When Ryker failed to move, I screamed, “I said get out!”
My fingers wrapped around the closest object, and I sent it sailing toward him. He ducked, avoiding the candelabra by inches.
Next, I grabbed the inkpot. Its murky contents flew through the air, landing against Ryker’s chest and staining his tunic.
“Get out! Get out! Get out!”
I was panting heavily as my fury coursed through me with the strength of a raging tempest, fierce and unrelenting. Riordan and Callum quickly made their exit, leaving me alone with the source of my wrath.
“I fucking hate you, Ryker, and no amount of time will ever undo that.”
He pressed his lips into a thin line. “You’re angry, I get it.”
A choked noise escaped my throat, my body trembling in sync with my thudding heart.
Angrydid not begin to describe what I was feeling.
“When you are ready to talk about this, I’ll be waiting.” His gaze raked over me in assessment. “This changes nothing, Temptress. You are my mate, and I will do whatever is necessary to keep you at my side.”
With his parting words, he turned and stalked out.
Alone in the suffocating silence, I let my tears fall.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Ryker
When I rounded the corner from my chambers, Riordan and Callum were waiting for me. My brother gripped the collar of my tunic, slamming me up against the wall.
“I say this with love, Ryker, but what in the gods’ name is wrong with you?”
A hollow laugh scraped against my throat as it worked its way free.
“What’s so funny?” Callum said through gritted teeth.
“The ring was only a whisper of what I’m prepared to do. If it means protecting her, keeping her close, I’ll do worse. Far worse. If you’re rattled now, then you have vastly underestimated how ruthless I can be when I want something.”
Callum lunged for me, but Riordan dropped my collar and turned to intercept him. “Take a breath, Killer.”
“Don’t pretend this was just about protecting her,” Callum said, his hands balled into fists at his sides. “You wanted control. You always have.”
“I saved her fucking life!” Shadows curled around my ankles, itching to strike. “Forgive me for prioritizing her survival over her feelings. Or would you have preferred I let her die with her pride intact?”
Riordan shoved at my chest in warning. “Enough. This solves nothing.”
I knocked his hand aside. “There isn’t anything to solve. She’s alive. That’s all that matters.”
“How can you allow him to get away with this?” Riordan flinched, and I narrowed my eyes at my mate’s brother. “You say you love my sister, then prove it.”
My brother’s shoulders slumped. “It’s… complicated.”
Riordan had benefited from my ruthlessness more than once. He knew how far I would go to protect what’s mine.
“You’re a coward and a hypocrite,” Callum said through clenched teeth before he spun around and stormed down the corridor.
Riordan stood rooted to the spot as he watched Callum’s retreating form. When he turned the corner, my brother ran a hand through his hair as he let out a defeated sigh.
“Thank you for that, Ryker. Everything I’d done to make him warm to me was just unraveled.”
