“I don’t trust you as far as I could throw you and considering you’re a mammoth lurch, I couldn’t even lift you.”

Mars took no offense to the insult. He cared not what this man thought of him.

However, that did not mean he did not have reason to pause.

He had told his queen that he intended to see to it that her father left her and the family they were going to make in peace.

Therefore, he had no issue on his behalf with her hearing what might come next.

That said, he had grave issues on her behalf of what she might hear, even if he thought that she should hear it and understand precisely what kind of man her father was.

He just did not think that now, after she’d lost her aunt, and all the events of the day, it was the time for it.

“I’m telling you, this is not the time,” Mars said low.

“A pouch of rubies. Chests of emeralds. Chests of coin,” Johan droned. “That was what you said you’d pay me to step out of the life of my daughter.”

Mars glanced at her as she was now walking down the hall, but she stopped when she heard her father’s words.

He also noted that Johan had not realized she was there.

Mars made a decision, and thus, did not share with her father that she was.

He turned fully to the man and crossed his arms on his chest. “I did indeed say this. However, you did not do that. You played with her heart. You tried to undermine our very new marriage and drive us apart. Therefore, you can consider that offer rescinded.”

“I won’t allow you to rescind it,” Johan fired back.

“It is not your choice.”

Mars did not like the look on Johan’s face, or the sneer on his lips, before Johan opened his mouth to speak.

“Johan, stop!”

Mars turned.

Silence turned.

Johan turned.

And all saw Vanka racing up the hall behind Silence toward Mars and Johan.

She shot a nervous look her daughter’s way as she dashed by her and made her husband.

Johan was staring at Silence even as his wife curled both her hands around his arm.

“So now you know he tried to bribe me to keep me out of your life,” Johan said to Silence.

“Johan, it’s been a trying day, let’s just go to bed,” Vanka urged.

Mars narrowed his eyes on Silence’s mother.

“I know it, Father,” Silence replied, and he could tell by her voice she was moving toward them. “Mars told me he was going to do it.”

“And I refused, and you still treated me in the manner you treated me at Cord Cottage?” Johan asked, sounding outraged.

When she was in arm’s reach, Mars reached.

He then tucked his wee wife close to his side and he did this as she said to her father, “I treated you in the manner you were treated at the cottage because you were treating me in a very certain manner at the cottage.”