Ryder leaned against his SUV in the no-parking zone right outside the French bistro where he’d dropped Scarlet and Derek off. No meter maid would bother him, because his car sported a special decal on the license plate, marking it as a vehicle with special parking privileges thanks to Scanguards’ close ties to SFPD. From his position only a few yards away from the outside dining area, he watched Derek and Scarlet enjoy their dinner. They sat under a heat lamp that made the area comfortable for the diners, despite the cool evening air.
Just as well that Scarlet sat right beneath the warming lamp, because her skimpy clothes certainly didn’t provide her with much warmth. If vampires could get heart attacks, Ryder would have been struck dead the moment Scarlet had descended the stairs in her home. Even her stepmother had raised a stunned eyebrow, but had made no comment.
Scarlet wore the exact same outfit she’d worn the night Ryder had met her at the Mezzanine. That was no coincidence. It was provocation. Ryder’s blood was reaching its boiling point. She was flaunting her sexuality. The only concession she’d made was draping a light wrap over her shoulders, which did nothing to hide her curves or her flesh. Or the fact that Derek could ogle the mounds of her breasts whenever he wanted to.
She’d tossed him a triumphant look before letting Derek help her into the car. Did she not see how that guy was leering at her? Ryder was in the right mood to kick Derek in the balls for looking at her with such undisguised lust. And Scarlet pretended that she didn’t even notice it. She continued hanging on his every word as he droned on about his time in Paris, laughing at the stupidest of jokes. Even from this distance, Ryder could pick up fragments of their conversation thanks to his superior vampire hearing.
It didn’t escape Ryder either that Derek used every occasion to put his paws on Scarlet, ever so often touching her arm while talking, or using the old you-have-something-on-your-face trick to touch her face as if removing some imaginary hair or food particle. Ryder had to keep his anger tightly leashed, or he would go to their table and give the jerk a thorough thrashing. But he couldn’t, or Scarlet would have good reason to demand that Ryder be fired.
That, he couldn’t risk. Because being pulled off Scarlet’s protection detail while a predator like Derek was moving in on his territory, was the worst thing that could happen to him right now.
The dinner dragged on, trying Ryder’s patience. It seemed like an eternity, until Derek finally called for the check and settled the bill. Moments later, they were back at the car. This time, Ryder blocked Derek and helped Scarlet into the back seat of the SUV himself.
“What do you think you’re playing at?” Ryder whispered under his breath as he leaned in, pretending to adjust Scarlet’s seatbelt.
“None of your business,” she replied just as quietly.
The evening traffic in San Francisco had picked up and the ride back to the house took almost half an hour. When Ryder stopped the SUV outside the King residence, Scarlet leaned forward.
“Thanks, Ryder,” she said in a soft voice, which she probably only employed for Derek’s benefit. “Enjoy your evening off. I’ll see you in the morning.”
Scarlet and Derek got out of the car, and there was nothing Ryder could do or say. Claudia had confirmed that she would be staying overnight, and had given him the night off.
Ryder slammed his hands against the steering wheel. “Fuck!”
He was at his wit’s end. He needed advice from the only person he knew who’d understand what he was going through. Even if it meant that he had to admit to him that he’d lied.
Ryder pulled out his cell, then made the call.
“What’s up, son?”
“Dad, I need to talk to you. It’s important.”
“I’m on my way to Scanguards,” he said. “Just come by. I should be there in twenty minutes.”
“No. Not at Scanguards. Somewhere more private.”
“Should I worry about you?”
“No, Dad, but meet me where we can’t be overheard by any vampires, and that includes Mom.”
“Okay, I can meet you outside Grace Cathedral in ten minutes.”
“Thanks, Dad. I’ll see you there.”
Ryder arrived outside of Grace Cathedral, which sat on the top of Nob Hill just opposite the famed Fairmont Hotel, a minute before his father pulled up in his black BMW M760i. It was a special edition, retrofitted with UV-protective windows in case he got caught outside during daylight.
Ryder walked to his father’s car and opened the passenger side door. He hopped in and closed the door. Inside the car it was almost eerily quiet.
“Talk to me,” Gabriel said.
Ryder came straight to the point. He figured it was best to get something important off his chest first. “I lied to you about the woman I had sex with, Dad.”
“I know.”
Ryder stared at him, stunned. “How do you know?”
“I’m your father, Ryder. I just know.”
“So then you know what predicament I’m in.” Ryder sighed.
“Not exactly. But when I asked you if you wanted help finding her, I could tell that the reason you didn’t want my help was because you’d already found her. But that’s all I know. So I guess she didn’t turn out the way you imagined your future mate to be?”
Ryder took a deep breath. “She’s everything I ever wanted. I would blood-bond with her tomorrow if I could, but… but…” Ryder looked down, unable to find the right words.
“She rejected you when you told her what you are?” Gabriel asked, his voice kind and gentle.
Ryder shook his head. “I haven’t told her yet.”
“But why not?”
“Because… because she’s my charge. She’s Scarlet King.”
Gabriel let out a gasp. “Oh boy.”
“Yeah. You could say that.”
“Did you know before you took the assignment?”
Ryder shook his head. “No, I recognized her when I showed up to take over for Grayson. I know I should have told you and Samson immediately. It’s unethical to be on her protection detail with what’s happened between us, but… but… I can’t think rationally when I’m around her. I know what the rules are, and I broke them nevertheless.”
“Let’s not talk about rules right now. I broke plenty of them where it concerned your mother. I believe you know the story about her craving my blood just after her turning?”
“After she was attacked and turned, and Scanguards found her? Yes, I know that Mom hated drinking human blood.”
“Yes, and she would have died, had she not fed. She was drawn to my blood, and I gave it to her. But I wanted something in return: a kiss for each feeding. I knew it was wrong, but I demanded it anyway, because I wanted her to be mine. It was unethical, but I did it anyway.” He smiled. “So you see, something can be unethical, yet be right nevertheless.” He gripped Ryder’s shoulder and squeezed it. “I won’t tell Samson. You will continue as Scarlet’s bodyguard.”
“Thank you, Dad.” Ryder forced a smile. “Unfortunately that’s not the only problem between us.”
“Go on.”
“Last night when I went back to stay at the house, it came to an… an incident. We had an argument, and then suddenly we were kissing, and before I knew it, she was trying to undress me. And I stopped her.” He looked straight into his father’s eyes. “I was afraid of how she would react when she saw my two cocks.”
“Hold it,” Gabriel interrupted. “She slept with you when you still had the mass above your cock, and you were worried she would be shocked to see two cocks instead?”
Ryder sighed. “She never saw the deformity.”
“But you had sex with her. How did she not—” Gabriel stopped himself. “Oh, I get it. You, uhm… okay. Continue.”
“So you see, I was worried that she would reject me, so last night I told her I couldn’t have sex with her. She was furious.”
Gabriel laughed out loud. “Oh, denying a woman sex when she really wants it. Big mistake!”
“It’s not funny, Dad! And then she accused me of playing some sick game with her, and now she’s giving me the cold shoulder. And I just had to sit through two hours of her shamelessly flirting with a guy she’s just met, and you should have seen what she was wearing! It leaves practically nothing to the imagination!” Conjuring up the image made his rage rise to the surface once more.
“Way I see it, there’s the good news and the bad news.”
“What’s the good news?”
“She wants you.”
“Did you not just hear what I said? She told me she’s sick of me, and that guy was practically pawing her over dinner.”
“Trust me on that. Women do crazy things when they feel wronged. Time to apologize.”
“I’m assuming that’s the bad news.”
“No, the bad news is that you’re gonna have to man up and explain to her why you didn’t want to sleep with her. Admit to her that you’re scared to be rejected because of your two cocks. That’s a risk you have to take.”
“And what about telling her that I’m also a vampire?”
He shrugged. “Cross that bridge when you get to it.”
Ryder forced a smile. He knew his father was right, but that didn’t make it any easier. “Wish me luck.”
“You’ve got this, son.”
Ryder wished he had his father’s confidence.