Morton nodded.
Lance leaned forward, elbows on his knees, hands clasped in front of him. His head drooped, and he sat silent for a full minute. “I’ve allowed myself not to see what’s in front of me for far too long. I let others tell me I was too young, that I didn’t need to know, that it would be safer this way.” He raised his head to look at me. “But it’s almost cost me everything I hold dear.”
He took a deep breath, let it out. “I love Gardena, Mrs. Spadros, more than anything. And I love her little son. I want to marry her." He rubbed his face with his hands. "I want to be the father that fate has made it impossible for your husband to be. But I want none of it unless I can keep her safe and make my men accept Roland as their heir.” He glanced away. “It’s getting harder and harder ea
