I liked his deep laugh. It always sent a shiver of warmth through me. “You have our day all planned out?”
“Totally. I just hope we have enough time to do everything.”
We’d been at Wet’n‘Wild since nine forty-five, in time for it to open at ten. Three hours later I was starving. Ryder had gone to get us food and I had found us a table with an umbrella.
“Hi baby.” The deep gravelly voice wasn’t the one I was expecting, and Ryder never called me baby. I shivered in disgust. I hated when people used that as an endearment. I mean, I wasn’t a child or baby, why would I, or any woman want to be referred as one? My father, when he was in a good mood, called me his baby girl. That was alright because I was his child but for a man to use it to refer to me made me cringe and put me off them as soon as they spoke.
I turned towards the voice and was surprised to see not one, but two big guys covered in tattoos with a wicked glint in their eyes. I’d seen that look before. I must look like an easy target. Sitting on my own, looking relaxed and with not a care in the world. I just bet, these guys thought I was with a girlfriend or the guy I was with was some preppy cute young collage kids. Ha. Boy were they in for a shock that not only could I kick their arses, but I was sure Ryder could take them on without breaking a sweat.
“I’m not a baby, and you’re in my boyfriend’s seat.”
Both guys chuckled like I’d said something funny, I had a feeling they had been in the sun for too long and might have a bit of heat stroke. “I’m sure a pretty little thing like you could handle real men like us. What do think about leaving your little boyfriend and coming and trying us? I promise you’ll have fun.” I was sure now that the heat had gotten to them, because they were talking like cocky idiots.
“Are you two for real? Is this some kind of joke?” I saw out the corner of my vision, Chad and Leo, two of Ryder’s bodyguards and guys who watched me move in. I was surprised to see them. I hadn’t realized they were with us today. I laughed the closer they got and I noticed how white Chad’s legs were to the rest of him. They were both wearing board shorts, I guess to blend in.
“Want to tell me why you’re seating in my seat and leaning so close to my woman?” Startled, I almost jumped out of my seat at Ryder’s grumbling, growly voice. The sound sent a shiver of need straight through me to tingle at my core. Damn. The man was potent.
“Silverman. We were just introducing ourselves.” The man with eyes so brown they almost looked black spoke.
I turned back to Ryder who didn’t seem bothered at all. He picked me up, sat down in my chair and placed me across his lap. It happened so quick I didn’t even react. I just settled against him. “Razer and Darkness, what a nice surprise. Are you here for fun or business?”
“I was here for fun. Imagine my surprise when I spotted you. I called the Prez and Darkness here decided to come and join the fun.” Razer, I knew now, was the guy who had first spoken to me. Darkness was the one with the eyes that matched his name. “The Prez wanted us to tell you something.”
I wished for a moment I could see Ryder’s face, but I didn’t want to turn my back on these men. Now I’d heard them talking I was sure that that wouldn’t be a good idea. “Now isn’t the time. I’m off duty and with my woman.”
Darkness smirked down at me and I was sure I felt ice flow through me. “It won’t take long and you can have your time with your pretty little lady. You have two weeks to find out who the new guy is who’s honing in where he shouldn’t, before we start war to get rid of him.”
I felt Ryder tense beneath me, but only enough so I would know. I was sure if I wasn’t on him and didn’t know him the way I did, I wouldn’t have caught it. “Noted,” he snarled. “Now, let me finish my day with my girl.”
The men didn’t say anything as they left, but they did knock into Chad and Leo.
“Fuck.” Ryder turned me and tilted my head up so we were eye to eye He stroked my cheek and brushed his lips over mine. “I’m sorry.”
“You have nothing to be sorry about. They approached us. I have a feeling that has to do with work, but it felt like more.” He was a detective, but this felt more personal.
His sigh and the fall of his eyes and the dip down of lips confirmed what I thought. “They’re a part of The Devil’s Queens, and let’s just say they are not fans of the Silverman family.” His lips feathered over mine. “There are reasons I have protection on you. The motorbike group they belong to is one of them.”