Talon’s had seemed the perfect place to confront her, but he hadn’t been able to convince himself to bring the matter up. Crossing to the small chest on his desk, he flipped the lid open. Inside lay a lone dagger—their family blade, each brother had one—a faded ribbon that had belonged to his mother, and the mate to the shoe in his hand. He set the slipper beside its match.
So she thought he looked terrifying.
He stripped off his coat and tossed it to the chair. A man didn’t survive the gutters by appearing approachable. Fear was useful. Fear kept knives from slipping into his back, kept enemies second-guessing. Terrifying had kept him alive. Terrifying had kept his brothers alive. But that word from her lips?
Maxen dragged a hand down his face. Perhaps it was absurd being bothered by what she thought of him, when half the town already quaked at his name. Restless, he left his room again and made his way downstairs. He’d go mad if he stayed in his room, next to hers,hunting for any and every sound from that side of the wall.
Knight looked up from his spot behind the bar. “Drink?”
Maxen nodded.
His brother poured him a glass of bourbon and pushed it over.
Reaper sidled over. “Your face is still red, by the by.”
“Say another word and I’ll relocate your jaw.”
Knight raised a brow at them.
Dagger pushed through the entrance. “We’ve got a problem.”
Maxen tipped the content of his glass down his throat in one go. Could a man not get a minute of peace? “What kind?”
“Warehouse in Newhaven. Another fire.”
Maxen stilled. “Ours?”
Dagger nodded.
Damn it.
Knight set out more glasses and filled them.
“Anyone hurt?” Reaper asked grimly.
“Not badly,” Dagger said, snatching up a glass and draining the contents. “Seems to have happened the same time as the Ashford fire.”
Maxen wanted to kill someone. “And the goods?”
“Gone.”
Knight and Reaper cursed.
“I’ve had enough of this damn shite,” Maxen growled. “We’ve been betrayed.”
Dagger’s face turned dark. “Are we riding out?”
Maxen nodded. “Bring Saint. Knight and Reaper stay here. Drake’s with Serpent. We need to keep this ship tight.”
If someone was starting a war, they’d chosen the wrong bloody empire. And if they touched one hair on the woman upstairs...
Well.
They’d see just how terrifying he could be.
Chapter Seventeen
Calliope pushed openthe tavern door, returning from a quick stroll for Prince to do his business.
