Chapter 20 Journey to Bronx
Ryker stood outside near the garage, arms folded, watching the fog lift from the trees. He hadn’t slept since that searing kiss last night; it was obvious in the way his jaw clenched every few seconds.
Did he really think he could kiss her to shut her up? Well, that had backfired terribly and now he had blue balls.
“Stubborn wench!” he hissed under his breath.
Dax arrived soon, boots crunching in the gravel. “You called?”
Ryker didn’t look at him at first. “I want you to stay back and protect the pack while I take Lyra out of here.”
Dax froze. “What?”
“You stay,” Ryker repeated, like he was giving a command and not a suggestion.
Dax scoffed. “Yeah, no. What is that about? Since when do I sit back while you take someone out of the territory?”
Ryker’s gaze hardened. “You don’t need to know all the details.”
“Funny,” Dax replied, stepping closer. “Because I feel like I do.”
Ryker exhaled sharply, rubbing the bridge of his nose. “Fine. I’m taking Lyra to the Bronx Pack. She’s safer there until I can deal with the vampire encroachment.”
Dax’s whole expression changed. He blinked once, twice, then turned on his heel.
Ryker frowned. “Where are you going?”
“To pack,” Dax said dryly, already halfway to the entrance. “I won’t take long.”
“What? Pack for what?” Ryker demanded, following him. “Who am I supposed to leave the pack with?”
“Not my problem,” Dax shot over his shoulder. “Lyra needs protection.”
Ryker snorted. “I’m going with her. She won’t be alone.”
Dax turned and glared. “You’re not the one who saved her last night. I did.”
Ryker stiffened. “Dax, not everything has to be a fight.”
“It seems it does,” Dax said calmly. “Because you’re pretending like you’re the only one who cares whether she lives or dies.”
“I’m her husband,” Ryker growled.
“You did such a good job last time, that’s why she died,” Dax retorted. “Maybe you can’t protect her after all.”
Ryker lunged forward but stopped right in front of his brother.
“Don’t test me, kiddo,” he hissed.
But Dax smirked. “Or what?”
Before either of them could throw a punch, someone stepped out onto the porch.
“I’m ready, Alpha,” Rex announced.
The two men froze and stepped back.
Dax brushed past Ryker, pointing toward the warrior. “Maybe Rex should take charge of the pack while we’re gone. I’m going with you.”
Rex stared at him as if trying to determine if he was joking. Then he looked at Ryker. “Do you want me to stay back, Alpha?”
Ryker sighed, long and tired. “I don’t trust anyone on the road like I trust you. You race like a madman, Rex. And I need someone steady to watch the pack. I’ll be back in a few days. I wanted Dax, but apparently he’s decided to be stubborn.”
Rex shrugged. “We all know how important it is to get Lyra out safely. The pack can handle being alone for a few days. They might even enjoy a chance to flex their muscles.”
“That’s my worry,” Ryker muttered. “They’ll start a fight I can’t return fast enough to stop.”
Dax crossed his arms. “Then address them before we leave. Look, I’m coming to keep Lyra safe and you can’t stop me.”
Ryker exhaled sharply, stared at him for three long seconds, then turned away, muttering something under his breath as he left to gather the pack.
As soon as he disappeared, Rex looked at Dax. “It would be nice if you stayed back. You know that, right?”
Dax shook his head. “I have a lot to prove to Lyra. I wasn’t exactly the friendliest person to her when she was alive.”
Rex nodded slowly. “Alright then. Let’s get the bikes ready.”
They moved toward the garage until Rex stopped dead in his tracks.
Lyra stepped out of the house and the world seemed to pause.
She wore ripped jean shorts that hugged her curves and revealed the full shape of her thighs, the bottom frayed dangerously close to her round butt. A black tank top clung to her, exposing her pale skin and collarbones. Her leather jacket was tied loosely around her waist, her hair spilling in soft waves down her shoulders.
She looked like a vision from a retro magazine.
Dax blinked hard and jerked his eyes away before he made a fool of himself.
“You ready?” he asked, his voice rougher than he intended.
Lyra nodded. “You’re coming?”
“Yep,” Dax replied. “I’m coming to keep you safe.”
Before she could respond, Ryker stepped out of the house, grabbed Lyra’s bag and slung it over his shoulder.
“He’s coming to escape his duties,” Ryker said dryly. “But not to worry, I’ve put my beta in charge until I’m back.”
Lyra just rolled her eyes and headed toward the garage, not ready to indulge their childish squabble.
But Ryker caught her wrist. “Where are you going?”
“My bike,” she replied.
“No,” he said firmly. “You’re riding with me.”
Lyra blinked. “No, I am not. I can ride myself.”
“I don’t want to announce to everyone that we’re leaving,” Ryker said. “And I sure as hell know you don’t want this trip. I can’t risk you racing off at night.”
Dax snorted. “This is silly. She won’t run off.”
Ryker ignored him completely and looked at Lyra again. “Get on the bike.”
Lyra folded her arms. “Why can’t you just let me make my own choices? You’re dragging me to a pack I barely know and now I’m not allowed to drive?”
“I think he’s just trying to control you,” Dax muttered.
“Shut up, Dax,” Ryker snapped.
Then to Lyra, he hissed, “Do you want to come willingly, or should I tie you up and strap you to the gas tank? Your choice.”
Lyra’s mouth fell open. She could see in his eyes that he wasn’t bluffing. He would do exactly what he said.
So she marched over in anger and climbed onto the bike behind him, arms folded stubbornly.
Rex rolled out her own bike from the garage. “Isn’t Lyra riding?”
Dax hissed and mounted his motorcycle, revving the engine before speeding off.
Ryker didn’t even look at him. “She’s with me. We don’t need so many bikes on the road. We don’t want attention.”
Rex nodded and took off after Dax.
Ryker throttled the bike and said, “Hold on.”
Lyra stared at his back. She said nothing. She didn’t reach for him.
So Ryker immediately sped forward.
The sudden jolt launched Lyra forward so violently she panicked and wrapped her arms around his waist, gripping him tight as they shot down the forest road and out of the pack’s territory.