Carter Fiske chuckled. “Distracted, sir?”
“Ryker.” He corrected and motioned around the room. “When we are with family, it’s Ryker.”
“Roger that.” Carter lifted his bottle of beer in his direction.
“But to answer your question, yes, pleasantly distracted.” He sent another look in Brie’s direction.
“You know, I don’t think I’ve had my little talk with you yet.” Brock leaned back in his chair and brought his size thirteen boot over his knee. He leveled a glare at Ryker. It was easy to see why Brock was good at investigations—he could intimidate, but Ryker had spent more years in the trenches than anyone in the room except for the Commissioner and Colm McBride.
“Neither have we.” Sean motioned between himself and Kyle.
Carter snorted. “Really guys? Do you honestly think that BS intimidation tactic is going to work on Captain… err, Ryker?”
Ryker nodded in Carter’s direction, acknowledging the man’s correction, but turned his attention back to the three men across from him. He leaned back, still holding his warm beer in his good hand. “Go ahead. No, wait. Let me guess. You’ll string me up by the balls if I hurt your friend and sister. I can take on one of you, but not all of you. I’ll be sorry I ever took a breath around her and I’ll regret the day I was born.” He took a drink of his beer as the men looked at each other. Brock started laughing, followed by the rest of Brianna’s white knights.
Brody leaned forward and stared at him. “Cap, can we steal those lines? I mean, we still have Bekki, Erin, and Caitlyn to protect. They are a hell of a lot better than the ones we think up on the spur of the moment.”
Ryker laughed and elevated his three-quarter full beer. “Be my guest.”
“Better yet, let’s take him with us.” Kyle motioned in his direction. “Just get your wing healed up first. Because you don’t look like you could do much to pound down the unworthy right now.”
“Not true.” Brody pointed at his boss. “He has like nine or ten black belts and is all ninja and shit.”
“No way. What discipline?” Rory and Blay moved up chairs and sat down.
“I only have one black belt.” He gave Brody a look and all the guys around the informal circle laughed.
“Right, which is one more than all of us put together.” Blay leaned forward. “Seriously, what discipline do you study?”
“Muay Thai and Jiu Jitsu. The belt is in Jiu Jitsu.” He’d started both classes at eighteen when he’d started living alone in the city. The discipline helped him curb his anger and his teachers had become father figures in a way his stepfather never was.
“You ought to see him fight. As big as he is, he’s faster than anyone else in the ring.” Brody laughed and leaned back. “No one wants to get into the ring with the Cap.”
"That must be part of that ‘Don’t get dead’ advice you ladle out.” Sean McBride laughed, and when prompted by Kyle and Brock told the story of Ryker’s advice for making captain.
“Hey, it’s solid and smart.” He chuckled and then grimaced when he took a swig of his warm beer.
“Need a new one?” Rory McBride stood up and five empties plus Ryker’s warm brew pushed toward him. “Assholes.” Rory grabbed three and Blay grabbed the others.
“Bring back snacks!” Brock yelled after them.
“No snacks. We’re just about ready to eat,” Hannah King called back. “As a matter of fact, everyone come into the kitchen.”
Without even questioning her directive, Ryker stood up as did the other men. When he’d met Hannah earlier, he’d seen the love she had for her daughter. Her whispered, “I'm so happy to finally meet you,” brought a stab of pain that his mother would never say the same to Brianna. He thanked her and greeted Chauncey before he was introduced and reintroduced to friends and family. The two youngsters, Colleen and Gage, waved and ran off to Gage’s bedroom with a new movie to watch while the grown-ups visited. As the crew continued to arrive, he wondered if he could escape and watch a movie with them. But the afternoon’s impromptu visit turned out to be pleasant, and he liked Brie’s family.
“Everyone pipe down.” Chauncey’s voice rang above the laughter and talk. Ryker eased over to stand beside Brie, pulling her into his good side. She fit perfectly in his arms and in his life. “Today, we are officially meeting Brianna’s man. I’ve known Ryker for a long time. If I had to pick someone for my daughter, he is exactly what I would look for. His integrity and professionalism aside, he takes care of his people, protects them, and gives them the support to do the job he hired them to do. Son, you take care of my girl like that and I will be a happy man.”
“Thank you, sir.” He looked down at Brie and kissed her. There were catcalls and boisterous laughter.
“Knock it off,” Colm McBride commanded, and the din lowered. “Bow your heads.” Collectively, the family did as the man ordered. “Lord, we thank you for the people who gather here today. Family. Plain and simple, by birth and by choice. We ask for your continued blessings on us and blessings on this food for the nourishment of our bodies in the service of you. Amen.”
They formed a line and grabbed plates from the counter. Chauncey and Hannah, Colm and Sharon went first, helping the kids as they moved. They encouraged Ryker and Brie to go through the makeshift buffet next. He held his plate as Brie ladled food on it for him. She collected two napkin rolls with silverware in them and led him to one of the many card tables set up for the event.
“Kind of overwhelming, isn’t it?” She unrolled the silverware and smiled at Gage and Colleen, who sat down with them. “Hey, kiddos. How was the movie?”
“It was good.”
Gage spoke and
