A Warning

I told Kaiden everything I had learned from Killian, everything Killian's father—Kaiden's uncle—had confessed to. I wished I could have told him more detailed information. I knew that what I told him would open the old wounds and make them bleed even more viciously than before. It was what Yan Hao wanted. He wanted Kaiden to feel hurt and betrayed. He wanted to drive a wedge between us.

“Please don't blame Killian for hiding this from you,” I said softly. “We know only scraps of information, most of them based on rumors or something your uncle shouted out in anger. I'm sure Killian would have told you... but not here, not until we returned to New York.”

Kaiden nodded, his eyes on the floor, studying the fine wood with utmost caution. He drew a deep breath, then exhaled slowly. The silence became unbearable.

“Say something,” I whispered.

His eyes finally landed on mine, and a faint smile appeared. “Thank you for telling me.”

The amount of pain in his eyes and his strangled voice caused