He put his hand on my back. “You’re gonna get them back. Just gotta be patient.”
“Get who back?” Ryder set the broom against the wall.
“His woman and baby,” Hero told him.
“Oh, shit. Someone took them from you?” Ryder sounded appalled. “I had no idea. What’s the club doing to get them back? Why are you here and not searching for them?”
I liked Ryder a little more. The dude sounded ready to wage war.
Hero raised his hands. “Calm down, man. It was the girl’s dad who took her away. He used to be the club’s secretary and an original council member.”
Ryder shrugged, narrowing his eyes. “So? Was the girl a minor?”
“No,” I answered. “She was forbidden.”
“Dodge betrayed her father,” Hero said. “In MCs, you don’t betray your brothers. It’s like the greatest sin. Dodge also got her pregnant.”
Ryder shook his head. “I understand being loyal, but that’s fucking wrong.”
Finally, another person saw the wrong in it.
Hero leaned against the counter. “I get it.”
“Do you?” Ryder furrowed his brow. “After what happened to your wife and kid? All the hell you went through after their deaths? You’re the last person I’d think would ever be okay with someone keeping a man from his woman and child.”
Holy shit. The young dude had a pair of steel balls. To call Hero out like that showed he was fearless and had strong convictions. He’d make a perfect addition to our KLMC family.
“Listen. Things are different in the MC life—”
Ryder waved him off. “Bullshit. If somebody took Roja, you’d unleash holy hell on them.”
Hero growled.
Speaking of Tara, the doorbell rang as the redhead entered. Lucky for Ryder. I had a feeling Hero might’ve given the guy a piece of his mind and maybe introduced him to ways of the MC with his fists. Hero took shit from nobody and told it like it was. But Ryder was new and had been through a lot. Hero was probably going easy on him, but it wouldn’t last.
“Hi, guys! I brought lunch.” Tara held up two bags.
“Roja… You are the best, baby.” Hero kissed her.
“Better believe it, big guy.” She set the bags on the counter. “I brought burgers and fries.”
I dug right into the bags to hand out food.
Ryder grinned, licking his lips. “I’m gonna need to work out after eating this high-calorie meal. I’ve been eating so much since getting out, I’m going to blow up into the Pillsbury Doughboy.”
I snorted to match his amused tone. But really, it was awful hearing how he’d been living on the streets. That could’ve been me if Uncle Raul hadn’t come for me when he had.
“Where’s your escort?” Hero peered out the front window. “Didn’t hear a motorcycle.” He arched a concerned brow. None of the old ladies went anywhere without a member or prospect. I sure as hell wouldn’t let Emilee go anywhere alone after she’d been taken by the nomad club last summer.
Tara rolled her eyes. “Storm’s out in the SUV with Maddy and Birdie. We’re just running errands. Hollywood is on his way to meet us.”
“Good. Maybe I should come with.” Hero returned to the counter, grabbed a handful of fries, and shoved them in his mouth.
“You could, but I thought you were showing Ryder the ropes today?” Tara snagged a fry and popped it into her mouth.
“I am. After we eat, I’m taking Ryder by the other businesses and showing him where the club’s territory extends to.” Hero took Tara’s hand. “I’ll walk you out.”
Tara waved at Ryder and me. “Have a good one.”