Page 58 of Ryder’s Storm

“Hmm. Are you always this unfriendly when somebody is asking for directions?”

“It’s part of my job. You’re not supposed to be on this floor.”

“Duh! I told you I was looking for a restroom and got lost.”

“Benjamin knows better than to let his girlfriends run loose at Scanguards.”

“I didn’t come with Benjamin.” She grunted in frustration. “And I’m not his girlfriend.”

The elevator pinged, and the doors parted.

“So you snuck in, just like I thought!” Damian growled.

The open doors suddenly revealed Grayson standing in front of the elevator, staring at her.

“Scarlet! What are you doing here?”

“Grayson,” she said, surprised at seeing him.

“So you’re not here for Benjamin? You were looking for Grayson?” Damian asked.

“No, I’m not!” Scarlet protested.

“Maybe next time,” Damian said talking over her, addressing Grayson, “you’ll tell your hum—”

“Zip it, Damian!” Grayson interrupted with a raised voice.

There was a moment’s pause, where neither of the three said anything.

“And she’s not my girlfriend, she’s my charge. Or rather was. And she’s not supposed to be here.” Grayson looked directly at her. “So what the fuck are you up to this time? Who the fuck let you in here? And where is your visitor’s badge?”

Grayson’s bossy tone pissed her off. “Well if somebody would let me get a word in edgewise, then I could explain what happened!” She put her hands on her hips and glared at Grayson. “So am I allowed to talk now or not?”

From somewhere down the hallway somebody approached and chuckled. Scarlet turned her head to look. A young man who looked somehow familiar was watching them and grinned.

“Finally somebody who gives you lip. How refreshing!” the guy said.

“Shut it, Ethan!” Grayson growled.

“Ethan?” Scarlet repeated. “Are you Ethan Giles? Ryder’s brother?”

“Yeah, that’s me.” He approached, looking curious now. “Have we met?”

No wonder he looked familiar. There was definitely a family resemblance.

“I’m… uhm… Ryder’s girlfriend.”

Ethan stared at her, mouth gaping open, eyes roaming over her as if she was a unicorn, or something else so rare he’d never seen it.

“Ryder is dating a client?” Grayson asked, sounding annoyed. “That’s—”

“You’re his girlfriend?” Ethan asked though it sounded more like a statement. “You’re the one.” Then he looked at Grayson and Damian. “She’s the one.”

Scarlet watched the three stare at her in silence. Now all three had the same look as Ethan had when she’d told him she was Ryder’s girlfriend. “Did I do something wrong? I’m sorry for being on this floor if I shouldn’t be on it, but I got lost when I was looking for a bathroom. I need to get back and find Ryder.”

“Where did you last see Ryder?” Ethan asked.

“He was with your mother and your sister. We brought in an injured woman, and they all went into the OR.”