Page 24 of Ryder’s Storm

Ryder sat up, rigid like a lamppost. Had somebody seen him and Scarlet together and told Damian? Fuck, this wasn’t good.

“Just as well that we got those new cameras. It’s all on tape. I’m not gonna let that happen again.”

Fuck! Ryder’s heart pounded. Damian had recorded him and Scarlet during sex? Christ! What else could go wrong? This was a disaster. Once in his life he did something crazy, and everybody would find out about it? Why was this happening?

“Uhm…” He searched for words but had none.

“I’ve decided to post the recording online.”

Ryder jumped up. “Damian, please don’t do that. I’m in enough hot water already.”

“Huh?”

“Please, she doesn’t deserve that. It was my fault. Don’t release the sex tape. She’ll never forgive me if you do. I’ll do anything to make this go away,” Ryder pleaded.

“Sex tape?” Damian shot back. There was a short pause, then he said, “OH MY GOD! You had sex in my club!”

Raucous laughter nearly pierced Ryder’s eardrum.

“You dog!” It wasn’t an admonishment, rather a compliment. Figured! Damian was just as over-sexed as his twin. And the nightclub he ran with Patrick, Samson’s youngest son, provided the perfect outlet for him.

“Fuck,” Ryder let out, realizing his mistake. “We’re not talking about a sex tape…”

“We are now!” Damian said, chuckling. “Cause a guy getting his dick stuck in a beer keg isn’t half as interesting as you having sex in my club. I’ve gotta tell Patrick!”

“You can’t tell anybody, do you hear me?”

“Oh, come on. Finally you do something reckless, and the rest of us can’t even hear about it? So where did you fuck her? In the restrooms?”

“I’m not gonna answer that question.”

“Not in the restrooms then. You’re right, that’s kinda gross. Maybe in one of the corners with the comfy seating areas? I told Patrick that we should have gone with leather. Easier to wipe off, you know. I’ve gotta talk to him about that.”

“Please…” Ryder let out a breath and ran a hand through his hair. “I can’t talk about it.”

“Don’t be so sensitive. We’ve all had one-nighters in the oddest places. Some chicks are just so horny and drunk they can barely wait for you to pull your dick out. No harm in that.”

“It wasn’t like that!” Ryder growled. “Don’t talk about her like that. She wasn’t drunk.” He was pretty sure about that. Scarlet had known exactly what she was doing. And so had he.

Damian let out a gasp. “Are you saying you’re in a relationship? You’re dating? Since when?”

Ryder hesitated.

“Come on, bro. If this is serious, then of course I won’t blab to anybody about it. You should know that. I’ve watched plenty of vampires turn all protective and possessive when they find the one to know not to joke about something like that. So, is that it? Is she the one?”

Ryder knew exactly what Damian meant by his question. “Yes.”

“Good for you. So when can we all meet her?”

“When I’m back in her good graces.” Which right now didn’t look so good.

“Hey, I feel you. If there’s anything I can—”

“There isn’t. But thanks. Talk later.”

“Chin up!”

Ryder disconnected the call and listened for sounds from the kitchen. Scarlet was still in there, and judging by the sound of cutlery scraping against porcelain she was enjoying more of the pancakes.