Page 21 of Ryder

“No, you don’t need to,” I say, groaning at the shit show this is turning into. “Come on, Sassy, I thought I could rely on you to be professional here.”

It’s a low blow and she scoffs angrily. “Fuck you, Ethan.” Neve walks to the door and before I can protest, Sassy adds, “When were you going to tell me you were out?”

“I’m here, telling you,” I snap. “Neve, wait . . .” I add.

“Don’t you think I deserve a little more respect than you showing up to my office with your new bit of arse?”

Neve leaves, closing the door hard behind her. “Great,” I mutter. “Thanks for that.”

“What did you expect, a welcoming hug?” Sassy snaps.

“Yes, actually. Haven’t you moved on?” I snap. “Isn’t that what your last letter said?”

“You refused to see me,” she yells angrily. “Was I supposed to just sit around waiting?”

“Yes,” I growl. “Yes because you were my ol’ lady and that’s what you were supposed to do.”

She takes a calming breath, staring down at her hands. “Yeah well, I got tired of waiting.”

“I’d appreciate you pulling some strings with the whole Harlee situation,” I mutter.

“I’m sure you would but I don’t do shit like that now, Ethan. I’m all above board and this is a safeguarding issue.”

“I’m taking care of it. He won’t be alone with the kid again, I promise.”

She eyes me for a second. “Fine. I’ll note what you’ve told me today for the record, but you have to make sure he isn’t allowed to be alone with her again, even if that means taking him to court. Okay?”

I nod. “I appreciate it.”

Neve

I don’t bother to wait for Ryder. I’m angry and I don’t even know why. Maybe I feel humiliated or maybe I just feel embarrassed. Why didn’t he warm me he had a connection to Miss Hind. A deep connection. If she was his ol’ lady, they were practically married, and in the eyes of the club, they were married. It just highlights all the things I still don’t know about him. Like his fucking name. Why did I assume he was called Ryder? And why didn’t he tell me otherwise? I growl out loud and a few passer-by, glance my way warily.

By the time I get home, Ryder is waiting for me outside. I ignore him and unlock the front door, he follows me in. “Well that was a shit show,” I snap, tugging my coat off and throwing it on the side.

“You shouldn’t have walked home alone. You should have waited outside.”

“That’s all you have to say?” I yell. “You take me to meet your ol’ lady and all you care about is me walking home without you?”

“She’s not my ol’ lady.”

“But she was, right, at some point she was.”

“Before I got sent down,” he says. “And I misjudged how much she hates me, I thought she’d be happier.”

I scoff, “Then it’s clearly been a while since you last saw her because she’s always like that. A cold, sour faced bitch.”

Ryder laughs, “You don’t like her?”

“Nobody likes her, Ethan,” I say, arching a brow when I say his real name.

“I should have told you, I didn’t think.”

“Yah know what, I just need a minute,” I say, pinching the bridge of my nose. “To process.”

He moves closer, taking my hand and gently tugging me to him. “I’m sorry I didn’t warn you and I’m sorry I didn’t tell you my real name.”

“You said Finn wasn’t going to see Harlee alone again,” I mutter.