“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Sam said again, his jaw tight. “Orwhoyou’re talking about.”
“You know I’m talking about Rose.” They were still nose to nose. “She told Sadie she was coming here.”
I tried not to breathe or draw any attention as I stood next to the cookstove. Was Rose the woman Sam had in the shed last night? The one I’d seen and heard? When Bill had broken in, he’d told Sam he was looking for Rosie.
“I know she’s here.” Jim pulled back, squinting. “And I’m going to find her.”
“Get off my property.” Sam filled his chest with air. “Rose isn’there, and you’re wasting your time. If you or any of your cronies damage anything else—oranyoneelse—on my property, you’ll regret it. I might not have the manpower you do, but I have enough men who are still loyal to me, and we could make it hurt.”
“You’re playing with fire, Sam.” Jim pulled back and glanced in my direction. He looked between us. “I don’t know what you need with Rose if you’ve got this filly in your stable.”
Sam took a menacing step. “Get out of here. Now.”
Jim let his lecherous gaze linger on me, and I pulled back, lowering my eyes, wanting him gone.
“If I hear that Rose was here, you’ll pay for it. No one gets one of my girls for free,” Jim growled and then left the kitchen with the door open.
Sam crossed the room and closed the door, pausing for a minute before he turned to me. “I’m sorry.”
My entire body shook. First the man tearing into the room, and then English Jim and his horrible accusations against Sam. I couldn’t live in this place any longer if it put Hazel or me at risk, and he needed to know.
“I saw her,” I whispered, unable to meet his gaze. “And heard her with you in the shed.”
He started to cross the room. “It’s not what you think.”
I pulled back, though there was nowhere to go. Shaking my head, I said, “I can’t trust you or anyone else. I can’t stay here. It’s too dangerous.” I moved past him to get Hazel. “I have to find—”
He gently captured my arm, causing me to pause at his side.
“It has been dangerous,” he agreed, a plea in his voice. “But everywhere is dangerous. I promise, Ally, what you saw and heard last night in the shed—I wasn’t entertaining her.”
“What were you doing, then?” I finally looked up and saw the sincerity—and desperation—in his eyes.
“I wish I could tell you. I want to tell you.” He let go of my arm. “But the less you know, the better.”
Disappointment wrapped around my heart as I continued toshake my head. He sounded like Spencer. “I can’t stay here if I can’t trust you and if you can’t trust me.”
“You can trust me,” he said, just above a whisper. “Rose was here, but she came asking for help. Nothing more.”
I frowned, wanting to believe him but uncertain if I could. He was a convicted killer. A Sydney Duck. “Did you help her?”
“I tried.”
“What if Jim learns about it?”
“It’s a risk I have to take.”
“But what about Hazel and Johnnie and—”
“And you?” Several emotions flickered across his face. “I couldn’t live with myself if something happened to any of you. But I understand if you want to leave.” He swallowed and looked down at his hands. “I just hope you choose not to.”
My breath was coming fast as I tried to think.
“The hotel on Portsmouth Square isn’t ready to open, but the building has a roof and walls. You and the children can move there, and the men can work around you.” He shook his head. “I’ll do anything to keep you safe.”
“Who will run this place until the other one is ready?”
“It doesn’t matter.”
