grunts in agreement from my right.
“If the attention was specifically on his dick, I’m sure he would be more accepting of it.”
I wag my finger at Axel, agreeing with him as I reach for my beer bottle with the other. I guzzle half of it in one go, appreciating the chilled, hoppy taste on my tongue.
“All this talking just doesn’t work for me,” I grumble as my friends chuckle.
That night, when my father died, I was there. As his lifeless eyes stared at me. But nobody except the three guys sitting at the table with me know that. The rest of the club don’t know how hard I’ve been trying to piece together the events of that fateful night. There were moves made, chess pieces eliminated and strategic plays that didn’t need the club votes or approval from the table, and I’m so fucking close to uncovering it all.
