“Little bastard must be having a ball. Nobody to rein him in. Has he been up to any shit?”
We reached the black SUV with the heavily tinted windows. I quickly ran a scan to make sure nobody had tampered with it since I left it in the car park. Those fuckers were still out to kill us, so I had to be sure.
“There’s this new barmaid chick, Lexi. Between Ox and Razor, I think she’s getting royally fucked. Neither man will give way to the other. We may have shit on our hands.”
“And you? Have you got stuck into the bitch, too?”
“Nah. Not my type.” I lifted Cobra out of the wheelchair and put him on the back seat. Fuck, he’d lost so much weight. I lifted him easily. I'd never been able to do that before.
“Since when has a pussy not been your type? You fuck any pussy—especially fresh pussy. Want to tell me why not this one?”
“I’ve been at the house, remember? Doing your fucking job, looking after your family.”
“Some other pussy has gotten to you. Fuck, how did I miss that?”
“You’re blowing smoke, man. That ain't true.”
“Jesus. You’ve got it bad, brother. Nothing has ever stopped you from taking pussy at the club, even if other men were in there too. You can't fucking bluff, Ryder. ‘Cause I’ve been there, brother. Since I laid eyes on Mia, I didn’t want any other pussy. Only hers. You’re cunt-struck. and you ain't telling me.”
“Fuck off, Cobra. It’s none of your business.”
Cobra pulled a face as I strapped him in. “Mia will know. She’ll fill me in.”
“Mia knows nothing. I ain't telling you or her my business.”
“Fuck. Ryder, what is it with your bitch? Must be something if you won't talk to me. Or Mia. Something fucking serious.”
I got behind the wheel and closed my eyes. Cobra wouldn’t let this go till I told him about Jade and her brother. And I knew what he’d say. He’d tell me to back the fuck off. He wouldn’t understand that I couldn’t. My mind and my cock wouldn’t let go of Jade, even if I knew she was dangerous territory.
“Yeah. There’s this woman—”
“I fucking knew it!” Cobra sounded triumphant. “So why hide it, Ryder? It ain't no sin to want a bitch, brother. Even happened to me.” He chuckled, as if he were still surprised by it happening to him.
“Well, this one is different. Not only is she a fucking princess, her brother is a cop. Special Task Forces cop. And her daddy’s a criminal lawyer. Beat that for fucked up.” I sighed. “And even worse, she doesn’t want anything to do with me. She says it can't work out. Family, and all that shit.”
Cobra let out a long breath, whistling through his teeth. “Fuck, Ryder. Can’t you ever just do simple?” He leaned back against the seat and closed his eyes.
After a minute he talked softly. “How bad do you want this bitch?”
“Bad. Give both my balls bad.”
“Christ. You’re fucked.”
“Yeah. I know.”
Chapter 9 ~ Ryder
As we stopped in the driveway of the house, Mia came out to greet her husband. I frowned, annoyed that the woman hadn't listened to me. I got out of the SUV and went to get Cobra’s door.
Mia spoke softly behind me. “Ryder. I know you said not to come out. But I can't help myself. I miss Cobra so much.”
“I know. Wait inside the back door. I need to help him in. He won't want you to see that. Go.” My voice was harsher than I meant it to be, but it was dangerous for us to be outside, anyone could have followed us. And I had my hands full helping Cobra; I didn't need to still worry about Mia’s safety too. Cobra was a huge fucker—even though he’d lost weight, I still needed all my strength to lift him out of the SUV.
“Thanks, brother. Saving a man’s dignity.” Cobra patted me on the back as I lifted him. Yeah, a man always wanted to appear tough and strong in front of his woman. She had to believe he could protect her at all times. Showing weakness was not an option, especially not for a man like Cobra, who believed in the laws of the jungle: survival of the fittest.
“No problem, brother.” I set him down and helped him get inside by supporting his body with my arm.
“Baby,” he breathed when his gaze landed on Mia.
“Cobra. I'm so glad you’re here, baby.” Mia’s voice cracked.
She slid an arm around his waist and stood on tiptoes to kiss him. So far it all seemed good. Between us, we helped the enormous man to the main bedroom. Sweat was pouring from his face due to exertion. There was still a long way to go for my best friend before he’d be back to his old self, but every day he got better, and that was something to be grateful for. I didn’t know what I would’ve done if the bastard had gotten killed that day.
“The kids?” Cobra asked.
Mia spoke softly as she wiped Cobra’s forehead. “I called Jade. She’s taken them to the new Disney movie. Gives us time to settle you in and talk.”
“Jade? Who’s Jade? Is it safe for the kids to be out with a fucking stranger?” Cobra growled. Yeah, he was getting better.
“Jade’s a friend. She’s the rental agent. She’s totally safe, and very cute. In fact, I think Ryder is sweet on her.”
Cobra’s gaze shot to me, his eyebrows lifted to his hairline. Fuck. Back in the house less than two minutes and Mia already told Cobra. Plus, after what I’d told him in the car, I’d never fucking live it down.
“Yeah? That true, Ryder?”
“Nah, she’s just a piece of ass. Mia should know me by now—I don’t get attached to bitches. Ever.”
“Really, Ryder? That’s why you brought her here the other night. Don’t think I don’t know she slept here.” She cleared her throat. “Not much sleep going on, but you know what I mean.”
I grimaced. “Mia. That’s how you thank a brother for taking care of you and your babies? By ratting on him the first chance you get?”
“Cobra’s going to see the spark between the two of you the minute Jade gets here with the kids. Anyone would have to be blind to not know the two of you are crazy for one another.” She turned to Cobra. “But they’re both so stubborn, baby. Neither will admit it. Jade says it’s too complicated with her family. Ryder has a hard-on the minute he sees her, but tries to pretend otherwise.” She laughed, sounding happy for the first time in weeks.
Grumbling, I left the bedroom and closed the door behind me. They needed their privacy—they had a shitload of stuff to talk about. And I definitely didn't want to discuss Jade with Cobra.
Stripping down to my boxers, I jumped straight into the pool and swam a few laps. The water was refreshing, and I enjoyed the strain of working my muscles. I dried myself off and I lazed around on one of those fancy reclining chairs I’d always seen rich people sip cocktails in. It was the first time in weeks that I just had a bit of time to myself, and lying in the sun after a swim was something I could get used to.
I must’ve dozed off. Jamie had climbed on top of me and stroked my cheek to wake me. Startled, I sat up, looking straight into those fucking blue eyes that haunted my dreams. Jade was back with the kids. With the sun behind her head, it looked as if she wore a halo. Her blond hair shone in the bright light, and her lips gleamed as she pouted them while looking down at me.
Standing with Isabella on her hip, her legs were parted, and with the sunlight behind her, I could see right through the flimsy material. Fuck me, if she wasn’t wearing a bright pink lacey thong. The silhouette of her legs through the thin fabric, long and perfect, made my dick jump.
Jesus.
“Hello, Ryder,” she drawled before her face split into a smile. God, it was the most beautiful smile I’d ever seen. Was Mia right? Was I going soft on Princess? Yeah, I wanted to fuck her all right. I was always up for that with any bitch. But never before had I been affected by a fucking smile. I hadn’t realized just how much I’d missed the beautiful bitch until her sweet face appeared in front of me.