Page 6 of Claiming What's His
She continues to walk. “I need space. I need air. I need to sit. Or pee.”
“Well, which one is it? “
“I don’t know!” she shouts. “I just need to be away from you.”
A hand wraps around my arm and it’s Britt. “Do not follow her, Ryder. Let her go.” Her eyes are a fierce dark green and I know she is setting a boundary. A boundary I will respect because she is my brother’s girl.
“I just want to make sure she’s safe. You know as well as I do the kind of people that fill this building.”
She glares at me. “That’s my job. I will go check on her!Youneed to check yourself. What the fuck is your angle with her? You have never expressed interest in her to me before.”
I don’t really know what to say.
I’m sure telling her that I’ve been secretly, watching her, and sneaking into her room at night like a stalker to just stare at her sleep will go over well, so I opt for something a little less…direct. “I choose her, Britt. It’s that simple. I’ve been interested for a while but I was just waiting.”
“Well, that’s where you fucked up. You should have dated her or better yet, at least have a goddamn conversation beforehand.” She throws her hands up in annoyance.
“I know,” I admit, because she’s right.
“Look, she is like a little sister to me and if you fucking hurt her, I will kill you. Not because of who your brother is, but because of who the fuck I am. Do we understand each other?”
I’m the one surrendering now. “I know. I understand,” I say.
“No, Ryder, you don’t know. Your brother doesn’t know, hell she doesn’t even know. But I’ve killed for her before and I won’t hesitate to kill for her again.” With that, she walks away, and I stand here like a pathetic little bitch who just got checked by his brother’s girl.
Chapter 9
Krista
Ifindabalconyto escape to and even though it’s cold out, that doesn’t seem to phase me. It must be the alcohol. The pre-gaming must be catching up to me with how much my head is swirling.What the fuck is happening?
I hear footsteps behind me and turn to find my Britt. Thank God.
She walks up to me and rests her elbows on the balcony. “So…” is all she says.
“So?” I ask in response.
“Ryder, huh?” She smiles weakly.
“I guess so. He keeps saying he is going to claim me and that I’m going to be his. Is he fucking serious?” All she does is nod and I know there is something she wants to say but doesn’t know if she should. “What?!” I exclaim. “Do you know something I don’t?”
She faces me now, tears in her eyes. “Look Krista, I don’t know if this life is for you. You are so innocent and…”
“No. No, Britt. You don’t get to pull the ‘I’m innocent’ card. You know what I’ve been through. We grew up in the same foster home. We suffered the same abuse, and you don’t get to do that.”
“Do what?” Confusion flutters across her expression.
“Leave me out,” I admit. “I am strong, Britt. Stronger than you think. I know that you got rid of my ex. I don’t know how, but I know you did. I know that Derek is the leader of all this.”
Shock replaces her confusion.
“I know that this is a secret society,” I add.
She bobs her head and then says, “Okay, you want in? There is no out once that happens so this is your last chance. Once the truth is out of the bottle, you can’t put the lid back on. If I tell you, then what Ryder is saying becomes fact. Truth. Got it?”
“Got it.” I take a strong stance and turn to face her when she tells me everything.
“Ryder is claiming you tonight. That means you are meant to be his girlfriend, fiancée, wife, and mother of his kids someday. It means exactly what it means. You have been chosen by him.”