CHAPTER 18
1411 Words
LIORA
Logan has been with me in the hospital since I woke up, with Ryder no where in sight, and when I asked about him, all I got is…
“He’s busy.”
After a full week in the hospital, I was finally discharged from the hospital. Imagine my shock when I got into the car and saw Ryder seated in the driver’s seat.
“I thought you didn’t want to see me,” I muttered softly as I climbed into the passenger seat and reached for my seatbelt.
He didn’t answer.
The engine started, and the car pulled away from the hospital. Since he clearly had no intention of speaking to me, I decided not to push him.
I turned my attention to the passing buildings outside the window.
Several minutes later, a frown creased my forehead.
I looked outside again, then back at Ryder.
“That’s not the way to my house,” I pointed out.
He said nothing.
I shifted in my seat and glanced at him again.“Where are we going?”
“My house,” he grumbled, finally breaking his silence.
I blinked at him in surprise. “What?”
“My house,” he repeated.
I stared at him for a few seconds before finding my voice. “And why exactly are you taking me to your house?”
Ryder briefly glanced in my direction before returning his focus to the road, his fingers tightening around the steering wheel.
“The doctor said you shouldn’t be alone.”
“So…” I said slowly, “you’re moving me into your apartment?”
He gave a short nod. “Until I’m sure you’re fine.”
Those were the last words exchanged between us for the rest of the drive.
The silence returned, annoying and awkward, until Ryder slowed the car in front of a massive iron gate.
He pressed the horn once.
A young man appeared from a small security booth nearby. The moment he spotted Ryder, he straightened immediately, bowed his head respectfully, and hurried to open the gates.
My eyes widened as the towering gates slowly swung apart.
“Can I roll down the wind_”
Before I could finish my sentence, Ryder pressed a button beside the steering wheel and the windows slid down automatically.
Muttering a quiet thank you, I leaned closer to the window and stared outside.
The sight before me stole my breath away.
A long driveway stretched ahead, lined with perfectly trimmed hedges and street lamps. Beyond it stood a breathtaking mansion that looked like something straight out of a movie.
My mouth fell open.
“You live here?” I asked, unable to hide the disbelief in my voice.
I had always known Ryder had money.
He drove expensive cars, though more of bikes, wore leather jackets, and never seemed concerned about the cost of anything.
But this?
This was an entirely different level of wealth.
This wasn’t rich.
This was the kind of money people only read about.
“We live here,” Ryder corrected in a rough voice.
I turned to stare at him. “We?” I repeated.
“Other club members live here too.”
I frowned.
“Club members?” I echoed. “What club?”
“Only the higher-ranking members,” he explained. “They each have houses here for emergency situations.”
I blinked at him.
What on earth is he talking about?
“What do you mean by club members?” I asked slowly.
Instead of answering, Ryder parked the car and stepped out.
Confused, I unbuckled my seatbelt and followed him.
He walked around to my side and gestured toward the vast property surrounding us.
“This estate covers over fifty acres,” he explained, then pointed toward several distant lights glowing against the dark evening sky.
“Those houses belong to Logan and Kane.”
I followed the direction of his finger.
Although the lights appeared close enough, I knew those houses are far away.
I looked back at him, astonishment still written across my face.
“Are they the only members who live here?” I asked.
He nodded. “They’re the only people I trust enough to keep this close.”
Before I could respond, he reached for my hand, his fingers wrapping around mine as he gently pulled me toward the house.
“Come,” he said. “I’ll introduce you to the staff.”
My gaze dropped to our joined hands, and despite myself, a small smile tugged at my lips.
“You have staff?” I asked, unable to keep the surprise out of my voice.
“Newly hired,” he clarified. “I’m barely home.”
I stared at him in confusion. “Then why hire them?”
Ryder slowed to a stop.
For a moment, he said nothing, taking a deep breath, his broad shoulders rising with the inhale before he continued walking toward the entrance.
The moment we stepped inside, my attention shifted to the house itself.
The living room was stunning in a cold, intimidating sort of way.
Everything reflected this version of Evans.
The expensive sofas were upholstered in shades of black and charcoal, elegant yet devoid of warmth. The rest of the furniture followed the same theme, all neutral colours and clean lines that made the space look more like a luxury showroom than a home.
Yet there were small details that tied everything together.
A polished oak coffee table sat at the centre of the room. Tastefully designed lamps softened the harshness of the darker décor, while a gigantic television mounted against the wall completed the sophisticated setting.
It was beautiful.
But it didn’t feel lived in.
“This is Liora.”
Ryder’s voice snapped me out of my inspection of the room.
Several members of the household staff had gathered nearby, their attention fixed on us.
Ryder stepped slightly closer to me.
“She’ll be staying here for a while,” he said. “I expect all of you to attend to whatever she needs.”
He turned to me. “They are here to serve you. Don’t hesitate to call for their assistance.”
Plastering a smile to my face, I waved at them. “it is nice to meet you all.”
The three women bowed in unison. “it is an honor to serve you Ms. Liora.”
Serve me? Why are they making it seem as if this is a master-servant relationship?
Ryder squeezed my hand. “Come, let me take you to your room.”
Nodding, not bothering to hide my excitement, I allowed him take me up the stairs, down to the west wing, then stopped outside a black door.
He pulled the door open and ushered me in. “I bought some essentials, but you can go with either me, Kane or Logan to pack some of your stuff from your place.”
“Okay.”
Letting go of my hand, he exhaled and ran into his fingers through my hair. “Let me know if you need anything.”
“I will.”
He glanced at my face, then quickly averted his gaze. “my room is next door,” he said, “I mean it Liora. let me know if you need anything.”
I smiled at him, not because I wanted to, but because he looks like he needs it at the moment. “I will.”
“Get ready and come down for dinner.” He said before turning to leave.
“Ryder,” I called out and he halted, slowly turning around.
“I wasn’t trying to kill myself.”
His face tightened and he looked away. “Freshen up and come down for dinner.”
“Did you hear me?” I asked, taking a step forward. “I am not sucidial, I never had the intention of killing myself.”
“Liora…” he called in strained voice. “freshen up and come down for dinner.”
“It was supposed to be a quick shower, but I fell asleep.”
“Liora!” he yelled, his vein bulging, “let’s not talk about this.”
Reigning in, I took a step back and nodded. I watched his retreated back as he walked towards the door. He reached for the door knob then stopped.
“Please, always leave your door unlocked.” He requested, his voice cracking, “please.”
- Writer
