Chapter 2

A FEAST OF RESENTMENT

Veranda, Rogue Rider Mansion, Beverly Hills, California, United States

“Only you can stop this,” Jack Lane said, looking sideways at Gen as they stood on the veranda overlooking the sprawling grounds of the regal estate. In the distance, the dragons were lounging on the grounds of the Rogue Rider estate, many of them enjoying their breakfast as the sun peeked up, making its way into the blue California sky.

Gen pulled in a breath, her attention focused on the large and indulgent spread of breakfast foods that Amanda had laid out. She glanced at Jack beside her with reluctance. “You want me to tell Amanda to stop making such an extravagant breakfast? I think that the house manager will be offended since she’s doing it to be nice.”

Spread on a long row of tables covered in white cloth was a lavish assortment of breakfast foods. The dishes filled the air with the warm, inviting scent of freshly baked goods and savory delicacies. Thoughtfully, each item was labeled so that Gen knew exactly what it was.

Golden, fluffy scrambled eggs were nestled beside crisp strips of bacon, their smoky aromas mingling with the rich, buttery fragrance of pancakes and waffles. A colorful array of fresh fruits, from juicy, sun-kissed strawberries to sweet, succulent melons, added a vibrant burst of natural sweetness to the feast. Flaky, melt-in-your-mouth croissants and pastries beckoned with their delicate, layered texture. There was even a selection of artisanal cheeses and cured meats.

Jack grinned at her, his eyes catching the morning sunlight and looking extra blue. “Yes, because Amanda likes you and wants to make you feel welcome. But in the process, she’s making the other Rogue Riders detest you.”

Gen glanced over to the seating area under the flower-filled arbors where many of the other dragonriders were busy scarfing down their breakfast foods. The gentle clinking of dishes and the terse murmurs of the others glaring in her direction made Gen feel more than unwelcome. Jack wasn’t wrong. The others weren’t endeared to Gen because of the generous spread they were getting. Their looks of hostility showed that they resented Gen for the special treatment she was receiving.

Apparently, before Gen showed up, Amanda didn’t put out such elaborate buffets of food. Most mornings were more of a grab-and-go affair. Although the refrigerator was always stocked, Amanda had quit providing full meals when Sophia Beaufont was fired as leader of the Rogue Riders. This was her silent protest to Dwayne Stone’s election to the position. But now that a Beaufont was back in the ranks, the house manager was in a better mood and taking care of things at the Rogue Rider mansion.

“I think their treatment of me might also be due to Dwayne’s influence,” Gen muttered, tossing her long, blonde braid off her shoulder and taking the plate that Jack handed to her.

Sully slid in between the pair, cutting the line. “I heard that, Jacky Boy. And Gen, under no circumstances should you stop Amanda from feeding us so well.” He turned to Gen, pushing his glasses up his nose with a snort as he laughed. “I say, let those lame-os over there loathe you. They are just jealous because you’re so pretty and can also kick their ass.”

“They aren’t jealous of me,” Clipper said, striding over from the table of haters. She picked up what was labeled a biscuit from the long buffet and dropped it on Jack’s plate, batting her artificially long eyelashes at him.

He eyed the unsolicited biscuit and then her, a skeptical look on his face like he was trying to decide whether to keep the offering or not. Then he slid the biscuit to the edge of his plate and ladled creamy scrambled eggs beside it, ignoring her.

“Clipper, you’re pretty like Medusa, in a scary, you’ll be the death of people kind of way,” Sully stated. “And ironically, the only ass you kick is of some weak mortal you’re fighting to get the last spray tanner at Sephora. Maybe if you spent a little more time practicing your combat moves and a little less time doing your nails, you might stand a chance against a real warrior. Not Gen, though—she’s the real deal.”

“Thanks,” Gen said, blushing, scooping mixed berries onto her plate. “I’m not really that great at combat. I just get lucky.”

Jack laughed, combing a hand over his elegantly chaotic, dark brown hair with an amused smile. “Yeah, you were so lucky when you put Sully in a chokehold that he couldn’t get out of.” He winked at her. “And you did look pretty doing it. That definitely annoys all those riders over there who can’t fight and look like they just stepped out of the medieval era with their patchy beards and disgusting rashes.”

The look he gave Gen was enough to make her drop her plate. She busied herself, pretending to be looking for just the right banana nut muffin.

“Jack, I could use some extra practice with combat,” Clipper said, tapping him on the shoulder, pursing her ruby lips. “Will you spar with me after breakfast?”

“I’ll do it!” Sully cheered, picking up the biscuit that Clipper had put on Jack’s plate and shoving it back at her. “Here and take this. I don’t want you giving my boy some random disease. I need him with me to rough up some guys on Wilshire Boulevard this afternoon.”

Clipper glared at Sully before redirecting her attention to Gen. “And yes, everyone here hates you because you get special treatment from Amanda and put Dwayne in a sour mood.”

“Then stop eating the food I magically prepare!” Amanda, the house manager, sang, striding out of the mansion and pointing an accusatory finger at the group of riders eating at the tables. “How about I make all that food disappear with a wave of my hand? The way the spell goes is I made it and I can take it away.”

Many of the riders picked up their plates and stormed for the other set of doors, leading into the inside dining area. Amanda sighed, shaking her head at them, watching them leave but not delivering on her threat.

She turned her attention to the drink station, frowning. “And would it kill you all to not dribble the coffee from the carafes when pouring?” She swirled her finger in the air, making sparks fly from it and over to the drink area. Instantly, the small puddles of coffee on the table disappeared and the station tidied itself, looking like it had when Amanda originally set it up.

“Thanks so much for such a nice breakfast,” Gen said, smiling at the other woman. “But maybe if you tell the other riders that you’re not giving me special treatment then they’ll be a bit more appreciative and maybe clean up after themselves.”

Amanda laughed loudly, her brown ponytail swaying over her shoulder. “Oh, but I do it for you, Gen. You deserve special treatment.”

“Because she’s a Beaufont,” Clipper muttered bitterly, tossing the biscuit into the trash, but missing.

“Because she’s awesome and stands up for what she believes and won’t quit in the face of challenges,” Amanda argued. “She stood up to Dwayne when he was trying to make his dragon fight a bear. She intervened in that museum heist. And she took that stupid moral philosophy exam instead of quitting like Dwayne wanted her to.”

Gen hadn’t taken the exam since she was stopping the robbery at the Federal Reserve Bank. Amanda actually did it for her. She knew that this was what the house manager meant but couldn’t say about facing challenges.

Clipper shook her head, making her way for the door to the mansion, like the others. “Again, Gen, you’re only bringing more problems for us. If you minded your own business, Dwayne wouldn’t be so angry, making us do extra training exercises. And after your little teacher’s pet business, now we all have been assigned curriculum to read and pass. Why don’t you do as Dwayne suggests and quit—go live off your family fortune and leave being Rogue Riders for us.”

Gen was about to give the woman a piece of her mind, as she knew that Emperor would demand. Her dragon had said from the beginning that she shouldn’t allow the other riders to bully her and had to exert her own dominance.

However, before she could form a proper rebuttal, Amanda cut in. “Oh, hey, Clipper..”

“What?” the other woman said, swinging around, her long black hair flying over her shoulder.

“You forgot something.” Amanda swiped her hand through the air, magically picking up the battered biscuit on the ground and lobbing it through the air. It hit Clipper straight in the forehead, making her shield her face, but a moment too late, after the assault.

“See!” Sully cheered with a laugh. “You can’t even kick a biscuit’s ass. You’re hopeless!”

Clipper spun around, her face full of hostility as she marched into the house, nearly running into Dwayne Stone—who was making his way out to the veranda.

Amanda laughed too, shaking her head. “I remember when Rogue Riders used to be competent, brave and have honor. Now, most of these guys are spineless little jerks. It’s almost like they are imitating someone.” Unafraid, Amanda crossed her arms, glaring at Dwayne as he stepped out of the mansion, staring straight at her.

“You wouldn’t be insinuating me, would you?” he asked, his chin low, eyes brimming with rage.

“Oh, no,” Amanda stated. “I’m not insinuating. I’m downright declaring. Monkey see, monkey do. And most of your riders are displaying the moral fortitude that you present.”

“Remember that although I can’t fire you for a year, I also can’t protect you from some unfortunate accident,” Dwayne threatened, the thick vein on his forehead pulsing. “Now you three go inside. I need to speak to Gen…alone.”