Falling For The Biker: The Vice President's Girl Chapter 31

Wren

"What happened?" Ray asks.

They give Brittany and Ezra a look, so Ray taps him.

"Go on," Ezra says, finally pulling away from Brittany.

She giggles, then smiles at me. It's a taunting smile, lips wide but eyes narrowed. I roll my eyes, turning to Torch and Lizzy.

Ezra glances at me, but I ignore him. "What is it?" He questions them, brow raised.

"We had a visitor," Lizzy says.

"And he asked for Wren," Torch adds, and Ezra tenses.

I frown. "Me?"

"Yes." Lizzy nods. "Something about a debt owed. We tried to call, but you all weren't picking up."

Ray's brows pull low. "What was his name?"

"Reggie. He said Tony, your dad, borrowed some money, and he promised Wren as collateral."

My jaw drops.

Ray swears, pinching the bridge of his nose while Ezra's face hardens. "What the fuck?"

"We said she wasn't in town, which is why we tried to call," Torch says.

Before anyone can speak again, the front door bursts open.

A tall man with salt and pepper hair walks in. He's alone, a walking stick in his hand, and a toothpick in his mouth.

Everyone stands, the men with their hands hovering over their pistols.

He points his stick at Lizzie and Torch. "Little liars," he says with a humorless chuckle.

"Who are you?" Ray steps forward, Ezra following right beside him.

"Reggie," the man replies. " You must be Carlisle's son. And that–" he flicks his stick at me, "is Wren."

Ezra's jaw ticks. "What the hell do you want?"

"And you must be Raymond's little minion. I remember you. Anyways, I'm here for my payment...Wren."

Every side chatter stops, an awareness hums in the air.

Judi's hands tighten in mine. "Do you know him?" she whispers.

"No." I shake my head. "But my dad was a chronic debtor."

"We'll give you the money. How much is it?" Ray crosses his arms.

The man finds my eyes. "Eleven million dollars."

"Eleven million?!" Ray booms, eyes wide. "Is there any proof of this?"

The man nods, pulling up his phone. "I've got a video and some recordings, including paperwork."

Ezra snatches the phone, looking it over. By his speechlessness, I know it's true.

"Jesus Christ," he mutters, shoving the phone back to the man. "You're not taking Wren."

"Give us a month, and we'll have your money," Ray says.

The man chuckles dryly, switching the toothpick in his mouth. "My money was to be paid back after three months. It's been six, I'm going with Wren."

He takes a step forward, and Ezra blocks his path. Torch and Clay stand in front of me and Judi.

Reggie's eyes narrow at me from across the room.

My heart pulses, and I clutch Judi's hand like a lifeline. "Oh god."

"We promise you, you'll have it in a month," Ray urges, hands fisted at his sides.

"Two weeks," Reggie demands.

Ray's lips part to protest, but Ezra jerks his head. "Done."

The man looks between Ezra and I, a glint in his eyes and he nods.

"I'll be back, and if I don't have eleven point five million by then, there will be no more negotiations."

"Eleven point five?" The words tumble out of my lips before I can stop them.

His lips curl upwards, a sarcastic lift. "You can't possibly expect to pay without interest. It's been six months."

"But that's a lot of interest for just three extra months."

All eyes turn to me. I can see the warning in Ray's eyes.

"It is, huh?" Reggie tilts his neck, dragging his gaze down my body even though I'm literally almost covered by Torch and Clay. "Why don't you come with me then? I bet you would make me a lot of money."

"What—"

His words click in my head.

Ezra's fists shoot out, striking him straight in the jaw. "Don't you ever insinuate something like that again. You'll have your eleven point fine million in two weeks. Now, get the fuck out."

The man presses a hand to his jaw, eyes darkened into angry slits.

We all hold our breaths, a stunned silence thrums in the air.

"Ezra Jax," he says, voice threateningly low. "Those fists will get you in trouble."

With that, he takes his leave.

And finally, I breathe.

"EJ, Chirp and Judi," Ray calls. "My office now."

The music picks up, chatters increase and everyone goes back to what they were doing like as if the past few seconds did not just happen.

"Are you okay?" Ezra murmurs as we walk behind Ray.

I huff, shifting further away from him. "Go bother, Brittany, Ezra."

Judi snorts.

I know, I'm probably being petty. But he can't just promise me a good time, then turn around and fuck with Brittany.

"Are you jealous, Birdie?" Ezra shifts closer, lips twitching.

I'm glad he finds this funny.

Ray opens the door, and we enter his office quietly. Judi and I take the seats, while Ray and EJ stand.

"Your dad was a bastard," EJ says once the door is shut again.

We all nod in agreement. And the thing is, I'm not even surprised my dad practically used me.

"When are you leaving, Judi?" Ray questions, jaw tight.

It's obvious Reggie got to him...Reggie got to all of us. I'm still very much shaken.

Judi shrugs. "Tomorrow."

"Good." Ray nods. "Make sure you leave tomorrow."

I frown. "Are you chasing her away?"

"Can't you see that you're a target in almost every way?" Ray snaps, fists clenching and unclenching. "Do you think I have the time to protect you and your friend while trying to cough up eleven point five million in two weeks?"

I flinch at his tone, his voice booming in the space as he paces, running a hand through his hair.

Suddenly, he kicks the desk, and bellows; "Fuck!" then, whirls around to an abnormally quiet Ezra. "And you, why didn't you push for a month? Do you have eleven point five million?"

Ezra is quiet, face blank and a perfectly arched eyebrow is raised.

Ray scoffs. "Cat's got your tongue now, yea?"

"He's crashing out," Judi whispers, but I don't reply.

It's the first time I've seen my big brother lose his cool. The tension rolls off him in waves.

"Calm down, Ray," Ezra walks up to him, placing a hand on his shoulder.

Judi and I watch Ezra whisper to Ray, and slowly but surely, Ray's anger dissipates.

Ray sighs. "Are you sure, EJ?"

"Yes." Ezra nods. "I've got it. Promise."

They do the bro hug, slapping each other on the back. And just like that, my brother is back.

"Chirp," he says, arms spread apart. I walk into them and he hugs me. "I'm sorry for snapping at you."

"It's fine. I understand the frustration."

He presses his lips to the top of my head, and we break the hug.

"Wren, we've established you're a target. Everyone would want to use you to get to me, so staying here is not ideal," Ray says.

"Here, as in the clubhouse?"

He nods. "Tonight you'll stay here, but tomorrow after dropping off Judi, you'll move in temporarily with EJ."

"What?" Ezra blurts.

I blink. "I think you mean you and Quincy."

"No, Wren, it won't be safe for Quincy and the baby. I mean EJ."

"We didn't discuss that, Ray." Ezra frowns.

"Well then," Ray speaks. "Let's discuss."