Page 99 of A Tempest of Shadows

Instead, I was terrified of being one more in a long line of disappointments for him. That was worse than death.

I loved him so much and hated lying to him, but if I told him the truth, I’d lose him… I couldn’t think about it.

Drawing my head down, he kissed me again as a knock sounded on the door in the sitting area.

“Milord?” a voice called. “Milord, are you in?”

Ryker groaned as he released me, and his head fell back. “Yes, now go away.”

He waited a few seconds to make sure no one knocked again before resuming our kiss. Our tongues had just entwined when a key clicked in the lock, and another noise came from the other room.

Ryker tore his mouth away from mine, pulled the blankets around my shoulders, and slid from the bed so fast I barely saw him move before he was on his feet. “I said to go away.”

His growled words caused the hair on my nape to rise. I felt sorry for whoever had unlocked that door as, heedless of his nudity, Ryker stalked forward.

When a man stepped into view, my gaze clashed with the duke’s, and my jaw nearly unhinged. I kept the blankets against my chest as I debated sliding lower in the bed, but I refused to cower from the man who had so ruthlessly beaten his son and torn his mother away from him.

CHAPTER EIGHTY-FOUR

Ellery

Disgust filled the duke’s pale green eyes as they raked over me. I could feel how little he thought of me, but from the night he spent at our manor, I already knew he considered me lesser than him.

The duke’s mouth quirked into a cruel smile before Ryker stepped into the doorway, braced his feet apart, and blocked his father’s view of me. Free from the duke’s repulse-filled gaze, a shiver ran down my spine as uneasiness crept in.

That man would not tolerate me in his son’s bed.

“So you are home,” the duke stated.

“Why are you here?” Ryker demanded.

“I haven’t seen you in weeks, and I’ve been curious as to why; now, I know.”

I caught a glimpse of his head as he tried to look at me over Ryker’s shoulder, but Ryker shifted to keep me blocked.

“Who’s the whore?” the duke inquired.

I kept my face impassive while inwardly wincing at the word.

“Watch what you say,” Ryker snarled.

“Who do you think you’re talking to?” the duke demanded in a tone that probably sent his servants scampering.

“I’m talking to you, and I didn’t invite you into my apartment.”

A tense silence followed; my heart beat faster, and I looked longingly at my discarded pants and shirt. I would give anything to have my clothes right now, but I was afraid that if I moved, I’d put myself into the duke’s view again.

However, I felt completely vulnerable and wanted to leave. I shouldn’t be here for this.

“We have things we must discuss,” the duke stated.

“I’m busy right now.”

I didn’t hear the duke’s response as Ryker stepped from the room and quietly closed the door behind him. Once it shut, I scrambled from the bed and gathered my clothes as from the other side of the door, their voices became an angry rumble.

Tugging my pants on, I buttoned them before pulling my shirt over my head. I shoved my bra and underwear into my pants pocket; I’d deal with them later.

What were you thinking coming here? You don’t belong here!