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“You also look like you’re considering murder.”
“I always look like that.”
“You look worse now.” Cade tightened his hands around the steering wheel. “Everything’s set for when the Harlens arrive.”
My attention shifted fully toward him. “What does that mean?”
“It means you won’t be alone with Lance at any point unless that’s your choice. If he gets near you, one of us will already be there.”
“I don’t need a security detail.”
“No, you need your family to have your back.” Cade glanced at me before returning his eyes to the road. “He’s walking onto our turf this time, Ry. We control the room.”
The quiet certainty in his voice pressed against something inside me I didn’t intend to examine. I dragged one hand across my mouth and forced the anger back before it consumed every other thought in the vehicle.
Lance hadn’t changed. Men like him rarely did because the world rewarded them too well for believing control was leadership. He would enter Oheka Castle with money, influence, and the absolute conviction that every room belonged to him.
Charm would be there too.
The difference was that she no longer belonged to him but I guess I shouldn’t expect a defense now either.
“I’ll let Charm handle her parents,” I said. “If she wants to welcome him, avoid him, confront him, or pretend he’s another decorative gargoyle attached to the castle, that’s her decision.”
Cade glanced at me. “You mean that?”
“I don’t need you to sound surprised.”
“You would have had him on the floor of that study if it wasn’t Charm’s dad.”
“I showed remarkable restraint, I can show it again.”
“This doesn’t go unnoticed, Ry, If it’s any consolation you are the strongest guy I know.”
“Thousands of dollars in therapy to teach me I can’t control shit.”
Cade’s mouth twitched. “Money well spent.”
“I’ll stay out of it unless Lance speaks to me directly. If he does, I’m not promising silence.”
“I wouldn’t ask you to and Bliss wont either.”
“Good.”
“I only need everyone to get through four days without destroying the wedding.”
“I’m not coming to destroy anything.”
“I know.”
The relief in his voice said he hadn’t always known. That hurt more than I expected. I studied the scar running across my knuckles before looking at him. “I’m sorry.”
Cade’s hands remained steady on the wheel. “For what?”
“For making you worry about this.”
“You didn’t.”
“Don’t insult me.”
