Page 132 of Wedlock

“Angie knew all this?”

“No,” I shake my head as I remember my last conversation with the woman I’d declared I loved, but then threatened with violence,again. Mother had given me much to think about, but I’d spent just as much time examining my own psyche and wondering if Iamthe better man that I claim to be, and if I deserve my wife. I know I don’t. She’s too good for me, always has been. But I want to be better. I need to be better, for her, for our children. My own temperament aside, Mother’s revelations had helped me to understand Angie’s belief that my world was too dangerous for our children — something Jag obviously believed too.

I clear my throat and face the man who continues to protect my wife from me and my world, even though I wish he would fuck off to damnation.

“Angie knew about templates; she knew about my sister. She told me she would never return to me because she feared my mother.”

“With good cause. No wonder she ran,” Jag murmurs.

“Yes,” I sigh. “No wonder Angie ran. But now I know the truth, I can protect her. I can protect….”

“You can’t protect a daughter,” Jag says quietly. “Not from The Families.”

“Then it’s fucking lucky I don’t have one,” I snap. “Two boys are enough. We just won’t have any more children. Easy enough to suggest to the Queen that Angie was hurt during the birth of the twins and can’t bear any more.”

Jag gives me a long, long look. His expression inscrutable.

“What I want to know,” Wolf growls, looking up at us, his eyes welling and all customary humour gone. “Is where is MY fucking sister?”

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I stare down at the carpet and thank goodness he can’t be here to see my expression.

“Everything?” I whisper into the phone.

“That’s everything,” he sighs.

“So, your cunt of a mother planned all along for me to have a baby girl that she could put on the throne to further her and The Free Men’s plans. Choosing me had nothing to do with you loving someone with my blood.”

“It seems like that might have been ten per cent of her reasoning,” Falcon sighs, “but ninety per cent was to furtherher scheme, yes. I believe she told you about my sister and the templates to help prepare you for what was to come.”

“I couldn’t have thought up something so diabolical if my life depended on it,” I moan.

“You don’t need to fear her now, Angie. That’s what I’m trying to tell you. Now that I know her plan, you and the twins can live with me safely. We don’t need any more children.”

“What?”

“If we never have a daughter, we need never fear. I’ve imprisoned Mother. You will be the lady of the castle.

I squeeze my eyes shut, my heart breaking.

“You should help Wolf find his sister,” I whisper.

“Angie? What is it? You sound…”

“I have to go, Falcon. I’m glad you learned the truth about your Mother. I’m glad Wolf knows he’s not insane.”

“Angie, tell me what you’re really thinking, please.”

“You wouldn’t understand…”

“Is it because you want more children? If I abdicate you can have as many as you like…”

“No, no, it’s…this is for the best for you, for me, for everyone. I have to go.”

“I don’t understand. Angie, explain what the fuck is going on.”

I swallow hard.