“Have you talked to Ash since we last spoke?” I pulled back to look into his face, needing a distraction. He looked haggard, as if he hadn’t truly slept. I wanted to smooth his brow, but that wasn’t my place.
“Ash came by last night. It didn’t go well.” He pulled me back into his arms, more for himself than me. “I have never seen him this upset before. I hope our friendship isn’t over.”
“Ash is a reasonable man. He will come to terms with it eventually.” I stepped out of his embrace, needing to distance myself so I could think. The situation with Brown muddied the waters. I had come to work with the intention of setting boundaries between us. “The office is a mess. I think I should start cleaning it but I am afraid it won’t be an easy task.”
“I think under the circumstances, it would be best if you didn’t work here anymore.”
Silence hung between us after his quiet pronouncement, the shouting of the crowd adding to my tension. “Why? Because I refused to marry you?”
He whipped his head around, brow lifted in shock before he shook his head. “No, that has nothing to do with my decision. Once the situation with Brown stabilizes, I will be abdicating the title. You will be much better off if you distance yourself from me. I won’t have you risk your safety because of me.”
“You are terminating me?” The tears I’d held at bay threatened to fall in earnest. He was dismissing me and not just from my position. Everything inside me wanted to clutch his arm and beg him to reconsider. I stood my ground. The situation was bigger than the both of us and I had to think about my sisters.
“I am trying to protect you the best way I can. Never fear, I will provide you with six months’ wages and a good reference. The wages might take me some time to gather but I will hurry for your benefit.” His profile to me, he continued to stare outside. “These people are determined. Brown threatened you, and while I will have Ash report it, Brown will be unrelenting in his pursuit of you.”
“Letting him win is not the solution.”Do not cry!“He knows where I live. There is no safe place to go so I might as well stay. Let him try to do his worst.”
“I can’t do that Birdie. We can’t let him win. I will contact Stark and have him send a patrol to your house until I can hire a permanent guard for you.”
“Like a prisoner in my own home.” The joyless smile I cast in his direction echoed the hollow space in my heart. I didn’t want to leave the publishing house or the opportunity he had given me. Pain rushed into my chest and I wanted to drop to my knees and sob. I loved him like I had never loved another and he had no idea.
Because you haven’t told him.
Nor would I ever tell him. I had my pride.
“Hopefully not for long. I am sorry, genuinely sorry.” Moran spun on his heel to face me, sincere regret in his gaze. He lifted his hand and caressed my cheek. “I will distract them while you slip out the back door. It is time I faced Brown head on.”
Holding back a sob, I lifted onto my toes and pressed a bittersweet kiss to his lips. Over the years, I had safeguarded my heart. In the span of a few weeks, he had melted my resolve and burrowed into my soul. I would never forget the magical nights I spent with him. Settling back on my heels, I nodded and tried to force a smile that I was certain came off more as a grimace.
“I would recommend you leave while Brown is otherwise occupied.” Moran grabbed his hat and coat and, after one last look at me, exited the door. “Goodbye Birdie.”
I stood in his office for a breathless moment, sobs sticking in my throat. It was over. Truly over. With a nostalgic last look around, I went down the back stairwell. Emotions roiled through me, an array of regret, love, and fear. Brown’s warning rushed back to me and I quickened my steps. I had two hours until he acted. With the shouts of the protestors burning my ears, I picked up my skirt and ran to Milk Street. I had a lot to do and little time to do it. I might have lost Moran but I still had my family to protect.
Once this was all over, I would have time to reflect. Until then, I had to act.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Inspector Liam Ashton
I stared around the familiar office filled with fellow inspectors seated at their desks, and felt lost. Moran continued to trouble my mind, yet every time I imagined never seeing him again, panic set in.
“Inspector Ashton, Detective Chief Inspector Stark wants to see you in his office,” the clerk told me.
Of course he did. Pushing back my chair, I hit my knee painfully on the desk. With a low curse, I followed him to the office. I had been expecting a summons all morning. Stark and I hadn’t spoken since Moran was arrested. Any minute now I expected my own imminent arrest. If he looked into my situation, he would know how involved I was with Moran. I just prayed he didn’t guess everything.
