"You know perfectly well how," Adam replied. Ronan couldn't lie, but he could. If it was necessary. If it kept him alive.

"I've always been the only one who could persuade him to anything, aside from your father. I know him better than anyone else. You can tell me what you need, I'll tell you what he can accept, and I can persuade him to agree to your terms."

I want you to leave him alone. I want you to stop upsetting him. I want him to be happy. I want him to be free.

Adam forced himself to relax in the chair, sitting like one of the indolent young nobleman. As though he was someone who had power.