“Don’t speak about her like that,” Callum said with a snarl.
“What the hell is going on in here?” a voice called from the entryway.
We all froze, then turned to face the newcomer.
Riordan stood at the threshold, dressed only in sleeping pants, his toned physique on full display and his hair perfectly tousled from sleep.
He glanced around the room, taking in the wreckage.
It appeared as though a storm had swept through. Furniture lay broken across the chamber, blood coated the walls, and Callum’s vines had torn the stone floor to pieces.
Riordan surveyed the room once more before his head whipped back to where my brother stood, bruised and bleeding. His eyes raked over his body, from his head to his toes. Riordan raised a clenched fist to his mouth and sank his teeth into his white knuckles as though he was trying to stop himself from speaking.
“Riordan, are you all right?” I asked, not hiding my concern.
“Uh-huh,” he managed around his fist.
Ryker snorted, which seemed to pull Riordan from whatever episode he was having. He swiped his hands down the length of his pants, took a deep breath, and then strode to Callum’s side.
“And who might you be, handsome?” he purred.
Callum’s eyebrows shot up into his hairline, and I was certain mine were no better. His gaze danced to me, pleading.
“Riordan, this is my brother, Callum,” I said by way of introduction.
Riordan groaned. “Callum,” he repeated as though he was tasting his name on his tongue.
My brother retreated a step, cleared his throat, and thrust his hand out to Riordan. “It’s nice to meet you. Riordan, was it?”
Riordan took Callum’s palm in his and raised it to his mouth, kissing it. “You can call me whatever you want, so long as you’re screaming it.”
Callum’s face drained of all color. “I… I’m flattered, but I don’t… do… men…” he trailed off, palming his nape.
“How do you know if you’ve never tried?”
“I like women.” Callum’s tone was flat, but that didn’t deter Riordan.
“So do I. Men, women, I’m not picky.” His grin was overly enthusiastic, and I struggled to conceal my own.
“Cadence!” My brother’s mouth hung open, his eyes wide with disbelief.
“Hmmm.”
He glanced toward Riordan pointedly.
“Enough,” Ryker said, breaking the tension.
He turned to me, eyes shimmering with anger. “I gave you space, let you have our quarters to yourself, but seeing as you can’t be trusted,” — his gaze flicked to Callum — “I’m moving back in. Tonight. Now.”
“No, you are not,” I said, folding my arms over my chest.
Ryker leaned in close so only I could hear him. “If you want your brother to survive until morning, I suggest you adjust your attitude.”
Heat lanced my cheeks as rage uncoiled within me. I clenched my jaw, knowing there was little I could do right now that wouldn’t risk Callum.
“Fine.”
“Excellent.” The smug grin on Ryker’s face only enhanced my rage.
