Page 40 of Raggedy Dan
Riley stepped through the doorway.The brothers didn’t stop her.
“Let him talk, babe,” she said softly.
Dan’s eyes flicked to her.He looked wild, feral, black pupils blown wide with rage.She touched his wrist, gentle but firm.Slowly, the blade eased back a fraction.Blood trickled down Ronnie’s neck in a slow rivulet.
Ronnie laughed, high and cracked, the sound of someone who’d already lost but refused to admit it.“Told the Horde where to find the yoga bitch last year.They paid good.Told ’em about your new piece too.More money.Easy.”
Dan’s entire body went rigid.The air in the trailer turned thick, electric.
“You sold Ella?”Dan whispered.
“Fuckin’ sold all of you.”Ronnie’s eyes gleamed.“Shoulda seen your faces when the shit blew—”
Dan moved so fast Riley barely tracked it.One punch, clean and vicious, dropped Ronnie like a stone.He hit the floor hard, unconscious, blood pouring from his nose.
Tinder stepped from the shadows, hand already on Dan’s shoulder.“We’ll handle it from here, Dan.I’ll make sure it’s done right.Take your woman home, brother.”
Dan’s chest heaved.He didn’t look at Tinder.He glared at Ronnie’s limp form like he was still deciding whether one punch was enough.
Riley stepped between them and put both hands on Dan’s chest.“Dan.You’re with me, okay?”
His gaze snapped to hers, breathing ragged.
“We’re done here,” she said quietly.“He doesn’t get any more of us.”
Dan exhaled, long and shuddering.Then he nodded once.
***
Dan
The ride back home was silent except for the wind and the low growl of the bike.
Dan had a grip on Riley’s calf so tight she could probably feel his heart trying to hammer its way out of his chest.Every mile felt like peeling away another layer of the red haze that had nearly swallowed him whole.
He’d almost lost it.Almost crossed the line he’d sworn he’d never cross again.Not after the blast, not after the burn unit, not after years of learning to live with the monster inside the mirror.
But Riley’s voice had been calm and steady, cutting through the roar in his head.She had pulled him back.Just like her hands on his wrist.Just like her mouth on his scars.
He didn’t speak the whole way.
When they reached the house, he killed the engine and sat there a long moment with her arms still wrapped around him.
She slid off first, came around to face him.Searched his eyes.
“You okay?”she asked.
“No.”Honest.Raw.“But I will be.”
She took his hand and led him inside.Locked the door.Checked every window without being asked.
Then she turned off the lights, pulled him to the bedroom, and held him until the shaking stopped.
***
Riley
Later, in the dark, she traced the fresh tattoo on his shoulder.
