Forever Zara: (novella 9.5) by V. Theia (ebook reader txt) 📕

question him. He could guess she dealt with her sadness in her way.

He had something to do, or he might have pushed her into going to talk to the enforcer before his video call ended. Instead, he watched her take Knox over to the food, though her dark eyes strayed to the table of his boys.

No shit was ever black and white, that much Rider knew.

Except for what he intended to do next.

Cutting eyes toward Hawk, he gave a slight nod to let his VP know it was time. And then he went to sweep up his woman. In front of everyone, he yelled over the crowd. “Entertain yourselves for an hour. I need to spend some private time with my wife.”

She blushed.

Everyone cheered as he escorted her out of the hall. She stopped him from advancing into the hotel room once they were on the tenth floor with a hand on his arm.

Their bodies together, love flowing from her to him. “I want you to remember something, Ambrosio.”

“What’s that?”

“Everything you do is for our family. For our safety. You take care of us better than anyone else ever could. I appreciate what you do every single day.”

One massive thump inside his chest, he dipped down until his forehead rested on hers. Reluctant to leave, but knowing this was the best viable opportunity. He had a woman who understood even when she should rage at him for leaving. “But please remember, you are the center of our family, Rider. You are my beating heart. I know what you’re going to do, and I want to remind you, I would die without you.”

“Icy,” he croaked, squeezing his hands around her waist.

“So come back to me, okay?”

“I always will, baby.”

Nothing would keep him from his woman.

“Love you.”

“Love you too.”

He kissed her, not as deep as he wanted to. Vowing he’d be back soon.

No one saw Rider slip out of the pricey Denver hotel, or climb into the SUV Hawk parked around back earlier that morning.

“You ready for this?” His VP asked.

“Ready to get it done.”

They spoke little on the way to the clubhouse.

It wasn’t long later that Rex rolled up in his F-150. It was good he could listen to instructions for once, to come alone.

His relative was greedy and would always let that greed decide for him. He didn’t show a sign of knowing what he was walking into.

Dressed as a Texan. A big belt buckle holding up worn jeans, and a cowboy hat, he sidled up to Rider standing in the doorway waiting.

Hawk was out of sight.

He didn’t smile.

But Rex did.

“So, you had a change of mind, huh, boy?” He let the boy go. “Needed some old-timer expertise from a prez who knows his shit.”

“Something like that,” Rider lied.

It was easy to appeal to Rex’s ego when he called earlier and asked if he could help Rider with a problem. Rex all but fell over himself to act the big man in the hot seat again.

“It’s a delicate matter,” Rider added. “Thanks for coming on your own. If anyone thought I couldn’t do this shit myself...” Inflecting shame into his tone was a hard pill to swallow because it made smugness coat across Rex’s face as he laughed. He clapped Rider on the shoulder, following him inside the clubhouse.

It had been a long time since the other man had been inside. Rider watched something like fondness through his eyes.

Pity for him. It was the last time he’d ever see this place.

“No shame in admitting you’re in way over your head, boy. Been tellin’ Ajax for years this shit ain’t for the soft-hearted type. Now, how ‘bout you fix us a drink, and I’ll sort this shit for you no problem. You can’t be lettin’ no fuckin’ other MC step on your toes, or they’ll be ass fuckin’ you in no time, Rider.”

He let the man spout on and on about how superior of a Prez he was to Rider.

Older.

Wiser.

Better.

Blah fucking blah.

How Rider kept his cool, it was anyone’s guess, but he did. Leading Rex, not to his office, but a larger side room with a table and desk.

“Take a seat. Whiskey, okay?”

Rex sighed when he let his bigger bulk lower into a leather chair. “Yeah. Ain’t you meant to be tying the knot today, boy? Your old lady can’t approve you bein’ gone on her big day. Me and my old lady are lookin’ forward to the party tonight.”

“Zara knows the club comes first.” Rider fed his uncle the line he’d understand. When he cut a gaze over his shoulder, it was to see a smirk. “Damn right. Bitches gotta learn their place early on, Rider, the only way is to teach ‘em. My old lady wouldn’t dare question any shit I do.”

Rider gave a grumble of fake agreement as he slid a tumbler of hard liquor across the table, poured himself one, and then took a seat opposite.

“The Raging Rebels.” He started.

Rex didn’t bother to hide his arrogance, draining the drink in one, Rider grabbed the bottle and poured him another.

“You let a club like that come to light; it gives others the idea you’re weak. Nobody woulda dared try that shit in my day.”

“What I can’t understand is why now. Why they’re resurrecting?”

“Don’t worry, boy. You got me advising you now. I won’t steer you wrong. We’ll teach the fuckers this is our territory. For as long as I can remember, the Souls owned Colorado, ain’t no two-bit wannabes coming in.”

At least Rex had that right. Only, he was included in it too.

He just didn’t know it yet.

And nothing here was his. Not now or ever.

Rider was adept at waiting out an enemy. Waiting for