Read Ryker (The Ride #4) for Free Online

local dive.
    The bar left something to be desired. Its low lighting somewhat succeeded in masking what I was sure was a state of complete disrepair. A small stage was lit with minimal effect; the stool provided for any would-be performers looked like it was ready to keel over. But something about the place spoke to me, so I stayed.
    I sat at the bar drinking whiskey, listening to the music, enjoying feeling a part of something without having to be a part of anything at all. My phone pinged with a text inside my purse. I pulled it out and nearly swallowed my tongue at what I read.
    Where are you ?
    My eyes widened as the text from Ryker momentarily stopped my heart. I’d never taken him out of my contacts, and clearly he hadn’t either. It was absurd how much pleasure it gave me that he’d kept my number all these years.
    At a dive bar in Vegas , I responded, wondering why the hell he wanted to know.
    Which one? His response was so immediate that I told him right away.
    “Honey.” An older man spoke beside me, forcing my eyes away from the screen. “You look like my sweet Shirley. We were married twenty years before I lost her. I can’t help but feel protective of you, and therefore I’m gonna tell you that you attracted the wrong kind of company. Best you get going,” he murmured in my ear. “Now.”
    I looked over at him in surprise before quickly masking my fear. My heart hammered at his warning and I forced myself not to look around the room.
    “What do you mean?” I whispered, keeping my eyes on the bar.
    “A group of bikers run this stretch, most of Vegas actually. They own this place. That’s all I’m saying, otherwise I’ll lose my neck.” He shook his head.
    I nodded mutely, shooting back the whiskey the bartender had slid in front of me, searching for calm. I had no idea what I was dealing with or how serious this was.
    As though I’d conjured him, Ryker appeared in the doorway, flanked by Mack, Wes, and Cole. At first I wondered how on earth he’d gotten to me so quickly before realizing he must have already been in Vegas when he texted me. There was only one person who would have told him where I was.
    Ettie.
    Their eyes cased the space before Ryker’s gaze landed on me. He tipped his chin toward the door. I didn’t need further direction. I grabbed my purse and small duffel—I still hadn’t checked in to my room—prepared to make a run for it.
    “Not so fast,” a gravelly voice rasped, as a firm grip landed on my upper arm. “We haven’t even had a chance to get to know each other.”
    I looked at Ryker, watching his eyes narrow to slits. I had to admit sometimes I missed the goofy class clown I’d known Ry to be, but this badass, take-no-prisoners side was sexy as hell.
    “Let her go,” Ryker growled, his feet set apart, his massive arms crossed over his chest.
    “We gonna bargain then?” the man, who held me, challenged. I still couldn’t bear to look at him. He was too close and I was afraid my fear would spike all the more if I did.
    “Yeah, let her go, you live.” Cole shrugged, appearing calm and collected despite the suddenly tense atmosphere. “Listen, Frank, we have to talk our shit out. You bring my brother’s girl in the middle of this…” he trailed off, shaking his head.
    I could have kicked my own ass for being so consumed with the whole “brother’s girl” comment.
    The grip on my arm released and I was shoved forward. “Fine,” the man spat. “Take her. We just figured she was bait.” He laughed darkly. “Couldn’t be any other explanation for her showing up here if she belongs to one of you.”
    I wasn’t going to ask for any information about that bizarre statement, and instead, took Ry’s outstretched hand and followed as he pulled me bodily from the building.
    “Put her on your bike, we’ll worry about her car later,” Cole ordered harshly, his blue eyes glacial in the dark light.
    Ry nodded, towing me toward his bike. I followed