Chapter 22
“THROW ME TO THE WOLVES” FUTURE ROYALTY
I sway in place as Ryder helps me with the same helmet from yesterday.
He hasn’t said much since waking up earlier this morning and handing over my phone, which I accidentally left in his bedroom.
Then he tossed a hoodie to me and told me he’s taking me home.
That’s it. He didn’t help me as I struggled to get the slightly bigger hoodie on.
Instead, he disappeared to the back deck, where he spent his time texting somebody.
For all I know, he could have been chatting with Hawk or the others in his friend group. I don’t know and I shouldn’t care.
But I do. A lot, actually.
The way he’s acting feels almost sneaky, so I wonder if he’s talking to another woman. I have no right to be jealous. I’m not single, unfortunately, but he is.
My eyes slide shut as Ryder fastens the helmet’s straps beneath my chin. He hasn’t said much to me since last night—which cuts deep—but he’s still gentle while handling me.
I barely got any sleep last night. My nerves were everywhere because of what we did, as well as the looming threat of Justin finding me here.
Every creak from the house’s settling structure startled me awake.
I held my breath while searching through the darkness, afraid to find him sneaking into the living room.
He’d probably drag me out of the house by my hair.
I believed Ryder when he said he’d take care of Justin if he were to show up, but anxiety is a workaholic. It never takes a day off.
Ryder drops his hand, then taps the side of my helmet, signaling he’s finished. I blink open my eyes as he backs away and waits for me to get on his motorcycle. The slight curl of his fingers as he beckons me brings all sorts of dirty thoughts to mind.
I duck my head, thankful he can’t see my blush, and I squeeze past him. I mentally prepare for him to grab me or even spank my ass. It’s something I wouldn’t put past him.
Nothing happens.
My shoulders slacken, and disappointment coils in my stomach. I hate how he’s messing with my head. Gone are the heated looks and passing touches meant to turn me on.
Ryder is keeping his word by treating me the same way as before, even though we’re alone.
I can’t help but wonder if it was a one-and-done thing. A heat-of-the-moment mistake where we said things we didn’t mean as passion consumed us.
I slide onto the bike and inch backward to give Ryder room as he straddles the seat in front of me. The engine roars to life, and I lock my arms around his waist. He picks his way down the long driveway before we take off on the main road.
My stomach flips as he increases the speed exiting the neighborhood. It’s early on a Sunday, so not a lot of people are out. I thank the sky above because the last thing I need right now is for someone to see us.
The ride takes less time than when driving a car. I knew Ryder enjoyed riding his motorcycle, but I didn’t realize how much he loved speeding until these last two days.
Ryder parks on the far side of the driveway, and my stomach knots as our parents’ house looms over us.
Home sweet home.
Back to my prison, where I have to be the good daughter of Jerry Richmond. Time to face the music and find out what Justin told my father happened yesterday.
I slip off the seat as Ryder knocks out the kickstand, and I linger nearby for him to help me with the helmet.
Not that I need the help. I just want to drag this out for as long as possible and feel his hands on me before we go back to how things were.
He doesn’t spare me a glance as he straightens to his full height and stalks toward the path leading to the backyard.
My heart sinks as he disappears around the corner, leaving me standing here looking like a fool.
“This is only just the beginning. But for your sake, and the sake of the reputation you’re desperately clinging to, I’ll treat you the same. Just so no one will ever catch on.” Ryder’s promise resurfaces, cruelly reminding me this is exactly what I wanted, and he’s keeping his word.
Suck it up, Maddy. It’s for the best.
I square my shoulders and take the opposite path from Ryder, leading to the front door. Two uncarved pumpkins sit on each side of the entrance. Carolyn must have put them there. Dad never puts in any effort, but the effort is too minimal to have been Minnie. That woman loves Halloween.
I still need to prepare for the party my friends and I are planning to crash.
My main concern is Ryder. If he’s there, I don’t know if he’ll try anything or if it’ll just be awkward as we give each other the cold shoulder.
Or he could always take it a step further and make a huge scene in front of everyone because I invited myself to his party.
Shaking away the thought, I open the door and quietly shut it behind me. I squint so I can see through the tinted visor as I creep through the entrance, hoping my father won’t hear my arrival and confront me. My heart pounds harder with each step I take.
I can’t fucking breathe with this helmet on. Its straps dig into the underside of my jaw.
My hands tremble as I fumble with the straps. It’s hard to see what I’m doing. When I think I have it loosened, it still doesn’t come undone. I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from cursing as the strap refuses to budge.
“Why won’t you come off?” I whisper.
A door squeaks open, and footsteps stomp through the hallway that leads to Dad’s office and the gym.
My hands fall limp to my sides, and I slowly turn toward the sound.
I know Dad’s footsteps like the back of my hand.
They’re always so loud and hard, like he’s stomping the marble deeper into the earth for insulting his dead mother.
Dad rounds the corner, a scowl already set in place, and his hands slip into his pockets. It’s Sunday, and he’s still dressed in a business suit. “And where have you been?”
I cringe, thankful he can’t see my expression beneath the helmet.
I didn’t realize I had to answer to you like I’m still a child, I want to say, but I don’t. It’ll only dig my grave deeper.
“Out,” I say.
Dad raises an eyebrow and looks me over with a critical eye. His frown deepens at whatever he sees. “Clearly.”
I wince. It’s not like I’m wearing anything different from my usual outfits. I glance down, suddenly self-conscious about my wardrobe. My eyes widen.
Shit. Ryder’s hoodie.
A cold sweat breaks out on my clammy skin as I wait for Dad to put two and two together. From glimpsing the clothing alone, there’s no way he’ll know what Ryder and I did last night, but if there’s a will, there’s a way for that man.
“Take the helmet off, Madison,” Dad orders. “I want to see your face when I’m talking to you.”
With stiff movements, I unclip the strap and raise the helmet from my head.
“What happened yesterday was disrespectful to your future husband,” Dad says.
Dad yanks the helmet from my hands and regards me with indifference. “It was disrespectful to me as well. Your misbehavior reflects on me, Madison, and I can’t have that.”
I fix my hair and glare at him. “Did Justin tell you what happened?”
His gaze sharpens into daggers. “He told me everything.”
“And you’re still taking his side?” My head rears back like he just backhanded me without a thought. He might as well have done so, because how the hell can he excuse Justin assaulting and almost raping me? I know my dad can be heartless, but I didn’t realize he actually lacks a soul.
“Don’t act like a child. It’s unbecoming of you.” He turns his attention to the helmet he’s still holding in a death grip. His lips curl in disgust as he shifts his focus to me. “It looks like you and your brother have a newfound friendship. How intriguing.”
I freeze, afraid he’ll see through me and learn all my secrets if I move in the slightest. I try to choose my next words carefully so Ryder doesn’t get dragged into this. “Not really. We can’t stand each other. I had him take me to my friend’s house.”
Dad tilts his head but doesn’t break the staring contest or his silence. His eyes that were once kind turn cold and callous, lacking any humanity. With each passing second, my chest constricts until it’s hard to breathe through the rising panic.
He knows what happened. He was just testing me to see what I would say. I failed.
“Stay away from him,” he says, finally breaking the silence. “Do you hear me? He’s nothing but bad news.”
I swallow around the lump building in my throat.
Dad widens the gap between us, taking the helmet with him. I reach for it, and he gives me his back, then strides toward the hallway leading to his office.
I inch forward, wanting to follow him so I can grab the helmet and return it to Ryder.
“Oh, and Madison?” He stops and turns his narrowed gaze to me.
“The next time you try to stab Justin while he’s using the restroom, I’ll allow him to press charges against you, just so we’re clear.
Your little stunt put a hole in my wallet to prevent that outcome this time around, but don’t think I’ll always protect you when you act like a petulant brat. ”
My jaw drops, right along with my heart, which shatters into a million pieces.
The jerk didn’t tell my father the truth. Of course he lied!
Rage burns through my veins, scaring me for the first time. It’s consuming me until all I can picture is strangling Justin until life leaves his eyes.
Dad dismisses me, then says over his shoulder, “Your new ring is waiting for you on your vanity. It stays on no matter what, and you’ll thank Justin when he comes over for dinner tomorrow evening.”