I twist the throttle. Should have known that when the Feds took credit for ridding the world of the Volkov mob’s evils, it meant they still had something.
Who got to her?
I’m missing something—a small but important piece to this fucked-up puzzle. This is personal to someone, hence only targeting me.
I pull into the compound, needing a shower, food, and Julianna. My jewel wants a happily ever after, but she’s in love with me, so maybe in another life. I smirk and roll my neck.
The screen door opens and Rip walks out to greet me, smoking a joint. “Everything go okay?” His eyes are alert as they scan the outside area.
“Julianna home?” Needing to take the edge off, I motion for his joint.
“No.”
My eyes dart to his, and I pull up her location on my phone. It looks like they’re stuck in traffic but are on their way back here.
Exhaling out the citrus-tasting weed, I hand the joint back to him.
He shakes his head. “Keep it. You look like you need it.” He looks past me like he’s searching for someone or something.
“You okay?” My eyes narrow on his face. Rip is always the good-natured, positive one. Until he’s not, like now.
“Yeah, just feel off.” He looks at me.
“Me, too, brother.” I nod and enter. Rip might get it more than the others. “I’m gonna order a pizza. You want one?”
“Meat lover,” he answers, staying outside.
“I’m gonna take a shower. Leave it outside my door, man.” I take the stairs two at a time and smell her before I even open my door.
The fuck is happening to me?
I block her out of my head so I can order pizza. Maybe I need to stop smoking Rip’s shit and move to Jack Daniel’s. Kicking off my boots, I turn on the shower and toss my clothes into that hamper she insisted on having.
Shaking my head, I look around at how much she’s become a part of me. All her shampoos and soaps are a constant reminder that I’m fucked.
I definitely need to switch to booze. Turning on the shower, I let the cold water wake me the fuck up and wash quickly. I should get myself off, for her sake. But she can take it. Her wants and needs are the same as mine.
I step out and dry off. I’m in uncharted waters here. Before I had nothing to lose, and therefore my will was my force.
Now, I’m starting to have faith? I snort. That never turns out good for me, or anyone else close to me.
I hear the door open and my cock starts to throb. Yeah, I’m damned, and tonight I’m bringing her with me.
RYDER
Present
Disciples’ clubhouse
Burbank, CA
I walk out of the bathroom, throw my towel to the floor, and pull on a pair of gray sweats as Julianna tosses what looks like ten large shopping bags on my bar island and spins toward me, her face flushed.
Yeah, my little jewel is ready for this tonight. She licks her red puffy lips as I walk toward her.
“There’s two boxes of pizza outside,” she rasps, staring straight at my erection, which seems to be trying to rip through the sweats to get to her. Smiling, I grab her hand and bring it my cock.
“Have a good day?”
She arches a brow at me and cups my balls, whispering, “Yes, and you?”
“Pretty shitty, actually.” I walk toward the door. “Get undressed,” I demand.
I open the door and bring the two boxes of pizza in, locking it behind me.
“What happened?” She cocks her head, and my eyes sweep her body up and down, lingering on her full tits.
I toss the pizza next to the bags and turn to look at her. “Get. Undressed.” I’m hungry but that can wait.
She takes a breath and opens her mouth, then shuts it as she kicks her pumps off. I check my phone for any messages, then sit in my chair rubbing a hand up and down my chest as I watch her shimmy out of her jeans.
“Take your hair down,” I command.
Her eyes remain focused on me as she slips off her top and stands looking like a goddess in nothing but her pink G-string and lacy pink bra.
“I’m glad you’re a blonde again.” I watch her every move. She reaches up to pull her hair free, putting the band around her wrist. Golden waves spill like a waterfall of honey over both her shoulders. She runs her hands through her locks.
“Good. I want to make you happy.” Her lips twitch. She thinks this is a game, and sometimes it is.
But not tonight.
“You do. You please me, Julianna. Take your bra and panties off.”
She unsnaps her bra, and her ripe and juicy tits spill out. I have to fight the need not to release my cock and stroke myself as she tosses the bra and steps out of her panties.