The pain was instant – a sharp sting and a fierce ache that told him the skin had been split.He rounded on his attacker with carefully controlled rage, sending an upward jab into his chin with so much force, it felled him.
“What the hell?”Scarface muttered when Chubbycheeks landed against the wet ground, a groan the only indication he wasn’t dead.
Adrian didn’t bother explaining how timing, twisting the hips, or coming in at just the right angle could knock someone out.Instead, he took advantage of his remaining opponent’s dismay and repeated the strike.
It would take a moment for the men to regain their bearings.Adrian stared at them and wondered once more who they worked for.He needed that answer.
Dropping into a crouch, he searched their pockets, retrieving a few bits and bobs before finding the blades he’d been certain they carried.They hadn’t attempted to use them though, which surely meant they’d not meant him any serious harm.
Water dripped from his hair and onto his brow.Swiping the heel of his hand against the edge of his right eye, he wiped away the blood that pooled there before it could trickle over his cheek.It had been a while since he’d taken this kind of beating, the stale taste it left in his mouth prompting him to spit on the ground.
He rubbed his nose and grabbed the blades, positioning them so the tips touched the underside of each man’s jaw.
Chubbycheeks came around first, eyes widening with alarm when he realized he might soon get skewered.He sucked in a breath and stared up into Adrian’s face with what looked like deep resentment, anger, and fear.
“I’ll ask you again.What do you want?”When Chubbycheeks didn’t respond, opting instead for a glare, Adrian pressed the tip of the blade more firmly against him.A drop of crimson gathered around it.“Keep in mind, I’ll not ask again.”
“Your files.”Scarface, who’d regained consciousness too, hissed the words.“We was to get them from ye.”
“And you thought attacking me would be the best way to do so?”
“Better than breaking in and searching the house in an effort to steal them.Complicated that, what with yer servants and such.Simpler takin’ ye hostage and askin’ fer them in exchange.”
The man did have a point.“Who hired you?”
“Can’t say.”
Dissatisfied with the answer, Adrian pierced Scarface’s skin as well.
“We don’t know,” Chubbycheeks croaked when Scarface winced in pain.He blinked against the raindrops.“Never saw ’is face.He wore a hooded cloak when ’e approached us two nights ago.Was at the Mad Bull.
Adrian knew of the place—a tavern in the east end.It was known for hosting bare-knuckle boxing matches and dog fights.He tilted his head.“How were you to deliver the files to this man if you don’t even know what he looks like or where to find him?”
“Said ’e’d find us.”
“If you’re lying…” He watched the tips of both blades disappear beneath flesh.The resulting blood stained the edge of their white cravats.
“We’re…not,” Chubbycheeks rasped.“Swear it.”
There was nothing more to be learned then, besides the fact that someone was after his files.
Rain began falling in earnest while he considered his next course of action.It smeared the dirt in the alley and made him long for a bath.First, he had to decide on what to do with his attackers.
Common sense told him he’d be a fool if he let them go.He ought to slit their throats to make sure they’d never confront him again.His fingers tightened around each blade’s wooden handle.It would be quick and easy.Most importantly, it would help prevent future threats.
Body tense, he flexed his muscles while rain danced over his head.A strenuous sigh worked its way up his throat before he eventually pulled the blades back and stood.
He couldn’t do it.Not this time.
While Evie’s murder might stop him from severing ties with the life he hated, it need not stop him from trying to do better.There was a choice here between killing these men and letting them go, and although he feared he might later regret his decision, he didn’t want more blood on his hands.
Not when it could be avoided.
“Get up.Both of you.”
The men scrambled to their feet, coughing and sputtering while clutching their throats.
“Be warned,” Adrian told them between gritted teeth.“If you ever attempt to cross me again, it will be the last thing you do before you die.Now get out of here.Before I decide to kill you anyway.”
