Chapter 34
Chapter Thirty-Four
Ryder
There are only a handful of times where I can say that if I had the option to go back and change my actions, I would. Things where I truly and deeply regret the stupidity of myself.
The first was when I stole Mom’s car to take the guys and Bear for a late-night ice-cream run. She woke from the sound of the car turning on and was waiting for us when we returned. I was grounded for a month and received a belt to my ass cheek.
The second is not telling our girl how I felt back when we were kids. Back when everything was innocent and before all this mess happened.
The third you may ask? Well, the third thing I regret and probably the one I feel the most irritation about, is ever hooking up with a Ring Girl. Specifically, this Ring Girl.
“Kelsie, seriously. What the fuck are you doing here, and why the hell are you in Mik’s room? On top of that, how the fuck did you get in my house?!” I thunder, stalking my way over to her.
“RyRy baby! I missed you! We haven’t spent any time together lately and I heard you have another woman hanging around.
So, I had to come and make sure my baby was safe, but she’s clearly deranged!
Swinging a gun at me like some… some… some freak!
” Kelsie whines, feigning a pout and batting her lashes at me.
I glance back at my family, catching the looks they’re exchanging including when Mik looks at Max.
Arching her brow, she mouths “RyRy?!” to which his mouth flattens into a thin line and he just shrugs.
Great, I just get the girl and this one has to show up and fuck it up.
I know the guys have all harbored harsh feelings for Kelsie.
They’ve never failed to let me know exactly what they’ve thought of her over the years, whenever she’s been around.
Which, if I’m honest, is only about five or six times in the last three years.
Five or six times too many…clearly.
“Kelsie, for the last fucking time. We. Are. Not. Together. You’re not ‘with me,’ you’re not ‘my girlfriend,’ and I definitely don’t need you to ‘look out for my safety.’ You’re a Ring Bitch, a quick fuck, nothing more than a release.
You mean nothing to me. Now, get the fuck out of my woman’s room and out of my god damn house before I call the cops.
” Glaring at her with a gaze that has made opponents tremble, she still doesn’t seem phased by my words.
Like she’s living in her own little version of delulu land.
“Awe, RyRy! I get it. You’ve had a long flight and are a wittle bit gwumpy,” she coos pinching my cheek in the process. “I won’t take it personally. I’ll just come back tomorrow once you’ve gotten some rest, my sweepy wittle fighter.”
Is this really happening? Everyone else is seeing this too, right?
Grabbing her bag, she swings it over her shoulder, and leans up, pressing a kiss to my cheek before sneering at Mik.
Bear sneers back, the fucking gun in her hand waving lazily in Kelsie’s direction, which has the delusional woman hustling ass to get out of the room.
With a small yip, she sways her hips dramatically and practically runs out of the room and down the hall.
The back of my hand flies against my cheek, rubbing at the sticky spot now lingering on it from whatever vile concoction she’s smeared against her lips. Kade saunters up beside me, slapping his hand against my shoulder and squeezing.
“You’re paying to have the locks changed, Brother.”
I press the heels of my hands into my eyes and groan dramatically. This is not what I was expecting when we finally found Bear and made it home again. Sleep, yes. Sex, hopefully. Psycho Ring Girls breaking and entering, throwing a claim on me and my woman whipping a fucking gun out of nowhere.
Definitely not.
“Kelsie aside. Can we return to the elephant in the fucking room?” I mutter, finally turning to look at everyone again. “Angel, since when do you carry a gun? How the fuck do you even know how to use that and where the hell have you been keeping it hidden?!”
Every single question spews out of me in rapid fire, my mind trying to get it all out as it struggles to wrap itself around these new revelations.
I’m not against firearms, nor would I say I’m for them either.
In fact, I’ve never really had an opinion about them, they were just another item that I’ve come across in my line of work.
But knowing Mik not only has one, but is very clearly comfortable with it, gives me an unpleasant feeling.
My stomach has not stopped twisting and turning like the spin cycle on a washing machine since I saw her pull fucking knives out of her bag in the car.
Knives! Combine my tummy issue with the now pounding headache Kelsie has left me with, not even a dark, silent room could get rid of the tiny construction crew jackhammering against my lobes.
Bear stabs me with her gaze, jaw clenched and a face made of steel.
There’s something behind those glowing greens I’ve fallen in love with, something lurking and waiting to pounce.
She firmly closes her eyes, as if stamping down the emotion and when they open to connect with mine again, it’s like night and day.
Her face is still hard, but the softness has returned to her features.
Leaving them with a more nonchalant feel, rather than the black fire that had been residing there before.
“Long time. People. It won’t be hidden anymore, if I tell you where,” she replies after clearing her throat.
Her arms cross over her chest, hip popping out and grip still firm on the weapon.
This pose of hers does nothing in way of helping me get answers, as her cleavage pushes higher, breasts on full display, and I can practically feel myself starting to drool.
“Why would you feel the need to carry weapons, Mik?” Zane asks, pulling her attention off me and thankfully my growing dick. I’m a fucking goner when it comes to fighting with her.
“We’ve already been through this. I told you I wouldn’t leave without you again, but I wasn’t joking when I said there are things I won’t be telling you.
I may be here physically, but I’ll be damned if I don’t ensure you guys are safe.
Every way I know how. Now, can we just drop it?
I’m starving, I need a shower and some of us have locks to change. ”
She storms past the lot of us, heading straight for her bathroom and the promise of a hot, steamy shower. Just before she closes the door, her head pops out, catching all of us again.
“Oh, and the next time I tell you to stay in the car. Stay in the fucking car.” She points to each of us before pulling her torso back into the room and locking the door. I guess she doesn’t want company either then.
After leaving Mik to her water and weapon hiding, I took off for the local hardware store.
I still have no idea how Kelsie managed to get into the house, as I distinctly remember us locking it when we left and only the four of us have keys.
Fuck, we haven’t even had a chance to get one for Bear yet, so how the hell does Kelsie have one?
I’ll have to get with Kade and see what we can do about improving our security system now that we have Mikayla with us.
The last thing we need is deranged women sneaking in here in the middle of the night.
Locks changed—with an extra set put on the front and back doors—I grab a cold beer from the fridge and head out to the back patio. I need some time to let my mind process, and lounging beside the pool with the sun beating against my skin warming me up, sounds like a great way to do that.
So much has happened in the last few days that we’ve just been winging it as we go.
There have been things I never thought would be possible, changes I didn’t see coming, and information I’m still not sure has settled well within my gut.
Bear is back in our lives, living here like we had always dreamed she would.
And not only that, but she wants to be in a relationship with all of us.
She’s also turned into some bad-ass, gun-wielding, smart-mouthed woman.
Which I won’t lie, is sexy as fuck. I would sell my soul for that goddess in a god damn heartbeat.
My woman.
Our woman.
My phone going off pulls me from the thoughts of Mikayla, as I focus on whoever is calling. “Ryder Leung,” I answer.
“Hey, Ry. It’s Mike.”
“Oh, hey. How’s it going?”
“Good, good. Listen, Z filled me in on your predicament and before you go off on him, just know he’s worried about you,” Mike states, and I inwardly groan. God damn it, Zane. “I thought I’d call since I have an offer you may be interested in.”
“Mike, though I appreciate the thought, and it’s no secret that you’re one of, if not the best. But you already have your—”
“Oh, shut it, Boy, and just listen,” he swiftly cuts me off, shoving me in my place with a single command.
Mike has been Zane’s handler and manager for the last six years.
Staying right beside my brother through not only the highlights of his career, but also the lows.
He pushed Z to new heights when he took him on.
Transforming him from this angsty young-adult, deep-rooted with grief and anger.
Trying to fight anything with a pulse no matter the consequence, into a professional war machine.
Deadly with his hands and swift on his feet.
“My son has finally decided to follow in his old man’s footsteps. You’re correct, I have my hands full. Especially with the upcoming finals and the X-Division Belt, but I think you and him would work well together. Taught him everything I know, and what’s better than having a mini version of me?”
A quick laugh bubbles up my throat as I shake my head. This man is cocky as all hell, but it’s well earned. “Sounds like a sweet deal. Let’s see what he’s got. Have him book something in and we can see how well he’s been ‘trained,’” I chide.
“You know, I’ve always liked you, Ry. You’ve got a good head on your shoulders and a strong heart in your chest. But, if you doubt my abilities again, I may have to show you why my reputation precedes me,” he taunts with no real threat to his tone.
I’d love to see Mike back in the ring. He was a legend in his time and only retired due to his son being born. A respectable man, he moved from the ring to coaching so he could spend time with his family.
“Tommy already has a fight lined up for ya. Took the liberty to start the second I mentioned it to him. I’ll have him send over all the deets, ya?”
“Yeah, of course. Thanks again, Mike.”
“No problem, Kiddo. And hey, don’t give my main attraction too much of a hard time about it, yah?”
I really should have a word with Z, but at this moment I don’t feel any anger or irritation towards him. He knew I was struggling, too proud to beg, and did what he could to assist. If anything, I’m grateful to have him in my corner.
It’s not even minutes later that an email comes through with all the details for my match.
This Saturday night, seven o’clock, against Phil ‘Ironfist’ Carter.
Staring at the information there is only one thing that crosses my mind as excitement and pride swell within my chest. It’s not the battle, not the pre-match prep or the thrill of getting back in the ring.
The only thing that matters to me right now, is knowing if Mik will come.