The Ritual: Chapter 24

S TEPPING OFF THE elevator, Gunner and I step into the basement. The bunker was added after the hotel was given to the Lords. It’s an armory down here. More guns, ammo, and weapons we could ever need. It’s also where we hold all our important meetings.

The walls are matte black with racks of guns hanging on the far wall. The right wall has knives of various sizes and colors.

There’s a black table in the center of the room. Enough seats to fit fifty people. I notice that only the seniors are present. I plop down next to Prickett, ignoring Matt, who sits across from me. Gunner takes the seat to my right.

Lincoln enters the room and doesn’t waste any time. Clapping his hands, he gets started. “I’m guessing everyone has seen the news by now and is aware of what’s happened.”

“Yes,” everyone says in unison.

He takes the chair at the head of the table. “I need two volunteers for an assignment. I can’t give you any other details other than the job might take a day, might take three weeks. That all depends on how long it takes you to get it done.”

I’m about to volunteer when I hear Matt speak. “Ryat and I will handle it.”

Gunner’s wide eyes shoot to mine while Prickett runs a hand down his face.

“Ryat?” Lincoln looks at me, relaxing back in his chair, waiting for confirmation.

I can’t say no. If I do, it’ll prove to everyone in here I have a problem with Matt. “Sounds good, sir,” I say and then clench my hand in my lap. Motherfucker!

“Perfect. You all are dismissed.” Lincoln stands and exits in a hurry. I’m sure to go get updated on whatever I’m about to be doing.

“Are you fucking serious?” Prickett snaps in my face the moment we’re out of the room and jumping on the elevator. Thankfully, it’s just him, Gunner and me. The others stayed behind.

“What was I supposed to say?” I growl.

“No. That you refuse to work with him.”

I snort at that.

“He’s obviously setting you up.” He goes on.

“Let him.” I shrug.

“Ryat …”

“I don’t give a fuck about him right now.” I snap at Prickett and put my attention on Gunner. “I need a favor from you.”

“I’ve got it covered.” He nods, already knowing what I was going to ask.

“Thanks, man.” The elevator dings and stops on the first floor. We exit, and Lincoln stands there.

“May I have a moment?” he asks me.

“Yeah,” I tell him as Gunner and Prickett walk off down the hall, leaving us alone. “What’s up?”

“Sure you want to do this?” he asks.

“Doubting me?” I arch a brow.

He chuckles. “Never.” His face gets serious, and he checks his watch. “All I know is that you’ve got five hours. So, I’d make sure your girl is home and in bed asleep before you leave.”

BLAKELY

“IS EVERYTHING OKAY?” Sarah asks me while we sit on Ryat’s bed.

“Yeah.”

“Why do I feel like you’re lying to me?” She laughs softly.

I sigh, pulling the hair tie loose from my hair. The messy bun was falling anyway. “Does Gunner tell you anything about the Lords?”

“Nope.” She shakes her head. “And I’m totally fine with that. I’d rather not know.”

“It drives me nuts,” I admit. “Like what the fuck could they possibly be doing that’s so secretive?”

“Listen, Blakely …” She takes my hands in hers. “Whatever you’re thinking, let it go. Okay? I’ve heard some shit while staying here, and you’re much better off not knowing.”

“Like what?” I urge.

Letting go of my hands, she tucks a piece of hair behind her ear. “They …”

The door opens, and she jumps when I look up to see Ryat and Gunner both enter the room. “Hey, babe. Come on.” Gunner stands in the doorway, holding the door open, obviously taking her away from me.

She looks back at me, giving me a soft smile. “I’ll see you in class tomorrow.”

I nod, pissed that they interrupted whatever she was about to tell me, but I guess waiting until morning isn’t too bad.

Ryat enters his bathroom, and I get up, following him. He turns on the sink and bends over, splashing water on his face. “Are we staying here tonight?” I ask him.

“No,” comes his clipped answer before yanking a hand towel off a hook and running it down his face. Then he just tosses it onto the counter. “We’re headed to your apartment.” Then he walks past me, going back to his bedroom.

“How long are we going to do this?” I ask, following him.

“Don’t, Blake,” he snaps. “I’m not in the mood right now.”

“Maybe I’m not in the mood to put up with your shit!” I push.

He spins around, his hand goes to my throat and shoves me back into the wall. So hard it knocks the air out of my lungs. His face lowers to mine, our lips almost touching, and his green eyes are slits on mine with a tic in his sharp jaw.

I almost forgot how terrifying he could be. He’s been nice, understanding even. But it reminds me that this is just an agreement, and I’m nothing to him. Like I said in the car, I’m just here so he can piss off Matt.

“I said I’m not doing this right now. And I meant that. So, unless you want to really see me pissed, I suggest you back the fuck off.” His voice is low, his words controlled, but his hand around my throat is shaking, giving away his true feelings at the moment.

I wonder if it’s me or something else. Lifting my chin, my lips thin. “I understand.”

Letting go of my neck, he steps away. “Let’s go.”

We exit his room, and I look up across the hall to see Matt walking out of a room. His eyes meet mine, and he gives me a smile. It makes the hairs on the back of my neck rise. His blue eyes go to Ryat, and I notice the black eye that he has. What the hell happened to him? Did Ryat do that? Are they fighting? Is that why Ryat is on edge? Did Matt say something to him about me? It’s not like Matt knows any secrets about me. I never got the chance to do anything crazy.

“See you soon,” Matt speaks, nodding his head to Ryat with that smile still on his face.

Ryat grabs my hand and yanks me down the hall. I look back at him over my shoulder just as the bleach blonde exits Matt’s room, pulling him back into it and shutting the door behind them.

_______________

WE ENTER MY apartment, and I’m on edge. I don’t like not knowing what’s going on. Especially when it could involve me.

“What did Matt mean?” I ask Ryat as we enter my bedroom. “Why will he see you soon?”

“Not now.” He sighs heavily, scratching the back of his neck.

“Ryat …”

“Blake!” he snaps my name, pinning me with a glare. Releasing a sigh, he slowly walks over to me.

I don’t move. Coming up to me, he slides his hand in my hair and licks his lips. “Can we just go to bed? It’s been a long weekend and an even longer day. We can discuss it tomorrow.”

My eyes search his, and I hate that I can’t tell if he’s lying or not. I knew Matt well enough to tell if he was trying to avoid a conversation or just me in general. Ryat is harder to read.

Nodding, I say, “Sure.”

Leaning in, he gives my forehead a soft kiss. “I’ll get you a water.” He pulls away and goes into the kitchen while I remove his T-shirt and sweatpants before crawling into my cold sheets.

I am tired. I thought I was going to pass out at his cabin, but then the events that followed woke me up really quick.

“Here you go,” Ryat says, entering the room with a glass of water for me.

“Thanks.” I take it from him and drink more than half of it, not realizing how thirsty I was.

He takes it and sets it on my nightstand before crawling in bed next to me. “Sweet dreams, Blake.” He kisses my forehead again, pulling my back into his front.

My last thought is that we won’t be having that conversation in the morning.