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Aidan glanced to his friend’s dark eyes. Of course, he’d known he had something special with Cora, but he believed she was happy as things were. Though he could deal with her feelings for him, without a doubt, he’d have to face his demons first.
Could he survive that?
Did he want to face that pain?
Whatever Dmitri saw cross Aidan’s expression drew his brows together. “Stop punishing yourself, you’re not betraying Lily. She’d want you to be happy.”
Aidan shrugged off Dmitri’s hand. “This isn’t about Lily.” No one understood what he’d suffered and what continued to haunt him. Dmitri had his submissive. “You don’t understand.”
Kyler’s low growl broke through the thick air. “I’ve fucking had enough of this shit.” He gestured toward the dungeon’s door. “Come with me. Now.”
Pushing off the couch, Aidan followed Kyler out of the dungeon, more than happy to get the hell out of the club. He didn’t glance at Cora; one look at her on her knees for another Dom had been more than enough.
Once the dungeon door slammed shut behind Aidan, he growled, “What?”
Kyler pointed, narrowing his eyes. “You don’t get to talk. You only listen.” Aidan pressed his back against the stone wall, and Kyler added, “We all know you had a shit deal and we mourned with you when Lily died. You’re a lucky fool to have had two women that willingly submitted their hearts and bared their souls to you, and what do you do with it? You tarnish Lily’s memory by not being happy.” A fierce glare stormed across Kyler’s face as he thrust his hands into his pockets. “Live the fucking life she would’ve wanted for you.”
Aidan swallowed as the seconds drew out like minutes. “I—”
“I told you to shut the fuck up,” Kyler roared, spittle building in the corner of his mouth. “I get it. You don’t want to betray Lily. Well, guess what, a submissive has fallen in love with you—you idiot.”
A tense moment passed as Kyler’s eyes blazed, then he said through gritted teeth, “Cora admits a truth that she’s buried inside for two years—to protect you, let’s not forget that. Then you crush her when you know she’s cared for you from day fucking one.” He hesitated, his voice sliding into a sneer. “If you dare tell me you’re only friends, I swear what happens next won’t be pretty. That lie has run its course.”
“I’m not going to say that,” Aidan retorted, grateful for the stone wall at his back supporting him. “Knowing we share a connection isn’t the problem.”
Kyler disregarded Aidan, as if he wasn’t standing there and hadn’t spoken. Perhaps Aidan deserved that, too—to feel what Cora had been feeling and to understand what it felt like not being heard.
Jabbing a finger into Aidan’s face, Kyler sucked in a sharp breath. “Cora isn’t only your friend, she’s mine, too. If you’re too wrapped up in your damn head to protect her, then that role falls to me. If you cannot get your shit together, and I mean quickly …” He planted his feet wide, and his skin mottled. “Then back the fuck off.”
Aidan dropped his head. He should, shouldn’t he?
“You did not see her tonight—I did.” Kyler’s voice lost a smidgen of heat. “She’s a submissive who depends on a Dom—a Dom who’s turned his back on her.” Aidan lifted his head, and Kyler’s neck corded. “Stay away from the dungeon and get your shit sorted out.”
The logical choice.
At the moment, Aidan wasn’t thinking with logic. He heaved a sigh. “I need to—”
“You need to do nothing,” Kyler’s fists clenched. “It’s not fucking about you.” He pointed to the dungeon. “It’s about her.” Lifting his chin, looking like a cop deep in an interrogation, he added, “You demanded honesty from her, dug into her life, stirring up shit. Man up and do the same.”
Aidan shut his eyes, ignoring his inability to fill his lungs completely.
“No!” Kyler thumped the wall beside Aidan’s head and roared, “You don’t get to hide.”
Aidan dug his nails into his palms so he wouldn’t shove Kyler. Though how could he fault Kyler for being a good friend and looking out for Cora’s best interests?
He couldn’t.
You deserve his wrath. You broke her.
With that thought alone, he opened his eyes and swallowed his pride. Kyler leaned in nose-to-nose and added, “I don’t give a shit that you’re in love with her but also suffering with guilt. If you can’t face the truth, let her forget about you.” He shifted on his feet, crossing his arms. “For all she’s given you …” He raised his brows. “Yeah, remember what you used to be like? She brought you back from hell and made you smile again.”
“I’ve never forgotten what she’s done for me,” Aidan stated.
“Really?” Kyler snorted. “You sure have a terrific way of showing gratitude.” His lips pressed into a white slash before he snarled, “Figure it out! Or stay the hell out of the dungeon.” He turned on his heels and headed for the door.
When the dungeon door slammed shut behind him, Aidan’s breath startled from his lungs. The loud noise didn’t rattle him; what Kyler muttered before the door shut dropped the floor out from under Aidan.
“You’ve done right by her as her Dom. Now be the man who deserves her.”
