Chapter 15
Chapter Fifteen
Ryder
I had no idea what day it was. I was pretty sure a few days had passed, but I’d only gone to sleep once, so maybe I was wrong.
The Palace was the nicest hotel in Kingslake, and it was one of my favorites to stay at. Ashburn Valley had a few nice ones, but it didn’t compare to this.
My body tingled as I thrust into Tempest, my face buried in her neck as I fought to keep myself braced above her. I was probably squashing her, my arms weren’t working properly because of how relaxed my muscles were.
“Fuck,” I groaned, finally coming inside her and going still, lying over her for a moment before rolling off and trying to focus on the ceiling.
Tempest had passed out at some point, looking like an angel wrapped in sin, and I rolled over to drape an arm over her. Her stomach rose and fell with each breath, and it was honestly the only sign that she was even alive.
A knock on the door made me groan again, forcing me to make my arms and legs work as I tossed the blanket over Tempest and stumbled out of bed to open it, finding Channing on the other side.
He smirked, dropping his gaze down to my junk before meeting my eyes again. “You two still fucking?”
“Nothing else to do,” I mumbled, rubbing my eyes. “What are you doing here?”
“Dude, you called me this morning and asked for a drop off,” he snorted, stepping inside to shut the door. “Where’s Temp?”
“Asleep.”
“Your dick’s wet.”
“She can sleep through a tornado, you know that. She was awake when I started,” I chuckled.
He eyed me, letting out a sigh. “You need some sleep, Donovan. You know I love taking your money, but I don’t want your family showing up on my doorstep to kill me if you OD.”
“They won’t care.”
“Even if they hated you, which they don’t, they’d still come after me to make a point. It’s how the world of villains works,” he stated dryly, moving towards the bed to frown down at Tempest. “I like her like this. She’s quiet.”
I laughed, searching for my boxers. “She’s quiet when you put your dick in her mouth too.”
“She’s too busy choking on it to be quiet,” he grinned, dropping down beside her to get comfortable. “Are you guys just going to have a party for two all week or what? You’re doing me a favor by not inviting Mase, but he’s going through pussy withdrawals or something.”
“He can get his own pussy, that one’s mine,” I grunted, tugging the blanket down so he could see my name carved across her mound. “Doesn’t say Mason. He can borrow her, but he’ll never have her.”
“Dude, what kind of sick and twisted shit have you two been doing?” he asked, reaching out to run his finger along the edge of the R. “You carved your name into her?”
“She fucks around. I need people to know where to send her when they’re done,” I huffed as if he was an idiot, and he let out a bark of laughter.
“You’re fucked up, man. So, you’re actually dating?”
“Yeah. It’s open though. She’s yours on her whiney days.”
“Nice try. That hot mess is all yours,” he said as he leaned back, reaching into his pocket for a baggie. “Coke. You’re mixing too many things, so that’s all you’re getting. You need a day or two of rest after this. I don’t like you much, but I don’t want you dead.”
“Aw, you love me.”
“You’re as delusional as Tempest,” he replied, handing me the baggie.
“Tell Mase he’s welcome to come play if he wants. We’re avoiding family, not you guys,” I offered, finally finding my boxers and putting them on.
“You need a shower and sleep. Your family would know you’re here if they check your bank statements. It won’t take them long to just show up and find you strung out. I’m doing you a favor here. If they show up right now, you’ll get dragged off to fucking rehab.”
“I’m fine.”
“How long have you been here?”
“Three days.”
“You were at my place six days ago to stock up on your way here, and I’ve been bringing you shit for the last four days, so you’re wrong,” he deadpanned. “You’re going to be dead by Christmas, which is only a month away, dude.”
“You’re worse than my mom,” I scowled, crawling onto the bed again and flopping down to get comfortable.
“Trust me. Sleep and shower,” he ordered, getting to his feet. “Do that for me, and we’ll have a party. I’ll bring the guys, maybe some girls for some fun. Sound good?”
“Fantastic,” I mumbled, hearing him walking around before I managed to pass out.
Channing was gone when I woke up, and apparently he took his drugs with him. I had no idea how long I’d slept for, but Tempest was awake, seeming to be freshly showered and sipping champagne on the balcony when I found her.
“Enjoying my room service tab?” I chuckled as I noticed the bottle. It was worth five hundred dollars.
At least she’d bought the cheapest one the hotel offered.
She looked back at me, smirking. “Absolutely. Go shower so we can go for breakfast.”
“You’re hungry?”
“No, but I don’t particularly feel the best. I don’t remember when I ate last,” she shrugged, looking out at the view. “It’s nice up here.”
“It had better be for the price per night,” I muttered, stepping forward to rest my forearms on the railing. “Channing stopped by when you were asleep. We’re thinking of throwing a party here.”
“If you start racking up a huge alcohol tab, your mom will show up.”
“She can’t stop me from drinking with friends.”
“No, but she’s psycho and might force a drug test on you, and then you're in trouble,” she said with a wry smile. “Clean yourself up so we can make an appearance in public so no one comes looking.”
“I should call Mom so she knows I’m okay. She should leave me alone then,” I sighed, turning to head back inside to find my damn phone.
I grabbed a glass of water to soothe my dry throat, putting the phone to my ear to call her, not surprised when she answered almost instantly. “Ry?”
“Hey. Just checking in,” I yawned, hoping I wasn’t slurring my words or anything. “Any luck getting anyone out of lock up?”
“Not yet. We’re trying to get Beck and Maddox out first, then figure out the rest after. Rage is losing his shit, they won’t let Zane out either. They’re trying to pin him with bullshit charges to keep him in longer too,” she sighed. “If you’re going to rack up room service, can you at least order some food?”
I rolled my eyes, grateful she couldn’t see me. “We’ve been going out to eat, Mom. I have cash on me. We aren’t cooped up in the hotel all the time.”
“Oh. Well, that’s good then. Are you coming home soon? I think we need to sit down as a family and talk.”
She made it sound like an option, but it really wasn’t.
“We’ll talk when we have time. You have more important shit to focus on right now.”
“Nothing is more important than you kids. I can’t do much for Beck and Maddox, Riley and Luna are keeping to themselves with school and looking at houses, I spoke to Marla yesterday, and Angel and Mikey have been working. The only kid I need to see is you,” she said sternly. “I’m worried about you. You’re drinking a lot again.”
“Oh, the room service tab? That’s not just me. Temp and I have had friends over.”
“Cut back, I mean it,” she warned, cursing under her breath before adding, “I have to go, the school’s calling so Noah’s done something to piss them off again. Stay safe, I love you.”
“Love you too, Mom,” I answered before hanging up, flicking my eyes up to Tempest as she wandered in. “Mom’s watching the hotel tab.”
“Told you,” she muttered, rummaging in my bag for some clothes. “Now, go shower. We need some fresh air.”
“You were just outside.”
“Maybe we can go shopping?” she said offhandedly, making me snort.
“With my card, I assume?”
“I want my nails done, you said you would. They’re getting really bad,” she pouted, and I rolled my eyes.
“I suppose. I’ll be quick.”
Within ten minutes, I was showered, dressed, and feeling a little more awake, letting Tempest practically drag me down to the lobby and outside, where she made a beeline for the cafe. She ordered us a coffee each, and I paid without her asking me to, knowing she wasn’t likely to be carrying any money on her.
I was more than happy to drop her off at the salon to get her nails done once we’d eaten some waffles, giving me some time alone which was desperately needed. Just because I was enjoying her company, didn’t mean I loved being smothered.
“Hey, man.”
I turned, finding Cruz standing behind me looking innocent, but I’d bet money on him being a spy for Mom.
“Hey,” I said slowly. “What are you doing here?”
“Stealing shit,” he shrugged casually, motioning to the fancy houses down the street. “There’s nice shit here.”
“You don’t say?” I scoffed, pulling a cigarette out and lighting it. “You’re not here to spy on me?”
“Why would I? You’re boring. All you’ve done is sit in your hotel,” he said with a smirk, telling me he had been watching me. “I’m currently not on prince duty. I’m out on Thieves’ business.”
“Tell Mom you saw me then so she backs off.”
“I could do that. You look hungover as fuck. Should you be drinking? Aren’t you meant to be sober?”
“I drink. I avoid drugs,” I replied, blowing smoke at him. “Mom sees what I’m ordering so it’s not like drinking is a secret anyway.”
“Where’s your girl?”
“Getting her nails done. I like them sharp,” I smirked.
“I don’t know what you see in her. Sure, she’s hot, but that’s about it.”
I narrowed my eyes, flicking ash at him. “I don’t see what you like about Penn. She’s annoying, boring, and I bet she just lies there in bed. I like experienced women, they’re not afraid to get on top or fuck with the lights on. It’s kind of a requirement to be my girlfriend, none of that timid shit.”
“Tempest will never settle down, dude.”
“Neither will I. It works,” I shrugged, earning a look of confusion.
“What’s the point in dating then?”
“You’re dating the same girl as your three friends. It’s like that but without boundaries.”
“I guess. I’ll tell Rory I saw you with my own eyes so she knows you’re alive since your phone call before didn’t convince her. I have rich people to steal from, so I’ll see you later,” he answered, glancing over my shoulder with a grin. “Have fun with that.”
“With what?” I muttered before turning to find Slash behind me. I flipped Cruz off, making him laugh as he walked away, and I turned to face my father to try and appear as sober as possible. I hoped my eyes weren’t all fucked up. “Hey, Dad.”
“What are you doing?” he asked calmly, running his eyes over me to assess me.
“Getting some sun while Temp fixes her nails. Riley fucked them up.”
“You know your sister doesn’t start swinging without a reason.”
“The reason is that she’s a fucking psycho,” I snorted, finishing my cigarette before dropping it to crush it with my shoe. “What are you doing in Kingslake?”
“Checking up on you. You’ve been gone for a week, Ry. You’re showing signs again.”
“Signs of what? I just wanted to get out of the house to avoid the conflict,” I stated defensively, his eyes returning to mine.
“You’re twitchy, and Tempest isn’t helping. Find better friends to hang out with, and maybe we wouldn’t worry so much. She’s a wreck, and you know it.”
“She’s my girlfriend,” I stated bluntly, and he didn’t hide the frustration from his expression at my words.
“Seriously? Out of all the girls in the world, you picked that one? I like her, I watched her grow up with you kids, but she’s going to drag you down with her. Can’t you see that?” he asked carefully, not wanting to set me off.
“We get each other.”
“You mean you feed each other’s delusions and cravings. I need to know the truth. Are you back on the pills and shit? There’s no way she’s stayed clean this week, and as much as you’re strong, I don’t think anyone who’s as freshly sober as you could handle being around it and not be tempted. Eight months isn’t enough. It took the Psychos years to get that temptation out of Diesel when they got him clean. We were only kids, and watching him go through that was fucking hard.”
“Dad, I’m fine. Sure, we’ve been drinking, but we haven’t been in some kind of drug-induced haze all week.”
It was such a lie, but we’d chosen a good day to drag ourselves out of the hotel. Running into Cruz and Slash wasn’t a coincidence, they’d planned that shit and had probably been on the way to the hotel to check on us.
Slash sighed, giving me a tired look. “Come home soon, okay?”
“Is Tempest welcome? Has Riley been punished?” I asked sharply, laughing when he didn’t answer. “I didn’t think so. She has nowhere to go.”
“Not your problem. She can go to rehab and fix herself. Then she’d have a home to go to.”
“I’m not abandoning her. Not now that I’m all she has,” I said as I shook my head. “Fuck off and leave us alone. I’m twenty-two, you can’t force me to go home.”
“No, but we can limit your spending. Do you even know what this week has cost you? You’re being reckless with your money.” His phone rang, and he scowled before answering, pressing it to his ear. “What? I’m with Ry. Yes, he’s alive. Fine, I’ll be there soon.”
“Got somewhere to be?” I asked dryly, knowing whatever it was sounded important or he would’ve told them to fuck off.
“Rage wants me to stop by on the way home. Just do us a favor and call more. Your mom’s already stressing about a lot, so she shouldn’t have to stress about you.”
I guess it didn’t matter what I was feeling, as long as Mom was okay.
That was how it usually worked in our family.
“Whatever. I need to go and enjoy the time alone before meeting up with Temp again. I like her, but she’s needy.”
That made him laugh, and he stepped closer to hug me. I let him, knowing it would ease his suspicion if I played along.
“I know what you mean. Except your mom’s not needy, she’s just chaotic and I need to rest sometimes before dealing with her again.”
“You like that about her. You’d be bored otherwise.”
“I do,” he said with a smile as he stepped back, holding my gaze again. “Please keep in touch.”
“I will.”
I probably wouldn’t. I sucked at that when I was off the rails.
He walked off to wherever he’d parked his Mustang, and I spent the rest of my time alone, looking over my shoulder in case they were still watching me.
Tempest
I felt better after getting new nails, and I took advantage of Ryder’s good mood and held his hand as we walked through the mall. He wasn’t usually keen on the cute displays of affection, but he tolerated it for once.
A few girls stopped him to talk, and he didn’t swat me away like he would’ve before, letting me show some kind of ownership. Sort of. He still flirted up a storm, but that didn’t bother me, especially when Mason appeared out of nowhere and slid an arm around my waist to kiss my cheek.
“Hey, babe.”
Ryder glanced at us but continued his conversation, and I let go of his hand to face Mason.
“Hey. What are you doing here?”
“Looking for you. Channing and Wolfe are here somewhere too,” he grinned, threading his fingers through my hair to tug my head back gently for a quick kiss. “Why are you hiding from me? I’ve been texting you.”
“We’ve been on a bender, in case Channing didn’t tell you,” I laughed, peering over my shoulder. “Hey, Ry? Can the guys come back to the hotel for a bit?”
“If they have to,” he sighed, not looking at us.
“Chan and Wolfe can bring supplies,” Mason offered dryly, catching his attention.
“Yeah?”
“Sure. Tell your pretty friends to come too,” Mason smirked, winking at one of the girls who giggled.
If an orgy party was on the cards, I was all for that. It wouldn’t have been the first time a whole bunch of us got naked and fucked. I wasn’t a fan of dating girls, but they were fun in the bedroom when we were high and just trying to come a lot.
“Do you like my nails?” I asked Mason, wiggling my fingers at him.
“They’ll look good running down my back later,” he chuckled. “You’ll have to film some new content for me tonight.”
“Practice for my porn career?” I joked, making him shrug.
“I have zero problem with you using me for that. If you make money off videos with my dick, you’d better pay me for it though.”
I laughed, swatting at him. “I won’t use our videos. They’re just for you.”
“And the internet when you keep leaking them. I know it’s you, you attention whore,” he deadpanned, motioning to Ryder. “Just film content with the rich prick. He doesn’t need the money, and I bet you’d make bank doing full-action content.”
“Possibly. I’ll have to ask him.”
The girls ended up wandering off, claiming they’d come to the hotel soon, leaving the three of us alone to search for Channing and Wolfe.
Ryder was apparently done with me touching him, but Mason happily took my hand as we walked.
“Channing said Ry carved his name into your pussy,” Mason said randomly, and Ryder smirked at him from the other side of me.
“Jealous?”
“Not particularly. I don’t need my name on her,” he answered.
“I feel like a hooker with my pimp’s name on me,” I said dryly, and Ryder laughed.
“If you’re making money, then I’d better get a cut since I’m the pimp.”
“You don’t need the money.”
“Rich people have money because they’re greedy, sue me,” he teased, sliding an arm around my shoulders to speak in my ear. “We could build an empire with your pussy, I bet.”
Mason snickered, waving at Channing as we spotted them up ahead while answering Ryder. “You don’t need to build an empire. You Donovans already have one.”
“That’s my parents’ empire. We need our own. You guys can sell the drugs, Temp can sell her pussy, and I can be like a business manager,” he grinned. “Right, baby? Tell him I’d be a good manager.”
“You’d be a terrible manager. You’d sample all the goods, and we’d make no money,” I said flatly, giggling as he grabbed me and tossed me over his shoulder, swatting my butt. “Ry!”
Mason laughed as we joined the other two, Channing meeting my gaze the second Ryder put me back on the ground.
“You look better today.”
“So do you, but that might be the champagne I had for breakfast,” I smiled sweetly, making him roll his eyes. I had no idea when he’d seen me last.
“Whatever you say.”
We all ended up having lunch at some fancy place Ryder liked, and once we’d consumed a stack of overpriced food and whiskey, we headed back to the hotel to start partying.
I could get used to this shit.
The hotel staff completely ignored us as we loudly walked through the lobby, not even glancing our way when Ryder tossed me over his shoulder to carry me the rest of the way.
Having money really did let you get away with anything.
I gave Mason a tour of the penthouse we were in while Ryder headed out to the balcony with Channing and Wolfe, letting them discuss drugs and money on their own.
“How much is this place a night,” Mason mumbled under his breath as I showed him the bathroom, his eyes taking it all in. “This is insane.”
“I don’t know. Thousands,” I shrugged, moving through to the bedroom.
Staff had been through to clean, thankfully, and I dropped back on the bed with a sigh. He joined me, staring at the ceiling in silence for a while before talking. “I think you really should consider working in the sex industry. It makes lots of money if you work hard enough.”
“I don’t even have a computer to edit videos with.”
“Ry will get you one. Get everything you need and start. He doesn’t care about sharing you, so porn won’t faze him. I know you like being a princess and letting someone pay for all your shit, but wouldn’t you like to rely on yourself for money? Working for yourself is cool too because you can pick your own hours and don’t have to answer to anyone.”
“How do I even start? I can take photos and post them, but convincing people to pay for that shit is hard.”
“It’s time consuming for sure. If you want big bucks, you have to work hard for it. Starting out is the worst part, but after that, it’s not as bad. I’m happy to be a photographer for you,” he winked, making me laugh as I rolled over to face him.
“What do you want in return?”
“You to deal with my blue balls when you’re done,” he joked, reaching up to tuck my hair behind my ear. “You’re fucking gorgeous, Temp. Use that to your advantage. Do cam girl shit if you have to. Creepy old dudes would love to see you strip on camera and call them baby.”
“Sounds gross.”
“Sounds like money,” he corrected, sitting up and pulling his phone out of his pocket.
He showed me a bunch of random articles he’d saved for me about the industry, and I almost choked when I saw what some people were making.
“Millions?!”
“That’s not on average, FYI. Average people in the Onlyfans market barely make one fifty a month, but if you hit the market right, you could at least make a few thousand a month minimum. You can do all kinds of shit on that platform. Branch out to other ones too though, like the cam girl sites and kink platforms,” he said, and I gave him an amused glance.
“How do you know all of this?”
“One, I’m a perv, and two, I’ve been researching for you,” he said as if it was no big deal, making me smile.
“Thanks, Mase.”
“I’ll send all of this through to you if you want so you can read it later. I’ll help you plan if you want to brainstorm, and I bet Ry will help. He’s a perv too.”
“I’m aware. A kinky one at that,” I deadpanned, tugging my pants down to show him Ryder’s name carved into my skin.
He sat up to get a better look, frowning slightly. “That’s a dumb spot to put it. Isn’t that hard to shave with? Not that I give a fuck if you grow out your body hair.”
“I’ve been waxing for years, it barely grows anymore. I’m glad to know you’d still want to bone me if I let myself go though,” I joked, squealing as he tugged my pants off my legs and knelt between them, pressing a kiss to my clit.
“I’d want you even if you were a worm. Now lie there and let me eat you. It’s been a long week without this pussy.”
I wasn’t going to complain about that idea.