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“Well, the conversation part remains to be seen, so excuse me if I don’t take your word for it.” I fidget, trying to get comfortable. Once I’m settled, a cup appears in front of me, thanking Seb as I take it. Then he holds out the toast in offering, but I shake my head.
“You need to eat. Don’t want that banging body wasting away. A man likes to have something to grab onto when he’s—” He doesn’t get to finish as a growl sounds from the doorway. We both turn at the sound to see Ryder there, arms folded across his chest, a scowl on his face and hard, cold eyes narrowed on Seb.
“I think that’s my cue to leave,” Seb whispers through the side of his mouth, but keeping his eyes trained on the predator by the door. “Enjoy your breakfast, Camryn.” he says, then quickly leans forward grabbing my face and planting a kiss on my cheek, pulling back with a wink before leaping from the bed as Ryder charges into the room. I stifle a laugh at the gall of the guy but also that he knows it’s pissing off Ryder and he doesn’t care.
“You better run, motherfucker,” rings out from Ryder, as he reaches my side of the bed. Seb makes a dash for the door, pausing long enough to blow me another kiss then scampering away down the hall.
The air in the room shifts, tension weighs heavily between us, and I’m not sure how to deal with it. I’m still confused over Ryder’s reaction last night, he was livid but at who, about what? If he wasn’t angry at me, then why the hell did he storm out?
I watch him from the corner of my eye as he shuffles his feet seemingly unsure of himself, and more than a little awkward. Who’d have thought that Ryder Hawkins would ever be awkward or unsure. The man exudes confidence, demands respect, and offers no apologies. You know what, screw this. I’ve done fuck all wrong, and I won’t let him make feel otherwise.
“Are you going to stick around for a conversation this time, or are you going to stomp off like a fucking toddler again?” I demand, looking at him fully for the first time. I see the bruises I noticed briefly last night more clearly today, and I can see a small cut to his lower lip too. They are a rainbow of colours, and I want so badly to reach out and kiss them better, to know what happened and if he’s okay. But I’m mad at him right now. He’s close enough to me that I see him bristle at my accusation, and I’m glad to see I hit home with my comment.
Moving to the end of the bed, he sits facing me, and when his eyes finally lock onto mine, I see guilt and what looks like hurt too. It’s not enough to dampen my ire at him, but it does have me questioning his reasons. I place my still full cup on the bedside table, not sure I won’t spill it as my temper rises.
“It’s not what you think, Cam,” he states.
“No? So, what is it then? ‘Cause I’m a little confused, you came racing in here like the devil was chasing you, took one look at me, and poof, you’re fucking gone. I’m not a mind reader, Ryder, and even if I was, I’m pretty sure I’d fail at reading yours. You’re like a damn fortress.” I wait for him to say something, but he just hangs his head. My disappointment hums through me. “You know what, just forget it,” I say dismissively. “How’s Scott, is he okay?” I ask, feeling like this is safer territory.
He seems shocked at my switch of topic but doesn’t comment. “He’s fine, a few cuts and scrapes and a nasty bump to his head, but he’ll live,” he tells me, the gruff and commanding tone is back. That’s fine by me, I can’t, and I won’t do this back and forth shit with him.
“What about Lewis? Is he dead?” I ask, my voice quivers when I say his name and a shiver runs up my spine.
Ryder watches my face, no doubt assessing if I can handle the truth. Obviously deciding that I can, he tells me that Seb shot him.
“Sean will come looking for him, you know that don’t you?” I caution. Ryder arches a brow at me then nods his agreement. “So, what happens now?”
“We’ll stay here for a couple of days. You and Scott need time to recover, then we can head back to the city. I’ll talk to Sully, put some extra security in place for when we return.”
“I can’t stay here. I have work, Sean knows where I am, and I need to figure out…” I trail off as I realise what I was just about to say. Ryder frowns at me, his eyes boring into mine, searching for answers I’m still not ready to give. Then I think back to our previous conversations and all the things he said he knows about me. He knew Tyler, so it’s not a stretch to think he also knows I have—had—a daughter. I can’t believe I didn’t think about it before. I narrow my eyes at him. “Exactly how much—”
I don’t get to finish what I was about to say as a knock comes at the door. Part of me is relieved and the other part is freaking the fuck out, with a healthy dose of anger mixed in for good measure. The door opens, and Scott is there. Casting his eyes quickly over the scene before he turns to Ryder telling him that Rick is here.
“I have to go. Get some rest.” He gets to his feet, I feel his eyes on me, but I don’t look at him. Then he walks away. I look up when I hear him moving down the hall, Scott is still there, watching me. I begin to feel a little uncomfortable under his scrutiny, pulling at the covers awkwardly.
“Good to see you’re okay, Camryn.”
“You too, Scott. I’m sorry you got hurt and that your car is wrecked.”
“Just doing my job.” And with that he leaves, pulling the door closed behind him.
Job. That one word slaps me in the face so hard I see stars. I silently thank Scott for reminding me that I’m just another job.
These guys aren’t my friends, Ryder isn’t my boyfriend, he’s just a guy I’ve been screwing. And I’m just another client and notch on his post, despite what he tells me. With that thought, I harden my heart and my resolve, vowing not to let him in anymore. Any more than he already is, anyway.
I need a phone, or my phone more precisely, although I’m guessing I’ll never see it again. As I move to the edge of the bed, my leg throbs, reminding me that I need to take some painkillers. Snatching the bottle up, I shake out two and then down them with my cold tea.
I don’t have any shoes, but I find a pair of warm socks in one of the drawers. Getting them on would be hilarious if I were watching someone else doing it and not feeling like a red-hot poker was searing my skin with every movement. With the socks finally on my feet, I shuffle into the hall, pulling the door closed behind me.
This place is fucking huge. The hallway is long with doors lining both sides, and if it wasn’t for the light, modern decor, I’d be forgiven for thinking I’d booked into the hotel fromThe Shining.
Turning right, I make my way towards the staircase at the end of the hall. Taking in the stairs and then looking at my leg, I can see this is going to be a barrel of laughs. Gripping the handrail on my left and taking a deep breath, I ease myself down the stairs. When I reach the bottom, my heart is hammering inside my chest, my breathing is rapid and sweat beads on my forehead. Using the bottom of the t-shirt I’m wearing, I swipe it across my head, and then take a look around.
The entrance is vast with a high ceiling, and there’s a stunning chandelier hanging from the ceiling that casts a rainbow on the walls as the light coming through the glass windows either side of the front door hits it. The room to my left appears to be a lounge, I head in that direction when I hear voices coming from one of the rooms on the other side of the hall.
Inside, the focal point of the room is a magnificent fireplace set in a wall of exposed brick with an oak beam mantle piece. Two black leather L-shape sofas are in front, creating an almost square seating area with a matching oak coffee table. There doesn’t appear to be a television, but to the left are floor to ceiling windows with doors in the centre that lead to a small patio and acres of garden and woodland beyond. I’m glad I put socks on as the floor is slate grey flagstone, and I can feel the cold seeping through.
I’m looking out the window, watching the sun’s light breaking through the trees in the distance, when I hear someone enter the room behind me. I know it’s not Ryder, but I’m surprised to find Rick there when I turn around.
