Running Wild (Hell Ryders MC Book 1) by J.L. Sheppard

much of a difference anyway. Wyatt was one of the top defense attorneys in the state, loaded, and had friends in high places. It would be her word against his. She’d be vilified. “I just want to go home, Detective.”
    “You’re a smart woman, graduated top of your class at Columbia, but I’ll tell you this anyway. Being gone isn’t going to erase what happened. It won’t make it hurt less.”
    She nodded.
    “You can go, Ms. Holden. I won’t keep you longer.”
    She stood and headed toward the door. When she reached the threshold, she turned and found him staring her way. “I’m sorry I was rude.” She smiled weakly. “Thank you, Detective.”
    He smiled, shaking his head. “I deal with crooks, rapists, and murderers. You were a breath of fresh air, Ms. Holden.”
    Her smile widened.
    ****
    A knock sounded on her door. “About time,” she mumbled under her breath.
    After their trip to the station, they headed to her Manhattan apartment. Tyler insisted she box up her stuff and arrange for it to be shipped. She agreed, considering she needed more than a duffel bag of clothes and the few things she’d recently bought, so she spent the better part of the afternoon doing that while Tyler and Jace watched a football game on TV and drank beers. Half an hour ago, Tyler left to pick up dinner, and Jace jumped in the shower.
    Glad for the packing break, Allie straightened and hurried to open the door.
    The breath rushed out of her, her heart stopped dead, then started pounding again, loud and fast. “Wyatt,” she whispered, cursing herself for not looking through the peephole.
    Wyatt had ways to get by the front desk of her building. Namely, his good looks. Tall, just an inch under her brother’s height, but thinner with brownish, sun-streaked hair, cut short, he wore a black suit and tie. Right then, his brows were creased, the same worried expression she’d seen on TV marred his face.
    “What are you doing here?” she asked, hoping he couldn’t hear the panic in her voice.
    He didn’t respond. Instead, he stepped through the door, shut it, and embraced her. She stood frozen. He wasn’t much for blatant displays of affection, not in public, not in private. But it wasn’t the reason why. The last time he’d touched her, it hurt. He meant it to.
    “Alyssa, I’ve been out of my mind with worry,” he whispered against her ear.
    She fought not to move, but inside, she cringed.
    “I’ve missed you so much.” He drew away from her slightly then finally released her.
    Unwillingly to make any sudden movements, she slowly took a step away. “You shouldn’t be worried considering we’re over.” She whispered, purposefully. Making him angry would only make her more afraid.
    He sighed heavily, his eyes softening before he shoved his hands in his pockets. “I know I’ve messed up, but I’m a different man now. I haven’t been with anyone since—”
    “You know why this is over, Wyatt. Don’t make me remind you.”
    “I’m sorry. I love you, Allie.”
    “Don’t call me Allie,” she snapped.
    She shouldn’t have snapped, but she couldn’t help it. He never called her Allie. Until recently, no one had ever called her Allie but Tyler.
    Instead of snapping back like she imagined he would, he held up his hands. “I’m sorry—”
    Thanking her lucky stars for the reprieve, she softened her voice. “I don’t want your apologies, Wyatt. It’s a little too late for that. I forgave you once. I’m not forgiving you again, especially not after…You need to go.”
    That did it, what she wanted to prevent.
    His eyes hardened. He grasped her wrist, his fingers pressing into her flesh in a painful grip.
    She let out a small gasp. Fear and panic overwhelming, she fought, placing her other palm over his chest to shove him.
    “I’m not leaving, and you’re not leaving, Alyssa.” His voice harsh and ominous. “Don’t make me—”
    His words died suddenly. The next instant, his back slammed against the