I would much prefer the latter two to the first one.
And preferably without Ryleigh hurt in any possible way.
* * *
“How do I look?”Ryleigh asked me, coming out of the bedroom dressed in casual jeans that molded her legs to perfection, a tight-fitted gray long-sleeve shirt, and black boots.
There was nothing special about her outfit.
But on her, it looked almost indecent.
I licked my lips as I took in her curled, long black hair and artfully applied makeup.
“Good enough to eat,” I growled out.
She blushed and looked away, smiling a bit.
Things hadn’t been all that great for her since the night at the port. I knew she felt guilty about betraying her dad, but I hadn’t found a way to tell her about all the shit he had been up to with his friends.
So all I could do was be there for her.
Things seemed to be better today, and I thought I’d seen a real smile cross over her face, even though I knew she was nervous about coming out with me tonight.
I was taking her with me to the bar, where we would celebrate Kai becoming an official member of the King’s Men.
We all knew that kid was training to take over for Dominic one of these days, and fuck, but he definitely earned it.
Kai and Ryleigh didn’t interact much in school, from what I’d seen during my stalker days and from talks with Kai.
They were aware of each other, so it would be interesting to see how they’d get along.
She looked back at me, biting on her bottom lip. If she abused the poor flesh anymore, she would spend the rest of the night looking like she’d been kissed all day.
Not such a bad idea.
It would tell all the other bastards out there that she belonged to me.
I crooked my finger at her.
Her eyes narrowed, and I held in a grin, waiting.
After a moment of hesitation, she slowly walked over to me.
She stopped when she was about two feet away.
I moved before she could really react and grabbed her around the waist, hauling her back into my hips.
She let out the most adorable little squeak.
Fuck me, but how the hell was I supposed to keep her away from all the other bastards?
They’d take one look at her and would want to get in closer to her light and warmth.
I scowled just thinking about it, and she shot me an amused look, tinged with a hint of bemusement.
“Why do you look like that?”
“Like what?” I asked, my voice gruff.
