His gaze was steady and direct. “Said you owed her a tray of tarts.”
Camille’s mind whirled violently. Her focus pinpointed the discrepancies in Renard’s speech and body language. He didn’t slur from exhaustion or slouch from any pain. And his words...
Syd was close by. She—
Camille didn’t glance outside or show any indication she understood. Somehow, Renard and Syd had come together and surmised she was in trouble. How was a mystery and a miracle she wouldn’t question. She wasn’t alone.
This wasn’t over.
Nic laughed, the sound raising the hairs on Camille’s neck.Hewasn’t fooled, either.
“Is this the best you could do, Lux? A diversion and a bit of pig’s blood?” Nic laughed harder. “Should I expect Scotland Yard to come bursting through the front door?” He glanced at the door. “Amusing. But those lazy toads would fall to my knife like chaff at the sickle.”
Charade over, Renard stood tall and wiped blood from his eyes, but the expression on his face wasn’t dismayed. He grinnedand crossed his arms over his chest as if his trap had already sprung. “Not the front door, no.”
Nic released Camille and dove out of the way, missing a knife to the back.
Camille skirted out of his reach and gasped at the figure who’d snuck in from the back door.
“Syd!”
Her friend shot her a grin but kept her gaze locked on Nic, who’d risen to his feet.
“Sorry for the delay. Seems like someone set off a string of smoke bombs at one of the mills. The whole city is cramming every street north of Cable. Know anything about that, friend?”
Nic smiled, his teeth stained red.
Camille’s stomach lurched. “Syd, he’s—”
“We’ll talk later, Cam.” Syd brushed the side of her head where Camille knew her shorn hair covered a nasty scar. “First, Bloody Face here owes me a dance that’s long overdue.”
Nic sneered at her. “Clumsy footwork and a weak frame. You fell so easily last time. Hardly worth the dance.”
“You wound me, sir,” Syd said, continuing her circling. “’Course a bad partner is just as culpable for any missteps.” She took a knife from her ankle and pointed it at him in invitation. “You must allow me to change your mind when it comes to my skills.”
He eyed the weapon in her hands with interest, his indifference shifting. He bowed. “As you wish, miss. It shall be your last.”
Syd gave a mock curtsey to match her mocking tone. “I’ll take the lead, if you don’t mind?” She ran the flat of her blade across the side of her head. “Wouldn’t want you falling before I have the chance to shave a bit off the sides.”
Camille watched the two predators circle and circle, each rotation mirroring the twisting of her insides. Their dance had already begun, a deadly one.
Syd glanced out the front window, as if searching for a way out, knowing she couldn’t take on her opponent.
Camille had to stop this. Her hand went for her skirts and the weapon hidden there.
“Whatever you’re thinking...” Syd glanced at her out the corner of her eye. “I’m insulted.”
“Syd, please. You don’t have to do this. I’ll be all right.” Camille offered a fraction of a smile, the biggest she could muster. “Nicholas was only protecting me.” She forced her smile bigger and entreated upon whatever warm feelings the cold bastard had. She stepped towards Nic, feeling Renard stiffen across the room. She kept her focus on Nic. She’d resigned herself earlier to the fact that she had no choice but to go with him while she found a way to escape. Now she’d offer herself willingly, ready to sacrifice her freedom and life if it meant the other two people in this room would walk away unharmed.
She came to Nic’s side and looked up into his scarred face, willing her features to soften. “Now that my friend knows how happy I am with you, we can be together and no one will stop us.”
Nic’s returning smile filled her with relief, until he leaned forward and said in clear, sharp words, “Not to worry. I’ll make sureyour frienddoesn’t interfere, ever again.”
Camille’s blood ran cold.
“Good try, Cam, but there’s no way I’d walk away now.” Syd’s gaze once again went to the window, and whatever she saw there made her smile. She stopped circling and straightened, her entire demeanor changing in seeming triumph.
“Apologies,friend, in my innocent diversion.” The light from behind cast her body in a long, intimidating shadow. “But there are a few others clamoring to sign your dance card.”
