I also knew all about Ryker, including the fact he’d put a ring on Lissa’s finger and officially adopted Lissa’s girl, Alexis.

He loved his girls. And when the unimaginable threatened the ’burg and Alexis got caught up in it, nearly had her world obliterated by it, Ryker didn’t hesitate after he went all out to make sure she was safe. He claimed both her and her mother, officially and legally, and covered them in his considerable protection.

So no, even if the man looked like a lunatic, he didn’t scare me because he didn’t hide who he really was, and the way he looked after the women under his roof said it all.

I put my hands on my hips and snapped, “You hung up on me.”

I held my ground even as he got toe to toe to me, bowed his back, and put his mug right into mine.

“You did not hear whatever you heard from your neighbors,” he growled.

My blood ran cold.

“And from here on out, woman, you do not even fuckin’ look in the direction of that house. It does not exist for you. The people in it do not exist for you. You don’t let your boy anywhere near that house or the people in it. Are you hearing me?”

Jesus, what was going on?

“Ryker—”

He got closer and his nose brushed mine when he barked, “Are you hearing me?”

“I’m hearing you, brother. Stand down.”

He didn’t stand down, but he did edge his face away half an inch.

“And you don’t mention that shit to anyone, Cher. Not a fuckin’ soul. Not Colt. Not Sully. Not pillow talk with Merry.”

At the pillow talk comment, I screwed up my eyes at him. “Back off, Ryker. Now.”

“I’m tellin’ you ’cause you’re one of the ten people I actually like in this world, do not say a motherfucking word.”

“What’s going on?” I asked sharply.

“That’s not for you to know. You’re smart, sister. Stay smart, keep yourself to yourself, and your mouth shut.”

“Jesus, Ryker, okay,” I replied.

He scowled at me and I endured it, not happy at all with this turn of events.

Finally, he moved away, heading toward the door.

He stopped at it, hand on the handle, and turned back to me.

“Just so you know, we got you covered. Tanner briefed me. I’m all over the church lady,” he shared.

My body locked in order to battle the sudden burn engulfing it.

His mood shifted and he grinned his maniacal grin.

“And just to weigh in, I’m feelin’ all rosy, Merrick finally got his head screwed on straight and turned his eye to a decent woman worth his attention. Lissa’s beside herself. She’s been sayin’ for years, he just shook off the ghost of that bitch, he’d see what’s in front of his face. Good he finally took off the blinders that stupid twat locked on and looked. But this ‘one-time thing’ is fucked up, sister. Advice? Hook that boy. Sink those claws in deep.”