But not when it mattered. Not when it came to them.
Her gaze dropped, and she traced a line down one of the empty bags. “I didn’t… Not everything was a lie, Ryker.”
Hearing her speak his name used to bring him joy, but now it just caused twin cords of hurt and anger to twist through him.
“But you did lie.” The words came out harsh and cold, like the ice he wished he could freeze in place around his broken heart.
Silver lined her eyes as she opened and closed her mouth.
The lack of denial was admission enough.
“I don’t want to do this right now.” He picked up his coffee, his movements so jerky that the liquid splashed over the side. He wiped the mess with a rag before throwing it in the sink. “Are you still hungry?”
A long moment passed before she said, “No, I’m fine.”
“Okay.”
“Thank you for the blood. You didn’t… have to do that. You didn’t have to do any of this.” She fiddled with her sleeve. “You could’ve… but you didn’t. So, thank you.”
Ryker didn’t want her gratitude. He didn’t want to be her jailer. He didn’t want to be risking his job for this ridiculous plan.
By the gods, he didn’t want any of this.
He wanted a wife that he could love, a life partner, the woman he’d Chosen. For a few days, he’d had that, and it had been fucking good.
Now, it was gone. Destroyed. They were reduced to this. Whatever it was.
Grunting, Ryker strode past Brynleigh, making sure not to touch her. He couldn’t deal with that right now.
The living room wasn’t exactly filled with furniture. Other than the couch where he’d slept, there were two uncomfortable-looking armchairs and a circular blue rug that had seen better days.
Choosing an inevitable sore back rather than dealing with the awkwardness of sitting beside Brynleigh, Ryker settled into the armchair on the right. Keeping his feet flat on the ground, he pulled the small black box out of his back pocket as she approached him.
She sat in the other armchair, her hair covering her face as she stared at the floor.
Awkwardness settled over them both, and minutes dragged on in terrible silence.
Every beat of Ryker’s heart was too loud, and every breath was too disruptive. The ring on his left hand was the heaviest of weights. He wasn’t sure why he still wore it, but it felt like it was dragging him into the ground.
Maybe he should have asked Nikhail to stay. Maybe he should’ve let his anger out. Maybe he never should’ve made the deal.
Eventually, the silence grew unbearable. Ryker put his now-lukewarm coffee on the small table between them and lifted his gaze.
“You must be wondering why you’re no longer in the Pit.”
Thatgot her attention.
Her head snapped up, and her eyes sharpened. “I suppose I have you to thank for that?”
“You do.” He twisted his wedding ring. “But your freedom comes at a price.”
CHAPTER 4
The Cost of Freedom
Brynleigh wasn’t surprised that her freedom had a price tag. Nothing in this world was free, especially for someone who had the misfortune of not being a Representative.
It wouldn’t surprise her if, one day, even the air they breathed was taxed. Nothing was sacred in this world where golden veneer hid the cracks of darkness, despair, and death.