Page 7 of Damian’s Conquest

Damian spotted Patrick in the crowd and waved to him. Patrick nodded and paved a way through the throng of dancers to reach him. Only now, he noticed that Grayson was following him. The brothers were dressed up like vampires, both of them with their fangs extended.

“Guess everybody is having the same idea,” Damian said with a motion to their fangs, when the two joined him near the stairs that led up to the office.

“It’s the only night of the year,” Patrick said, grinning.

“It’s already hopping here,” Grayson said. Then he glanced around appreciatively. “Glad you told Orlando to let only hot girls in tonight. I can see a few already that I’m gonna have fun with.”

The son of Scanguards’ founder and owner, Samson Woodford, was aware of his good looks and charm, and used it to the fullest whenever the occasion presented itself, which was pretty much constantly. His younger brother, Patrick, was just as handsome and charming, but less aggressive when it came to women, though he too got his fair share of action.

“Just be discreet,” Damian warned. “Unless you wanna be on camera.”

Grayson shook his head. “Don’t worry, I know the drill.”

“Have you seen Isa?” Patrick asked. “She came in her own car.”

Damian motioned to the corner with comfortable seating that overlooked the dance floor. “Isabelle was up there a short while ago, hanging out with Lydia.”

“Oh, is Lydia gonna sing tonight?” Grayson asked.

“Yeah, she’s gonna do a couple of songs later. I’m setting up the stage right now. There’s something wrong with the dry ice machine. Can you give me a hand, Patrick?” Damian asked.

“No can do, bro. It’s my night off. We tossed for it. You lost, remember?”

“Come on, it’s only gonna take a few minutes. You’re better at this than I am.”

“What’s Patrick better at?”

Damian turned to the familiar voice behind him. “Sebastian.”

The twenty-three-year-old half-Asian, who was the only son of Oliver and Ursula, stood behind him dressed in white Judo pants. His chest was bare, and he wore a bandana over his forehead.

Damian pointed to him, then looked at Grayson and Patrick. “See, he’s wearing an original costume.”

Grayson shrugged. “And who’s he supposed to be?”

“Bruce Lee, of course,” Damian said and exchanged a look with Sebastian.

“Hey guys,” Sebastian said. “Good music. Who’s the DJ?”

“One of my friends,” Patrick said. “We snatched him away from the Nightowl Club in the Castro.” Then he grinned at Damian. “See, I do my part in running this place.”

“Yeah, when it comes to the fun stuff. But not everything about running a club is fun. Like fixing a dry ice machine.”

“Is that what you need help with?” Sebastian asked.

“You offering?”

“Yeah.”

“You’re on,” Damian said. He knew that Sebastian was handy with technical stuff. Besides, the kid looked up to him, and he enjoyed mentoring him. “Let’s go then.”

They walked to the area where a small stage sat next to the DJ’s station, and Damian ushered Sebastian behind a partition.

“So how’s the training at Scanguards going?”

“I like it,” Sebastian said. “It’s tough, but I can’t imagine doing anything else. Dad’s happy that I decided to join rather than go to law school.”

“Good for you!”