“Yes.”
“No one can know,” Salem warned. “No one can know about her. Pinky made her a ghost.”
Riordan stood and glared at Salem. “Why the fuck would I tell anyone?”
“Well, technically, I worked for a criminal.”
“Because you were threatened,” he said fiercely.
“Yes. I did try my best to protect anyone who was innocent,” she said. “And I tried to give him information that was fairly useless. However, most people won’t see it like that.”
“Most people aren’t me.”
Had he really just said that?
“I knew him, not well as we got older. But I often thought there was something behind the façade and I did nothing. Does that make me an accessory? Maybe. But you were trying to protect people and I’m certain you’re glossing over the worst of it.”
“So you don’t think I’m wicked like him? Because we share blood?” she whispered.
Riordan’s face grew fierce. Almost scary. “Don’t you ever say that about yourself again.”
Alexei stepped between them. “Don’t speak to her like that!”
“Get out of my way!” Riordan snarled.
She stepped between them before things grew more tense.
“Tamsyn,” they both snapped at her.
“You never get between me and someone else,” Alexei scolded.
“He’s right, niece,” Riordan said.
Good Lord.
“I just want to talk to Riordan,” she said to Alexei.
“Uncle Riordan. At least, if you want to call me that,” Riordan said awkwardly. “In private.”
“I’d love that very much,” she whispered.
“Would you also like a hug?” he asked, holding out his arms.
She flew into his embrace, ignoring the growls from Salem and Alexei.
Riordan hugged her and it felt like something that had been missing inside her appeared.
“I would have taken you in,” he whispered. “Had I known, I would have protected you from him.”
“Ditto,” she said.
He let out a surprised laugh. “One day, I want you to tell me it all, okay?”
“But not today.” She just couldn’t tell him it all yet.
“No, not today. Although I do want to talk about what you’re doing getting involved with three men.”
More growls from her men, but she smiled. “They’re good men.”