Page 131 of Bride By Initiation
I scoff. "Really? For some reason, I think you probably know what happens in mine."
He wrinkles his forehead. "No, I don't, son."
I stay quiet, giving him a challenging look.
He speaks first, announcing, "These are the rules. You and Zara need to memorize them. Your father wrote them. Every law has a reason behind it, and there'll be times when those rules will come into play. It's only then you'll understand why they're there."
"More riddles," I snap.
"Did I do something to you, lad?" he questions.
I just look at him.
He adds, "You seem pissed off at me today."
I think about his question, then I think back on all my interactions with him. I don't have a reason to be upset with Byrne. So, I apologize. "I'm sorry. You just caught me at a bad time."
"Really?" He glances at my towel and back up, grinning. He offers, "Sorry about that. And, lad, enjoy your honeymoon stage while it lasts."
"While it lasts?" I question.
He shrugs. "Sure. Everybody fucks like rabbits at the start, but then life happens, and you slow down."
I puff out my chest, declaring, "My dick's not slowing down."
Amusement fills his greens. He chuckles. "I hope you're the one man who can uphold that statement, son. If you have any questions, let me know." He turns and walks out the door.
I glance at the book. It's black, with the skull and flowers design embossed in gold.
I open it up, thumb through the pages, then close the door.
Zara comes out with a towel around her head and her silk robe on, questioning, "Who was it?"
"Byrne."
She tilts her head. "Who's Byrne?"
My gut dives. I realize I've never talked to her about Byrne. She must not know who he is.
She sighs. "Sean, don't tell me you'll keep things from me. We were both inducted into The Underworld. We don't need secrets between us anymore."
I hesitate.
Her voice turns stern. "Sean, we're married. Out of all the people in the world, you and I cannot have secrets from each other."
She's right, I decide. "Byrne's a man in The Underworld. He claims he was my father's best friend, but my mother doesn't know him."
Zara gapes, then questions, "You asked her?"
I shake my head. "No, but he says she doesn't know, and I shouldn't ask her."
Zara asks, "How do you know he's telling the truth?"
I admit, "I don't."
She bites on her lip, then points at the book. "What is that?"
I sit down at the table and pull a chair out.
