Page 95 of Ryder’s Storm

Right then, an ear-shattering noise nearly pierced Ryder’s eardrum.

“Do it!”

As he ran toward the left wing of the house, where the master bedroom was located, Ryder heard the phone ringing twice, before it stopped. No time to look over his shoulder he trusted that Scarlet had picked up the receiver and was talking to the alarm company to stop the police from coming. Had they been in San Francisco, the police wouldn’t be a problem. But Scanguards had no special deal with the local police department in Palo Alto. Here, they couldn’t risk being dragged into a police investigation.

Amidst the blaring sound of the alarm, Ryder heard other sounds, footsteps, thudding, and shouting. So far nobody had switched on the lights in the house, though Ryder didn’t care. He could see just fine, better than any human anyway.

The door to the master bedroom was open, and there, the bedside lamps illuminated the vast room. Benjamin was holding a kicking and screaming Derek, only dressed in tighty-whities, pinned against the wall.

The bed was slept-in, clothes—his and hers—strewn on the floor, evidence that the couple had undressed in a frenzy, probably celebrating the presumed death of Brandon King and his daughter with a marathon sex session. An empty champagne bottle lay on its side on the floor, and two glasses stood on the bedside table.

But Claudia wasn’t here.

Ryder charged at Derek, and Benjamin pried him off the wall and turned him so Ryder could land a hard punch in his gut. “Where is she? Where is Claudia?”

Derek screamed in pain.

“Grayson?” Ryder asked with a quick look at Benjamin.

“Searching the house for her.”

“You can’t do this,” Derek cried out. “I’ll have you arrested! The police will come, and—”

Ryder punched him again. Just then, the blaring sound stopped. “Guess the police have been called off. False alarm. Happens all the time.”

“Let him go!”

At the sound of Claudia’s voice, Ryder whirled around on his heel and froze in terror. Claudia, dressed in only a negligee, had one arm around Scarlet’s neck, holding her as a shield in front of her, while she pointed a small handgun at Scarlet’s temple with the other.

Fuck! He should have never allowed Scarlet to enter the house. He should have insisted on her staying in the SUV, or even better, in San Francisco.

“Or I’ll blow this little bitch’s brains out.” Hatred spilled from Claudia’s voice. “The two of you should’ve died in the fire like her father!”

Ryder lifted his arms. “Let her go, and we’ll release Derek.” He exchanged a look with Benjamin, who nodded. They had to stall her, until Grayson was back from wherever he was searching for Claudia.

Claudia narrowed her eyes. “You think I’m stupid? Let him go now.”

“No!” Scarlet cried out. “You can’t let him go! He’s a murderer and an arsonist, and so is she!”

“Shut up!” Claudia ground out. “I’m sick of your constant bitching and whining. Poor little rich girl!”

“Fine, you can have Derek.” Ryder made a motion to Benjamin, who slowly released Derek, pushing him in Claudia’s direction.

“Derek,” she said, and moved her head to indicate that he should step aside.

Derek turned his head to look back at Ryder and Benjamin, glaring at them. “You’ll pay for this, you fucking bastards!”

Claudia moved her gun hand and swung the gun away from Scarlet’s temple, directing it toward Benjamin and Ryder.

“Now!” Ryder yelled and sprinted toward Claudia.

Scarlet suddenly lifted her foot and stabbed her heel down onto the top of Claudia’s bare foot, while using her elbow to jab Claudia in the stomach, taking her by surprise. Claudia screamed in pain and swayed, when the gun all of a sudden went off.

Ryder was only a foot away from reaching Scarlet, wrenching her out of Claudia’s hold. Behind her, Grayson now appeared, charging at Claudia.

Ryder lunged sideways, Scarlet in his arms. He spun around, protecting Scarlet with his body. From the corner of his eye, he saw Grayson colliding with Claudia, the hand in which she held the gun jerking upward toward her own face, when a shot went off.

Blood splattered, and Claudia fell to the floor, her face hitting the plush carpet, revealing the damage the bullet had done. The impact of the bullet had shattered her skull and sent brain matter flying. Grayson had gotten the brunt of it.