“I was just coming to see you. The master would like a word, if you can spare the time.”
Aislynn reluctantly paused. She wanted to decline the offer but since it was worded so nicely, she found herself agreeing. “I did not realize he would be awake. It is probably best if he rests.”
“The Wolf is strong. There is not much that keeps him down for long.”
Aislynn could not dispute that because he had been shot in the chest and was still breathing. However, a lot of his luck had to do with Cordell and his ability to perform such tedious surgery. He was more skilled than many physicians she had encountered, yet he chose to use his talents in other ways because the demons of his past demanded it.
“Miss Sims is here.”
The dark-haired man in the bed cracked open a piercing blue orb. She had not noticed the color of his eyes before and she wasn’t certain why she did so now. Then again, perhaps it was because the shade was unexpected, as he had been grimacing in pain each time they had spoken.
“I understand I have you to thank for the way my head feels.”
She lifted a brow. “Pardon?”
He looked at the three men in the room who had not left his side since he’d been convalescing at Cordell’s house, but now he barked an order. “Leave us.”
Aislynn frowned as the entourage departed. “That did not seem very nice. They have all been greatly concerned over you.”
“They will get over it.” He didn’t appear chastised in the least. He moved to adjust his position on the bed. The coverlet pooled at his waist, leaving his upper chest bare except for a strip of white linen around the midsection.
She crossed her arms, wanting to get this meeting over with as soon as possible. “What can I do for you, Mr. Wolf?”
“It’s just The Wolf,” he countered evenly, and then added, “I wanted to say that I despise laudanum. It is vile and turns the best men into blathering idiots. However, you somehow managed the impossible by coercing me to drink it. How?”
She tilted her head to the side. “You do not remember what I said?” He shook his head. “And your men did not relay the information?”
He snorted. “If they had, do you think I would be asking you?”
“Very well,” she said in the same tone he was using with her. “I said I would suck your cock if you drank it.”
She wasn’t sure what his response would be but the rich chuckle that came from his throat was unexpected. “How very inventive of you to suggest such a thing, and how wonderful of me to accept.”
She wrinkled her nose. “I hope you do not expect me to drop to my knees now. I spoke out in the moment because I do not like to see anyone suffer.”
He offered a slight chuckle. “Should I wish for such a delight, rest assured I would not be able to function to my full extent because of my injuries.” His eyes flashed in a predatory manner. “Given enough recovery time I would be inclined to demand payment, however since it seems I am the one currently indebted to you and Mr. Steele, I am in unfamiliar territory. I wish to offer you some information regarding the death of Miss Avery Flynn.”
Aislynn stilled, her blood abruptly turning to ice in her veins. “The actress who was murdered in Whitechapel?”
“The very same,” he concurred.
“I was not aware you were so familiar with the victim.”
“I knew her only in passing but word travels quickly within the circles of London’s underground. Information is available everywhere so long as you are willing to pay the price for it.”
“And you are?” she countered with a slight lift of her brow. “Why should you be so benevolent?”
He shrugged one shoulder slightly. “As I said, I owe you and Mr. Steele both a debt and since I do not like to have any such concern lingering for long, I hope that this information might be of some use to your investigation to catch the killer.”
“I am grateful for anything you can say that might help, of course. Two of my friends were murdered by this man.”
“I believe you were also the subject of a narrow attack.” Her face must have shown her surprise because he added, “Whether I am currently an invalid or not, I am well informed, Miss Sims. Never forget that.”
She wasn’t sure whether to take that as a promise or a threat. She decided to take it as both. “You can be assured I will not, Wolf.”
As if staying true to his title, his mouth curved upward in a wolfish grin. “You are a quick study, Miss Sims. I have no doubt that, combined with your extraordinary talent on the stage, you shall set all of London on its knees to beg for your favors.”
Aislynn could feel her cheeks heat slightly at his coarse statement but she did not rebuke him for it. “I do appreciate your candor, as well as your faith in me, good sir,” she drawled, sarcasm coating her words. “But if you might offer what you have promised?”
