Ryan Reign (New York Ruthless #4)
Sadie Kincaid
Ryan Reign is book 4 in the New York Ruthless series. It is a dark Mafia, reverse harem romance which deals with adult themes which may be triggering for some, inc but not limited to kidnap, reference to sexual assault, as well as scenes of a violent and sexual nature.
If you haven’t read books 1, 2 and 3 in the series yet, you can find them on Amazon Ryan Rule
Ryan Redemption
Ryan Retribution
Chapter 1
Jessie
Adrenaline courses around my body and blood thunders in my ears as I sit at the dining table trying to process the information I’ve just been given.
The Wolf is back.
Conor rests a reassuring hand on my thigh, while Liam places one on my shoulder as they sit either side of me. We have just finished our ‘Thanksgiving in July’ dinner, but the celebrations have now come to an abrupt halt.
I’m vaguely aware of the Ryan brothers talking to Vlad, the head of the Bratva, and the man who’s just brought my world crashing down around me. Suddenly, their voices seem so far away. The room is spinning and the air has become thick and cloying, making it difficult to swallow. I reach for my throat as I gasp for breath. Something is happening. Has Vlad somehow poisoned me? Is he really working for the Wolf?
“Jessie!” Conor’s voice cuts through the fog as he takes my free hand and curls his fingers around it.
I turn to him, my eyes wide as I struggle to breathe. He places his other hand on my cheek while he circles the pad of his thumb over the pulse point on my wrist. I look down at his strong fingers wrapped around my arm.
“Look at me,” he commands.
Lifting my head, I look into his deep brown eyes.
“Breathe, Angel,” he says softly.
“I can’t.” I shake my head as I draw in ragged breaths.
“Yes, you can. Breathe with me, okay?”
I nod.
“In.” He takes a deep breath and I try to mimic his movements. “Out.” He releases. He continues doing that and I try to keep pace with him. The room is silent, as though there is only him and me in it. I don’t know how long it takes but eventually my breathing matches his and I no longer feel like I’m about to suffocate.
He smiles at me. “Better?”
“Yes,” I whisper, and he lifts my hand to his lips and presses a soft kiss on my wrist.
I turn back to the table to see four pairs of anxious eyes trained on me and heat flushes over my cheeks. I can’t believe I just had a panic attack.
Liam reaches for my other hand. He squeezes gently and I offer him a faint smile. When I catch Mikey’s eye, he winks at me, but Shane goes back to staring at our visitor.
“So why is it you’re so certain he is back, Vlad?” he asks.
Vlad looks directly at me when he responds. “There have been a few hits recently that have had his particular brand.”
“The one in Belarus?” Shane says, making me turn my attention to him. He knew about this and he didn’t tell me?
“Yes. I see you’ve been following him yourself?” Vlad asks with one arched eyebrow.
“I’ve been tracking hits that have had similarities with the Wolf’s style, yes,” Shane says with a nod as he glances at me before turning his attention back to Vlad. “There have been more?”
“One in Kazakhstan.”
Shane frowns. “I didn’t hear about that one.”
“Hmm.” Vlad rubs a hand over his beard and nods softly. “Politics. It was kept very quiet.”
“Hang on a minute,” I say, finally finding my voice. “You’re telling me that the Wolf has been active again? For how long? And why didn’t you tell me?” I direct my last question to Shane.
“I only knew about the hit in Belarus. And while it had similarities to the Wolf, I wasn’t sure it was him.”
“You should have told me.”
“Told you what, Jessie?” He frowns at me. “There was nothing to tell.”
I swallow the retort that lodges in my throat. “I didn’t even know you were looking for him,” I say instead.
Conor squeezes my hand as Shane shakes his head in exasperation. “You didn’t think I’d be trying to find him? After everything he did to you? When even the mention of his name sends you into a blind panic?”
Tears prick at my eyes as I realize he’s been looking out for me all this time. Of course he has. It’s what he does. I can’t deal with him right now though and I turn back to Vlad. “What makes you so sure it’s him?” I pull my hand from Conor’s and wipe the tears from my eyes. Leaning forward, I place my arms on the table. This is no time to get over-emotional.
“As well as the two I just mentioned, there was a hit in Moscow last night. Same MO and this time my sources tell me the Wolf has taken full credit. He is now back online and offering his services to the highest bidder.”
I feel my heart starting to race again but I take a deep breath and remember the sound of Conor’s soothing voice. I reach for his hand once more and the warmth of his skin on mine is comforting. “You’re sure it’s really him, Vlad?” I ask, desperately trying to keep the tremor from my voice.