“Not until you tell me what you intend to do.”
“I already said, I’m going to fetch my wife.”
“Which involves doing what, exactly?”
“None of your damn business.” The words were shouted with such force it was surprising the windows held.
Instead of releasing him, Edward snatched the letter and scanned the words. When he looked at Adrian next, his eyes were like flint. “You can’t go through with this.”
“I can and I will,” Adrian argued while eyeing the door. To get to it, he’d have to shove Edward aside.
“No. We’ll find another way. Together.”
“Why the devil would you want to do that? My willingness to submit to O’Leary’s demand should please you beyond compare, Edward.” It was so ridiculously simple. All Adrian had to do was gather his associates and transfer his power — pronounce Finn O’Leary his successor. Effective immediately.
There was no rule against it. The idea was so unthinkable none had been provided.
“You’re right. It should. What you’ve confessed to me today — the things you have done — go against my every moral fiber. However, I’m glad there’s someone like you to handle the monsters that prey on innocent souls. The City needs you to make sure men like Clive Newton are punished. That there is no chance of them escaping what they deserve.”
“Finn O’Leary can be an equally good enforcer.”
“No. He cannot.”
Adrian stared into Edward’s cool gaze and knew he spoke true. Finn O’Leary had no compassion. He’d killed a man for the sole purpose of making a point. Protecting the weak and safeguarding London would not be his goal. All he wanted was vengeance, and the power this bought him.
After that, he’d let every criminal do as they pleased, as long as it didn’t affect him personally.
An unfortunate dilemma, considering what was at stake.
“I’ll only say this once,” Adrian told Edward darkly. “Get out of my way or face the consequences.”
An indefinable emotion flickered in Edward’s gaze. His hold on Adrian’s arm eased as he released him. Gradually. Adrian’s heartbeats slowed with the knowledge that there would be no further altercation between them.
But then, rather than take a step sideways, Edward positioned himself in front of the door. “I’m not about to let you make this kind of mistake.”
“Edward…” One word of warning, edged with ice.
“You’re not thinking clearly. The brandy—”
Adrian grabbed hold of Edward and tried to shove him aside, but the earl had a sturdier foothold than he’d expected. He didn’t even budge.
“Don’t make me punch you.”
“Would you?”
Adrian drew back his fist. When it came to saving Samantha, he’d wreck every obstacle in his path. Including his closest friend.
Except Edward ducked at the very last second. Adrian’s knuckles connected with solid wood. Pain shot through his forearm. Surprised, he stumbled. And then he was being yanked backward. The motion jolted his brain. Confusion set in. He blinked, and then the world tilted.
Edward stared down at Adrian’s limp body. Adrian was going to murder him for this, but that was a worry he’d save for later. Right now, he had to act. Especially if knocking his friend out was going to pay off.
First things first. He crossed to the bell pull and gave it a yank. Next, he dragged Adrian away from the door. It took a minute for a maid to arrive. Once she did, he asked her to fetch Elks, who rapped on the door moments later.
Edward granted him entry and watched the color drain from the older man’s face when he saw the state his master was in. “What have you done?”
“Hopefully saved him from himself,” Edward said. “He wasn’t thinking rationally.”
The butler sighed. “I’m not surprised, given the state he was already in when you arrived.”
