“I’m not going near them. Their claws are going to be the f**king death of me,” Pussy said.
Trying to get into the conversation, Ripper struggled to tear his gaze away from Judi. She circled the garden talking with everyone. In the last two years she’d come out of her shell. He felt their time together had helped draw her out even further. She really was a beautiful woman. Lexie came out of the kitchen carrying a tray of ice lollies. Ripper watched Judi grab one, peeling off the wrapper before licking it.
Fuck, his c**k thickened at the sight of her plump lips wrapped around the tip sucking it into her mouth. This was torture, pure torture.
“Is something going on between you and the Princess?” Curse asked, stepping up close.
“No, nothing.” Tearing his gaze away from the action she was giving the lollie he promised himself he’d make her pay.
His c**k was rock hard, and he looked away from his brothers so none of them knew he was struggling with his arousal.
“You’d talk to me if something was bothering you, right?” Curse asked.
“Yeah, sure.” He took in several gulps of his beer as he looked around the garden. Shit, f**k, shit. He needed to get out of here. He watched Lexie disappear inside. The sound of the telephone ringing could be heard even over the buzz of the garden party.
Devil had his arm wrapped around Judi’s shoulders as they talked with Vincent. Phoebe was fingering the bottom of the summer dress she wore. He liked seeing the curve of her legs. She didn’t wear any heels. Her legs didn’t need them.
He gripped his empty beer bottle watching the ease with which Devil touched her. Ripper couldn’t be like that with her. It wasn’t easy for him to claim her. He had to have the patience for Judi to make the first move.
Lexie cried out coming toward the door. Her hand was over her mouth as she looked at Devil.
Silence fell over the garden as they stared at each other.
“Everyone, get the f**k out,” Devil said, shouting the words out for all to hear.
Ripper watched his guests look at each other in shock. They started moving out of the garden leaving them alone.
He watched as Lexie struggled to keep the news inside as people left. This was club business.
“What the f**k has happened now?” Curse asked.
Glancing at Judi, he saw the fear in her eyes.
“Zero’s been shot,” Lexie said. Her voice rose for everyone to hear in the garden.
“What? What the f**k are you talking about?” Devil asked, stepping forward.
Ripper saw her hands were shaking.
“There was a drive by shooting. Zero was hit twice. He’s in surgery. Tiny doesn’t know if he’s going to make it. Angel.” Lexie stopped, whimpering.
“What?” Judi asked.
“Angel saw what was about to happen and stepped in front of Zero before Lash could react. She was shot in the back three times. It’s a mess, Devil. They need you. There is so much damage.” She looked down at the phone as if it was cursed.
Ripper watched as Devil went to her.
“Baby, you can’t panic. I will take care of everything. Nothing is going to happen to anyone.”
“Angel and Zero have been shot. He said others had as well. Devil, they could die.” Lexie sobbed as she threw her hands around her man.
Fisting his hands, Ripper made his way toward Judi. Tears were shining bright in her eyes.
“I like Angel. She’s so sweet.” He wrapped his arms around her not caring what others thought. She was his woman, and she needed him in those precious moments. Kissing the top of her head, he saw all the men heading inside.
“Tiny wants you to call him back,” Lexie said, handing the phone back to him. “It’s urgent.”
With all of his brothers heading into the house, Ripper cupped her cheek. “Tonight, you’ll come to me?” he asked.
“Yes,” she said, without hesitation.
Leaving her side, he walked into the house going through to the dining room. He closed the door behind him as Devil put the call through to Tiny.
The phone rang five times before Tiny answered. Over the line, Ripper heard the sadness in Tiny’s voice.
“What’s going on?” Devil asked.
“The doctors had to sedate Lash. He was tearing up the f**king hospital.” Tiny stopped, and there was muttering heard over the line. “He was covered in Angel’s blood. Shit, Zero’s really in f**king shit.”
Ripper listened as Tiny brought them up to speed on the shit that had gone down with Alan. Alan had taken out Angel, and they didn’t know if she’s going to make it. For the last ten years Zero had been keeping his friend’s sister hidden. With the recent news doing the rounds about The Skulls and the damage, this man Alan, the guy Zero was supposed to have killed had resurfaced.
“You don’t do anything by half do you, Tiny,” Devil said, looking pissed.
“I wouldn’t ask for help if it wasn’t needed. I’ve got people dying. Angel, she was a mess, Devil. I can’t let this stand even if Zero doesn’t make it.”
“Fuck, we’ll be there.”
All the men in the room were in agreement. Ripper wanted to go to Fort Wills and tear apart whoever had dared to hurt his friends. Once Tiny and Devil settled on a date, they hung up.
Arms folded over his chest, Ripper watched as Devil swiped the phone across the room. “Tiny may be the leader of a different MC group, but he is a friend. I won’t stand for some f**ker thinking they can get the better of us.” Devil looked at Ripper. “You’ll stay here and keep an eye on our women and the club. I can’t go to Fort Wills and worry about Lex. It’s not happening. If any of you want to step down then f**king say so now. I’m not in the f**king mood for you acting later.”
No one spoke up. Devil looked at each of them. “We’ll be riding tomorrow.”
****
Judi made her way out of the back of her house the instant she got the text. She knew he’d been busy with club business as Devil and the boys had been locked in his office for a good few hours. Holding onto the brackets she jumped down. Lexie and Devil were in their bedroom. Vincent and Phoebe had taken the kids seeing as this was going to be Devil’s last night home for a few weeks.
Tucking her loose hair behind her ear, she made her way out of the back garden and down the road. Ripper was stood at the end of the road without any lights on. He handed her a spare helmet, which she took without question. She didn’t like how silent he was being.