Page 190 of Severed Heart

“Not like that. It’s as if he became obsessed, and it was only my obedience that kept him quiet.”

“Abel was ... Jesus.” He shakes his head, bewildered.

“The most evil of men.” I nod. “You will one day find out that the longer you play this game, Soldier, how small this world truly is and how few real players there are. But, you’ve already discovered that, haven’t you?”

Another dip of his chin as I sober my expression considerably.

“Tyler, listen to me, I never want Ezekiel to know of his grandfather’s true nature. I never want him to know the evil that exists on his father’s side, of the tainted blood that runs in his veins. Please, promise me you will keep this secret.”

“I promise,” he vows. “Baby, I swear it.”

“And now Ezekiel is playing a dangerous game with Antoine?”

“He’s winning,” Tyler counters. “It’s only a matter of time before it plays out in T’s favor. Dom is already digging into it in France, and he’s not going to let it go. You have to trust us.”

“I will, I do. With everything, you have my trust. And now, sadly, you shoulder this burden with me. But some things are better left undiscovered by those we protect. This is a burden you will carry often in your position.”

“I’m good with it,” he swears, “and I’ve learned from the best,” he relays with a sad smile. “But fuck baby, what you’ve gone through.”

“It’s nothing compared to what you will face. I’m sorry for this for you.”

He gazes at me, his question evident.

“Ask me, Tyler.”

“Why didn’t you kill him, Delphine?”

“As much as I wanted to, as many times as I almost did, my gift is gathering information, deciphering intent, and strategy. So with Alain, that’s what I did. I spent so many years in fear of Abel, finally realizing as each one passed that he was biding his time until Ezekiel grew. But of course, you eventually saved me from that fear, too.”

“You suffered enough.”

“I am tired, Soldier. I know you are curious, and we have much to discuss, but can we maybe talk of this another time?”

“Of course,” he agrees easily.

“Will you stay with me until I sleep?”

He’s instantly on his feet with my request, taking off his shirt while pushing off his boots. A heartbeat later he’s pulling me to fit inside his arms. I run my fingertips along the space between the knuckles of the palm holding me to him as I speak.

“Hear me. I will never think less of you for protecting me or my nephews, Soldier. I will never see you as anything more than a man who saved me,” I whisper. “And you truly have saved me, Tyler, in every way.”

“It’s only fair,” he murmurs, emotion evident in his voice, “because yousaved me first.”

Chapter Fifty-One

TYLER

WHEN DELPHINE HASdrifted into a sound enough sleep, I carefully unwrap myself from her to lock up the house so I can rejoin her and be there when she wakes. Reeling from what transpired today, my need to get back to her hastens my every step. It’s when I reach our front door that I pause, spotting my mother sitting on the lone porch step.

“Mom?” I call softly, walking through the storm door and holding it so it doesn’t snap closed before joining her where she sits. “I thought you left.”

“I couldn’t just yet,” she admits in a tearful voice, wiping her eyes.

Glancing over at the woman who raised me, I track the splotches on her face, stinging at the sight of them while instantly running my palm down her back. “Shit, I’m sorry. I know that had to have taken a toll on you—”

“No, son.” She looks over to me, knuckling more of her tears away. “Makeno mistake,” she sniffs. “These are tears ofpride. Utter pride that I had a hand in raising a man so remarkable...” She shakes her head in incredulity, and I drop my gaze, which she instantly refuses.

“Look at me, Tyler,” she demands adamantly until I do.