Page 87 of Tangled Fates

“I agree with Soren,” Ryder agreed. “Trust the cat”.

“I would never do anything to hurt her,” Tay growled looking at Loki.

“Just manipulating her and emotionally abusing her for your own gain,” Soren sneered.

“Fuck you. You don’t know shit about me,” Tay snarled. “I did what I had to protect her.”

Loki hissed in my arms again growling loudly.

“We all know your reputation, Taylin. Dark prince of the ocean,” Ryder said, squatting next to him. “The only other pirate more feared than you is Merrick, and I hear you have ruled the seas together for centuries. The perfect duo, along with the sea king. The perfect trifecta to rule the ocean.”

I knew Tay was powerful and he was feared among his men, but to hear it from Ryder made it all seem more daunting.

“I knew Merrick had a tie to Oria, I just didn’t realize how close he was to the source,” Gray added. “So, don’t play the innocent card because you had a stake in the production. It was in your best interest to keep her here, making the vials for you.”

My blood ran cold.

“I had to be that person. If I didn’t, think about what could have happened to her,” Tay clipped. “If I had to be a monster to protect her, then so fucking be it. You think Laima cares what kind of man is with Ria? She could care less who ended up with her because at the end of the day the only real bad guy is Laima.”

“Oh Taylin, you don’t know who the real monsters are,” Soren laughed.

“Two vampires and a shifter?” Tay laughed. “You aren’t even on my radar.”

“Says the man who was bested by a wolf and two vampires,” Ryder taunted.

“If Ria hadn’t hit me with a potion, you’d be dead.” Tay's cold voice made me worry.

“Well, too bad the woman you love fucked up your plan.” Ryder punched him in the face. “At the end of the day three monsters are better than one. Why don’t you sit down and let us handle her safety.”

“Three monsters won’t do shit for Laima. She could have us all killed in a moment,” Tay said, with a hint of fear in his voice.

“Then, if you really love her, you’d help us save her,” Gray said.

Tay looked at me. My emotions were raw, but I still felt something for him.

“Ok, I’ll help, but she decides if I stay or I go.”

31

SOREN

After Tay’s confession, Blondie’s emotions were all over the place. Her sadness gutted me. It took everything I had in me not to slice his head off and serve it on a platter for her. I knew she might be more upset if I did it, but if a head on a platter doesn’t say I love you, then I don’t know what would.

He used her even though he was trying to say Laima put him up to it. Something didn’t add up. He was leaving something out and why the hell would a powerful witch like Laima save his ass at sea? They were partnered up more than he was letting on and as much as I wanted to know the truth, we needed to get the hell out of here.

“I don’t trust you, Tay,” she said, her voice full of hurt, as her sadness cut through me again.

“But you trust them?” He sneered at us.

“They are my mates. Why is that so hard for you to believe? Am I not worthy of having a mate? Am I not worthy of love and happiness?”

He pursed his lips. “No, Ria, you deserve all the love you can get. I just think it's suspicious they came in when Laima was gone.”

“It was fate,” I intervened.

“Sure, call it whatever you want, but you still came for Oria, right?” He smirked like he had won.

“Yes, we came for vials because a friend needed it. The supply has been dried up and we were desperate,” Gray spoke.

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