A couple of hours later, Erik walked the outskirts of the party again, his focus always on Dryce as he watched everyone milling around. With the amount of alcohol these people consumed, it was any wonder they could still walk around and function. The bass from the giant speakers scattered around the garage rattled the numerous empty bottles that were strewn all over the floor.

Off in one corner was a game that appeared to be a cross between spin the bottle and strip something or another. Most of the girls over there were down to just barely there thongs and the guys were in boxers. Erik shook his head and continued his observation.

Dryce, as usual, was surrounded by a group of girls all trying to be one of the ones on his arms. Tom was nearby shaking his head at the blatant desperation of a few of them. Erik couldn’t help but shake his head too. The amount of women after Dryce’s dick was enough to make a prostitute blush.

Erik circled close to Dryce and tapped his shoulder slightly. “Everything good over here?” he asked quietly.

Dryce turned to face Erik and slurred slightly, “Things are great over here, Tank. Join us. I told you I’d share some of these hotties with you.”

“No thanks,” Erik said, turning to walk away, much to the dismay of a few of the girls in Dryce’s entourage.

“You’re missing out,” Dryce called after him before turning his attention back to the ladies in front of him.

Erik couldn’t help but chuckle to himself as he shook his head. Completing another circuit of the garage, he positioned himself just inside the door where he could keep an eye on Dryce and see who was going in and out.

Just as his phone vibrated in his pocket, Erik caught sight of a reporter with a camera walking into the garage. Totally out of place, the guy looked around for someone and zeroed in on Dryce. Like a dog with a bone, the reporter stalked over to Dryce with his camera plastered to his face. Erik raced over to intercept the intruder when suddenly the camera was knocked to the ground.

When Erik reached the prince, he looked over to see the reporter clutching his side as he bent over to retrieve the pieces of his camera. Looking around quickly, Erik caught a glimpse of a petite brunette rounding the bracket of the open garage door. Losing sight of the mystery girl, he focused back on his detail.

“Your highness, stay here and do NOT move. I need to escort that reporter out of the garage, quietly,” Erik whispered into Dryce’s ear.

Dryce nodded and followed Erik’s line of sight until he noticed the commotion. Silently, Erik slipped away from Dryce and came up behind the reporter.

“Here, let me get that for you,” Erik said, grabbing the reporter’s free wrist.

“I’m allowed to be here,” came the weak objection.

“No, you weren’t invited and you are now being told to leave.”

“Give me back my camera,” the reporter begged.

“Oh, this?” Erik asked as he ‘accidentally’ dropped it, breaking it further.

“You son of a bitch,” the reporter spat.

Wrenching the man’s wrist further behind his back, Erik purposely stomped on the remaining pieces of the camera as he escorted the reporter out the door. At the door, Erik increased the pressure he applied to the weaker man’s wrist, making the reporter yelp and try to twist free.

“Do not let me catch you back here, or you’ll bring hell down on your head,” Erik promised threateningly.

Another quick jerk had the reporter vigorously shaking his head in the affirmative.

“I need you to verbally tell me that you understand,” Erik pushed.

“I understand,” the reporter squeaked out. As soon as Erik released his wrist the reporter scampered away and disappeared into the night.

Erik walked back over to where the pieces of the reporter’s broken camera were still scattered on the floor. Pocketing the various pieces, Erik looked over to where he’d left Dryce. Catching the prince’s attention, Erik nodded once then indicated he’d be back in his position near the front. Dryce nodded back then turned his attention back to the story Tom was telling the gaggle of girls surrounding them. Laughter from what Erik could only guess was a lame joke reached his ears.

Remembering his vibrating phone from moments ago, Erik pulled his phone from the pocket of his suit coat and illuminated the screen. It was Austin wanting an update on what was going on. Choosing his words carefully, Erik filled Austin in on what had just happened with the reporter.

[Had a slight instance with a reporter that snuck in. But it was handled. Camera broken and reporter escorted out.]

Erik held his breath while he waited for Austin to reply. Thankfully, the reply was almost instant.

[Do I need to be present?]

Erik internally debated before replying.

[No, the situation is squashed and the prince is fine. In his element. There is no need for you to be here, sir.]

[Keep me informed.]

[Will do.]

Erik was glad Austin hadn’t pushed the issue.

Slipping his phone back into his pocket, Erik looked up in time to see Dryce walking up the stairs into Tom’s apartment with three girls in tow.

Just before he ducked into the apartment, Dryce looked out and caught Erik’s eye. With a nod from Erik, Dryce turned to step into the apartment when he caught a glimpse of a familiar face off in the corner; he just couldn’t place from where.