Ripper's Torment(12)
“Curse is more than enough company for them.”
“I’m only joking, Ripper. Out of all of the men the sweet-butts talk about you the least.”
He seemed satisfied with her answer. The waitress bought them their food and drinks.
Ripper finished a burger in three bites. Judi stared open mouthed at how much he packed away. He didn’t look like a pig at all.
“Does riding do that to you?” she asked.
“How are you handling what happened last night?” He counteracted her question with one of his own.
“Erm, I’m dealing with it, I think.”
He stared at her, clearly seeing through her lie.
“I got out of the shower, and I thought I saw him.” She stopped to rub at her neck. Her throat felt swollen shut.
“You’ll feel that way a long time.”
“Did you?”
Chapter Four
Ripper stared at Judi wondering how much he should share with her. His life hadn’t always been sunshine and roses. He learned the hard way no one cared about him. Born to a whore, he’d done everything to earn a living. Killing someone had struck him hard the first time, but now, it was second nature. No one messed with him or the brothers of his club. The one salvation in his life was Chaos Bleeds. He owed them everything.
“Yeah, I felt that way. There’s no stopping it. We’re human, and taking another life still takes its toll.” Killing people had long stopped causing him a problem. If someone needed to die, then he was more than happy to do the deed.
“How did you get over it?” she asked.
Glancing over the table he watched her nibble on a burger. She wasn’t doing her food any justice. No one nibbled on a burger.
“I couldn’t take it back. No matter how much I thought about it, I couldn’t bring them back to life. They were dead. I was not. That man you put a bullet in his brain, he would have fucked you that night.” He stopped, fisting his hands to try to stop the anger. “That bastard would have forced his dick inside you, Princess. He’d have raped you and probably killed you so you didn’t say a thing.”
She looked around at the diner. “Why are you saying these things?”
“Because they’re true and you need to stop feeling guilty. If it was me, I’d kill him in a heartbeat. You did good to protect yourself.”
“I’m surprised you didn’t tell Devil. Why haven’t you?” she asked. “You don’t have to listen to me.”
“You want to tell him then do so. I doubt he’d let you out after dark, and your windows and doors would be nailed fucking shut.” He raised a brow waiting for her to see what he was saying. “Devil has taken his daddy role with you. You’re his daughter. Don’t test him. Otherwise you’ll be begging for something different.”
He took another bite of his burger waiting for his words to sink in.
“What about you?”
“What about me?” he asked.
Her cheeks went bright red. “Erm, what was all about today at the other diner, talking about sex and orgasms?”
Ripper chuckled. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”
There was no denying his attraction to her. He wouldn’t take it too far. If he touched her, Devil would kill him. He figured spending time with her would show it wasn’t attraction at all but friendship.
“Are you going back to college?” he asked.
“Yeah, I think so. I’m not sure. With Lexie struggling with her recent pregnancy I’m thinking of staying around and doing my work online.” She ran fingers through her hair as she spoke.
He’d been counting on her leaving so he could get over this shit that was going on inside him.
“What does Lexie say?”
“She’s determined its only morning sickness. Devil’s worried. I see the way he looks, and he believes it’s something more.” She finally took a large bite out of her burger. “Do you want me to leave?” she asked.
“Why do you ask that?”
“I’ve caused you nothing but trouble. I mean you’re only here with me, and I bet you’d have been with a sweet-butt by now or at the strip club.”
He shook his head. “No, I’m not here for any other reason than I wanted to spend time with you.”
There, he said it.
She stayed silent for the rest of the meal. When they were done he threw down some money then got to his feet.
“Come on, let’s get back to town.”
Judi put the helmet back on climbing onto the back of his bike. He headed back to Piston County but stopped on one of the highest hills looking over the town. It was a small picnic reserve, and he parked up.
“What are you doing?” she asked, following him. Her hair was a mess, but she looked incredibly cute.