“How could I forget when the asshole standing next to you refused to let you heal me, making the experience that much more delightful?”
Ryker snorted. “You fucking deserved that and more.”
“All right,” Riordan drawled. “As lovely as this has been, care to explain the reason for your visit?”
Ryker wasted no time diving into the details of our earlier discussion, recounting everything I had shared about the Crimson Enclave and their plans.
“Well, shit,” Riordan said, running his hand over the nape of his neck. “So dear old Dad is back.”
“Riordan, I —”
“It wasn’t your fault.”
Tears stung my eyes, and I nodded as I tried to swallow past the lump in my throat.
“Come here.”
Before I could protest, Riordan bundled me up in his arms, his hands rubbing soothing circles over my spine.
“I’m so sorry.”
“Not you, sweetheart. Never you.”
Someone cleared their throat, and we broke apart.
“I want to go after Fallon,” Ryker said, breaking the silence. His gaze flicked to me. “But I acknowledge a certain… subtlety is required.”
He shifted, his jaw tight, as if he’d tried swallowing the words before they could leave his mouth.
“Ouch.” Riordan grinned at his brother. “That looked painful to admit.”
“Shut up.”
Riordan chuckled, but he didn’t push him any further.
“How do you plan to deal with Fallon?” Callum asked.
Ryker stared at him like he was an idiot. “We kill him.”
Callum blinked. “Right. Should have known.”
“After we have extracted whatever information we require, and only when we can ensure his sudden disappearance won’t alert my father to our plans,” I said, sending Ryker a pointed look.
“Of course.” He made it sound as if it were obvious, but I caught the glint in his eye that hinted it was anything but.
“Perfect.” Riordan clasped his hands together. “If there is nothing else…” he trailed off, his hungry gaze appraising my brother.
“One more thing,” I said, waving my cuffed wrists in the air. “I want these off.”
“Temptress —”
“No, Ryker. Are we partners, or not?”
“Your power is a death sentence, Cadence. If anyone found out you are one of the Wraith Borne, my father will not hesitate to kill you.”
“All the more reason I need my magic.”
“She’s right, Brother,” Riordan said.
