Page 135 of Ride or Die

“He’ll be gone by morning.” Saint shot a look over his shoulder.

Her chest pressed to his as he stepped in. Warmth seeped into her, pooling low, and her breathing increased. Her mind might have been in knots about everything, but her body knew exactly what she wanted.

“I’ll be in bed soon,” he whispered, lips grazing her ear. He traced his finger just under her jaw.

Kristi is sober now.

The soft t-shirt was too much for her sensitive skin.

“Don’t wait up,” he murmured, then opened the door for her. She forced her feet to move and then shot him an exasperated look.

Saint straightened his belt and closed the door.

Riley huffed a sigh and slid into the bed, tugging the covers back from Kristi. She murmured in her sleep but didn’t wake up.

They’d shared a bed and nothing had happened, just like every other sleepover they’d ever had, but Riley was pretty sure she wanted it to. But she needed to be totally sure.

She couldn’t risk being wrong.

She needed a second to think through all these things. Work and Saint and Gio’s death and Nico and Kristi… it was a lot.

Despite everything, Riley was asleep in moments, and when she woke up the next morning alone, she was pretty sure the dark-haired stranger had been a dream.

Chapter 41

Riley

Candida’s blinds were down, and from the inside, it felt like being in a box. Riley preferred the view in Nico’s office, but they couldn’t do this there. He probably had to make funeral arrangements.

Riley felt worse for Nico than she did for Gio.

Candida’s long nails paused their tapping. “I don’t think an impromptu meeting with the head of the company on a Monday morning is an appropriate use of time. Especially given… recent events.”

Riley smiled blandly and dug her fingers into her leg under the table. “This can’t wait.” She set her phone carefully, angling it on Candida’s desk.

Candida returned to typing, mouth pinched.

Riley had gotten up early and left Saint’s before anyone could talk her out of it. Aaron was up, laptop open in front of him, at the dining room table like he’d never left. He’d nodded to her and let her go without a word.

The rideshare had arrived quickly, and she’d gotten downtown before she could think more about what she was doing. She was doing what needed to be done. What she should have done months ago.

She watched the clock roll over to nine a.m., and Candida sighed and dialled. Ringing filled the small space.

The line clicked, and Candida spoke into the dead air.

“Mr. Ricci, my apologies for the early hour. I have Riley Sinclair here with me, and she says it cannot wait. Given this sensitive time—”

“Good morning, Riley. How can I help you?”

Candida looked like she’d stepped on a slug.

“Good morning, Nico.” Riley took a deep breath and dried her palms on her jeans. “I’ll cut right to the chase, as I know you value efficiency.” Her voice was too stilted, too formal.

“Go on.”

“I quit.”

Silence met her declaration, and Candida’s eyes went wide.