“Oh, Honey. Your spirituality is as unique as you are. We don’t believe in forced religion. Hell, we don’t worship the Christian God, either. Let’s just say, our family’s beliefs are more aligned with yours, as we still believe in the old gods.” Rory stood and went back to sit by her husband. “Do you have any family you want to reach out to?”
“No. My mom was an only child, and both her parents died when I was little. If my dad’s mom finds out I’m no longer living where my dad is, she’d just take me back.”
“Did your grandmother not live at the compound too?” Sutton asked.
“No, she came from a different community. I can’t remember the name of the preacher where she lived. I always wondered why we didn’t go live with her when we moved, but I was just a kid. She always told me I was to be quiet unless spoken to first.”
“When we help people get back on their feet, it’s when we’ve helped the compound as a whole. Since you’re on the run and James will no doubt be looking for you, it might be best if we hide you out for a while. You can come stay with Sutton and me until we make sure James is no longer a threat.”
“She can stay with me and Mac,” Ryker said, still staring out the window.
“Ry—”
“I’m thinking she and Mac can help each other. Rhi knows about Elijah, and she can talk to Mac about him. Give her hope that they’ll be reunited soon.” Ryker had turned when he was speaking to his mom. They stared at each other, some unspoken conversation going on between them.
“Rhi, can you tell us where the compound is?” Sutton asked.
“No.”
“No? Why are you protecting them?” Ryker asked, his face angry.
“I’m not protecting them. I can’t tell you because I don’t know. James made me wear a blindfold on the drive. I was only allowed to take it off right before we made it to town.”
Ryker sighed. “I’m sorry. We’ve been looking for Josiah for a while now. Wait. We went to where the old compound was, but it had been abandoned. It was moved to a new location. You had to have been part of that.”
“Yeah, that wasn’t fun. We packed up everything a few months ago. But when they took us to our new home, we all were blindfolded. Josiah said it was for our safety. All I know is it takes about an hour to get from the compound, as you call it, to town.”
“How do you know this if you’re blindfolded?” Ryker crossed his arms over his chest. Rhi had to look away. The man, even when scowling, was too tempting.
“Because I counted the songs. Trying to get in my good graces, James allowed me to listen to the radio during the drive. I love music, or I did before we moved. Most songs are around three minutes long, and I began counting them so I would know when we were getting close to town.”
“That was smart of you,” Rory praised. Rhi wanted to go to Rory and hug the woman. She missed her own mom so much, and Ryker’s mom looked like she would give good hugs. Rhi was torn. She wanted to go live with Rory and have a mother’s touch, but she also wanted to stay with Ryker. She told herself it was so she could help Mac feel better about Elijah, but that would be a lie. She wanted to be wherever Ryker was. Rhi was infatuated with the broody man.
Chapter Five
Ryker
What the hell was he thinking? Ryker didn’t need Rhi living in his home. Now that she had showered, her natural scent, even though covered by bodywash and shampoo, was calling to him. It was stronger than even Juliette’s had been, and that wouldn’t do. Juliette had been his one love. He didn’t get a second chance.
Mav and War found love twice. Why not us?
Ryker hated when his Gryphon made sense, but he wasn’t going to argue with it. Yes, Rhi called to him, but he wasn’t good for the young woman, no matter how good she smelled, how she sang like an angel in the shower, or how she looked at him like he was her hero. He had saved her from James. That’s what she was feeling. Once she was around the others, Rhi would most likely forget all about him when she saw Kyllian and Hayden or any of the other younger Hounds. Ryker was a broody bastard. Why would she want someone like him when she could have a younger, more fun male?
He could put up with her long enough for Rhi and Mac to talk. To become friends and help each other start living again. Ryker had a job to do, and that didn’t leave time for him to worry about being around Rhi that often. Thinking of his daughter, Ryker asked, “Who has eyes on Mac?” McKenzie never minded when Ryker wasn’t home. She enjoyed being in the house by herself, doing whatever it was she wanted to in privacy. She preferred it, or so she said.
“Kyllian’s taking her out on his bike today. I think our girl’s getting the fever. Hayden said Mac wanted to learn to ride, and both of them are willing to teach her.”
“Mac’s going to learn to ride a motorcycle? That would be so cool,” Rhi said.
“Have you ever ridden?” Rory asked.
“Not by myself. One of the boys I grew up with had a dirt bike. He doubled me sometimes, but I never drove it by myself. Not for lack of asking, though. Do you ride?”
“It’s been many years, but I used to have my own bike. Well, I still do, although it’s sitting at the clubhouse instead of at home in the garage.”
Ryker could envision Rhi taking Rory’s pink bike out, her long hair whipping in the wind behind her. He could also imagine her riding behind him, pressed against his back, holding on tight. Fuck. He needed to put some space between them before he did something stupid like put her on his bike for the ride home.
“I need to get back. My meeting with the Shepherds went well, and I’m ready to move forward.” Ryker would take the first job Quinn offered the Hounds and get away from the temptation that was Rhiannon Spencer. “Rhiannon, do you want to go home with Rory and Sutton, or would you like to come stay with Mac and me?”
“Uh…” Rhi looked between the three of them, a blush staining her cheeks. Ryker shouldn’t find it endearing, but he did. “Do you think Mac would mind? I don’t want to be a painful reminder of her past.”
Zeus, she is so sweet.
Ryker mentally pushed his beast. Get a grip, big guy.
I’d love to. Grip her around the waist. Put her on our lap and kiss her pink lips. Mmm.
“I think Mac could really use a friend right now. Considering you both went through something similar, I’m sure she won’t mind.” Ryker was counting on Mac and Rhi becoming friends, even if it would be hell for him.
“Okay, then. I’ll stay with you.”
Ryker ran a hand through his hair. He could do this. He could be around Rhi and keep it in his pants. “I’m going to hit the road. I need to stop by the clubhouse before I get home, so take your time.”
“Let me walk you out.” Sutton followed Ryker to the door and out into the hallway. “Before you get on the road, give Lucy a call. Hopefully with the information Rhiannon gave us, she’ll be able to locate Josiah.”
“Will do. I’m also going to text Kyllian and make sure he has Mac home before we all arrive. I want to give her a heads-up that we’re going to have a houseguest.”
“I know you think Rhi’s too young, or you’re too… something, but if your Gryphon is telling you to go after Rhi, listen to it. Life is too short, even with our extended years. And don’t give me any bullshit about being too busy. I ran the MC and held down a job when I met your mother and helped raise eleven kids. Nor do I want to hear about her age. You’ve had the party girl. The strong one. Now, maybe it’s time to let yourself be loved by the innocent one.”