Chapter 261: Lake And Lyn FaceOff

LYN Evening came too quickly. I'd spent the intervening hours trying to prepare myself mentally for the conversation ahead, but nothing could really prepare you for facing your torturer. The memories were too vivid, too visceral----the feeling of restraints cutting into my wrists, the clinical detachment in Lake's young face as he worked, the pain that had seemed endless.     When Rivers knocked on the study door, I was as ready as I'd ever be.   "He's here," Rivers said, his expression carefully neutral. "Riley tried to follow, but I convinced him to stay in his room. That conversation was... not pleasant."     I could imagine. Riley's protective instincts where Lake was concerned were legendary at this point. Separating them must have required every ounce of Rivers' authority as Zade's second.     "Send him in," I said, pleased that my voice didn't shake.     The door opened, and Lake walked through.     He looked smaller than I remembered, more fragile. The coma had left him pale an