Page 17 of Keeper of Secrets

But the idea rankled.He was a man who had the best of everything and Chloe… she was the best.

He tied on his mask, pushing his hair back once again as the carriage arrived at the club.He exited his unmarked carriage and took the steps two at a time, then pushed open the door.

The interior immediately calmed him, and he drew in a deep breath of the air, which was infused with the scent of expensive liquor and cigar smoke.This was the place he was most free to be himself.

No facades, no pretense of civility.His shoulders relaxed.It would be much easier if he could just send Chloe away, but as it stood… she seemed to understand what he wished to accomplish.She’d said if they went out together, she’d pretend to be only his charge and not his wife.

He’d send Mildred back to Berkshire, saying he and Chloe needed time together or some such thing.

The plan could still work.He’d pacify his aunt and the King while maintaining the life he enjoyed.Simple.

His thoughts straight, he started down the hall and then up the back stairs to where the members usually met.

He found the Emperor and the Summoner sitting at their meeting table, both men masked.In the corner, the Master also lounged, his legs spread out in front of him.

“Cozy,” Ryker rumbled, taking his usual seat.

The Emperor quirked a brow above his mask.“We heard you played the game well last night.”

Hardly.In fact, he’d lost as badly as a man within their world could.Then again, he was the Keeper of Secrets.What was one more?

“We’re not here to discuss that, are we?”

The Emperor shrugged.“We’re here to discuss all things club related.”

He waited for the man to explain, his curiosity piqued.

“I am reaching an age where I may need to retire.You two,” and the Emperor looked back at the Master, “are our most senior members.I was glad to see you paired last night and I think you might consider an even more meaningful pairing.”

“You’re retiring?”Fuck.This place was as important to him as any other.He’d learned to be a man here when his own father had refused to teach him.But could he take the reins of the club when he was secretly married?

Then again, did he want to leave the club?Allow another man to lead?Ryker always took the best from life.And being the Emperor…

The Master scraped his feet along the floor, the noise echoing through the room.“You don’t look that excited, Keeper.”

Ryker rumbled deep in his throat.“I’m wearing a mask.How would you know?”

“Because I saw you excited… also in a mask, last night.”He tapped the Emperor.“You should have seen the lady he caught.Stunning.”

His teeth gnashed together, wanting to tell the other man to shut up.“That was different.”

“We all love the thrill of the chase.”The Master chuckled.“But I’ve seen you on the hunt before and I’ve never seen you so enthralled.”

“What are you trying to say?”

“Maybe you want to retire too.”The Master gave him the falsest smile he’d ever seen.

“Fuck off and mind your own damn business.”

The Master didn’t look the least bit put out.“Did you get her name?Is she from a good family?I told you I was interested.But if her father is powerful enough, perhaps the Emperor might like an introduction.You are in the market for a bride, aren’t you, Emperor?She really was exceptional.”

A snarl pulled from his lips.“I don’t share.”And besides, he knew what the Master was doing.He was trying to remove Ryker from the club so that he could take over leadership himself.

The Master let out another chuckle.“This is the man you want me to partner with?Charmed, I’m sure.”

The Emperor looked from one to the other.“Perhaps we should discuss my possible retirement later.I can see there are some details to work out, yet.”He cleared his throat.“Our other topic is the unfortunate incident outside our doors.”

Ryker’s gaze narrowed.“Are the two related?You leaving and the murder?”Ryker asked, knowing that the Master had riled him, and he was being churlish.But he’d had enough bullshit for one day.And besides, he didn’t want leadership of the club if he was just going to inherit a very large problem.

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