Chapter Eight

“Arsehole,” mutters Griff.

“How do you know him exactly?” I ask, reeling from the fact that Griffin had just confirmed that Ryder was his actual blood brother.

“He’s the most dishonest lawyer I’ve ever met and trust me I’ve met a few. Screwed my brother over and got him sent down for something he didn’t do. Ryder’s gonna make his life a misery.”

“Starting with me?” I ask, wondering if that was the reason Ryder slept with me last night. All the pieces begin slotting into place. 

Griff gives me a blank stare, clearly not understanding me. “Look, we’re having a cookout at the clubhouse this evening. Kids welcome. Just a fun get together, why don’t you and Mya come, bring Harlee, she’ll love it.”

“Yeah we’ll be there,” I answer, without hesitation.  

I’ll get answers from the man himself because I need to make it clear he’s not using me in his game against my ex.

Ryder

I’m tired, since getting home yesterday afternoon, I’ve been on the go and I’m regretting it. And now my brothers have decided to throw me a welcome home party. I pop a couple of caffeine tablets and swallow those down with a can of energy drink. After five years inside I have a lot of partying to do and a lot of debts to settle, I can’t do that if I’m sleeping. 

I shower quickly and pull on a fresh white t-shirt and some clean jeans. I’m grateful that Griff had sent one of the old ladies to get me some new clothes. None of my old stuff fits.  

When I first went inside, I didn’t bother with weights or the gym, but being in prison changed me. With nothing better to pass the time, I worked on myself. I sorted out my diet and hit the gym hard. Five years on, I look more like the hulk and I’m proud of myhard work.

I head straight for the club bar, if there’s one thing I missed, it’s a good whiskey. The guys inside had alcohol brought in, but it wasn’t the same as sitting with my brother’s and drinking it from a glass instead of a mug.  

Bear grins at me from behind the bar. He places my favourite bottle and glass at my usual spot on the bar. I take it, thanking him with a fist bump, and then I head outside to where Griff has set up inflatables for the kids and seating areas for the adults.  

Smokey is on the grill cooking steaks and laughing with my brother. As I approach, Griff grins, “Brother, we were just talking about Mya,” he smirks. The short haired beauty had been hanging around my brother all night and trying her best to get in his bed.  

But it wasn’t Mya currently taking up space in my head. It was her gorgeous friend. The brunette with the long hair and a bright smile. Her green eyes and her perfect figure had my blood racing. And when I think about the way she tasted, I shudder. 

“Oh yeah, what about her?” I ask, sipping my whisky.

“I invited her, but Bear reckons she won’t turn up,” says Griff.

“Why’d you invite her?” I ask, wondering if she’ll bring her friend. They both look past me, leaving my question unanswered and when I turn to see what’s caught their attention, I’m faced with the hot woman I’ve been thinking about since being inside of her less than twelve hours ago. My heart beats a little faster and I laugh at myself getting giddy like a fucking schoolboy. I put it down to the fact she was my first since going inside.

As she marches over, with her friend in tow, she fixes me with a glare and puts her hands on her hips. “Did you use me last night?” she demands to know.