‘And I prefer men on their backs,’ she snarled, her boot digging into his windpipe.
Will sighed. ‘I need him alive, love.’
Aya shot him a glare over her shoulder. ‘He might not have killed Helene, but he sure as hells almost killed us.’
‘I had nothing to do with that,’ Ryker rasped.
Aya bared her teeth as she leaned over him. ‘You’re lying.’
‘Let him go, Aya.’ The look she gave Will was murderous. He supposed he deserved it for keeping her in the dark, but he couldn’t find it in himself to be fully bothered. Not when there was still something heated beneath her angry stare.
‘For fuck’s sake,’ Ryker groaned, drawing her attention back to him.
She loosened her boot from his neck. ‘Avis Lavigne is a member of the Bellare?’
‘Yes.’ Ryker’s gaze shifted to Will. ‘I told you we had nothing to do with her kidnapping.’
‘You forgot to mention Avis’ affiliation,’ Will replied as he removed his hands from his pockets, his arms folding as he regarded Ryker. ‘Do the Bellare have any reason to go after him or his family?’
‘Why would I have told you that with the Guard breathing down our necks? And no. He’s a highly favored member.’
Aya’s frown deepened, and Will knew she was arriving at the same conclusion he had suspected.
Someone was framing the Bellare.
He jerked his chin toward Ryker. Aya’s jaw clenched, but she stepped back, letting the boy rise. Ryker didn’t waste his breath on goodbyes as he disappeared into the night.
Will contemplated going after him, but Aya was staring after the young rebel, her shoulders tense, and he knew the real fight was here. Sure enough, her blue eyes were like ice as she whirled to face him.
‘What the hells?’ she demanded. Will reached for the wound on her neck, but she smacked his hand away. ‘How are you involved with the Bellare?’
He snorted. ‘I’m not. I sensed Avis’ shock when Aidon accused them of killing Helene. I was lucky to have Ryker who could confirm my suspicions.’
‘You’ve had an in all along, and you’ve never said anything?’
Will sighed as he tugged a hand through his hair. ‘It’s complicated. I couldn’t very well be seen with ties to the Bellare if we want Dominic’s help.’
Aya frowned, doubt rising in her eyes with each diversion. Will hated it – hated that he had to put it there.
‘He almost killed us, and you let him go.’
Will closed his eyes, his breath rushing out of him. ‘Please, Aya. Trust me. I will tell you everything, I promise. But right now, there are more pressing matters.’
It was a fool’s hope, he realized, asking her to trust him like this. But she simply frowned, her face taking on that calculated look as she raised a hand to her neck.
She winced as her fingers brushed the cut.
Will ripped a strip of fabric from his shirt, moving her hand away as he gently pressed the cloth to her neck. ‘Always making a mess,’ he murmured.
Her fingers brushed his as she took the cloth from his hold. ‘Someone is framing the Bellare.’
Will forced a smile to his face. ‘I’ll give you three guesses who,’ he quipped. It didn’t work to alleviate the heaviness that had befallen her. ‘Now if only we could prove it.’
A grim determination settled over her features as she met his stare, her hand sliding into the pocket of her leathers. She pulled out a key.
‘I’m way ahead of you.’
56
