Claimed By The Biker King

Chapter 10

Rhea

Two days later, I was finally starting to feel like I could breathe again. Not because things had gotten easier. But because I had stopped overthinking everything that came out of Ryan King's mouth.

I dabbed lotion over my face as I hummed to a song from my head. A soft song.

A complete contrast to the chaos of last night. Last night had been... a lot.

Back-and-forth arguments with the riders.Some of them finally starting to listen. Others still acting like I was temporary noise they could ignore.

Travis, of course, had refused to participate in anything I suggested.

Which honestly was fine. If he wanted to sit out and brood like a stubborn child, that was his problem, not mine.

I wasn't here to chase anyone's approval. Just results.

As for Ryan...Ever since that day he had pinned me against the wall, I hadn't seen much of him.

Sometimes I'd hear someone say "boss" in the distance and instinctively turn only to find nothing there. Like he was some kind of annoying ghost that appeared, caused problems in my life, then disappeared again.

Not my business. Whether he was around or not.

I continued humming, focusing on my reflection when a knock came at the door.

"Ma'am Rhea, your breakfast is ready." Came Anne's voice. The girl never listens. No matter how many times I tell her not to call me Ma'am.

"Come in," I called.

The door opened. Anne walked in holding a tray. She walked over and placed it on the vanity beside me.

I glanced at it. Scrambled eggs, toasted bread, fresh fruit, and a cup of coffee.

"Good morning, Ma—" she stopped herself quickly, then corrected, after a threw her a glare. "Good morning, Rhea."

"Good Morning to you too," I replied, still applying lotion.

"Even without doing skincare, you have glowing skin."

I gave her a small amused look. "That's a dangerous compliment. Don't let it get to my head."

She laughed.

"Thank you for the food," I added.

"You're welcome."

She was about to leave when I stopped her remembering something I needed to do. "Anne," I said.

She paused. "Yes?"

"Can I ask you a favor?"

Her eyes brightened. "Of course."

"Can you delay tonight dinner for everyone?"

Her eyes widened. "Why...." She trailed off. I took off the towel wrapped around my hair before looking at a confused Anne. "I want to test their patience,"

Anne blinked at me like I had just spoken a different language.

"Test... their patience?" she repeated slowly.

I nodded. "Yes."

Her expression shifted immediately into concern. "Rhea... why would you want to do that?"

"Because I need to see how they react when things don't go their way," I said simply. "That tells me more about them than any training session ever will."

Anne hesitated. "That sounds like you're trying to start trouble."

I let out a short laugh. "No," I corrected. "I'm trying to understand people."

She didn't look convinced. I straightened, finally turning away from the vanity.

"And besides, if a simple delay in dinner can ruin their mood, then they're not as disciplined as they think they are."

Anne sighed. "But... Mr. Ryan will—"

I stepped closer and placed a hand on her shoulder, steady and calm. "Don't worry about him. There's no harm in getting on his nerves a bit."

Her eyes flickered with worry. I could tell she was already imagining Ryan's reaction.

And of course... my mind did the same. He said he'd make me surrender.

The corner of my mouth tilted. He really doesn't know how stubborn I can be.

I gave Anne's shoulder a gentle pat. "Don't worry. I won't put your job at risk. Just do as I say."

Anne still looked nervous, but she forced a small smile. "Okay... I will be on my way now."

She turned and left. I stayed where I was, watching the door click shut behind her. A small smile formed on my lips.

Let's see how tonight turns out.

⸻

The afternoon dragged on in silence. I stayed in my room the entire time, phone in hand, scrolling through videos of bike races. Jotting down my observations.

I didn't leave my room or take note of the time.

My door suddenly burst open. Anne stumbled in, breathless, her apron slightly crooked, face pale like she'd just run from a fire.

I straightened. "What's wrong, Anne?"

She shook her head quickly, hands trembling. "I can't do this, Rhea. I don't want to get into trouble."

I let out a slow sigh, placing my notebook down on the bed. I stood up and walked toward her. "I understand your fears. You don't want to lose your job, and you're scared of those biker boys. But trust me nothing will happen."

I held out my hand. "Where are the kitchen keys?"

She hesitated, then reached into her apron and pulled them out. I took them and slipped them into my jacket pocket.

"Is it time for dinner yet?" I asked.

Anne glanced at the clock behind me.

"Five minutes," she said quietly. "That's when we usually take the food to the dining hall... with the junior cooks."

I nodded. "Perfect."

I turned toward the door.

"Rhea..." she called out.

I paused. "What are you going to do?"

I looked back at her. "I'm going to be in charge. Make yourself comfortable. I'll be back."

The kitchen was louder than I expected.

Steam, clinking utensils, quiet voices of staff moving around. For a moment, I just stood there and watched.

They all noticed me immediately.

"Good evening, miss," one of them greeted carefully.

"You all can go."

Confusion rippled through the room.

"I'll take over from here. Order from Ryan,"

Well...my bad Ryan. I had to lie with your name.

One by one, they bowed and left, exchanging uncertain looks as they went.

Soon, it was just me. I walked to the counter and checked the food. Neatly arranged. Already plated. Prepared for service.

I dragged a stool across the floor and carried it outside the kitchen. The corridor was empty. Perfect.

Then I locked the kitchen door. The sound of the key turning felt final.

I sat on the stool, and pulled out my phone.

If they don't see their dinner...They'll come looking. And I wanted to see exactly how long it would take before chaos started.

The person I least expected was the one who showed up. Ryan.

"What are you doing here?" he asked, as he stopped right in front of me. "And where is Anne?"

I stood up from the stool. "Are you here for your dinner?" I asked raising a brow.

His eyes flicked past me and saw the locked kitchen door.

"What's going on?"

"I did it."

His gaze snapped back to me. "You what?"

"I locked the kitchen," I repeated, shrugging. "And sent the staff out."

His confusion deepened. "Why?"

"I needed to see how much they can handle their patience to be able to know who and who will be under my coaching."

"And you locked my kitchen,"

"Yes." I crossed my arms. "It was five minutes before dinner. I wanted to see what would happen."

"That is not your job," he snapped, stepping closer. "I didn't bring you here to test my riders' patience or play games with my staff."

"Play games?" I scoffed.

"Yes. You're here to coach them. Not disrupt operations."

I gave a short laugh. "I am coaching them."

His brows pulled tighter. "By locking the kitchen?"

"By observing reactions," I corrected. "You people talk a lot about discipline. I wanted to see it."

"That's not how this works."

My fingers tightened slightly at my sides.

"And how does it work, Ryan?" I shot back. "You give orders and everyone just obeys without question?"

His stare hardened. "It works by structure. Not chaos."

A bitter smile tugged at my lips. "Funny. Because from where I'm standing, your structure breaks pretty easily when one meal is delayed."

His eyes flashed. "Don't twist this."

I stepped closer now too, matching his energy without backing down.

"I didn't break anything," I said. "I shifted one variable. And suddenly everyone is panicking. That tells me everything I need to know."

He exhaled sharply, dragging a hand through his hair like he was trying very hard not to lose control.

"That is not why I gave you this job. I gave it to you because I noticed you're capable. Not someone who turns everything into a test."

"And don't forget your father is still not found. You promised you'd help with that."

Everything in me snapped still for half a second. The air around me changed.

"Don't," I said quietly.

He frowned. "Didn't you—"

"I said don't mention him to me," I cut in, my voice rising now. "And don't stand there and twist things like I made some grand promise."

His jaw clenched. "You did."

"No. Whatever business you and your people have with him is yours. Not mine. I said I would help j didn't say I promised you."

How angry I get whenever the name of the man is mentioned.

"Do you hear yourself?" Ryan said. "You act like everything is optional. Like nothing has consequences."

I scoffed. "And you act like you own consequences."

He took a slow breath, then looked at me like I was the most exhausting problem he had ever been handed. "Why exactly are you this stubborn?" he said, voice tight. "And selfish?"

My eyes held his. Selfish?

Interesting.

"If I were selfish," I said quietly, "I wouldn't even be here."

His expression flickered. I stepped closer just a fraction.

"And stubborn?" I added, my voice dropping. "You haven't even seen the full version yet."

He thinks he can corner me with words. With pressure. With that name.

I exhaled slowly. Then lifted my chin.

"You want me to behave the way you expect?" I asked.

His eyes didn't leave mine.

"Then challenge me properly," I said.

A small, dangerous smile formed.

"Race me."