Page 36 of Deadly Secrets

I didn’t expect her to wait for me while I was in prison. Hell, I was sentenced to twenty-five years to life in the joint. No one should have to deny themselves unless you’re trying to be a fucking nun.

“I’m only going to say this once so pay fucking close attention.” I take a step towards him. My voice is low and deep. “They are my family. Mine. That boy has my blood in his veins and that ties me to that woman forever. You’d be a blind fool not to see the pull we have to each other. You wanna try and compete with it, go ahead, but I can already tell you who she’ll pick and it’s not you.”

“Ryder is her priority.”

“As it should be,” I say. “But I’m here now and anything they need, I’ll provide.”

“Your chapter is still dealing with the Colombian cartel. How can you subject them to that?” Bulldog is reaching for anything to toss in my face. This isn’t the first time I’ve thought of the mess with the cartel but I refuse to be separated from them. Stone and Havoc both have a family and Dead Road protects them so I have no doubt that the club will do the same for Remi and Ryder.

“Like I said, it’s none of your concern now what my family does,” I repeat. “And don’t you dare throw that cartel shit up in my face when you’ve got Steel Graves knocking on your door.”

“You’re making a mistake taking her,” he seethes but I can tell he’s realizing that he’s not going to win this battle, not when it comes to Remi.

“I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my life but loving that woman has never been one of them,” I growl then turn towards the gate that leads to the backyard. My son is waiting to play ball and I’m not gonna keep him waiting any longer.

I make a mental note to check the brake line of my bike before leaving. I wouldn’t put it past Bulldog to try to sabotage me to get Remi.

I’m approaching the bleachers after just arriving and my stomach is in knots. What if Rhett doesn’t show up for the game? What if he decides that being a dad isn’t for him? I don’t know how I’ll ever be able to reconcile it to our son who talked nonstop this morning at breakfast about how good his dad was yesterday in the backyard practicing.

The boys are in the dugout talking and being goofy before warming up and a few boys are still straggling in. All the men are gathered around the pavilion while the women are chatting.

I make my way over to where the women are. Some have been so welcoming since Ryder and I became the newest editions to the team. Most of these boys have grown up playing and going to school together.

“Morning Remi,” Kimmy greets while standing there with Mia, Nova, Rose and Autumn.

“Morning,” I reply with a smile while dragging our cooler of food for today’s activities.

“I can’t believe school is almost out and summer is here,” Autumn says, looking over at the field.

“It’s gone by way too fast,” Kimmy responds then turns to me. “Trey mentioned this morning that Ryder’s dad was coming today to play in the game.”

Guess the cat’s outta the bag.

“Yeah, made it into town a few days ago,” I say with a nod but don’t elaborate. I’ve never cared that Rhett was in prison for killing Beau, a man I refuse to call father, and saving me but it’s not something I broadcast for everyone to know.

“Well…” Kimmy prompts. “Don’t clam up, spill the beans because this is the first we’ve heard of the man.”

Just as I’m about to tell her it’s no one’s business, the sound of thunder and loud pipes fill the air. Everyone turns to the noise and my heart skips a beat. A dozen or more men on motorcycles pull into the parking lot.

“My god, what I wouldn’t give to be straddled like that,” one of the women says.

“There is just something so sexy about a man wearing leather and a ballcap,” Rose voices, earning a few hums in agreement. I have to agree.

The men all line up their bikes and walk them back into a spot while two large SUVs pull up next to them near the end. They all dismount and I watch as two of them walk over to the SUV and help out some women. The guys help pull out two strollers and bags before meeting the rest of the guys who helped pull more bags from the other vehicle before they all make their way towards us.

“I hear they’re dangerous but how can someone so hot be that bad?” Mia asks.

“Well, break me off a piece of that,” another one of the moms taunts.

I tune out the rest of the conversation as the guys get closer. My eyes are only on one of the men. Rhett walks with such swagger that I’d be able to pick him out of a crowd even if everyone’s face was covered. His focus is on me and gives me a chin lift in acknowledgement, just like when we were in high school.

“Oh my god, they’re coming this way,” Kimmy blurts out.

I take a step away from the women and meet the guys several feet away.

“So glad you made it,” I say hearing a few gasps from behind me from the women.

Rhett stops in front of me, placing one of his hands on my hip then bends down toward me. The smell of leather and sandalwood invades my nose as he draws closer to me. The soft press of his lips to my cheek sends a shiver down my spine like it did when we were young teens.