“Thank you,” I whispered.
Tucker smiled at me before resuming his writing.
Ianto tossed another pouch to Tucker. “There’s something I have to disagree with you about.”
“What’s that?” Tucker asked.
“The part where you stated Ryker doesn’t understand what it’s like to love something deeply.”
When his brown eyes shifted to me, I frowned at his pointed look. “Me?”
“Yes,you.”
I glanced toward the shelter again. I knew howIfelt for Ryker, I’d told him, but it wasn’t something he’d ever expressed in return.
“I understand you’re getting some of our history right now, but love was never part of it,” I told Ianto.
“Maybe not for you.”
Anger shot through me. “He knows I love him. I’vetoldhim that.”
Sadness filled his gaze. “And he hasn’t said the same?”
“That’s none of your business.”
“You’re right, it’s not, but he loves you. I can see it.”
I didn’t say anything as I tied my pouch and tossed it to Tucker. He stared at me before writing HR and setting the money with the rest.
I pondered Ianto’s words but refused to get my hopes up. Maybe there was a time when Ryker loved me, but if so, I’d destroyed those feelings and didn’t know how to get them back.
None of us spoke again while we worked.
CHAPTEREIGHTY-EIGHT
Ryker
From within theconfines of the small shelter, I watched as Ellery, Ianto, and Tucker filled the pouches. The coins clattering while they landed on the growing heap of money drowned out their words.
My eyelids drooped before springing open again. Sleep would help me heal faster, but I couldn’t take my eyes off her. Any number of things out there could attack; if they did, I’d tear their throats out.
I wasn’t in the mood for anything’s shit. Tucker was right; I should rest, but not while she was out there.
Over my many years, I’d endured worse at the hands of the ophidians and my father and healed faster, but exhaustion and weakness plagued me. Shifting, I pulled myself further up the back wall and leaned my head against it.
The gradually healing wounds throbbed with every lumbered beat of my heart. If Ellery wasn’t here, I would return to Tucker’s encampment and rest, but I couldn’t tear my eyes away from her.
That knowledge festered in me like a splinter gone too deep, exceptEllerywas the splinter digging further in even as I repeatedly tried to rip her free. I wanted heroutof my system.
But do you really want her out?
As soon as the question went through my mind, I pushed it aside. Of course I did; after everything she’d done and all her lies, I didn’t know how to trust her again.
If you can’t trust her, then why did you rob the king with her?
It was a good question and another one that festered.
She made a fool out of you!
