Chapter 11
CHAPTER
ELEVEN
ATOMIC
Rose refuses to join us and waves as we leave the house. It’s a rented house, so the landlord told Ryan to leave whatever she wanted to, and he was sure the next tenant would be happy to use the items.
I explained the situation to him, man-to-man, and he seemed more than willing to allow her to break the lease without penalty with an added comment that she was one of the best tenants he’d ever had, and if she ever decided to come back to Arkansas, he would be more than happy to rent to her again.
It was nice, but she’s not coming back—ever.
Ryan and Adam are coming to Texas, and they are never leaving again. It’s where they belong. King has already set up a place for them to live, and we’re headed straight there. His woman is waiting on standby to help since her bakery is closed on Sundays.
I lead the way, with Rim following in her car as we all head for home. I haven’t forgotten that piece-of-shit pimp or her fucking sister, and I will take care of them. I just need to make sure Ryan and Adam are settled and safe.
That is my priority. The rest I can take care of in my own time.
That fucker probably doesn’t even know where I’m from, let alone how to find us.
Besides, he’s too much of a pussy to come anywhere near Pineville, near my club.
He attacked a woman home alone with her child in an effort to intimidate her and force her into working her sister’s debts off. He’s a goddamn pussy and a coward.
I dare him to come anywhere near me or my club again.
He wouldn’t.
He won’t.
Which is fine with me because I know how to find him. It won’t be hard. Harmony Springs isn’t very big, and there are not many pimps who go by the name Golden Joker in the world. I’m more than happy to track his silly ass down and beat the shit out of him before I kill him.
Once I cross the Texas border and head straight for Pineville, I feel a sense of relief. This is almost over. Soon, Ryan will be where she should have always been, in my bed, a bed she should have never left.
I can’t deny that I feel a sense of uneasiness and jealousy at the fact that she left me, fucked a Nomad King, and had his kid.
Even if it’s true what she says, that he never even knew the boy, I want him to be mine.
If I look hard enough, I see traces of me in him, which makes me wonder if it’s an elaborate lie she’s told to protect herself.
Ryan wouldn’t lie to me about something as serious as a kid, would she?
I’m not sure why I think she’s going to be truthful with me.
She did steal a bunch of fucking money and take off without a word said after five years of being together.
It fucked me up, but I know I fucked up, too.
I’m not an innocent party in any of this shit, so I’m trying to take everything that is happening at face value.
Once we’ve crossed the border, it only takes about forty-five minutes to reach the new rental. Pineville is a welcoming sight, and as I ride through downtown, I glance over at the Filthy Sweet Treats bakery that Shawn owns and smirk.
It’s fucking thriving, and I’m glad I helped her get her business off the ground with the concept of the farmers’ market. A place I have missed since being gone the past few weeks. But I’m ready to get back to it, and now that I have people to shop and cook for, I really can’t fucking wait.
Pulling into the driveway of the new house, I park as far off to the side as possible to give Ryan room to park her car. I haven’t seen this place at all. King just told me he had it taken care of. After getting off my bike, I move toward the front door and take in the house.
It’s a 1970s ranch house. Looks clean from the outside with a simple yard that could use some color. But my favorite part, and the whole reason King jumped on this place for me, is the fact that it has a raised garden in the back.
King is standing at the doorway, his eyes finding mine as he opens his arms. I give him a hug, slamming my fist against his back, and he does the same.
“Welcome home,” he murmurs.
“I wasn’t gone that long,” I point out.
His brow arches, his eyes widening as he tilts his head to the side and stares at me in disbelief. I almost ask him what the fuck he’s trying to say when he actually speaks. But before a single word is spoken, he lets out a bark of laughter.
“You’ve been fucking missing for weeks. The second Ryan walked into the club, you vanished. So, yeah, it’s good to have you back.”
Rolling my eyes to the sky, I step to the side, turning my head to look over my shoulder and find Ryan and Adam making their way toward me, with Rim bringing up the rear. I don’t bother introducing Ryan and King. They’ve known one another for over a decade.
“Good to see you, Ryan. Who do we have here?” King asks, crouching down in front of Adam.
Ryan’s smile widens as she watches the exchange. She opens her mouth to introduce her son, but Adam beats her to it.
“I’m Adam,” he announces.
King’s gaze flicks up to meet mine, then he shifts it back to Adam. “I’m King. It’s very nice to meet you, Adam.” King lifts his hand, places it on his head, and ruffles his hair a bit before he stands.
“You had a kid,” he murmurs to Ryan.
Ryan’s cheeks tint pink before she dips her chin slightly, then her gaze flicks to mine. “I did,” she whispers, but she doesn’t look at King. Her focus is on me and only me.
King takes a step backward, his gaze shifting from Ryan to me. He lifts his brows again. He knows Ryan has a kid. I told him that before I asked him to find her a place to live, but I think he’s probably just taking it all in. Processing everything. I know that I still am.
“Shawn is inside waiting for you,” King mutters, taking a step to the side.
Ryan thanks him, then brushes past him, Adam’s hand in hers as they move into the house. I start to follow behind her, but King steps in front of me. His eyes are focused on mine, and he watches me expectantly.
“What?” I ask.
“Who’s fuckin’ kid is that?”
“It’s Ryan’s,” I state.
He leans forward, his words coming out on a hiss. “Atomic. That’s your kid.”
Shaking my head, I don’t confirm or deny. It’s not mine to actually say one way or the other. “She tells me it’s not mine,” I murmur.
“You don’t believe that shit, do you?” he asks.
Lifting my gaze over his shoulder, I watch as Shawn and Ryan talk just a few feet away. Ryan turns her head to look at me, her eyes bright. Her face is still fucked up, but it’s healing more and more every day. She’s beautiful, even in her bruised state. A goddamn knockout.
“Not for a fucking minute.”
RYAN
Shawn smiles as I approach her. Then she lifts something up in her hand. It’s a pink bakery box. “I made welcome to your new house treats,” she calls out.
I can’t believe that a few months ago, I happened upon her at the clubhouse. I had no clue who she was, but I just knew she was special. And I was right. She is beyond special.
“I didn’t know if you had any food allergies, but I made sure there are no nuts, no dairy, and no gluten,” she says.
My lips curve up into a grin as I stare at her. When she opens the box, I gasp. The most beautiful cupcakes and cookies sit in that box. I just can’t believe they are without all the things she said they are.
“Cupcakes,” Adam whispers in awe.
“Can he have one?” Shawn asks.
“Of course,” I murmur.
A few moments later, he’s sitting at the small bar on a barstool I did not purchase.
In fact, there are a few things already set up in this house, including a sofa, a table with four chairs, and three barstools for starters, which makes me think they’ve done more than they needed to. Which brings a tear to my eye.
“You’ve done too much. I can already tell,” I whisper.
Shawn smiles, taking a step toward me. “You’ve been through hell, Ryan. We wanted to do a little something to make you comfortable. It’s just the basics until you can get what you need. That way, you don’t have to go out shopping.”
“Looking the way I do,” I say, finishing her thought, although I know she would not say that out loud, even if she was thinking it, which I’m certain she is.
“I didn’t say that,” she whispers.
“But you meant it, and it’s okay. I took a look at myself in the mirror this morning, so I know exactly how awful I look. I don’t need to be in public for a while, so I really do appreciate it, and once I get a job here, I will pay you back.”
“No need to pay anyone back, legs,” Atomic calls out.
Lifting my eyes to meet his, I watch as he makes his way into the room and bypasses me completely, heading toward the pink bakery box. He digs inside, producing a cookie and a cupcake, one for each hand, then begins to eat.
I know I must look confused because I feel it—wholly. King lets out a laugh, then closes the distance between himself and Shawn. I watch as he wraps his arms around her and brings her close to his side.
Her round belly is proudly displayed in her tight tank top. It’s adorable. I wish I were that cute when I was pregnant, but I definitely was not. She’s all belly and smiles. I was half sick for the entire pregnancy, and not just my belly grew—every single inch of me felt like it exploded.
“Yeah, Atomic’s cut this month paid for everything. You don’t owe a dime,” King says.
“I just hope you like it all. I tried to go basic and simple, then you can just add your personal flare,” Shawn calls out.
“It’s all perfect,” I whisper.
I can’t even speak in a regular voice. I’m far too moved to say a single freaking word. I take a deep breath and hold it for a moment as I try to calm myself down, then I breathe out and nod a couple of times.
“We’ve stayed too long. We’ll let you get settled,” Shawn says.
They gather themselves and leave, but I wish they didn’t. I haven’t seen King in years. I always liked him, but there’s something different about him now. I really like this version of him, the man totally and completely in love with his woman.
He loves her. They’re having a baby, and he’s mature. I mean, it took over forty years, but he’s mature. And that gives me hope for the man standing beside me eating a cookie and cupcake with my son.
I didn’t think that maturity was something that could happen at this stage in life, but I see it in King, and I feel it with Atomic.
Grover. God, his name is like heaven to my thoughts.
Being here feels like a dream. I’m not sure if I should have this dream.
I don’t think I deserve it, but I feel safe.
So damn safe.
“You’re too good to us, Grover,” I whisper.
His eyes find mine, and he smirks. “Like the way you say my name, legs. And I’m really not.”
“You aren’t?” I ask.
He shakes his head, taking a step closer to me. I flick my gaze from Adam to him, and he turns to look back at Adam, then shifts his attention back to meet mine, his lips curving up into a grin. He’s already eaten the cookie and lifts his empty hand, cupping the back of my head.
“No, Ryan. I’m really not,” he murmurs. “I expect you to repay me,” he whispers.
“I can,” I state.
He shifts his face forward, sliding his nose alongside mine, then touches my lips with his. “You will, legs.”
I’m pretty sure I know exactly what he’s referring to, and I can’t stop the thrill of desire that slides up and down my spine at the thought of him touching me. It’s been exhilarating having his mouth on mine, his hands touching my skin, but I want more.
It’s been six years, but I will never forget how this man feels inside of me. I have been dreaming about it, fantasizing about it for years. And now that it’s here, I’m afraid I’ve fucked it all up with my secrets. Because I know this man. If he loses trust in me, he will probably freeze me out.
Completely.