Chapter 45:
The clubhouse went so quiet I could hear Frost breathing.
Rook stood in the doorway with his hand still on the frame and his face gray and his eyes on Kael.
"How long have you been standing there?" Kael said.
"Long enough."
"Long enough to hear what?"
Rook looked at Frost.
"Long enough to hear him tell you what I did."
Kael walked toward him.
"You told him to keep his mouth shut."
"I did."
"You told him you'd hurt him if he talked."
"I did."
"Why?"
Rook looked at Kael.
"Because I was trying to protect you."
"Don't." Kael's voice was flat. "Don't you dare tell me you were trying to protect me. Not after ten years of lying. Not after ten years of letting me think she left."
Rook stepped into the room.
"I was trying to protect you," he said again. "You were twent
