Chapter 3

Ryker

"Are you sure involving the woman won't cause us problems later on?" Ralph, my right-hand man and most trusted partner in the biker gang pointed out. I was standing by the window, gazing outside. The sky was dark and carried so many stars in it.

I didn't expect the situation to escalate to this too. I just got my heart betrayed by the woman I thought would stand by my side. The same woman I pledged to love and protect with everything in me. The same woman that I did everything for. Only for me to catch her with my stepbrother in bed. On the same night, I was going to propose. I had Ralph get me an expensive diamond ring all in the name of cherishing the love we shared through our three years together.

That three years went down the drain after I witnessed that devastating scene. That betrayal didn't stop there. It turned out they had been having an affair behind my back. I always knew Marcus didn't like me. He showed his dislikes the very first day father brought him and his mother into the family and introduced him as my brother. I never thought father had other family apart from me and mother.

He never mentioned anything while she was alive. Until after her death. A few months after her passing, he brought them in. That was seven years ago. I was 20. Marcus was a year older than me which meant Father had him before me. I didn't say much because it won't change anything. But Father knows how much that hurts me. My mother was the second woman. I was the second son.

My father Philip Oscar, leader of Black Raven, one of the biggest gangs in the city. Had won tons of awards for his ruling with an iron fist. Whenever you hear the name P. Oscar, in the bikers gang, know that my father isn't an easy target. And that was how we were being brought up.

With power and ruthlessness. Black Ravens had made its name as the most feared gang in the world of bikers and we owned it. I ruled my part but haven't gotten the main control. Until recently when father wants Marcus and I to take control together. It had reached a stage where he wanted to step down and allow his two sons to take care of Black Raven. But the condition was, that we have to get a wife before we have that control.

I thought everything was going to be easy because I already have a woman I love. But Marcus snatched my woman away. They both betrayed me. Marcus had never liked me and always find ways to frame me. "I am the first son. You will always be my shadow." These were the words that hit me deeply. Right then and there, I knew I needed to do whatever it takes to be the leader of Black Raven. It doesn't matter whether the gang gets divided. For the first time, I wanted to be at the top and not Marcus.

Lily came at the right time and she seemed to be the perfect candidate for my plans. A smile found its way out of me as I recalled the stunts she pulled at my office earlier. "That woman is not okay in the head. She is crazy." I was brought back to reality by Ralph's words.

He was right. The red-haired is too hot-headed for my liking. She has a big mouth, she's crazy but not bad in terms of physical appearance. I don't know whether her red hair was natural or she dyed it. Clearly not my type but 12 months won't be that much for me to tolerate her. Did I just say tolerate her? She would be the one to tolerate me. Because I don't take shit. The betrayal from Hilda has opened my eyes.

Never will I ever allow any woman to play around with my feelings. Maybe she will think she had gotten away and chose my stepbrother over me. But I will make sure I burn the two of them. They will both regret messing up with me.

I turned around to face Ralph. "That was the reason why I picked her. She looks crazy on the outside but she will make my job easier. Do you still have the ring?"

Ralph fished the box from his pocket. Anger suddenly hit me at the memories of how I looked like a fool rehearsing how I would propose to Hilda. She really got me on this. I was foolish to believe all her beauty was fake.

Another rule: Never fall for a beauty.

"I can't believe I earned myself a slap because of this ring."

"How did that even happen?" I asked sparing my phone a look that was buzzing from the desk. A call from father. "Well...I was only trying to coax her to make a refund."

"You touched her." Ralph avoided my gaze. "You brought that upon yourself." I shook my head with a laugh before sliding the accept button.

"Father."

"Meet me at the house." His orders were short and direct. I dropped the phone and looked at Ralph who had his eyes on me already.

"Father wants me to meet him at the house which means he would need us to come along with our spouse. You know what to do."

Ralph nodded. "I will go pick her up."

I have already explained things to Lily. What her roles would be. She just needed to put in her effort and act like a typical fiancée. One year is enough to get things set and take control of Black Raven. My goal is to beat Marcus and I will do whatever to make that happen.

I stepped on the veranda of our family house where father lives with his wife. My stepmother. "I thought you won't be able to make it." A familiar voice resonated to my eardrums. Marcus appeared beside me.

The bruise from the blow I landed on his lips was visible. I bet he wanted another blow. This time around, I will make sure I make it deep. In such a way that he won't use his mouth for some days to blabber nonsense.

"Mind your business, Marcus." I snarled. A smug smile curved up his lips. And for the life of me, the urge to blow his face kept on growing inside me.

"Take it easy bro. I understand how heartbreaks are. I didn't expect you to show up here. I thought you would be in bed nursing your broken heart."

"Shut it, Marcus!" I yanked his collar and seethed. "You're an annoying fool, Marcus. My heart is not weak if I might remind you. Hilda is my past now. I don't give a damn about the two of you."

"Are you sure? I thought you were going to propose? How would you explain things to father now? I have already introduced Hilda to him."

"What?" My hand loosened around his neck. "Yes, Ryker. The earlier. The better. After all, I am the first son."

"A foolish first son right? Let me tell you something, I am never going to be someone without a second option. Why do you think I didn't say anything to Hilda? Because I have an option. She cheated and I cheated too."

Marcus's expression changed to that of confusion. This was my chance to show him I was not affected by what they did.

Yes, you are. You just don't want to accept it.

I moved away from Marcus and stuffed my hands inside my pocket. "I have a woman too. I am going to introduce her to father soon. I knew all about your plans. So, let's see how you will come at me this time around, Marcus because I am going to burn you. Mark my words." With that, I turned the doorknob and stepped inside leaving Marcus in a dumbfounded state.

Marcus came in a few minutes later. I was sure I had given him enough to get angry. Father was seated in his usual spot on the sofa while his wife was next to him. "You're here, Ryker." She said with a fake smile. I don't even give a damn about her. She is my father's wife and not my mother.

Her smile faded when she realized I was in no mood for her pretense. "Good evening father." I greeted my father taking my seat.

"Good evening Father," Marcus joined in and occupied the seat next to me.

"Evening sons. Helen can you excuse us."

"Sure, Philip." I resisted the urge to roll my eyes at the fake smile she put on her face as she picked up the cup of coffee from the table.

Father dropped the newspaper he was reading by the side and fixed his eyes on us. "I'm sure both of you know why I called you here. Most especially you Ryker."

"Yes, father."

He nodded. "Good. Marcus introduced his fiancée earlier so I am expecting to see yours soon." Marcus cleared his voice. I threw him a glare.

"Yes, father. I was actually going to do that. But something urgent came up. We couldn't come together but I've sent Ralph to pick her up. She'll be here soon."

Father nodded once again. "That's great. I want you guys to lead the gang as soon as possible. The reason why I want you to settle down with a wife is because you can't do it alone without some support. Back then when I started, your mother had contributed a lot."

There he goes again with talking about my mother. I hated how he talked about my mother as if she was the love of his life. I wished I had earplugs to block my ears from listening to his musical story about my mother.

"So, I want you guys to follow my footsteps so that-" Father's words halted when the door was opened. Our eyes shifted to Ralph entering. My eyes widened when a red-haired woman appeared behind Ralph. I recognized her from her hair color. Red. But her way of dressing was entirely what I wasn't expecting.

She was dressed head to toe in a rugged biker's outfit, black leather hugging her curves like a second skin.

Her jacket was scuffed and worn, with patches sewn. The heavy boots on her feet thudded against the floor with each step she took, her presence commanding the room.

She surveyed the room with a sharp, calculating gaze—eyes that matched the intensity of her hair. There was something sharp in her eyes, an edge that warned she wasn't to be messed with.

She moved further into the room, the soft jingle of metal from her belt the only sound cutting through the silence, as if daring anyone to challenge her right to be there. Up to the moment she approached us, our eyes didn't waver from her. She stopped in front of my father and pushed her hand forward. "Hello father, I'm Lily. Your son, Ryker's wife-to-be."

Right then and there, I realized I had gotten involved with the real gangster. A red-haired gangster.