Teddy Rik was due to come out of the terminal in ten minutes, and a part of me just wanted to go home, leave him here and not get the help I definitely needed for the safety of the club and my family.

But loyalty conquered and I watched the crowd anxiously, sucking in a slight breath when I spotted his familiar head of chestnut curls, a bit taller than the rest. He pushed his way out of the throngs of people, carrying a packed duffel bag and sporting a few days stubble.

He wasn't typically handsome, or had the kind of rugged masculinity that Ripper did- but his face had a strangely attractiveness to it, with his narrow blue eyes and straight nose.

Ripper stood next to me, hand around my waist as he pulled me out of the way of bustling people.

"That's Teddy Rik?"

I nodded, running a hand through my hair. "Yeah. He hasn't changed at all since I last saw him."

Ripper glanced at me. "You say that like it's a bad thing."

I grimaced and shrugged. "I broke his heart. I hope he's still not mad about that." A flicker of a look from Ripper and I continued. "We were friends in America. He fell in love with me and I didn't. Simple as that."

Ripper frowned and looked at the scruffy looking man who was nearly by us, and I stepped forward, giving Teddy a tentative smile. "Hey Teddy."

Teddy's lips thinned as he looked to the giant Adonis behind me, but he nodded. "Hey Cor."

"Thanks for the help- but you didn't have to come all the way to Ireland"

He gave sheepish grin, scratching the back of his head. "I know, I know- I just haven't seen you in ages, so I thought 'why not?'''

I rolled my eyes, "The help is much appreciated. You're the best hacker I know."

Teddy gripped his bad tighter, that familiar arrogance shining on his face when anyone mentioned his skills with technology.

"If we're going to take down your bastard parents, I want to help." His sea blue eyes darkened, shaking his head. "I might have been a shitty friend, but they took the cake where being shitty people all around is concerned."

I definitely agreed. Reaching back, I pulled forward my lover, smiling when his arm came around my waist almost subconsciously. "This is Ripper, my boyfriend."

Ripper and Teddy gave each other the manly once over- but it looked strange on Teddy. Ripper was a huge, muscled, tattooed well-know bloody hands of the biggest motorcycle club in Ireland, and had the intimidating stare burned into him. Teddy was lean and slim, with a gaunt but defined face- eyes a beautiful blue but almost too big for his face.

"Keep my Corin safe." Was all Ripper said, the emphatic 'my' lingering in the air between them.

Teddy- to his credit- kept his cool and shrugged a shoulder. "If you were doing a good enough job, I wouldn't have to."

Ripper barely stopped his snarl, "I protected her as well as I could."

"Well, obviously, it didn't work out that way."

I sighed loudly, catching their attention and holding up a hand. "Don't talk about me like I'm not here. Now, let's get back to dad's place so we can check in on Slater and Doc."

The two men nodded reluctantly, that male tension crackling between them. Ted had her past, but Ripper was her future.

---

"They've got their fingers in quite a few pies, and most that seem to be less than charitable are covered in a firewall that no one can fuck or fight their way through." Slater said, motioning with an annoyed hand.

Teddy raised a brow, pulling out a laptop from his duffel and raising a brow. "That's because you haven't seen me hack yet, boy."

I winced, placing a hand on Teddy's shoulder. "Best not insult one of the most powerful people in this club, eh?"

Teddy gave me his signature wide, white toothed smile. "I'll try. But I would be better doing this at home- less noise and I can use my own VPN."

I bit my lip, nodding. "I'll drive you."

Teddy waved me off, gesturing to his phone. "No need, already called a taxi."

I wonder if he did it out of fear for what Ripper might do to him, or out of awkwardness of being driven by a girl he supposed he had a history with. What mattered was how he had chosen to come, chosen to help me- even though we hadn't been in contact for years.

"Okay, be safe. I'll come see you tomorrow after work."

Teddy nodded, an effortless, familial smile gracing his face as he stood and placed his laptop in his bag. Ripper sat rigidly by me, watching him leave. "Seeya later, alligator."

_____

"Seeya later, alligator."

What sort of fuckwit says that when they're in their twenties? Ripper fought the urge to snarl, especially when the weird looking man gave a megawatt smile to his Corin.

He didn't approve of 'Teddy Rik,' if that was even his name- and liked that him and Corin had a past even less. Even though, technically, she had refused his love.

Was this insecurity? No. Ripper knew Corin loved him- this was just plain resentment at a man who knew the Corin before now, because Ripper wanted to know everything about her.

He followed the chestnut haired man outside, stopping him as soon as the door was closed. Teddy jolted and turned, eyes glancing everywhere to see if there was anyone around. To be a witness?

"I'm gonna get straight to the point. Why are you helping Corin?"

Teddy stilled, face creasing. Ripper folded his arms, protective instincts on hyper drive.

Teddy ran a hand through his hair, eyes flicking to the window before sighing. "Don't suppose you'll believe me if I say out of the goodness of my heart?"

"You're right."

Seconds ticked by and Ripper straightened, impatience growing. Teddy noticed and backed up a step, face darkening.

"I can tell why Corin likes you. You're strong."

Ripper fought the urge to growl, but a pang of satisfaction ran through him. "She doesn't like me. She loves me. Now get on with it."

Teddy frowned before nodding, relenting to the force that was Ripper. "I owe her. She stopped my family from going bankrupt by stealing money from her parents to pay off a debt my dad had." He shrugged a shoulder, grave expression on his face. "And, she was my first love. There's not much you wouldn't do for them."

Ripper stayed silent and watched Teddy leave, hawk eyed gaze on the man until he was away in the taxi.

The door opened next to him, and Corin walked out, beautiful face set with worry. Her hand came onto his shoulder as she sidled up in front of him, leaning her head back to look him in the eyes.

Ripper knew he would never get over just how beautiful she was. Metal glinting from her piercings, tattoos peaking up her neck from her hoodie, lustrous hair a black mane behind her.

"Is everything alright?"

He drew his arms around her waist, pulling her closer- loving that she let him touch her. He wouldn't take her touch or her scent for granted.

Ripper grunted in reply, dropping his head into the crook of her neck, calming his mind with her lemony smell.

He had to protect her. He'd been doing a shit job- but this time, nothing, nothing would hurt her.

Not his Corin.

__