He set his dog on the ground, and the animal headed for Glory like a furry bullet. Beauregard bounced on his hind legs, and crouching, Glory petted him, giggling when he bowled her over, licking her face. Scott watched on with a speculative expression that coiled Wei’s insides.
Scott unfolded himself from his chair, strode to a cabinet, and poured himself a drink. When he held up the bottle of amber liquid, Wei shook his head. And with added emphasis when Scott pointed the bottle at Glory, who was busy playing with Beauregard as if they weren’t in the middle of a perilous negotiation.
Scott took a sip of his drink. “You have proof, I presume, that one of my men is behind the theft of these dogs?”
“Yes,” Wei said. “We followed him to a pet shop. The owner of the shop is paying off his debts to your man by holding the dogs. We rescued Sir Barkley from a cage crammed with dozens of other animals and have since reunited him with his owner. If you question the shopkeeper, he will tell you everything.”
“I plan to.” Scott’s tone suggested the questioning would not be pleasant. “And now you will tell me who is the supposed mastermind behind this vile scheme.”
Wei went with his gut instinct. “Bryant.”
Surprise flashed across Scott’s face, followed by the shadow of wrath.
“And he stashes the dogs at Eady’s Pet Emporium in Chelsea,” Glory added.
“I see.” Scott tossed back the rest of his glass. “If I discover that you are lying—”
“We aren’t.” Giving the dog one last pet, Glory rose and dusted herself off. “Do you recall the charm on Beauregard’s collar?”
“The one that went missing…” Scott’s eyebrows elevated. “Or was stolen.”
“Is it stealing to take back something that was stolen?” Glory asked ingeniously. “You see, Wolf, Sir Barkley’s owner commissioned that charm for him. When I showed it to her, she verified that it was indeed the item he is wearing in this miniature.”
Removing the small portrait of Sir Barkley from an inner pocket, Glory held it out to Scott.
The gang leader took it, staring at it for long moments.
“Bryant is going to pay for this,” he said tightly. “The bugger had the bollocks to give me that charm as a gift for Beauregard. He must have been laughing behind my bloody back.”
“I am sorry your friend betrayed you,” Glory said quietly.
Her empathy seemed to take Scott aback.
“Not as sorry as Bryant is going to be,” he vowed. “While the Fancy has engaged in its share of infamy, I made it clear when I took over that there were rules. Women, children, and animals were never to be harmed. Every single venture required my stamp of approval.” His eyes flashed with an emotion Wei knew well. “Bryant broke both those rules, and by God, he will answer for it.”
As if sensing his owner’s ill-temper, Beauregard scampered over. Scott scooped him up, holding the dog against his chest as he stared into the distance. Perhaps contemplating Bryant’s fate…but that was not Wei’s concern.
“We have upheld our end of the bargain,” he said.
After a moment, Scott expelled a breath. “The man with the tattoo like mine. What do you want with him?”
“That is my business.” Years of training went into Wei’s composure. “What I will say is that your friend has done grievous harm, and you cannot protect him from the consequences.”
“He is no friend of mine.”
Intrigued by the disgust in Scott’s voice, Wei asked, “Then why are you protecting him?”
“I am not. Protecting him, that is.” A muscle stood out along Scott’s jaw. “The man you’re looking for is named Leonard Kray.”
Leonard Kray. Wei’s breathing turned shallow, triumph and hatred swirling as he learned his enemy’s name at long last.
He felt a small hand slip into his. Glory looked at him with wide, concerned eyes. He squeezed her fingers, reassuring her that he was all right.
“Kray is a twisted, murderous bastard. He deserves to sow whatever he reaped,” Scott said.
“Then tell me where he is,” Wei demanded.
“I don’t know. Haven’t seen the bugger in years. And before you ask me how I knew him, let me echo your earlier sentiment: that is my business. If you push me on this, I will end this discussion here and now.”
