Free A Secret Ride: A Biker Erotic Romance (Karthadossian Riders MC) by Emily Stone Page A

out. You weren’t going to cooperate and I was out of time.”
     
    “Out of time for what?” Ellie crossed her arms across her waist, impatient and still aggravated.
     
    “Look, Ellie, I promise to answer every question if you’ll come with me somewhere safer than this back lot. I can’t leave you here. It isn’t safe for you.” Manny was genuinely worried, eyes darting around as if he expected someone to jump out of the darkness any second.
     
    “No, Manny, you’re the one in danger. Xander is planning to--”
     
    He held up a hand, cutting her off. “Yeah, I know. He’s planning on blowing me up tonight. Too bad I’m here with you, huh?”
     
    A slow smile spread across Ellie’s face. “Yeah, too bad.”
     
    ***
     
    His phone started vibrating in his pocket. Going so fast there was no way he could take it out and check it without killing himself. Still, it could be Ellie. He pulled off on the shoulder and dug the phone out. It was a text message from his Dad. He didn’t even know Manny knew how to text.
     
    ‘ Ellie’s safe with me. Come straight to her house. Will explain everything when you get here.’
     
    Relief that both of them were safe overwhelmed him and he felt a little lightheaded. Why on earth were the two of them together—and at Ellie’s house? He was only about fifteen minutes from her place. He got back on the bike, and at a slightly more sedated pace, headed for her home.
     
    He pulled into her drive and walked up to the door, hearing the sound of laughter coming from inside. He took a deep breath. For the past hour he’d been so upset and worried that his system was on overload. Hearing the two of them laughing had the last of the adrenaline draining from his system and his head starting to pound.
     
    He didn’t knock, opening the door and walking in like he’d been doing it forever. They were in the kitchen, sitting at her island and drinking beer. He looked from one to the other, feeling like he’d stepped into some alternate universe.
     
    “Rex.” Ellie stood first, came close and wrapped her arms around his waist, hugging him tight.
     
    Rex hugged her back, leaning in close and whispering, “I am so glad you’re okay. I’ve never been so scared.”
     
    She nodded her head against his chest, tears welling up in her eyes. When she looked up at him, his eyes were soft. Until they focused on the ever darkening bruise on her jaw. “Wait, I can explain.”
     
    “What the hell happened, Ellie? Who did this?” He turned her face towards the light, examining the area closely.
     
    “I did.” Manny said, standing and coming around the island to face his son. When Rex pulled away from Ellie and took a threatening step his way, it was Ellie who stepped between them and with her palms flat on his chest, pushed him back a couple of feet.
     
    “Rex, don’t. He was only doing what he had to do to keep me safe. Hear him out.” Her voice was firm, confident. There wasn’t a trace of fear or censure in her tone.
     
    Rex moved a little further back and leaned against the wall, fists clenched. He wanted to hurt Manny. How could he have put his hands on Ellie? How could she be so forgiving?
     
    “Come sit down, Rex. Let me get you something to drink, okay?” Ellie reached out to take his hand but he moved his hands away. She tried not to let the move hurt her feelings.
     
    “I need to stay right here for a couple of minutes. Until I calm down.” He managed a small smile for her but it wasn’t easy.
     
    “I’ll talk, you listen.” Manny returned to his seat and his bottle of beer. “A couple of years ago, one of Xander’s guys was placed in the same lockup as I was. He was a strung out piece of trash with a chip on his shoulder over being kicked out of the Karthadossians.”
     
    Manny watched Ellie settle back into her chair, pushing the bag of frozen peas she’d set down earlier at her with a contrite smile. “For a little bit of blow the guy spilled his