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“If he’s got active ties to Riordan, we can’t afford the risk. There can’t be any mercy for Rune when we catch up to him.”
“Yeah,” Chase agreed. Nathan wasn’t telling him anything he didn’t already feel in his gut. As much as it would destroy Carys, the fighter was a dead man if it turned out his loyalty belonged to Riordan.
Even worse, if that loyalty should extend to Opus Nostrum.
To think he’d almost welcomed the bastard into his house earlier tonight.
And Carys . . .
Christ, what would he have done if anything had happened to his daughter? She was terrified and heartbroken now, but if the night had ended differently, she might have been taken along with Rune. She might have been killed—or worse if Riordan’s men had realized who she was.
The thought was still an icy chill under his skin when his comm unit signaled an incoming call. It was the Darkhaven, Tavia’s private number. He picked up, his greeting tense with stress.
“Sterling.” His mate’s quiet, stricken voice went through him like a shot. “There’s something you need to know . . .”
Rage steamed inside his skull as he listened to her explain the shocking revelation that had just unfolded back home. As he ended the call, he couldn’t bite back his anger. It exploded out of him on a curse and a flash of his fangs. “He’s Riordan’s son.”
“What?” Nathan gaped along with the other warriors.
“The fighter. His name isn’t Rune.” Chase practically spat the words. “It’s Aedan Riordan.”
“Aedan?” Mathias’s mouth pressed flat, recognition flaring in his eyes. “Holy shit. Does Nova know about this?”
“She’s the one who confirmed it just now, when Carys mentioned that’s what Riordan’s men called him tonight. The son of a bitch has been lying to her all along. Using her.”
Chase’s blood boiled with the knowledge that for all these past weeks, his beloved daughter had been in the bastard’s arms. In his bed.
He hadn’t liked that idea even before everything that happened tonight. Now, he seethed with the urge to kill the fighter.
Chase started for the club’s exit, his team falling in behind him. “I need to make Lucan aware of the situation. And I want his understanding that when we find Aedan Riordan, no one takes the bastard out except me.”
CHAPTER 27
Alone in her bedroom, Carys changed clothes for the imminent departure to the Order’s D.C. headquarters. The Chase Darkhaven had been abuzz with preparations for the trip since her father had returned from La Notte with his team and Mathias. Lucan had demanded the presence of the entire Boston command center, Carys included.
She knew it didn’t bode well that her father was avoiding her. He didn’t have to say the words for her to understand that he was furious and disappointed in her.
And there was no mistaking his animosity for Rune—or, rather, Aedan.
Carys was angry and let down too. She was confused and hurt. Heartsick and afraid. Unsure what she should feel, after everything that had happened tonight. The complicated tangle of emotions gnawed at her, leaving her numb.
Bereft.
As she fastened the buttons on her ivory blouse and tucked the hem into her camel-colored pants, a soft knock sounded on her door.
“Carys, may I come in?” Nova’s accented voice was quiet, uncertain on the other side of the panel.
Although she wanted to be alone to process all that had occurred, there was only one person in the Darkhaven who could possibly relate to how she was feeling. Carys walked over and opened the door.
Nova smiled sadly, her light blue eyes dimmed with sympathy. “It’s almost time to go. The jet’s fueling up and everyone’s just about ready to head out.”
Carys nodded. “Tell them I’ll be there in a minute.”
“All right, I will.” Nova hesitated, studying her now. “Actually, I came because I wanted to make sure you were okay.”
“I am,” Carys replied automatically. “Really, I’m fine.”
“No, you’re not.” Nova’s words were gentle. She stepped forward and drew Carys into a warm, totally unexpected, hug.
