“Raine, I just don’t understand why you two need to be spending that type of money when we have a perfectly good home for you guysrighthere.”
“Abel, stop,” Crickett huffed. “They wouldn’t be far, just uptheroad.”
Dad slammed his fist onto the table. “We’re safer when we are together,” he growled, narrowing his eyesather.
I felt like I was a little kid again, watching Mommy and Daddy fighting. I stared downward as I pushed peas around my almost emptyplate.
“There’s no harm in just checking to see if it is a good deal.” Ryder put his hand on mine, thumbing mydiamondring.
Dad stood, towering over the table. “I’m going for adrive.”
Crickett snatched the truck keys from his hand. “If you think you’re walking out of this house without me, you’re fuckinginsane.”
She was toe to toe with him, glaring up into his eyes. Through his graying beard, his lips pulled into a gentle smile. He picked Crickett up, throwing her over his shoulder while she cried out, “What the fuck are youdoing?”
“I’m going to fucking take you with me, then. I need to clear my head and if I can’t leave without you, you better get your ass in thepassenger’sseat.”
He shot me a quick wink and walked out thebackdoor.
Once I knew they were out of earshot, I turned to my husband. “What is going on? Why is everyone on edgerightnow?”
He shrugged, taking a sip from his beer. I hated when he didn’t answer me. I knew it was club business, but it was affecting my family and that was something I was not going to beblindto.
“Ryder! Fucking talk to me!” Iyelled.
“I don’t know what you want me to tell you, babe. Everything is fine. There’s nothing to worry about. Trouble in paradise with Abel and Crickett is none of our damn business. Fucking leave italone.”
I knew by the narrowed stare and the churning of Ryder’s jaw that I needed to just listen to him. I knew that was the best thing to do, but I just couldn’t. “Are we going on lockdown again? I feel like we’re in danger and everyone knows it for a fact and I am left here speculating like a damn child. I’m not some delicate flower that needs to be protected and sheltered from the dangers of ourworld.”
Ryder got up. “I’m taking a shower.” He waved a dismissive hand at me andwalkedaway.
With that he left me in the kitchen alone, stewing. I cleared the table and washed the rest of the dishes after putting the leftovers away and making a plate for my brother to have when he got home from work. I was almost in rage mode, practically slamming the dishes down as I loaded thedishwasher.
“Damn, babe. What did those dishes ever do to you?” Ryder’s low voice roared through the still house as he came back into the kitchen wearing only his jeans and boots. He wrapped his arms around me from behind, kissing myshoulder.
“I just hate feeling like everyone is handling me with kid gloves.” I sighed into him as he hugged metighter.
“I know sweetheart, but you’re blowing this completely out of proportion. Sometimes we just have to let shit run its course.” His teeth playfully bit at my neck. “Let’s not waste our alone time beingupset.”
His hand started to slide up under the thin fabric of my tank top, but I stopped him. Turning in his arms, I leaned back against the counter. “Promise me I have nothing to worryabout.”
He rubbed his hand over his face. “Raine, please believe me when I say that everythingisfine.”
“Promise me!” I demanded, stompingmyfoot.
Ryder kissed the tip of my nose before locking his eyes with mine. “I promise you have nothing to worry about.” The softness of his tone soothed me alittle.
“Thank you,” Imuttered.
Right as I was about to nip at Ryder’s shoulder, Crickett and Dad came in through the back door. They both were laughing, and the mood switch was so strange to me. In an instant,poof, everything was back to normal again. I didn’t know how it could be that easy for everyone to ignore the drastic change, but that was just how life was in the Hellockhouse.
“What’s so funny?” I asked as Crickett threw her arm aroundmyneck.
“Your father just damn near jumped out of his skin because a bat flew past him when we got out of the truck.” She was still gigglingathim.
Dad grabbed a beer out from the fridge. “That fucker dive-bombedmyhead.”
Crickett rolled her eyes. “Whatever you say, honey.” She sat in his lap, taking his beer from him. She took a long swig then turned to me. “Your father has a surprise foryoutwo.”