Chapter Thirty-Seven
Ryker
I’m still on a high from my first kill yesterday. I never thought it would feel this exhilarating to have watched someone take their last breath and know it was because of you. I don’t think it would have been as much fun without Brynne’s perfect performance. Her face still must be bruised from Damon’s hit. My stomach turns at the fact that I made her draw blood. I don’t care if she wanted it or not, I want her to feel safe with me.
I finish my shower and as I’m drying my hair with a towel I walk into my apartment. I jump when I see my father sitting in my computer chair at my desk.
“Where have you been the past few days? I feel like I only see you when you come to the club with me,” my father asks.
“I’ve been busy,” I shrug. I walk to my closet to grab an outfit. I’m hoping to see the guys today to go over the plan for Mr. Penfield. I know we should lay lower with all of the media covering Max, but I’m itching for my next kill and I know the guys are the same way. I want to know Brynne and how she feels when killing. I could see her eyes light up when she was ripping Wyatt apart. She has to enjoy it as much as us .
“Doing what? Did you get a job I wasn’t aware of?”
M y dad says it as a joke, but I know he means it as a jab
against me. Riley always wanted to get out as soon as he could. He had his whole future planned out and it didn’t involve my father’s money. I wish I had the same backbone as my brother. I would be gone in a heartbeat, but then I wouldn’t have money, and we need that for what we’re doing.
Damon hasn’t gotten any other jobs for the Reaper Boys since Epson fell through. I have a feeling that isn’t a coincidence. I’ll have to play good little son until we can
finally finish our plans. Even after we finish I don’t know what I want to do. I feel like I won’t have a purpose if I’m not out here taking out people who didn’t deserve to take a first breath in the first place.
I believe people are born the way they are. The outside world may help shape them into who they become, but deep down, who you become is who you were born to become. These pieces of shit we kill were born with sick minds and we were born to kill them.
“I’ve been at my girlfriend's place,” I blurt out. I don’t know if I should say more since he will go and investigate who I’m with. I don’t need him snooping around in Brynne’s business. Especially since her business is our business now. If he were to find out that she was my therapist, then he would ruin her reputation. My dad has a way of getting what he wants and somehow doesn’t get consequences for ruining people in his path.
“Please don’t tell me you're dating that waitress?” he
asks.
“Monica,” I cut in. “Her name is Monica, and no father I’m not dating her. ”
“So I won't be catching you fucking anymore country club workers in closets then?” he says in a condescending voice.
“It happened once,” I roll my eyes as I slip into my clothes.
“I know for a fact it was more than once Ryker. I was once your age too,” he raises his eyebrows.
“ I was talking about getting caught. You only caught
me once,” I wink before walking back into the bathroom to get my boxers and jeans on.
“You’re such a smart ass. I just wanted to remind you that I’m going away on business and it will only be you and your mother,” my father says. I walk back into my room.
“I know. When will you be back?” I ask. If he is gone then I can stay with Brynne the whole time.
“A week,” he answers. My mother flashes through my head. She rarely gets out of the house and I know without my father bringing her to the country club she will stay home. Alone. My head betrays me and Riley pops into my head and tells me that I need to be the man while my father is out. As much as I want to be greedy and spend all my spare time with Brynne, I need to also protect my mother. I don’t know what I’m protecting her from, but I know Riley would do the same.
“ When are you leaving?” I ask.
M y father looks down at his expensive watch and
excitement flashes in his eyes. “An hour actually,” he smiles and then stands. “I'll see you in a week son. Make sure to not get into any trouble while I’m gone. I’m counting on you while I’m not here. The election is next month and It's looking good for me. Stay out of trouble,” he stresses. He pulls me in for a hug and his musky cologne wraps around me. He leaves and I’m left in my room alone.
It doesn’t last long before my mother knocks on my door. I don’t know how much time has passed, but I’m
guessing my father has already left. “Ryker sweetie, are you home?” she calls through the door.
“Yeah, come in,” I say. The door opens and her eyes
light up when she sees me. She walks in and looks around the apartment.
“Are you busy?” she points to the door. “I can always come back later,” she adds.
“No Mom. It’s fine,” I wave her in, and she closes the door. “What’s up?” I ask.
“Well, I was thinking since your father just left maybe we could go out to lunch. Go shopping, you know like we used to when you were younger,” she says hesitantly. I’m about to open my mouth to answer, but she cuts me off. “You don’t have to if you’re busy. I know you’re not a baby anymore and,” I walk over to her and grab her hand.
“Mom, I would love to go to lunch with you,” I smile. “oh, and shopping as well,” I add. She smiles and my heart warms. I wanted to see Brynne, but that will have to wait until tomorrow. My session is then, and I fully intend to take up all two hours this time, maybe even more.
“Are you sure?” My mother asks. It makes me feel like an awful son that I haven’t spent time with her. My father rarely goes out with her unless it's for publicity purposes. He wants to look good to the public and does whatever it takes to make sure that happens. Apparently neglecting my mother is part of that plan. Guilt tries to make its way inside my head, but Riley is my voice of reason again.
“I could use some more clothes,” I pat my stomach. “And some grub,” I laugh.
Honestly, I want to get something for Brynne. I feel like she has been ours for years and I want to be the one to take care of her. To show her how much I want her and appreciate her not killing us the day we broke into her house. The guys think we won by catching her in the woods, but I know she could have escaped. She isn’t some damsel in distress. She's the devil in disguise. We are simply the demons at her side.
“Okay let’s leave in ten,” my mother says before grabbing the door handle. She stops and turns back. “Ryker?”
“Yeah.”
“Thank you,” she says softly before leaving. Chills run down my spine as if Riley placed his hand on my shoulder. I wish he was here to meet Brynne. He would think I was crazy for feeling so much toward someone I had just only met weeks ago, but I know he would have loved her just as much as I do already.