Chapter 18 - A Cunning Little Fox

Clyde's blue eyes widened at what Ryley had just said. He tried to hold back his urge to grin, then threw his gaze at Lucas instead.

Seeing a nod from his head bodyguard, Clyde finally agreed. "Alright, I'll let him go. Let's see if your plan really works." Then he motioned for his guards to undo the rope on the crew cut guy.

"Luke, take that brat with you. Don't give him anything to eat or drink until he opens his mouth."

Then he turned to Ryley and continued, "You go first, I'll catch up later."

The blond was about to take his step and walk with the entourage, but then he felt his wrist caught.

"Where are you going?" Clyde said, his blue eyes shone dangerously.

"Didn't you just tell me to go first?" Ryley replied with a confused face.

"No, that was for Luke."

His strong arms suddenly pulled the blond closer, and before Ryley could protest the Alpha's sudden movement, his lips were sealed with a deep kiss.

Clyde couldn't hold back the desires surging inside him, not after he found out how much of a cunning little fox Ryley actually was.

Lucas was right when he told him he had to leave the decision to Ryley. And as he guessed, this beautiful blond head wasn't like many famous celebs he'd met before.

He wrecked him, once again, letting his body do the talk than praising Ryley out loud.

***

The sky turned crimson red when Ryley arrived at the same mansion he escaped from a few days ago, now with completely limp legs and drained energy.

This bastard really fucked him twice in the woods, and he couldn't believe he allowed him to do that.

After the Alpha helped him with a warm bath and got him proper clothes that fitted his body perfectly, they talked at the dining table.

"We will return to New York tomorrow. You will speak at the press conference and clarify things," the man's deep voice came from across, then he pulled out a smartphone with a cracked screen and placed it beside Ryley's plate.

The blond quickly snatched his phone and stared at Clyde's side profile with sceptic eyes. Then he unlocked his cloud storage fast but found his recording folder was empty.

"What? Where did—" He turned sharp towards the Alpha and asked with a firm tone. "Did you delete the tape?!"

Clyde didn't answer. He gulped the remaining water in his glass and stood up from his seat. "Come to my office after the press conference tomorrow. Lucas will wait for you at the hotel's lobby."

The blond gripped his phone tight and rose to his feet with raging emotions. He was about to yell at the Alpha but the man's broad back had walked away and disappeared from his sight.

Ryley could only stomp his feet angrily and dropped his butt on the dining chair again, his hand supporting his head that started to feel heavy.

Tons of chats and missed calls swarm over his screen, making his head buzz. He practically slammed his phone on the wooden table then crossed his hands in front of his chest, feeling hella irritated. But then his attention returned to his phone when it vibrated from an incoming call.

He glanced right and left, then rushed to the guest room and locked the door from inside.

"Ryley! Ryley can you hear me?" Martin's voice shouted loud as soon as the blond picked up his call. His tone was filled with great anxiety.

"Oh my God where are you now?! Did that woman kidnap you?! I told you to take me with you but you didn't listen! See what happens now? You're okay right? Tell me you're fine!"

The man sounded so frustrated, and his hoarse voice proved that he couldn't sleep for as long as Ryley disappeared.

"H… Hey, Brother," the blond said before inhaling a deep breath. Then he tried to answer briefly, "Sorry, I lost my phone. I'll be back tomorrow so don't worry about me, I'm fine."

"Where are you now? Come on tell me! I will pick you up right away!" Martin insisted, unconsciously pounding his desk.

"No, there's no need. I—"

Before he was able to finish his words, a soft knock on the door stopped him.

"I will meet you at the hotel. Gotta go now, bye!" Ryley whispered and hung up on the phone fast.

The blond then walked up to the wooden door and opened it. A familiar tall figure appeared before him.

"Sorry to bother your time. Mr. Clyde asked you to prepare because I will escort you back to New York tonight," Lucas said in a polite tone.

Ryley frowned, it's not that he opposed it. He just didn't understand why the sudden change of plan. "Is he not going too?" He asked, somewhat feeling suspicious.

"Yes, he will meet you at the airport." The big man answered, then their conversation was interrupted by the sound of jeeps stopping in front of the building.

Lucas then cleared his throat and said, "The clothes have been prepared for you. They're already in the wardrobe. I'll excuse myself first."

"Wait! Where do you keep that kid from before?" Ryley asked, suddenly recalling that he asked the Alpha to take the young sniper.

Lucas didn't directly answer his question. "You can see him anytime you want as long as Mr. Clyde allows it."

His towering figure then retreated from Ryley's sight. The model saw him open the front door and went outside.

Ryley couldn't help but feel curious about who had just come. He bolted to the glass window and peeked from behind the curtain.

A group of teenagers came out of the jeeps parked outside, wearing what looked like camping outfits complete with hiking equipments and backpacks.

'Who are they?' He wondered, but before he could figure out the answer, the front door was opened again and a female figure stepped in.

Her face beamed with joy as soon as she saw Ryley. But she immediately corrected her expression and maintained a professional smile.

"Mr. Ryley Schwartz, it's nice to meet you again," she said, bowing her head a little.

"Miss Clark?" Ryley was a bit taken aback when he found out that it wasn't just a random person.

Gracia Clark, head of public relations of Hyacinthia, the famous fashion brand he currently worked as an ambassador for, stood politely before him.

It was confusing enough for Ryley to try to guess why this lady was here, now he had to think why she came with a bunch of teenagers dressing in camping outfits and a small tripod in her right hand.

Gracia was about to explain why she'd come but the Alpha had descended the last step and walked towards them.

"Gracia, see Luke outside. He's got something to explain to you and the team," Clyde ordered, gesturing for the woman to leave them alone.

"A…Alright. Then, I'll take my leave first," she said, seemingly confused but still obeyed the Alpha's words.

Clyde made sure the woman close the front door from outside before he took Ryley's hand and led him inside the guest's room.

His strong arm stretched, pinning the blond to the wall and leaned his face closer. His blue eyes scanned Ryley's confused frown, then lifted the model's chin.

"You are not going to mention anything about what happened the last few days no matter what. Do you get me?" His deep voice whispered, cold and enforcing.

Ryley blinked after he took a hint from what Clyde had just said. A faint chuckle escaped his lips as he said, "What do you want me to say on tomorrow's press conference then? That I was pranking everybody and sneaking out with those teenagers for a summer camp?" He slapped the Alpha's hand from his chin and fiercely rejected, "Hell no!"

Clyde smiled. This little fox he accidentally found had an extraordinary sharp mind. "No, they'll take the blame for that instead."

"What do you mean..." Ryley tried to digest his words and once he realized it, his brown eyes widened in surprise. "So you mean to make them say they pranked me?"

The Alpha couldn't stop smiling, he just answered with a nod.

At first, Ryley thought that it would be a good idea. But then he felt reluctant. "Wait, who are they? Why would they want to do this?"

Clyde didn't think that Ryley would ask him such. He couldn't possibly tell him that those jeeps were sent by his sister as soon as he told her he found Ryley.

But before he could even find an excuse, the blond voiced out his curiosity again.

"You... Did you know Miss Clark? What's your relationship with her?"

How should the Alpha answer it?