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“There isn’t a plan, Ryder.”
“Then we’ll talk about what needs to be done for us to leave town.”
“I won’t let you do that.”
“I won’t let you marry some other man because your mother is a monster. You gave me your heart, Jordyn Astor, and I intend to keep it.”
“It’s only ever been yours.”
He nods, kisses me quickly, and steps back. “You and me, baby.” He gives me a smile that doesn’t quite reach his eyes, and he turns and walks away. I watch as he pulls a ball cap from his back pocket, tugs it low on his head, and takes a seat by a pole. He looks like any of the other travelers here in the airport, but I know better.
He isn’t just anyone.
He’s the man I love.
The man I made a vow to protect from my family.
No matter how optimistic he is, I know what my mother is capable of. I’ve lived with her evil my entire life. I’ve endured her dictating my life. When I found Ryder, I thought I was done. I was going to break away, just as Jeremy wanted to, and live my life for me.
My mother ruins everything, and I’ll be damned if I’m going to let her touch Ryder and his family. Turning the new phone on vibrate, I shove it into the bottom of my purse on the off chance my parents, either one or both of them, decide to grow a heart and pick me up. Taking a calming breath, I wait for my ride.
Not five minutes later, I see a man in a dark suit, holding a sign with my name on it. I want to look at Ryder, but I know that’s asking for trouble. I have no doubt my mother has already had this man, whoever he is, be on the lookout.
“Hi, I’m Jordyn.” I wave, pulling my luggage behind me. The man nods, grabs my bags without a word, and I trail behind him to the black SUV sitting at the curb. He loads my luggage while I climb into the back, and just as we’re pulling away, I catch a glimpse of Ryder standing just outside the door, watching as we drive away.
I pray to anyone who’s listening that this isn’t the last time we see one another.
CHAPTER FIVE
Ryder
Watching her drive away was almost harder than living without her these past two years.
Almost.
I watch until I can no longer see her taillights, and reach for my phone in my pocket. I type out a quick text to the group. Not just the group with my brothers, but the one that includes my sisters-in-law, and my cousin Ramsey and her husband, Deacon, too. This is an all-hands-on-deck situation. It could potentially affect all of them, so it’s only fair that they are clued in.
Me: My place tonight.
I don’t bother with a time. They’ll all head over after work. They know I’ll wait until everyone is there to fill them in.
Orrin: Missed you at Sunday dinner. You good?
Me: I’m good.
Brooks: How’s Jordyn?
Me: Perfect.
Palmer: Aw… But we need answers for how she treated you.
Me: We have them.
Me: I need your help.
Declan: Whatever you need, brother. We’ll be there.
My phone continues to vibrate, but I shove it back into my pocket and stalk off toward my truck. My sisters-in-law will want more details, and my brothers will sit back and let them do the asking, knowing damn good and well that if their wives were not the ones firing off questions, they would be.
I barely remember the drive home as my mind replays my time with Jordyn. The pain etched in her features, the way she’s lost weight from the worry and the stress. Hearing her story blew my mind. Her mother was always super sweet, but that’s what she wanted me to think. I hate myself for falling for her trap, but I didn’t know.
As soon as I get home, I take a long, hot shower to try to clear my head. It doesn’t work. Not that I really expected it to. I don’t know how to do this. I don’t know how to go up against her mother with the kind of money and influence that she has, but I know one thing. I will not give Jordyn up. I meant what I told her. Even if we have to go away, that’s what we’ll do. I love my family, and I’d miss them, but Jordyn, she’s deep in my bones. I’m going to love her harder because everyone before me failed to do so. I’m going to do it because there is no other way. I gave my heart to her a long time ago, and even with time apart, my love for her never wavered.
So, yeah, if it comes down to leaving, we’ll figure it out. We’ll devise a plan where I can see my family on the down low, and… fuck! I hate this.
