Page 41 of Ryder’s Storm

“Damn it! The garage door. Somebody is opening the garage door.”

Frozen in place, Scarlet listened. Now she could hear it too.

“Crap!” Scarlet cursed.

“Nobody can find me in your bedroom,” Ryder said and pulled himself out of her. “Or they have a valid reason for taking me off your security detail.”

Scarlet nodded. “I know.”

Ryder kissed her on the lips. “Take a shower and get dressed. Stay in your room, until I know who it is.”

“What about you?”

“Don’t worry, I can get ready in less than three minutes, and that includes a shower.” He grabbed his clothes and shoes from the floor and rushed to the door. He opened it quietly, then listened, before leaving the room and closing the door behind him.

Scarlet jumped out of bed the moment he was gone, then raced to the door and locked it. If Derek was back, she didn’t want him to be able to barge into her room. She equally dreaded seeing Claudia. By now Derek had probably told her that Ryder had beaten him up and had the evidence to back it up: a bloodied nose and probably other bruises too.

On her way to the bathroom, Scarlet glanced at the clock. It was shortly before eleven o’clock. She had to do a double-take, but she’d read the time correctly. She and Ryder had slept for far too long. She would have to use her trusted excuse that she’d studied all night to explain why she’d overslept.

She jumped into the shower, and allowed the warm water to caress her skin reminding her of how Ryder had touched her and made her feel loved and wanted.

~ ~ ~

Ryder chucked a bottle of blood, which he’d kept in a small thermos in his overnight bag, before taking a thirty-second shower. Three minutes after hearing the garage door for the first time, he walked down the stairs into the foyer, fully dressed and looking impeccable, expecting to see Scarlet’s stepmother. Instead, a man was walking down the corridor toward the kitchen. Or rather, he limped slightly. A small suitcase stood in the foyer.

“Scarlet? Honey, are you home?” he called out.

Ryder cleared his throat, making the man pivot. He looked younger than he was, despite the gray at his temples. He was handsome and fairly slim. Ryder could guess who this was. “You must be Mr. King.”

Brandon King nodded and walked toward him.

“I’m Ryder Giles, your daughter’s bodyguard. Are you all right, sir?” he asked pointing to King’s ankle, which he now saw had a bandage around it.

“Slipped in the bathroom a few days ago,” he said.

“Sorry to hear that. Pleased to meet you, sir.” Ryder extended his hand in greeting, and King shook it.

“I wish I could say I’m pleased to meet you too,” King said. “Where’s Scarlet?”

“Upstairs. I believe she’s studying.”

“Good.” He motioned to the living room. “You and I need to have a word.”

In the living room, King turned to him, his expression stern. “I’ve been made aware of your behavior.”

Shit! Had somebody seen him and Scarlet together? Impossible. “Sir?”

“My wife’s nephew made a complaint about you. You assaulted him. In my house, and without provocation! I can’t tolerate somebody like you in my—”

“Without provocation? There was plenty of provocation!” Ryder growled.

“Then you don’t deny that you broke his nose.”

“Is that all I broke? I rather hoped that he had more injuries after the thrashing I gave him.”

“Mr. Giles! How dare you? You’re lucky he’s not pressing charges. But under these circumstances, I can’t allow you to remain in charge of my daughter’s security. Pack your things and leave!”

Ryder didn’t move. “I can’t do that, sir!”