Ryan must have read my face, every shock and crack in my expression, because his voice cut through my spiraling thoughts with a steady edge.
“You were used far more than you realize,” he said firmly. “You’ve been the target for longer than any of us knew—right under our noses. And now we’re clearing your name with every ounce of power we have, Michail. This so-called friend of yours is hiding something. Because I never gave the order for her mate to kill Doniel. Yet in the recordings from your divorce hearings, that claim came up again and again. I’ve looked into everything about the two of you. I know you’re done with him—that makes it easier for me. But what we need to know now… is why he’s making accusations that never happened.”
His words were sharp, clear, undeniable. My stomach twi
