“I have not, which suggests it is moored outside London, or he has another,” Ash added. “I have been searching for the crew also, as has Baron.”
“I have enough for now, Mr. Charlton. Mr. Brown and I will begin our investigations immediately.” Mr. Spriggot rose.
Ash left with Max on his heels. He stepped out into the crisp air and inhaled. Max stood silently at his side.
“I was chained to a post in the water for several hours. It’s not something I’ve ever forgotten, so I have a small window into how you suffered, but only a small one,” Max said.
“I lived in hell,” Ash whispered.
“I know, but now it is time to heal. Come, we will get pies.” Max clapped a hand on his shoulder.
“You are a man who is reasonable. A man who will protect his family no matter what it takes, Max. You must see that associating with me is not healthy for you and yours.”
“You are ours, and as such we will look out for you no matter what it takes. You also need to know that we have a vast network of friends and associates who are both powerful and wealthy. Should you walk away from us, James, Dev, and the rest of us will still watch over you in whatever form that takes. Besides, you now know what the Sinclairs can do. We have to keep an eye on you.”
“I would never speak of that.”
“I know, that was my poor attempt at humor.”
“Max, see reason in this.” The breath hissed out of Ash’s mouth.
“You cared for a village when you knew no one who lived in it. You came to the aid of Dorrie when we could not. You are brother to Gus, and our cousin. It is done, Ash. Stop fighting; it is not a battle you will win. We know you are a good man. Perhaps it is time you understood that also.”
He found himself walking along the street beside his cousin while those words whirled around inside his head.
We know you are a good man. Perhaps it is time you understood that also.
“He is coming for me, Max, and I will have no one in his way when that time arrives.”
“We will not allow it to happen.”
He sounded so sure, and yet Ash did not have his confidence. Radcliff was a man who killed without a thought. He stole and manipulated. He’d destroyed Ash’s life and cared nothing for it. And now he was here in London, likely because his father had told the man where to find him.
Everything inside him told Ash the end was coming. He just wasn’t sure who would be left standing when that time came.
CHAPTERTWENTY-FIVE
Dorrie was seated on a blanket with her notebook in the park not far from her home, busy making a list of places they needed to visit to help track down a client’s missing artwork.
“Do you still dislike Miss Nightingale, Somer?” She looked at her sister, who lounged beside her, legs stretched out before her, reading a file that Mr. Brown had dropped to them. Often he and Mr. Spriggot handed over any cases they felt the Sinclair siblings could help them with.
“No. I think she was hiding her true self, as many of us do when we walk in society.”
Children shrieked and adults chatted around them. Most of the family was here, and those that weren’t were straggling in. They were having a picnic. A loud, noisy picnic for Merry’s birthday. Dorrie and Somer had just had a robust game of tag, and she was still attempting to calm her breathing.
Life had slipped back into its routine now the family had returned to London. So much had changed inside Dorrie, and yet she still outwardly looked the same.
When she thought about Ash and what they’d shared, she felt warm all over. Their lovemaking would be something she’d always treasure. The heartache was something that would ease. He’d promised her nothing, so she could not be angry with him for that.
She could, however, be angry with him for not saying goodbye. Dorrie knew Gus, like her, was hurting, but she could not speak with him about it, as questions would rise as to why she was upset over Ash’s departure. When her family latched onto something they held it tight and discussed it until all the facts were dragged from whoever was withholding them. She did not want that.
“Did something happen between you and Ash, Dorrie?”
“I beg your pardon?” Had she been speaking out loud?
“I have sensed since you returned from Crunston Cliff, after you were harmed by that man whose name I shall never speak again, that you are conflicted.”
She had wanted to speak to Somer about Ash, and yet was unsure how to, as she had no wish for her twin to discuss the matter with Gus.
