The Shark Who Rode a Seahorse Read Online Free PDF Page B

room, Byron resigned himself to wasting some valuable time on his friend.
    “Hi,” Garth greeted him. “How’s Skylar?”
    “Recovering,” Byron replied. “I’m getting changed and going back to his room.”
    “I’m so sorry about last night. I told Rick to stay put and take a break from drinking. I never expected him to attack Skylar.”

    The Shark Who Rode a Seahorse
    31
    Byron couldn’t blame his friend for what had happened. It was Rick Carver’s fault, and Byron planned to make sure the werewolf paid. Still, he bristled, the mere mentioning of the werewolf’s name drawing out the predator in him. “If I’d had my way, that man would be dead, and you know it.”
    “I’m aware of that and so is the elder. He said he wanted to talk about it with you.” Garth grimaced. “Rick claims he can’t remember anything that happened last night. Some werewolves seem to believe him, and they’ve asked for a lighter sentence.”
    “You can tell them this, Garth. If I see his ass in LA, there won’t be anything left from him to even identify. Got that?” He headed toward his room and stopped when he remembered one more thing.
    “Oh, and once the Pierces hear of this, there’s going to be hell to pay, whether I kill him or not.”
    “I know.” Garth sounded tired. “God, I can’t believe this happened, and when things were going so well.” He sighed. “At any rate, the most important thing is Skylar now. Please, take care of him, Byron.”
    Byron nodded and opened the door to his room. In swift, efficient motions, he found another custom-made suit and pulled it on, ruminating over his conversation with Garth as he did so. If the elder werewolf didn’t choose an adequate punishment for Skylar’s attacker, Byron would have to intervene. However, Skylar wouldn’t be very happy if something Byron did caused an inter-species war. Christ, what a clusterfuck.
    He moved as quickly as he could and, in minutes, he was out of his room and heading back toward Skylar’s. Once at Skylar’s door, he knocked lightly.
    “Yes?” Skylar’s voice came from inside.
    “It’s me,” Byron said. “Can I—?”
    The door opened before he could finish the phrase. A half-naked Skylar appeared in the doorway, looking wild-eyed and disheveled.
    He grabbed Byron’s wrist and pulled. Byron went with Skylar’s 32
    Scarlet Hyacinth
    wishes and allowed his lover to drag him into the room. “What’s the matter, sweetheart?” he asked as soon as the door closed behind him.
    “I… I don’t know what’s wrong with me.” Skylar paced in front of him. “I can’t focus. I can’t find anything.”
    “Oh, sweetheart.” Byron cursed to himself. “I’m sorry. I never should have left you so soon.”
    Skylar turned pleading eyes toward him. “Byron, why is it like this? He… He didn’t even hurt me that bad. Why am I so afraid?”
    If there was something Byron understood, it was fear. Oftentimes, it didn’t matter if pain had been inflicted or not. Terror was a psychological phenomenon, and Skylar’s terror would not easily vanish from his mind. Some people dealt with it better, others worse.
    Because he knew this, it was even more unforgivable that he’d allowed his lover to be on his own so soon after his ordeal.
    “It’s normal,” he said. “Come here.”
    He made his words an order, but without pressing too hard.
    Predictably, the security of his authority made Skylar relax. The seahorse approached him and his shy gaze met Byron’s. “Deep breaths, sweetheart,” Byron said. “Count with me. One.”
    “One,” Skylar repeated.
    “Two.”
    Skylar’s eyes never left Byron’s face as he said, “Two.”
    “Three, four, five.”
    Skylar spoke every number after Byron and with each word, more and more tension drained out of him. At last, Byron pressed a brief kiss to Skylar’s lips. “Better?”
    “Yes, thank you.” Skylar sighed. “You must think I’m a big coward.”
    “Not at all, sweetheart. You