She couldn’t argue with that. “Very well. But you must not make it obvious. Stay to the shadows and I must insist we arrive separately.”
He inclined his head. “You may not believe this of me, Miss Sims, but I am capable of intrigue when it suits my purpose.”
Aislynn found that cryptic reply rather fascinating, but she did not remark upon it as he took his leave shortly thereafter with the promise to return near the midnight hour.
Mary soon rejoined her. “Are ye going to tell me what ye had to discuss with Lord Alton now?”
“Later,” Aislynn hedged. “But I promise that it was nothing that would betray Cordell’s trust, if that is what you are wondering.”
“I know ye are not that naïve,” Mary returned with a lifted brow. “Because Cord makes a loyal ally but an even darker enemy.”
Aislynn shuddered, but strangely enough, it wasn’t from fear. She had confidence that Cordell would not hurt her. It was the possessive flare she recalled from his dark gaze that swept over her with a fiery passion.
She could not wait until the moment she saw it burst to life again.
Cordell was determined to tear London apart brick by bloody brick if needed. He was going to discover who was responsible for the latest terror or die trying. A lack of sleep or food did not deter him. Instead, it seemed to fan the flames of determination within him. He was weary of waiting for this scoundrel to make a misstep or leave a clue behind that would point an accusing finger in his direction.
Enough was enough.
While there were not many men who dared to invade the Wolf’s Pack in their own territory, Cordell was past the point of giving a damn. He wanted this nightmare to end so that he didn’t have to worry about Aislynn. It had cut him to the quick when she’d sent him away rather than confide her troubles to him. To preserve his sanity, he kept reminding himself that she must have thought there was no other option. It was the reason he strode into the heart of the Pack’s den in the deepest bowels of London’s notorious underground in search of the one man who might be able to put an end to it all.
Cordell turned a corner and found himself slammed against the side of a brick wall in the middle of a dank alleyway. “And where do ye think ye’ll be goin,’ gent?” The man spit a stream of tobacco juice that came perilously close to splashing on Cordell’s boots. “Seems to me ye’re in the wrong part o’ town. It costs a heavy purse to pass through these streets at this time o’ night.”
Cordell offered a smirk. “I seem to have misplaced the last of my coin.”
A knife was brought up against his neck. “Then perhaps ye misplaced that blue blood in yer veins.”
“My blood is not any more blue than yours,” Cordell returned with a laugh. “However, since I do not have the time to teach you a proper lesson in manners and comportment, this will have to do.”
His arm shot out and caught the assailant in the center of his throat. While he was gasping for air and trying to recover from the blow, Cordell followed up with a fist straight to the man’s jaw and then a roundhouse kick to his solar plexus which effectively had him doubled over in pain on the ground, writhing in agony and gasping for his next breath.
“I doubt he learned his lesson. Always was an unsavory sort.”
Cordell spun around to face the newcomer. The silhouette was standing a short distance away, a puff of white smoke emitting from a cheroot. He could smell the sweet scent moments before a chuckle resounded through the air.
“If you wanted an audience, Steele, you should have just requested one.”
Another shadow appeared behind Cordell but he relaxed when he realized he wasn’t going to be attacked. Instead, the members of the Wolf’s loyal Pack followed behind him as their leader led the way.
It didn’t take long before they were walking in the side of a slightly dilapidated building. The Wolf sat down at a crude wooden table in the midst of a single, flickering lantern, the dim light casting ominous shadows all around. “Have a seat.” He gestured to the only other chair present.
Cordell noticed that the Wolf lowered his weight with a slight wince. “Are you still free from infection?” he asked bluntly.
“For now,” the man returned with a flash of his teeth. “But we will see how long the Reaper intends to keep his distance. He has been thwarted too many times. His patience might be at an end.” He leaned back and flicked the ashes from his cheroot to the dirty wood floor. “But I doubt you came all this way to inquire about my health. Have you decided to call in your favor this soon?”
Cordell could sense the three members of the Pack hanging nearby but they kept a respectful distance as they conversed with their master. He had no doubt that should he act out of character, he would be swiftly dealt with and there would be no second thoughts or hesitation involved. “I need to know who is responsible for the theatre murders.”
“Straight to the point,” his companion muttered. “And here I thought you were a bit more subtle than that.”
“I do not have the luxury of time or patience,” Cordell said firmly. “There is too much at stake.”
“Ah, yes. Of course. Miss Sims.” The dark head tilted slightly. “I find it fascinating that you could imagine yourself in love with her in such a short acquaintance. Has it even been a week since you were known to each other?”
Cordell clenched his jaw. “I did not mention love but what does time matter if one’s heart is engaged?”
“That is a valid point,” the Wolf replied with a deep inhale. As he released it just as slowly, his focus fell to the table. “I always wondered if my existence might have been altered by that of a strong, courageous woman like Miss Sims.” His eyes flashed. “You are a fortunate man, Steele. I hope that you do not take her favors for granted.”
“I would never presume to do so,” he snapped. “Whatever you may think of me, I am not the monster that everyone is waiting for me to be. True, I used to believe that I could become that man, but no longer. Aislynn is helping me to realize that people do not have to be defined by their past.” He hesitated. “Perhaps it is a lesson that you could learn as well.”
