For long moments, only the clopping of hooves filled the carriage. Time seemed to still, and Glory sensed a parallel between that swaying darkness and Wei’s mood. He was fighting something, going back and forth trying to decide if he could release the shadows he kept locked inside.
“You can trust me,” she said.
Wei expelled a breath. “I know.”
“Then talk to me.”
A pause.
“Fifteen years ago, while I was away, an intruder broke into my family’s home. He was looking for something…and killed my parents and sister. Our old servant, too. I have been hunting him down since, and that is why I am in London.”
Although Wei’s tone was matter-of-fact, the horror of what he shared swept through Glory like a winter storm. She felt chilled, inside and out.
“Wei, I…I’m so sorry.”
The words were stupid, wholly inadequate. Yet what would be a comforting response to such a random act of violence?
Her eyes damp, she tried again. “I cannot imagine the pain of…of losing your family. And in such a fashion.”
Wei gave a nod, that small, controlled movement conveying a world of grief.
“When I arrived home that night, I fought the murderer, but he got away.” Wei’s knuckles gleamed bone-white in the darkness. “He was masked, so I saw only his eyes, which were pale…the exact color, I could not say. He spoke with an Englishman’s accent. During our battle, his shirt ripped, and I saw a tattoo on his arm—the same tattoo that I saw on Scott’s arm tonight.”
Glory drew her brows together. “But if this happened fifteen years ago, Scott would be too young to be the killer, wouldn’t he?”
“Yes. But he knows the man with whom he shares that tattoo. I saw it in his eyes tonight,” Wei said grimly. “He chose to protect that bastard, but I vow on my family’s honor that I will get my answers from him. I will find the murderer and avenge my family.”
“I will help you,” Glory said immediately.
Now that she understood what was at stake, she would do everything in her power to assist Wei. To help him find the justice he and his family deserved.
“You will stay out of it,” he said sharply. “This has nothing to do with you.”
“If the situation were reversed and I was on a quest to right a horrendous injustice, would you stand by and do nothing? Would you abandon me in my time of need?”
Her questions were rhetorical. From the time they’d met, Wei had always been there when she needed him. Had offered her his protection and friendship and care.
“That is different,” he bit out.
She narrowed her eyes. “I sincerely hope that statement does not conclude with ‘because I am a man and you are a woman’.”
“This is different,” he said through gritted teeth, “because if anything happened to you because of me, I…I could not stand it. Do you understand?”
“I think I do,” she said tremulously.
Because, she thought, she finally did. Everything she’d wanted she saw now in his glittering gaze, the sentiments he was rigidly holding in check. And it gave her hope…hope and courage.
“Good,” he said stiffly. “As your shifu, it is my responsibility to keep you safe—”
“I want more,” she said.
“I beg your pardon?”
“I want to be more than your pupil.” She reached out and took his hand before she lost the nerve. “Wei, I…I have feelings for you.”
His strong, callused fingers closed over hers. An instant later, he released her as if she were a burning-hot coal.
“You are mistaken,” he said gruffly. “You are a young and innocent lady—”
