Chapter 18
Ryker watched Vic from across the room. He had no idea what wasbeing saidbuthecould tell by the stiffness in her shoulders that she was upset. Her fake smile didn’t hide her distress, at least not from him. Funny how he’d only known her for a few daysandyet he could read her like they’d been friends for years. And what he was reading now, he didn’t like.
He also didn’t likethe waythe men in that little circle were ogling her, although he couldn’t blame them. Vic looked stunning in that dress. It complemented her hair and her eyes, and there wasn’t a man in the room who didn’t notice her curves. The whole situation made Ryker want to go over and throw a coat over her.No,whathereallywanted todo wastake her back to his place and spend the next several days in bed with her.
One of the men, Wright, laid a hand on Vic’s arm. She smiled up at him. Ryker had to look awayorhe would go over there and do something stupid yet very satisfying to Wright’s face. He took a deep breath and scanned the room.
It seemed like anormalD.C. gathering, but the undercurrent wassomething altogetherdifferent. As his gaze bounced around the room, it becameobviousthat Davis was the center of attention.Sneakinglookshere and there, appearing to be engaged in theirownconversations but in reality, they were watching Davis.And when the moment came that they thought they could ease into the conversation he was having, they jumped on it. Davis was suddenly the man of the hour. He’d become the man with the most power in the room, which didn’t make sense.But Ryker stayedalert,because his mom and grandma’s voicesin his head whispered don’t let him pee down your back and tell you it’s rain.
Twenty long minutes later, Davis gave him the signal. It was time to go. Ryker told Tony and Vince to bring the SUV to the front. Melvin stayed with him. Minutes later, theywere headedback to the house. Ryker sat in the front with Tony, while Vince was in thefollowcar with Melvin. Davis was on his phone in the back seatandVic was staring out the window. The tension was like a bow on his nerves, scraping in an odd, discordant manner. He needed tobe finishedwith this job. He was off-kilter, and he didn’t like it.
“I didn’t appreciate your comment, Invicta.”Davis’s voice cut through the darkness.
“I didn’t appreciate yours,”Vic shot back.“You made me seem like a coveted heifer at the fair.”
Ryker tensed atthe argumentative tone in Vic’svoice.He wasn’t sure if he should be proud of her or scared she was pushing the limit.
Davis’s voice went cold.“Those men are important.I want them to knowwhat a valuable asset you areto me.”
“You want them to know I’m singleandby datingmethey’d have access to you.”The venom in Vic’s voice made Rykerimmediatelywant to pull her into his arms. She was hurting. His desire to hurt Davis grew tenfold.
“There is nothing wrong with trying to look out for you. You’ve been through a traumatic experience.I thoughtmaybe going out on a date or two would make you feel better. I’m your uncle, it’smy job to look out for you. Those men are smart and ambitious.Is it wrong to want you to find someone who will be able to be a good partner,be able totake care of you in the style to which I want you tobe accustomed?”
Ryker knew he was shoveling a pile of manurebutit was the type of crap Davis excelled at. It sounded logical. Ryker foughtthe urgeto turn around and see if Vic was buying it.
“I don’t need your help to find a date, and I certainly don’t need you to tell a group of men my bona fides like I’m up for auction to the highest bidder.”
Good for you, Vic. Ryker let out the breath he’d been holding. She wasn’t falling for her uncle’s ploy.
“I am sorry if it appeared that way to you, butI assure youthat was not my intention.I had assumedwhen you turned up in that dress that you were looking for a date.Everyone in the room could see the promised land,”Davis said with a sneer. Creative as slurs go, but the man was losing his temper now. Ryker ducked his head to keep his smile to himself. Davis hated to be contradicted and loathed to be questioned by anyone,butespecially by someone who was supposed to be under his thumb.
The SUV rolled through the gates and stopped in front of the steps. Davis opened his door.“I expect to see you bright and early in the office tomorrowwearing something appropriate.”He slid out and slammed his door.
Tony met Ryker around the side of the SUV and raised his eyebrows.He shook his head but neither man commented.Nothingto say.They both understood what kind of man Davis was.
Vic had gotten out of the SUV. She was keying something into her phone.“I’ll take you home,”Ryker said.
Vic glanced up at him.“That’sokay. I’ll take an Uber.”
“I will take you home.”Ryker knew his tone was terse, but he wasn’t letting Vic out of his sight in that dress. Notwith everything that had happened. She wasn’t the target but she’d beentargetadjacent too many times.He didn’t want her traveling on her own.
Her eyes snapped angrily.Hedidn’t blame her for being mad. He was angry for her, but she shouldn’t be annoyed with him. Her ire shouldbe directedtoward her uncle. Helet out a breathas he walked over and opened the driver’s door to his Porsche. He suddenly realized Vic wasn’t behind him. He glanced over to where she’d been standingbutshe wasn’t there anymoreeither.
He spun around and finally located her.She was on her way through the pedestrian entranceof the gate.“Oh no, you don’t,”he snarled. He didn’t have time for her to throw a well-deserved hissy fit. He ground his teeth as he got behind the wheel of his Porsche and took off down the driveway. He made a right and rolled along beside Vicwhopointedly ignored him as she power-walked down the sidewalk.
He dropped the window.“Vic. Get in the car.”
Ignoring him, she continued her march.
“Vic,”he growled again, his voice full of warning.
There wasn’t even a hitch in her step. He must be losing his edge. He raised his voice and said through clenched teeth,“Invicta, get in the car.”
She walked faster.
He threw the car intoparkand got out. He caught her in three strides and spun her around.“Get in the freaking car, Vic.”
“I will not. Stop ordering me around. I’m fine. I will take an Uber home. Your services are not required any further.”She ripped her arm out of his grasp.
He waspretty sureshe was not just referring to his security services.
“Vic, someone tried to kill you. I am responsible for you. You need to get in the car!”Okay, so he knew now that no one wanted Vic dead, nor did they want her uncle dead, but he still wanted her to get in the car. He needed to take herhome,to know she was safe.
She whirled around.“Someone tried to kill my uncle, not me.Iwas just a mistake. I’m fine. You are not responsible for me.”She pointed to her chest.“I am responsible for me. Just me. Not you. Not my uncle. I will make my own decisions. I don’t need you to take care of me, either of you!”She took off down the sidewalk again.
Ryker grabbed her bicep and spun her around again. He dropped his voice.“Don’t you dare lump me in with youruncle.He’s done horrible things. I am not like him. Not by a long shot. He’s a heartless snake of the worst order?—”
“What do you mean? Did you talk to Daisy? What did she say to you?”Vic demanded.
Ryker frowned.“Who’s Daisy, and what would she tell me about your uncle if I asked her?”
“Nothing…I just thought…never mind.”
His heart stuttered. Did Davis sexually assault a woman? Ryker was not going to protect him from that. They weren’t in the realm of the Society here, so Archer didn’t have a say in it.“No, Vic.You’re going totell me what this Daisy person said your uncle did.”
“He…she…Daisy said that Uncle Austin was trying to pimp me out for lack of a better word.”
Raged roared like a lion through his veins.Thisexplained the whole situation on the drive home. He’d never wanted to smash someone into the ground so much as he did at this moment. If Ryker had anything to say about it, Austin Davis’s days on this earthwere numbered.
Vic narrowed her eyes at him.“What do you think he did that makes him so bad?”she countered.“You’re calling him the lowest of the low. Prove it.”
Ryker clamped his jaw together. He did not want to be the one to tell Vic what crimes her uncle had committed. That wasn’t a conversation he wanted to be anywhere near.“It’s not my place to say.”He glared at her.
Her eyes shot daggers at him, and it was straight upthe hottest thing he’d ever seen.Vic was sexy as hell no matter what she was doing, but mad Vic made his cock harden on sight.
He drew a deep breath, hoping for calm and reasonable when he ordered,“Get in the car, now.”
She snorted.“Not your place? Bullshit. I’m not getting in the car until you tell me what you know.”
Ryker leaned forward until he was inches from her face.“Get in the car now, Invicta, or I will throw you over my shoulder and put you there myself.”
She glared at him.“You wouldn’t dare.”
Ryker had enough. Hewas donetrying to explain. He immediately swooped down, grabbed her around her legs, and flung her over his shoulder.
She let out a scream and pounded on his back.“Asshole! Put me down!”
A car rolled to a stop and the window went down.“Are youokay?”Aman yelled.“Do you need help?”An Uber light beamed in the front window.
“She’s fine,”Ryker snarled.“Keep going.”
“Do you want me to call the police?”the man yelled again.
“Well, do you, Vic?”Ryker asked.“Do you want to call the cops? Explain to them what’s goingon?Hell, let’s call the press too. Too bad they aren’t out here right now.Thiswould make a hell of a front-page story.”
Vic stopped struggling. She said in a calm voice.“Put me down, Ryker.”
He immediately put her feet down on the sidewalk and then straightened. She glared at him but said nothing.Turningto the driver.“I’m fine,”she called,“butthanks for checking.My…friend and I werejustjoking around.I’m sorry. I am going to ride with my friend. I’ll pay you a tip. Sorry for the misunderstanding.”
The driver didn’t look so sure, but after asecondhe shrugged andthendrove off. Vic stalked around the Porsche and got into the passenger seat. Ryker cringed when she slammed the door harder than necessary, not waiting for him to close it forher,like a gentleman. Fists still clenched, he slid behind the wheel and then took off.
He drove swiftly through the city to Vic’s apartment.As he pulledto the curb, he said,“You asked Archer for help. I am that help. My job isn’t just to keep your uncle safe. It’s to stop anything from happening to you as well.”
“That’s a stupid statement,”Vic retorted.
Ryker frowned. What was she on about now?
She got out of the car and headed into the building. He had no choice but to follow her.“Explain,”hebit outas he got into the elevator with her. Unfortunately, one of Vic’s neighbors boarded as well.The silence was so thick with tension he doubted the sharpest knife would cut it. He did not want to go into her apartment. He was too riled up. Tooon edge. Hewanted her too much.
As theygot off onher floor, he took the keys from her hand and opened her door. Afterquickrecon of her apartment, he came back to stand directlyin front ofher.“What did you mean?”he demanded.
She sighedandher shoulders sagged.“You can’t stop everything from happening to me. It’s not your job. It’s not my uncle’s job. It’s not even my parents’ job.It’s my job andevenI can’t stop everything.Life happens. If there’s one lesson I learned from my parents and livingona commune, it’s that no matter what, you can’t stop shit from happening to you. Sometimes it’s good, sometimes bad, but things happenandthere’snot a damn thinganyone can do to stop that. So, I’m not your job, Ryker.”She was still pissedbutdefeat also graced her features.
It tore him up that she wassad or unhappyor whatever she was. Her bleak outlook wasn’t goodbuthe was powerless tomake it better. He ran a hand through his hair.“Vic, I have to keep you safe. Please don’t fight with me about this. It makes my job tougherandit’s hard enough as it is.”
She snorted.“Fine. Whatever. I’m home. I’m safe. You can leave.”She stepped around him and made her way to the kitchen.
Ryker watched her go. He wanted to go after her, to pull her to him and hold her close. To chase away that defeat with kisses, and he wanted her to yell his name as she orgasmed. But none of those things were going to happen. Sleeping with her had been a mistake. He’d done it because she’d needed grounding after being shot at…Or so he told himself.butin fact, he’d taken her to bed because he desperately wanted to. He wanted her.He’d gliblythought that having her once would get it out of his system. With all the women he could remember,one and donewas his usual schtick. But Vic was different. She was like a drugandnow hewas an addict, jonesing for his next fix.
“Night, Vic.”Ryker forced himself to walk out the door.He couldn’t remember a job where his emotions were so messed up.Desirefor Vic. Desireto put Davis down. He was off his game and that wasn’t good. When he didn’t focus, it meant people could die and he did not want one of those people to be Vic.
* * *
Rykermade it backto his place in record time, but Archer was still waiting when he arrived.“Thanks for meeting me,”Ryker said as he unlocked his door.
“You indicated it’s important.”Archer sat on the couch facing Ryker,who wasstanding in the kitchen.
“Vic wants to know why we think her uncle is such a bad guy.”
Archer’s eyes narrowed slightly.“And what did you tell her?”
Ryker gave a little shrug.“Nothing yet. But at some point, one of usis going tohave to break the truth to her.”
“I fail to see why,”Archer said as he draped an arm over the back of the couch.
Ryker did his best to keep his face neutral.“It matters because we are going to need her help.”He sighed and leaned against his counter.“So far, Davis hasbeen very effective at keepingme outside of the inner circle.I’m finding out bits and pieces, but not enough. We still don’t know what the hell he’s up to. I think Vic is going to be our way in.Davis put his foot in it royally tonight,butheseemed to recover somewhat.I need to lean into that.”
Archer seemed to study Ryker.“You think telling her what a son of a bitch her uncle is will make her more willing to help?”
“That’s the plan,”Ryker agreed.
“What did Davis do this evening to anger her?”Archer asked.
“Hebasicallyput her on offer to several of the more influential political types under the guise of worrying if something happens to him, she’ll be all alone.Really,he’s trying to form alliancesbutfor what I still don’t know.”
Archer nodded.“I can see where that would agitate Invicta.”
Ryker snorted.“Yeah, it didn’t go over well.”He cocked his head.“What’s the story with Vic’s family?”
“Her parents liveona commune in Texas that her father founded. They are both still alive, as far as I know. Invicta decidedwhen she wasa teenager that she was done with commune life and pleaded with her uncle tocomesave her.Eventuallyhe did.”
Ryker’s shoulders tightened a fraction.“Does that strike you as odd?I mean,I don’t see Davis as a caring uncle, so why did he take her away from the commune?”
Archer shrugged.“I have no idea.He must have thought there was some value in it for himotherwisehe wouldn’t ever do it.You know Davis as well as I do. He’s not the type of man to care about his young niece.She must have come with somekind ofbenefit that he wanted.”
Ryker’s gut rolled.Just thethought of young Vic getting used by her uncle was enough to make him want to pound something or wrap his hands around Davis’s neck and squeeze.
Archer stood.“Tell her whatever you need her to get her to do whatever it is you need her to do. But don’t tell her too much. Just a hint or two of what he’s been up to. We don’t want him to find out we’re telling his niece about all his sins. We do need to make progress. Do some more digging. Push harder. We have to know what’s coming. If you can’t handle this, I can?—”
“I’ve got it,”Ryker said coldly. He didn’t like to be threatened, not even by Archer.
“You have a job to do, so do it. No excuses. I expect results.”Archer rose from the couch.
“You should know that Davis set up the attempt on Vic’s life. Itwas meantas a publicity stunt. One he wanted to dine out onbutthe Tin Man, the guy who calls him on the burner cell, stopped him.Saidit would look bad. So, the Tin Man sent Langille to fake an attempt on Davis’s life.Toldhim to get out there and dine out on that onebutdo it with class.Turns out,Armstrong knew about the whole thing but didn’t warn Davis so the attempt would seem more authentic.”
Archer’s eyes narrowed.“It’s like they’re setting him up for a run for office, but his seat isn’t up for re-election for a couple of years.”He jammed his hands into his pockets.“I need to make some calls.”
Ryker gave a curt nod and followed Archer to the door when the other man turned and stared at him.“Don’t get involved in Vic’s life, Ryker. Nothing good will come of it. She is just a pawn in this game, and we will use her as such. Anything else would bring trouble down on us.”
Toolate.Ryker was already under her spell. But rather than confess, he merely said,“I understand,”and kept his face neutral. How he was going to comply with Archer’s request was beyond him. He needed to give it his best shot though because the alternative was to disobey Archer and the consequences of that didn’t bear thinking about.