Page 27 of Keeper of Secrets

Trying to put Chloe out of his mind, he penned a quick note, addressing it to the Summoner.Summoning a footman to deliver the letter immediately to the club.Hopefully, the man would receive it tomorrow.His information on Adam was urgent.

With the task done, he poured himself a whisky, settling by the fire in his study.He stared into the flames, attempting to erase the memories of the evening.Instead, they haunted him.Maybe he could drink the memory of Chloe away.It was worth a shot.

Of course, he risked getting drunk enough to toss his inhibitions away…

A knock at the door interrupted his thoughts.“What?”he barked, wondering who the hell would be knocking at his study this time of night.

The butler entered, tugging at his vest.“There are two men here to see you.”

“Two men?”He stood, his glass thumping on the table.“Who are they?”

“They called themselves the Summoner and the Emperor.”His butler, who rarely showed emotion, furrowed his brow in worry.

But Ryker relaxed.This was the exact sort of distraction he needed.He’d keep his mind on the enemy.“See them in.”

It only occurred to him after the butler was gone that he didn’t have on a mask.Then again, if the Emperor knew where he lived, he knew who Ryker was, but the entire charade seemed to be unraveling rather quickly.

It only took a few moments for the men to enter, the Summoner filling Ryker’s study with his massive frame.Neither man wore a mask, Ryker seeing their faces for the first time.The Summoner had a large scar that cut through one eye while the Emperor, older than Ryker, was still a devastatingly handsome man and decidedly familiar.Ryker might be jealous.“That was quick.”

“We were about to visit when your note arrived.”Emperor pointed to the Summoner.“Max also attended the Whitehouse ball.He was aware of your brush with Adam.”

Ryker did not like being spied on.“You have got to be fucking kidding me.”

“Relax,” the Emperor took the other seat next to the fire.“It was for your protection.”

“Still.”

The Summoner stepped closer, his amber eyes penetrating Ryker.There were very few men he was afraid of but this one… he might be the exception.“Who…” The words came out excessively slow and deliberate.“Was…” And then another pause.“She?”

Ryker’s brows rose.The Summoner talked.“Max have a family name?”

“Why?”

“I’m not divulging personal information without knowing personal information.”

“Winter.”The Emperor raised his hand, waving the question away.“And I am the new Duke of Strongborn.”

Shit.He’d known the Emperor’s older brother.Attended some events with him at the palace.“I am sorry for your loss.”

The Emperor nodded.“Now you know why I plan to retire from the club.Duty and all that.But I’d like this business settled first.Tell us what you learned.”

“Who was she?”Max repeated, stringing the entire sentence together.Was the man slow?When it came to swinging his fists, he seemed intelligent enough.

“No one.”

“Someone,” the Emperor quickly answered.“The Summoner saw you return here with her.Who is she?”

He let out a frustrated rumble.Clearly, these men were keeping an eye on him.“Spying for my benefit, were you?”

“If you wouldn’t mind answering the question.”

“She is not your concern,” he said with his teeth bared, the protective need he felt toward Chloe always just under the surface.

“She’s now involved in all of this, so you ought to answer the question.”Strongborn leaned forward, his gaze piercing into Ryker’s.

He looked down at his desk, trying to control his irritation.But as he drew in a slow, steadying breath, the note on his desk caught his gaze.The seal with no crest.Odd… because in the corner of the folded paper he noticed a small but distinct cross.He blinked twice.How had he missed that?

He’d been distracted.

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