“For useless information?” Austin scoffed.
“No. For protecting Deena. For marrying her when no one else would have touched her with a bargepole. I know what it cost you.” Dominic took a long swig of his brandy, and Austin’s gut twisted uncomfortably with his many secrets.
“It did not cost me anything I was not willing to pay,” Austin said, leaning back in his chair.
Dominic raised a brow. “You sure about that?”
Austin chuckled under his breath. “Yes. But let us talk about the serious matter at hand.”
Dominic’s expression sharpened instantly. “What is it?”
Austin reached into his coat and withdrew the recent note from the blackmailer. The edges were creased from how many times he had opened and closed it since morning. He handed it to Dominic without a word.
Dominic unfolded it, eyes scanning the short, jagged lines of ink.
His jaw tightened. “When did you receive this?”
“Two days before the wedding,” Austin replied. “Delivered by a boy who claimed he was paid to leave it at the door.”
Dominic read it again, voice low and dangerous.
He looked up sharply. “This is a threat.”
“Yes,” Austin said quietly. “Against me. And against Deena.”
Dominic’s fists clenched. “So, the blackmailer is still out there.”
“Yes.”
“And they know you are married.”
“Yes.”
“And they know where you are…where Deena is.”
Austin nodded once.
Dominic swore under his breath. “I should have doubled the guards. I should have?—”
“Dom,” Austin interrupted gently. “You are not responsible for this.”
Dominic rounded on him. “The devil I am not. She is my sister. My blood. And someone is threatening her.”
Austin’s voice softened. “And she is my wife. I will protect her with everything I have.”
Dominic stared at him, chest rising and falling with barely contained fury. “You had better.”
“I swear it. On my title. On my honor. On my life.”
Dominic’s shoulders eased, but only slightly. “What do you think they want?”
“I do not know,” Austin admitted. “Money? Revenge? Chaos? Someone with a grudge against my family? Someone who hates the aristocracy? Someone who hatesme?”
Dominic folded the note carefully, as though it might crumble. “We need to find them.”
“We will,” Austin said. “But until then, Deena must not know.”
Dominic’s head snapped up. “Why not?”
