“What did you think would happen?”
“I thought you’d beat him to a bloody pulp.”
“If I had the stamina I might have.”
Blakewood chuckled. “I could do it for you.”
“I don’t want things done for me anymore,” Sam muttered. “It’s my life and I want to live it.”
“You are.”
“No, I’m not. Not yet.” Sam knocked on the roof. “To the Den.”
“Aye sir.” The coachmen called out.
Blakewood cursed. “Cards now?”
“No. I’m confronting the Lyon, face to face.”
“You don’t know what she’ll do. We should discuss this. Develop a strategy.”
“It’s not up for discussion. Besides, I know how to play her games, Blakewood. There’s a reason she calls me her favorite. It’s not because I never lose. It’s how I win. She’ll negotiate with me.”
“And if she doesn’t?”
“She will.”
Blakewood sighed.
Sam raised his brows. “She’s but one more opponent.”
“This isn’t a game.”
“To her it is.”
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Evening had setin by the time they reached the Lyon’s Den. When they entered the club, the floor came alive with cheers. And some curses.
Sam just laughed it off, making his way across the gaming floor to the stairs. He could feel her watching, like an owl perched high on a branch, hunting him. Mr. Chase appeared out of the haze of cigar smoke.
“Why am I not surprised to find you here?” Chase said cooly.
“I want to meet with her and discuss alterations to my contract.”
“That wouldn’t be wise.”
Sam shrugged. “Why do you care?”
“I care about the innocent people involved, and I care about honor. I’ve watched many men piss away their fortunes, never once thinking about who they were hurting—mothers, sisters, children. You have a responsibility to protect the people who depend on you. We all make sacrifices.”
“What would you know about honor? You’re no gentleman. You lurk in the shadows and use people for your own ends. Do not lecture me about honor or sacrifice.”
Blakewood came up beside them. “Let’s not do this here.”
Chase turned away. “Follow me.”
They went through a nondescript door, leading away from the boisterous hum of the gambling floor. The change in scene was jarring to the senses. At once they were submerged in a slate blue hall and the style of a proper English house. They came to a sitting room and Chase paused.
