“You humiliated him in front of the Lords,” Ryat goes on. “Men like him will bite off their noses to spite their faces.” His green eyes meet mine. “If you don’t want anything to happen to Lake, I’d tighten that leash you have on her.”
THIRTY-THREE
LAIKYN
I’m feeling pretty good after the day I’ve had. I don’t know what it is about getting your hair done that puts you in a good mood, but after so long of feeling like someone else, I feel closer to who I once was.
I pull up and bring my new car to a stop in the back parking lot of Blackout. I wasn’t sure if using Tyson’s card would work. One, I didn’t think the guy would let me use it, and two, I didn’t think it’d be accepted.
It’s white with black leather. I went with the most expensive one they had on the lot.
A black SUV pulls up next to me, and I exit the Urus to see Blakely get out of hers. After we had a late lunch, she messaged Ryat, and he was still at Blackout.
It makes me wonder what all he and Tyson spoke about. I’ve been gone for hours, shopping. So whatever they found out about the girl must have been important. I hate how much I want to know what happened to her, but I know Tyson won’t tell me.
We enter the back entrance and make our way to the second floor. We enter the office and Ryat is sitting on the couch. He gets to his feet when he sees his wife. “You okay?” he asks her, his eyes looking over her body.
“Yeah.” She frowns at his question. Her blue eyes meet mine and she smiles. “Free next weekend? I need to do some shopping for the babies.” Her hands go to her belly.
“Of course.” Not like I have a life outside of my marriage or my job. Thankfully, Blackout isn’t open during the day. Plus, I enjoyed spending time with her. I didn’t even bring up my sister. If this is my only chance to have a friend, I don’t want her to think I’m only hanging out to get information from her. And I have a feeling she’s already told me everything she knows.
“Perfect. We can do lunch and then the mall. We’ll see if Elli is free too. I know she wants to get a few things.” She turns to kiss Ryat on the cheek and then says, “I’m going to use the restroom really quick.” Laughing, she adds, “I’ll be right back.” Walking into Tyson’s private bathroom, she shuts the door.
I look around to see it’s just me and Ryat. “Where’s Tyson?” I ask. I’m honestly surprised that he hasn’t messaged or called me once. He must have been too busy to even check to see that I left the club today.
Ryat steps into me, his green eyes narrowing on mine. “Stay the fuck away from my wife.” His voice is as cold as Tyson’s can be. They’re trained to be that way.
“Excuse me?” My heart hammers in my chest at his words.
“You heard me.” He takes a step closer to me, and I take one back, but now I’ve pushed myself against Tyson’s desk. “I don’t trust you, Laikyn.”
“I would never hurt Blakely,” I whisper, my throat closing at just the thought. Why am I the bad guy here? What have I done that would make him think otherwise?
He snorts. “Tyson may think you’re innocent, but I know the truth about your family. What you all are capable of.”
“What’s that mean?” I ask, confused.
His eyes go over to the bathroom door before sliding back to mine. “You’re going to tell Blake you’re too busy next weekend to spend time with her. And then you’re going to leave her the fuck alone.” With that, he takes a few steps back from me, and I hear the bathroom door open.
“Whew. I’m so over having to pee every thirty minutes.” Her eyes go from Ryat’s to mine. “Everything okay?”
I feel his eyes on me, but I keep mine on hers. “Yeah.” I nod, giving her a fake smile.
She gives me a hug, and I avoid meeting his glare. The fact that he could even think I’d ever hurt his wife makes my chest hurt.
Pulling away from me, he takes her hand. “We should be going,” he tells her.
As they go to walk out the door, I step forward. “Blakely?” I ask.
“Yeah?” She turns and looks at me with a kind smile on her pretty face.
“I’ll see you next weekend,” I say, squaring my shoulders. This time, I glance at Ryat, and he looks like he wants to strangle me.
“Can’t wait.” She winks at me before they exit Tyson’s office.
I allow myself a moment to collect my thoughts, trying to figure out what the fuck that was. What did he meanmy family? Tyson thinks I’m innocent. Regarding what? Ryat is the one who put a knife to my brother’s neck and helped force me to marry his best friend. Why would he think I could harm his pregnant wife?
It just makes me angry.Fuck him.He’s a typical Lord trying to control their Lady. I won’t let that happen. If Blakely wants to be my friend, then I won’t let Ryat stop me. Now, if she tells me she can’t see me, then I’ll respect that. But it’ll have to come from her mouth, her words. Not some Lord who thinks he can control what I do.
