This will be the new beginning. Not only for me, but also for Madison.
“SCARLET TEETH” KAMAARA, KILL EBOLA
My cheeks warm, and I flex my thighs to dull the throbbing in my clit as I weave through the dancing crowd in the cabin tucked in the woods. A song I recognize blasts through the speakers, the bass thumping through me like a giant’s heartbeat. It’s KAMAARA, one of Ryder’s favorite artists and his go-to when we ride together for the fun of it.
I’ll never forget the moment he introduced me to their music. He played the album in the background while he ate me out for an hour in our bedroom. I never thought Ryder couldgive head for that long. Nor that he could give me multiple orgasms until I begged for mercy.
It’s safe to say, I’ll never doubt his abilities again or listen to anything by KAMAARA without feeling the ghost of Ryder’s tongue on my clit.
It’s been almost two weeks since Ryder killed my father and Justin. Two weeks of finding a new normal for us, and getting used to living together as a couple instead of as siblings. In that short time, I can’t count how many times he’s bent me over every piece of furniture and whispered dirty shit in my ear while he used me like a toy.
For now, life is good, but I know there’s more happening behind the scenes. Ryder doesn’t keep any secrets from me, not after my father and ex tricked him so they could assault me.
He told me about the nameless riders who attacked him and his friends. While I took care of Ryder, his friends wrangled one of the riders back to their safe house so that they could torture him for information, but he’s been tightlipped. I should feel bad, knowing someone is being tortured a few houses down from where I live, but I don’t. The guys are still trying to find out who the other three are, and who cut off Hawk’s cousin’s hand. Ryder mentioned Aiden taking it upon himself to get the information. Until then, it’s a waiting game.
While it’s been nothing but crickets from the Exiled society, I’m still concerned they’ll come after Ryder for killing a King, especially outside of Hellfire Night. Ryder keeps assuring me that he and his friends removed all traces leading back to them. He claims they know some people who are helping behind the scenes. I don’t think I’ll ever stop worrying about him being taken from me, though.
The Halloween party is in full swing, and the booze keeps flowing. More people show up every hour, each time surprising me. I didn’t think Ryder and his friends knew this many people.They’ve always stuck together, closed off from everyone else, so I’m positive these are friends of friends of Aiden’s.
I weave through the crowd with two red Solo cups in my hands. A girl dressed as a sexy mummy with half her face covered in gauze steps directly into my path, knocking into my arm and splashing the beer from my cup. The alcohol hits her bare arm. It’s not a lot, but it’s enough to earn a stink-eye from her, as if I’m the one who bumped into her and not the other way around.
I roll my eyes and keep walking.
Whatever. She’s not worth the fight.
I cut through the cabin and slip through the open front door. A crowd lingers nearby, talking and laughing amongst themselves. A couple are sucking each other’s tongues and petting each other like they’re about to rip each other’s clothes off and start fucking right here in front of everybody.
A shiver rolls down my spine as the fall’s evening air cools my overheated skin. I descend the three steps on the porch and wander to where I last left my friends. I stop when I don’t spot a flash of pink, green, or purple hair.
“Madison!”
I turn and squint. My shoulders relax and my smile beams. Dahlia, Olivia, and Nova wave at me, gesturing for me to join them by the bonfire. I make a beeline toward my friends, passing by a group of guys dressed as jocks with their letterman jackets. One turns his head toward me, his gaze dipping down my body, and he groans loud enough for me to hear.
“Goddamn,” he mutters. “I’d pay that maid to milk me anytime.”
I cringe and shoot him a nasty look over my shoulder, then keep walking.
His blond friend smacks him in the chest with the back of his hand. “Dude, shut the fuck up.” He checks the area, on highalert, fear clouding his eyes. “Ryder is here somewhere. If he finds out about what you said, he’ll?—”
Whatever else he says fades as I join my friends by the fire. Yeah, the comment was gross, but the fear on his friend’s face made it worth it. Ryder has made a name for himself. Everyone knows not to mess with him. Because of my relationship with him, people also know I’m off-limits.
“What’re you grinning about?” Olivia squints and flattens her lips to appear like she’s annoyed, but I know she’s trying to hold back her own smile. Whatever I find amusing, she’ll get a kick out of it too. It’s part of the reason we’re best friends.
I snicker and shake my head. “It’s nothing.”
I peer around, searching for Ryder and not finding him. The other guys disappeared as well, and I can only imagine what kind of mayhem they’re up to.
“Mmhmm. Sure.” She peers past me in the direction I came from.
You can look all you want, but you won’t get the answer you’re dying for.
I hand Dahlia the cup I filled with soda since she made a comment earlier about not wanting to drink alcohol because it makes her feel weird. She softly thanks me as she takes the offered drink and sips it.
“Have you heard from your aunt lately?” Nova asks.
My smile returns at the mention of Minnie. “She’s still sending me random pictures of her meals in Italy. Also cats. Lots of cats she finds wandering the streets.”
After Ryder left the house to help his friends get rid of Justin’s and Dad’s bodies, I called Minnie. It was early in the morning and I didn’t want to bug my friends. Minnie had always told me I could go to her, no matter the day or time. I needed someone to talk to, and she’s always been there for me.
