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“A rat?” My father scoffs at Ryat “Are you serious? He’s no longer a Lord He’s on the run, been stripped of his title This is passed that Matt has put your wife—hter—in the hospital Why do you think I forced you to choose her in the first place? Huh?” he demands “I didn’t want her near him”

“And he will pay for that,” Ryat growls through gritted teeth

“Or why I didn’t take the e”

I narrow my eyes at Ryat for that one, still a little sour

“I was honored to give Blakely over to you,” he adds, softening his tone

Fuck, they act like I’m not even here

“You knew this whole tiust at his father, who doesn’t deny his words

“Matt needs to be taken down And you still have the opportunity to do that” My father sighs “All you have to do is tell us—”

“I didn’t work this da Lords to losehim

“So, you will risk your wife?” My father shouts in his face

Ryat’s chest rises as he sucks in a deep breath “No” He shakes his head, lowering his voice, and my father smiles, satisfied with his answer “I won’t be like you” His words make the smile fall from Dad’s face “You were the one who chose to keep secrets from Blake You were the one who chose to risk her life by allowing Valerie to continue with the arranged e” He looks him up and doith his lips pulled back “That woman treated her like shit! And you couldn’t be a dahter!” Ryat snorts “And you call yourself a Lord?”

“Listen here!” He gets in Ryat’s face, but my husband doesn’t back down “You don’t knohat I did for my family!”

“I don’t have to” Ryat takes a step back and points at reen eyes find mine “I’m sorry, Blake” My pulse races at the sincerity of his voice Ryat never apologizes “But your father has been lying to you all your life Valerie isn’t your mother”