“Blackmail is more your method, Viper, not mine. And in case you missed it before, I said I love her. Do you honestly think I would betray her, knowing what they would do to her?”

“I think there is little you wouldn’t do for the sake of your precious honor and knightly code.”

Alex stiffened; MacRuairi always knew how to strike where it hurt. But the other man was right. Protecting her would not come without compromising Alex’s honor and beliefs. He’d already lied for her, and he would have to do so again, forsaking his duty to Edward to ensure no one discovered what he had. He didn’t like it, but he would do whatever he had to to keep her safe. “Her secret is safe. But it’s over, Viper. Joan is done—the Ghost has provided her last intelligence. Find someone else to do your dirty work.”

MacRuairi eyed him with something like amusement. “Fine by me if that’s what Joan wants. I told you before, I was never a party to any of this. It was all her idea.” He paused. “I assume you’ve explained this to her?”

The bastard knew very well that he hadn’t. “She will agree. She will be my wife as soon as I return.”

“Not if I have anything to say about it,” MacRuairi said coldly. “But you have a lot to learn about wives if you think that will be enough. And don’t you mean if you return?”

Alex didn’t mistake the threat. “If you want to try to kill me you’ll have your chance in a few days—assuming you take the field like a knight. But that isn’t your way, is it? You’ve always been a pirate.”

MacRuairi held his stare, and for one moment, Alex thought he saw something in his gaze. A flicker of emotion, of betrayal, and maybe of hurt. Right—as if an emotion like that were possible from Lachlan MacRuairi.

“You’ve always tried to make it so simple, Seton. But you never understood shite. Not everything is black and white. We all do what needs to be done when the time comes—even you. Like turning your back on people who trusted you.” MacRuairi just stared at him, the accusation gleaming in his eyes. “How the fuck could you just leave like that? After everything we’d been through?”

Alex gritted his teeth, the words striking deeper and harder than he wanted. “Why the hell are you acting like you care? You made it clear from the beginning that I didn’t belong.”

“Aye, well I was wrong. You were one of us. You were the only one who never saw that.”