Read Ryder on the Storm: Emerald Seer I for Free Online Page B

Ryder’s table. Tonight should definitely be interesting.
     
    Baron approached with five microbrews, Ryder’s own creation – a cocoa porter he’d been perfecting for a few decades. Baron had managed to make it popular in recent months, urging it upon the clientele as often as possible. Kell nodded appreciatively and returned to eyeing the crowd. A petite woman with a fuchsia punk cut and matching spandex dress approached their table. Her makeup appeared almost clown-like and what little cleavage she possessed had been squeezed upward. Giggling like a child, she asked the brothers what they wore under their kilts. Pollux took a deep swig from his beer and slid out of the booth, “Well, lass, if ye’ play yer cards right I may let ye look for yerself.” The giggling only multiplied from there as he swept her back onto the dance floor with her legs about his waist.
     
    “Well, that’s my cue to pick a lass of my own. Thanks for the beer, Ryder. How about lunch tomorrow?” Kell looked to him in earnest and Ryder nodded in acceptance. Kell disappeared into the crowd in moments.
     
    “And then there were three.” Lucian studied his beer bottle. “I think this recipe is perfect, brother. Just the right balance, how long did it take?”
     
    Nicely done, Lucian. I owe you one. “About three decades or so. I am pleased you like it.”
     
    “What do you think, Roane?” Lucian did not even look to Roane as he addressed the third, silent member of their remaining party.
     
    Roane tore his gaze from Ryder’s face and looked to Lucian, clearly surprised by his inclusion in the conversation. He masked his reaction quickly and responded stiffly, “It is not unpleasant. I appreciate the hint of cocoa.”
     
    Thankfully, Lucian managed to control the conversation for the next hour and a half, small talk, sports, past battles they’d fought in, the usual. Ryder thought about the redhead, she had to be Trin’s niece. Nobody but the Sullivans had hair that color. There was more to it of course, but hard to decipher since he could not manage a good read on the girl. She knew him somehow, he felt the recognition pass over her. How had the watchers been wrong? He would have to do some reconnaissance himself. If he could just get rid of Roane. Lucian caught his eye and broke the train of thought with a meaningful glance. Roane was studying him as well, curiosity flickered across his face.
     
    “You alright, brother?”
     
    “Yes, I am just growing tired. And I was trying to recall what meetings I have tomorrow.”
     
    “Cancel them all. I am certain you have some eager assistant who can handle it all in your stead. You agreed to lunch with the boys and I am in town. Let’s party late and sleep late and then we can dine at that fabulous bistro you were telling me about on the way here.”
     
    “You are incorrigible, Lucian. Truly. We are not all nomads and I have businesses to run.” Ryder noticed Roane’s sudden disinterest in the conversation and relaxed his grip on the near empty beer bottle. He had not realized the amount of tension in his body until that moment.
     
    “Your businesses are not going anywhere. You are not going under if you miss one appointment. Come on, brother, five Immortals in one town, let’s paint it black.”
     
    “I believe the saying is ‘paint it red.’ I will call to my assistant and have her handle it. You are as bad an influence as ever.”
     
    “Indeed I am, and you need to have more fun my somber friend.”
     
    Fun indeed. The rest of the evening passed as a blur, but Roane remained with them and quite silent for the interim. Ryder felt unsettled for the first time since he’d met Roane and grateful to part ways at the club’s front door. Fortunately, Roane had secured a suite at an area motel. It would not do for that man to be roaming the manor. Ryder had no Sight but even he could sense a storm brewing.
     
     
     
    Storm
     
    The guys stayed over. It would have been