Devious Biker Daddy by Scott Wylder

CHAPTER FIVE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anna

The last thing I wanted to do was go to work the next morning. I knew the bikers would be back, demanding money from Dylan again and I seriously doubted he would show his face again. If he did I might just kill him before the bikers could even touch him.

But I dragged myself out of bed and got ready for work anyway. I couldn’t really afford to take a day off and if I didn’t show up then Jenny, the cook, would have to serve tables and cook at the same time. There just wasn’t any manpower to spare.

My stomach clenched in fear as I drove to work. Maybe, by some miracle, they would leave me alone. Or Dylan would show up and freaking pay them. I could hope at least.

As I drove closer, I noticed smoke was rising in the air. I frowned, wondering if a forest fire had started. They weren’t common in this area but we were in a dry season so it was entirely possible.

But the source of the smoke became painfully obvious as soon as I pulled into the diner parking lot. The entire place was on fire. In front of it were bikers, watching it burn. They turned back to look at me, scowling. 

Fear sliced through me as they started to walk to my car. I took a deep breath, put my car in reverse, and pulled out of there. “It’s okay,” I muttered to myself. “It’s okay, it’s okay, it’s okay.” I only wish I believed that.

I glanced in my rearview mirror and saw them pull out behind me on their motorcycles. “Shit.”

I remembered what Ryder had said the night before. If I needed help, go to Mac’s bar. I opened my phone and looked it up on my GPS app without taking my eyes off the road. Luckily it wasn’t that far away. I could make it. And I would.

The bikers behind me followed for a while before I crossed a town line. And then they stopped following me and turned around. I breathed a sigh of relief. It looks like I entered into safe territory. For now, at least.

The bar was a cute building on the edge of town. It was surrounded on all sides by trees but it looked surprisingly cheerful and friendly for a biker bar. Not that I spent much time at biker bars before, so I guess I didn’t really know.

It was deserted which wasn’t surprising because it was the morning. But as I pulled into the lot, I noticed someone else was there. Ryder.

Ryder got off his motorcycle and turned around as soon as I pulled into the lot. His brow furrowed in concern and confusion as soon as he recognized me.

I parked my car and got out as he walked towards me. “What’s wrong?” he asked.

“Those bikers came back to the diner and they set it on fire.” I shivered a little from the memory. “They tried to follow me here but they turned back at the town line.”

Ryder nodded. “Demons are stupid, but not stupid enough to come into our territory. You’ll be safe here. Did they hurt you?”

I shook my head. “I didn’t even get out of the car.”

“Good girl.”

The praise sent a small shiver through me but it was a good shiver this time.

Ryder glanced back at the bar. “I have to call Mac and tell him about this. But let’s go inside if you’re comfortable with that. I know where Mac keeps the spare key.”I followed him around the side of the building where there was a small lockbox with a combination lock.  He punched in the combination and took out a key which he used to unlock a backdoor.

Once we were inside, he led me into the main dining area. “Have a seat,” he said as he switched on the lights. “Anywhere you want. Make yourself comfortable. Do you want any tea or coffee? Anything to eat?”I frowned. “But this isn’t your bar, right? Are you sure this is okay?”

He nodded. “The Hell’s Renegades motorcycle club is basically like a big extended family and this is our home. Mac and Ginger own it, but the rest of us can come and go when we want and help ourselves, as long as we pay for it. So it’s no trouble at all.”I smiled. “That sounds nice. How much is a coffee? I would love a caffeine boost right now.”

“It’s on me,” Ryder said. “And one coffee coming right up.”

I wanted to argue, but he arched an eyebrow at me and gave me a stern look which made my protest die before it even reached my lips. Something about him was very authoritative as if he wouldn’t take an argument from anyone, least of all me. But at the same time, he was kind and a little protective. I felt a lot safer here with him than at the diner with the Demons.

As Ryder went to the kitchen, I texted Jenny and told her not to come to work today. The diner was closed until further notice. Then I texted Dylan and told him to call me as soon as he could. If only there was a way to get in touch with the owner and tell her what happened.

Ryder came out with a tray of items. He set my cup of coffee down as well as a glass of water, and a plate of bacon and eggs. “Here,” he said. “Figured you might want to eat something too. And you’ll need to stay hydrated.”

I smiled. “Thank you,” I said. “This is really nice.”

“It’s my pleasure.” He took a step back and ended up sitting at the table next to mine. “I’ve texted Mac and told him what happened. He’s on his way.”

“I’m sorry,” I said. “I don’t mean to be such a pain.”“Trust me, dealing with the Demons is something we’re used to. And it’s better to fight them now when they’re scattered than wait for them to get organized again.”I bit my lip. I felt like I had walked into several years’ worth of motorcycle club politics and I didn’t know what any of it meant.

“Are you okay?” Ryder asked. His brow creased in concern. “I know this is a lot to take in all at once. I’m sorry you had to get caught in the middle of this.”“I’m fine. Just trying to process.” I managed a shaky smile. “Why are you sitting all the way over there? You can join me at the table, you know.”“Are you sure? I don’t want to make you uncomfortable.”

I smiled. “It’s fine, I promise.” It would be easier to talk to him if he was sitting right across from me instead of three feet to my right.”

“Okay.” He slid into the seat across from me. “Thanks.”I sipped my coffee, feeling a little better now that the caffeine was starting to hit my system. My anxiety and fear had eased enough where I was starting to feel hungry as well. I couldn’t wait to get started on the eggs and bacon. “I know I flinched away from you last night, but I’m not afraid of you,” I said. “I feel like you’ve been trying to walk on eggshells around me because of that. But you don’t have to. I promise.”“You have good reason to be afraid of me,” Ryder said. “You barely know me and yet you keep getting tossed into situations where you’re alone with me. Not to mention I would have killed that guy last night if you hadn’t told me to stop.” A trace of anger crossed his face at the memory. I wasn’t sure if it was anger at himself or the guy who attacked me.

“But you did stop,” I said. “And you won’t hurt me, right?”“Of course not.”

“Then see? I don’t need to be afraid of you. And I’m not. I promise.”

He smiled slightly, looking relieved. “I’m glad,” he said. “I was worried I only made things worse last night.”

“You saved me. Who knows what that man would have done to me if you hadn’t stepped in.”

A muscle in his jaw twitched. “I don’t want to think about it.”