Page 56 of Keeper of Secrets

“You didn’t retire?”

“No,” Ironheart shook his head.

Chloe gasped.“You were with him that first night when you kissed me.”

Ironheart bowed.“I was, Your Grace, and may I say, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you.I tried to convince your husband to make the introduction, but he was… resistant.”

Chloe’s brows rose as she looked at Ryker.Had he been that possessive from the very beginning?

“What do you want?”Ryker asked, his teeth gritted around the words.

Ironheart cleared his throat.“Just a moment of your time.”

Ryker looked at her and she nodded.Much as she’d like to know what Ironheart wished to say, she understood this was a private word.And Ryker would tell her later.

With that in mind, she let him hand her into the carriage.

* * *

Ryker looked back at Ironheart,irritated as all hell.This was his wedding.“What’s so fucking important, Master, that you are here?”

But Ironheart winced, his charismatic smile slipping from his lips.“There’s been another murder.”

Ryker felt his heart drop.“Adam?”

“We think so.It was exactly the same as the last but knowing that he’s part of an order makes it more difficult to tease out.”

Ryker let out a string of curses.

“Either way, be careful as you travel.Bring extra men.Keep that bride safe and keep her tucked in the country.”

But for the first time, Ryker was worried about the men he was leaving behind.“You are now only nine.How do you plan to stand against them?”

“Strongborn will be in touch, but several men in the Order are part of Strongborn’s investments and more than a few of them part of yours.I believe Storngborn plans to use completely legal means to press them to leave the order and weaken their roster.”

It was an excellent plan.“I’ll help however I can.”

“I know.”And then Ironheart smiled.“What you lack in personality, you’ve always made up in commitment and competence.Keep that in mind in your marriage.You’ll surely infuriate her more than once but stay true to the marriage and she’ll forgive your shit personality.”

Ryker chuckled.“Truer words.Now that I’m leaving, I might actually like you.”

“Don’t be too effusive.”Ironheart laughed too.“And we’ll see each other again.I’ll take you up on that invitation in another decade or so.”

Ryker really laughed then.Because little did Ironheart understand, love would surely come for him too, and the timing was never convenient.

But that was for Ironheart to learn.Because Ryker had a bride to protect, honor, and cherish and he was very eager to start.