Chapter Six

Crystal lay on the bed facing the ceiling.

“If you think dying is your way out this contract then you’d have to think again”.

She didn’t need to turn to know who it was. She had been having recurring dreams with the owner of the voice starring in most of them.

“If you’ve come to irritate me, then you can save it for later. After all, we have the rest of our lives to spend together”.

Ryke smiled, he realized he had been doing a lot of that lately. That mouth of hers. He couldn’t wait to discover what else they did apart from spit fire.

"It's funny how easily your brother signed you off. One might think he was eager to get rid of you", Ryke said, trying to rile her up more.

It worked.

Crystal glared at him, "Don't talk about my brother. You know nothing of our relationship".

Ryke sighed, "You are acting like a petulant child. I know you are only eighteen but you mustn't act like it".

"Since I'm such a child, why did you force me into a marriage and what are you even here?"

"Stop raising your voice. It's irritating and I'm here to make sure I didn't buy a defaulted property.

Did he just itemize her?

She sprang up from the bed, "I hate you".

Ryke shook his head, "You wouldn't be the first", He paused as he eyes went to the hospital gown she was wearing.

It stopped mid thigh, and with the light reflecting on it, he could almost see through it.

Crystal noticed his eyes swirled, the color turning darker. Normally his eyes sent chills down her spine but it was something about the way he was looking at her right now that scared her.

"My driver is waiting outside. Grab your things and I'll escort you out".

Crystal looked at him confused, "I haven't been discharged yet".

"You are discharged when I say you are discharged. Now hurry up, get your things and stop wasting my time little girl".

"I'm not going anywhere with you", she told him as she backed away.

Ryke took a step towards her. He wasn't expecting what can't next. She fell on the ground, began to roll on the floor then her screaming followed.

It didn't take up to a minute, a nurse rushed in, " What did you do to her, she asked as she rushed over to Crystal.

"He just came in and started saying all sorts of terrible things to me. I have never seen him a day in my life", Crystal got out in between sobs.

The nurse turned to him with a sneer on her face, "I'm going to have to ask you to leave sir before I call the cops.

His eyes met Crystals. She smiled victoriously.

Without another word Ryke turned around and left but he couldn't stop the small smile that was forming on his lips.

Game on little girl.

*************

As it turned out, the rain was only making a sow of itself.

The weather was as clear as daylight when Ryke stepped out of the hospital. He headed in the direction of his car.

"Were you that eager?"

He stopped turning to the direction of the voice. Logan stood beside a latina girl, the best friend.

Ryke looked at them, there was something about the way they stood together but he couldn't quite place his finger on it.

He sighed, " Maybe you wouldn't have to worry about me being so eager if you didn't sell your sister off to me. Tell me how many seconds did it take you to sign the paper?"

Ryke watched as Logan's face turned red, "You're a bastard Ryke".

Ryke simply smiled, there was a lot of name calling coming from the Steeles today.

"Let's just go", Isabella said to Logan, taking his hands and pulling him away.

Something.

Ryke got into his car. He had had more conversations in the span of three days than in the entire last year. Human beings were such irritating creatures. No wonder he thought himself higher than the rest of them.

He was interrupted from his thoughts by the ringing of his phone.

"Hello", the voice purred from the other side of the line.

Talk about irritating.

Stephanie Caldwell was the daughter of one of his competitors. Her father Antonie Caldwell had somehow managed to get a client Ryke was interested in. In retaliation, when Ryke found out that he had a daughter, he had gone after her.

Stephanie was gorgeous, legs for days and a body made men sin.

It really hadn't taken much effort. In no time, she was spreading her legs for him but he would admit that was one of the biggest mistakes he could have made.

She didn't understand the difference between a simple fuck and a relationship.

He might be an arrogant asshole but he never led any woman on. Another reason he slept with one woman only once. No repetitions.

Stephanie had happened a year ago and she was still under the illusion that they could be something more.

"Stephanie", he said into the phone barely containing his irritation.

"I just wanted to let you know that I just got back. Can I stop by your place?"

Jesus Christ

Tired of the phone call, " When will you get it into that head of yours that you were nothing but a simple fuck. In Fact, I had only come after you to get back at your father although it wasn't such a hassle. You were so eager to jump into my bed".

"You are just upset. I know work stresses you out. Let me come over and help you unwind".

Doesn't this woman have any shame?

"Do not call me again Stephanie. Besides I don't think my wife would appreciate the sentiment".

He ended the call but not before he heard her scream Wife!!! in a shrill voice.

Ryke could have laughed.

"Sir I would have to ask a favor", Damon said from the front of the car.

Ryke sighed, "What is it?"

"I got a call from my son's school. He collapsed during PE. His school isn't far away from here if you'll just permit me to check on him before I take you home".

"You have a son?"

"Yes Sir".

Ryke went quiet.

"It won't take long I promise".

Ryke nodded. They got to the school in no time.

Damon was about to leave, "Take as much time as you need. I'll wait".

The expression on Damon's face told Ryke that was the last thing the man expected from him before he rushed inside.

Ryke closed his eyes.

**********

"Dad, look.at what I found", Ryke said as he rushed over to his father.

It was on another of their hunting trips. They went on one every two weeks.

"What is it?", his father's voice bellowed.

Richard Sterling was an intimidating man. Thick muscular arms and a height that towered over man. The scar that ran across the left side of his face added to everything.

A six year old Ryke opened his hands to unveil the mystery he had discovered. It was a tiny little bird with a broken wing.

"Can we keep it Dad?

Richard smiled. Something he rarely did, "Of course son.Go back your things and let's go.

Ryke rushed off.

 They built a little house for the bed and nursed it back to health.

One night his father called him into the room where the bird was kept.

"Son, I'm about to teach you a very important lesson in life". Richard took the bird from the little house, handing it over to his son.

Ryke took it from him happily.

"Snap its neck", came Richard's voice.

Ryke stared at him in shock.

"Didn't you hear me child? I said snap it's neck", his father said angrily.

"I-I can't", Ryke said as the tears began to form.

Richard grabbed the bird from him, snapped the little thing's neck and then threw it on the floor next to Ryke's feet.

"Only the mighty survive in life. Always remember that son". He walked out leaving Ryke and the dead bird in the room.

Ryke opened his eyes.

He got to the front of the car. Damon had left the keys. He dialed a number on his phone.

Kimberly picked up on the first ring, "Tell Damon to take the rest of the week off".

There was a tiny bit of hesitation before she said, "Okay Sir".

He drove off.