He was far stiffer than normal, probably because of his discomfort. I wanted to check on him, but I knew he’d only send me away again, so I focused on our task and tried not to worry about him.
That was impossible.
Tucker wrote HR onto the side of a pouch Ianto handed him. He tossed it onto the small but growing pile of them before focusing on me. “Go tell that stubborn asshole to rest.”
“Me? He’s not going to listen to me.”
Ianto stuffed a handful of money into a purse created from a cut-up feedbag and tied a string around it. “You’re the only one hewilllisten to.”
“You don’t knowallof our history.”
“I don’t have to know anything other than what I see.” The giant tossed the bag to Tucker who wrote on it. “And what I see isyou’rethe only one he’ll listen to.”
I liked Ianto, but he had no idea what he was talking about. “I’m theonlyone here he borderline hates… if not fully despises.”
Admitting that caused a sharp stab to my heart, but it was true. Our relationship was so volatile, and I’d often seen Ryker shut down and slip away from me. During those times, I knew he was recalling my betrayal.
When this was all over, he’d most likely walk away from me. It wasn’t a pleasant thought, but I didn’t delude myself into thinking things might ever be different between us… no matter how badly I wanted them to be.
CHAPTEREIGHTY-SIX
Ellery
Ianto’s gazeflicked past me to where Ryker sat. “I don’t know anyone who would take three arrows for someone they hated.”
“He’d take an arrow for almost anyone fighting on his side.”
“That’s true,” Tucker agreed. “But the giant’s right; you’re the only one who can talk some sense into him. It will take him a couple of days to heal if he doesn’t rest. He has to be in top shape for the Earl of Oakley’s party. If he’s still wounded, someone could notice.”
Tucker’s mouth twisted into a sneer as he spoke the earl’s name. The man had bought his family property out from under him, and now Ryker and I would have to attend his little soiree because it was expected of us.
To win this war we planned to wage against the aristocracy, we would have to continue to play our roles in society. Eventually, that would end, but until then, we had to maintain all normal appearances.
I dreaded going to that man’s party and doubted anything good could come of it, but my mother and I had our bags packed and dresses ready. Normally, she loved attending parties, but after her arrest, she was far less enthusiastic about this one.
I stuffed another purse full of carisle and handed it to Tucker. “He’s more likely to listen to you.”
“No, he’s not.”
“Go talk to him,” Ianto urged.
I decided against telling him I wasn’t in the mood for rejection; neither of them were listening to me.
“Hold on,” Tucker said. “I know what to tell him; I’ll take care of this.”
He scrawled HR for Hooded Robber on the purse he held, tossed it onto the pile, and stalked over to Ryker. While they spoke, their voices rose and fell.
I barely caught their words, but Ianto and I watched in fascination. After a couple of minutes, Ryker reluctantly rose, glanced over his shoulder at me, and ducked so he could enter the nearest shelter.
I sent a pointed look at Ianto. “I told you Tucker would have better luck.”
The corners of Ianto’s brown eyes crinkled when he grinned at me. “I bet Tucker usedyouto get him in there.”
I didn’t get a chance to respond before Tucker returned, reclaimed his fountain pen, and went back to work. I so badly wanted to ask what he said to get Ryker to rest, but I focused on stuffing more purses instead. That was between them.
“What did you say to him?” Ianto asked Tucker.
Unfortunately, the giant didn’t have my mindset on the issue.
