They knew I arrived long before I’d ever had a chance to surprise them. These Ryders took their security seriously.
The gate opened, allowing entry.
I rolled onto the lot, nothing the big ass metal door that served as the entrance to the Redemption Ryders clubhouse. I parked my bike and stood, patting my pocket where the necklace safely hid within.
Ryders looked up as I entered the building, immediately noting my cut and the Royal Bastards emblem. They watched me closely, not hostile, but not friendly either.
Until they knew I wasn’t a threat, I doubted their reactions would change.
I walked to a room where someone was playing the guitar. Upon entering, I found the man I needed to see. No need to worry that I’d be clueless. The Reaper pointed him out.
So this man was Thunder’s biological father. Damn.
I had to give him respect. He played that guitar with ease, but I got the message. He wasn’t threatened. I entered his turf.
Depp set blue eyes roamed over my cut. “Diablo. What do I owe the pleasure?”
His big rough hands kept playing while he waited for me to answer.
I rubbed the back of my neck, glancing at the two men that flanked him. The one on the right seemed a little on edge, playing with a link of chains. His dark, sharp eyes followed my movements. I noted the black mohawk and chain tattoos on each side of his head’s bare skin.
He reminded me of Rael.
The other guy I didn’t worry about. He seemed less threatening.
“You might think I’m a bit crazy,” I began, “but I’ve been looking for you.”
“Is that so?”
I read the patches on his cut. Diesel. President.
“I have something that once belonged to you. A gift that should be returned.”
He frowned slightly. “Show me.”
I pulled the necklace from my pocket, approaching his desk, where I placed it on the surface. Backing up, I took a seat in one of the empty chairs.
He kept his reaction hidden. I knew it meant more than he revealed, but I understood the need for discretion.
Diesel’s long fingers picked up the jewelry, flipping it over to read the back. He stared at it for a long minute before lifting his gaze to mine. “Where did you get this?”
“Given to me by my woman. She knew Rosa.”
“Knew?”
I nodded. “As close as sisters.”
He understood the meaning behind my arrival without having to exchange a bunch of words that didn’t matter.
“Rosa gave it to Anita before she died.”
“Rosa’s gone?” Diesel blinked. His fingers curled around the necklace in his hand, closing it inside his fist.
If I didn’t have my Reaper, I probably would have missed the sorrow that punched him in the gut. His eyes hardened. The stiffness in his shoulders increased. When his jaw locked, grinding a couple of times before he gave a curt nod, I sensed the pain of his loss.
“How long?”
“From what Ani told me, she died giving birth to Thunder.”