Chapter 19
Chapter Nineteen
R yder stood in front of the small crowd, so many emotions swirling in his chest.
They were in Boeddeker Park, the largest park in the Tenderloin. And the place where Robbie had liked to sit and feed the birds.
Damn, Ryder missed him.
A hand squeezed his fingers. He looked at Siv. It was a cool day, and the sky overhead was filled with gray clouds. She wore a black leather jacket, black pants, and a tan shirt. She was watching him with love and concern in her eyes. He squeezed back.
Peter Wilcox and the rest of the Wilcox family stood nearby. The men of Norcross were behind them, along with Ryder’s brothers. Santiago, Iris, and others from the Anderson Clinic were there too. Some were still in their scrubs, having just come from the clinic.
With them was a large group of people who called the streets home, in a wild array of clothes, and woolen hats pulled low over their faces.
Ryder cleared his throat and stepped forward.
“Robbie was my friend. We shared being combat medics in the military, and often swapped stories. We saw some bad shit, so I understood where Robbie came from. He was one of those people with honor and a good heart. I know he helped many of you here, in lots of different ways.”
“He made the bad people leave me alone.” Annie’s high-pitched voice rang across the crowd.
“He gave me food,” a man called out.
“He gave me a jacket when I was cold,” a young man said.
Ryder saw Peter’s face spasm—with sorrow…and pride.
“I will never forget him,” Ryder said.
Bish shuffled forward, his hair and beard somewhat tamed for the memorial.
He clutched a bunch of flowers in his hands.
He cleared his throat nervously. “Robbie was my friend too.” Bish’s lips trembled.
“He was also my family. We stuck together. I was with him when things were good, and when they were not so good.” Bish looked at Peter.
“He loved his blood family. He talked about you a lot. He was real proud of you.”
Peter’s lips compressed and he nodded.
“Ryder, Robbie was real proud to call you friend. He told me that you were a classic combat medic. Gold through and through.”
Jesus . Ryder didn’t want to cry.
Siv slid an arm around him. He tugged her close, thankful for the support, and held on.
“Here’s to Robbie.” Bish held up the flowers. “The best of us.”
Cheers and claps broke out. Someone whistled.
“To Robbie,” the crowd yelled.
“To Robbie,” Ryder murmured. “Wherever you are, I hope you’re at peace, buddy.”
Peter stepped forward. He pointed to a van that had just pulled up. Several people in white shirts were climbing out. “I arranged for food and drink. Robbie loved Dan’s Kitchen, so I convinced them to deliver. There’s plenty for everyone.”
There were more cheers.
Both Hunt and Cam came over and hugged Ryder. He saw Siv chatting with Bish and Annie, smiling at the pair.
“Good job, Ryder,” Hunt said.
Ryder nodded. “Robbie would’ve loved this. He’d be sorry he missed the food.”
Later, after the memorial had finished, he walked down the sidewalk with Siv.
“I wish I could’ve met him,” she said.
“Robbie would’ve loved you. He would’ve threatened to steal you from me.”
She smiled and looked ahead. Then she stiffened.
Ryder followed her gaze…
And saw Tattoo Guy and Shaggy Hair smoking on the corner.
Siv straightened, a deadly-looking glint in her eyes.
Uh-oh. “Siv—”
“I’ll be right back.”
His pulse spiked. “Babe—”
She strode toward the men and Ryder followed.
“Hey!” she called out.
The men’s heads whipped around, and their eyes widened.
“Remember me?” she said. “I beat you up. Then you went and got some friends, and jumped my guy.”
The two men backed up, like they saw a deadly storm approaching.
Then Siv attacked.
Ryder waited, alert, in case she needed help.
But she didn’t.
Her front kick caught Shaggy Hair in the stomach, and he staggered back. She grabbed Tattoo Guy and hammered two quick punches into his gut. Then she swung him around and slammed him into the wall of the closest building.
Next, she grabbed Shaggy’s long hair and yanked. He howled. She rammed her knee into his face and sent him to the ground with a pained groan.
Tattoo Guy threw his hands up. “Don’t hurt me.”
She kicked him again. He landed on top of his friend.
Siv crouched. “You touch my man again, or attack anyone around here, and I’ll know. Do you know who I work for?”
The groaning men shook their heads.
“Vander Norcross,” she said.
More fear leaked into their eyes.
“I’ll be telling him all about you two. Now, make it so I never see your ugly faces again.”
They staggered to their feet and hobbled off as quickly as they could.
“Babe,” Ryder said as she walked back to him. “I’m as hard as steel right now.”
She smiled and grabbed his hand. “Your place is closer than mine.”
He yanked her in and kissed her. She bit his lip, hard. Someone else is a little worked up too.
“My place, it is.” They set off down the street at a jog.
* * *
“ Yes ,” Siv breathed.
“Hell, yes, babe,” Ryder grunted.
She moved her hips, riding him hard. She loved the way he filled her with every stroke.
It was a few days after the memorial and they were enjoying a lazy Sunday morning. They were still at her place, and Ryder had half moved in.
Siv had discovered that morning sex was the best.
“Fuck me, babe,” he muttered.
She pressed her hands to his chest, filling herself with Ryder. His bruises were fading, and she could enjoy every inch of his glorious body anyway she wanted.
He sat up, his arms winding around her, forcing her mouth to his.
Siv kept riding, moving faster and harder. “ Ryder .” Her breathing was coming in pants.
“Love you, Siv.”
“God, I love you, too.”
His other hand slid down, toying with her necklace before he went lower, much lower.
“You are magnificent, babe,” he murmured. Then his fingers found her clit.
She moaned. “I’m going to come.”
“Then come for me.”
Siv’s back arched and she threw her head back. The pleasure was hot and intense, searing through her. She cried out, her body shaking through her release.
Suddenly, Ryder tossed her on her back. His cock pounded inside her and a second later, he thrust into her, his big body shuddering. His groan was long and loud.
They collapsed on the bed.
“Best way to start the day,” he said. “Ever.” He pressed a kiss to her mouth. “Now, let’s get in the shower. We’re meeting Cam, Hunt, and Savannah for a late breakfast remember?”
“Brunch.”
“Babe, men don’t do brunch.”
Siv lifted her head. “It’s breakfast, later in the day. That’s brunch.”
“Nope.” He smacked her ass. “Get moving, Pedersen.”
They showered. Siv dressed in jeans and a blue knit shirt. She was doing her makeup, while eyeing Ryder in the mirror as he toweled dry. She was lucky she didn’t stab herself in the eye with her mascara.
He busted her looking, and posed a little, grinning. That sexy smile… No, it was the total package she loved.
The doorbell rang.
Siv frowned. “I didn’t buzz anyone up.”
Ryder wrapped a towel around his waist. “I’ll get it. You finish up.”
She raised her voice. “If it’s a woman, please don’t have her drooling everywhere.” Crank leaped up on the vanity, staring grumpily with his one eye. “Your daddy can’t help himself. He charms everyone.” She gave the cat a scratch between his ears. Crank purred.
She heard voices. Ryder’s deep one, and…a female one.
A familiar female one.
“Oh, dritt .” She dropped the mascara wand and hustled out.
She found her near-naked lover facing off with her mother.
Christie Pedersen looked like an older, curvier version of Siv. She stayed in good shape with yoga and hiking, and had good genes. She kept her blonde hair dyed shades lighter than Siv’s with regular visits to the salon.
Blue eyes sliced to Siv.
“You said no men,” her mother clipped. “And here’s a handsome one with tattoos, naked , in your apartment.”
“Hi, Mamma.”
“Don’t you mamma me. Explain.”
Siv cleared her throat. “Well…”
Her mother raised a brow.
“Mrs. Pedersen, it’s a real pleasure to meet you.” Ryder poured on the charm with a dazzling smile. “You’re as beautiful as your daughter. You two could be sisters.”
All that did was make her mother’s gaze narrow.
Ryder faltered under the glare. “Um…”
Siv snorted “Nice going, Morgan.”
“My charm has always worked on everyone, but you,” he complained. “And now your mom.”
“Apparently Pedersen women are immune,” she said.
He closed the distance between them. “Thank God I won you over anyway.” He kissed her.
She cupped his jaw. “Because under the bad boy charm is a good man.”
Her mother made a sound and Siv jerked. She’d forgotten about her.
Siv straightened. “Mamma—”
Her mom looked between them. “You’re in love with him.”
Siv’s throat tightened. “Yes. I wanted to tell you, but we had a case to close, and it all happened so fast…”
“And you knew I’d object.”
“I wanted you to meet him.” Ryder slid an arm around Siv. She smiled up at him. “Ryder, this is my mom, Christie. Mom, Ryder Morgan. He’s a paramedic.”
“And former military,” her mom said. “It shows.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” he said. “And just so you know, I’m crazy in love with your daughter.”
Siv’s mom watched them, then smiled. “I think I believe you.”
“Look, we’re meeting my brothers for a late breakfast. Will you join us?”
“I’d love to,” her mom said.
“I’ll…” He waved at his bare chest and towel. “Get dressed.” He winked at Siv. “Be right back, my Norwegian flower.”
He stalked out and they both watched him go.
“He is very easy to look at,” Siv’s mom murmured. “That tattoo is fascinating. And his six pack—”
“ Mamma .”
Her mom walked over and they hugged.
“I’m happy for you, darling.”
“I thought you’d be worried,” Siv murmured.
“I saw the way you looked at him.” Her mom smiled. “And the way he looked at you.”
“He makes me happy.”
“Good. You deserve that.”