“Let me go, or I’ll make a scene.” I breathed.
“We aren’t done here.” James snapped.
He crushed my hand in his, and this time it was more of a yelp. The pain was sharp and crushing all at once. His eyes flashed, and I saw him for what he was. A sadist who enjoyed inflicting pain on others. Everything Oscar said he was when he first discovered his unfaithfulness.
“You are pathetic.” I hissed. “You can break my hand right now, but everyone will see you for what you are.”
He blinked, uncertainty creeping into his blind anger. Just when I thought the demon inside him would win out, he went perfectly still. I looked up, and Bash’s hand was pressed hard against James’s shoulder.
“Let her go,” he ordered, and I knew that tone.
That was Captain Sebastian Flynn, and failure to comply usually ended in bloodshed.
Despite the pain in my hand, I knew everyone's eyes were on us. Even the couples dancing were fixated on what happened next.
So I smiled sweetly up at the man who once held my heart.
“James, I haven’t had a chance to introduce you to my fiancé, Mr. Edward Smith.”
His grip on my hand loosened, and his mouth fell open. Gasps erupted from nearby, but by far the most surprised was that of my new fiancé, who met my eyes and let loose a long sigh.
I beamed up at him as any adoring fiancée would, and I could practically hear him saying my name the way only he could.
I’d intended to inform him of this part of my scheme, but time was cruel, and there was never enough.
Silence permeated the air around us, and it felt like it was impossible to take the next breath as I waited for what came after.
Bash met my eyes, and without any hesitation or resentment, he spoke the words that melted whatever my cold heart had become.
“Step away from my fiancée or I will end your miserable life right here,” he said.
His eyes bore into mine, and I swore I died a thousand beautiful deaths. In that moment, I knew in this game we were playing, I’d won. Captain or gentleman, he would follow me to the ends of the earth.
Chapter eighteen
Hollow
Bash
A life spent chasing revenge is a cup that never fills. You drink and drink, and still the hollow remains.
— The Mysterious Deep: A Comprehensive Understanding
It was almost a shame that James Allan did as I instructed him to. Every minute his heart continued to beat was a travesty. The world would improve dramatically upon his death. He looked from me to Rose, and for a second, I thought he would reveal who he truly was. He could put on as many nice clothes and style his hair just so, but he was worse than the sea monsters he hunted.
“You are making a mistake,” he said to Rose.
My fiance, apparently. Seas, just when I thought I was caught up to her scheming, she threw another punch. We would have words about it later, but for now, I’d be whatever the fuck she needed me to be.
Rose, with all her fire, tilted her head and ran her eyes over James Allan slowly, up and down. I might have been jealous except there was no desire in her appraisal, only amused contempt.
“No, I’m not,” she said.
This was who Rose was always meant to be. In her element, she was a fearsome creature. More beautiful and intoxicating than I could have imagined. Even if her scheming was problematic, I would always be grateful for the chance to see her this way.
She threaded her arm through mine, and I let myself feel the warmth of her. After months of trying not to think about her, she filled my head like a siren song. Her lavender smell, her warmth, the sound of her breath. I was a man starved, and having her this close was a special kind of torture worse than anything I endured in Newgate.
“Engaged?” A young blond woman asked, her voice slightly high.
