Gavin glared.
Blade withdrew a knife and ran his thumb down the beveled edge.
Genevieve gave an indelicate snort. “Fine half brother you are, only appearing when there is coin to be gained.”
She was dressed in her standard garb of breeches, polished boots, shirt and waistcoat, complete with a cravat. Genevieve was a dab hand at tying knots, in addition to working a needle. Though she’d deny it with her last breath.
“Calm yourself, Gen,” Dom cautioned his hot-tempered sister. “We spoke about this. Mr. Winter is aiding us when he does not need to be. He owns a property at the docks Sutton is keen to get his hands on, and he is willing to sell that to help our cause.”
“Meaning that spider-arsed scoundrel always gets what he wants,” Genevieve said, scowling.
Devereaux Winter drummed his fingers on the desk they had all gathered around. “Might I suggest you avoid calling our friendspider-arsedin his presence? What does such an insult mean, if you do not mind my asking?”
Genevieve raised a superior brow. “Have one look at Jasper Sutton, and you’ll know exactly what.”
Genevieve’s inability to control her tongue had been one of the reasons Dom and his brothers had not initially informed her about this meeting. Another had been her intense dislike for Devereaux Winter, a man whom Dom had to admit was not nearly as horrible of a nib as he’d thought. Brother dearest was actually beginning to grow on him. Much like Davy.
“I hope you can keep your minion under control today,” Demon added, as if reading Dom’s thoughts. “The little shite stole my favorite pair of boots and then tipped me the Dublin packet before I could catch him.”
Ah, young Davy. Dom was going to have to haveanothertalk with the lad.
Devereaux Winter frowned. “What is this packet you are speaking of?”
“Here now.Tipped the Dublin packetis what we say when a thief gets away,” explained Blade, still stroking his knife.
“If he tries to filch from Jasper Sutton, he will learn his lesson, won’t he?” Genevieve chimed in.
Dom was beginning to get restless. A quick consult of his pocket watch revealed the time had drawn near to the arrival of Jasper Sutton. Ten of their best men were on the door today, awaiting the enemy’s arrival. Part of Dom was still amazed Sutton had accepted his request for a meeting.
He suspected Sutton’s decision had a great deal more to do with the promised presence of the indisputably wealthy and powerful Devereaux Winter than it had to do with aught else.
Dom tipped his head toward brother dearest. “I owe you my thanks for your willingness to offer us aid.”
Winter nodded. “My lovely wife has persuaded me I must be less unyielding. She believes our family will be stronger united than torn asunder, and I rather think she is right.”
An olive branch. The Dominic Winter of before would have broken it in half and tossed it in his half brother’s face. The man he was now quietly accepted it. Because Adele would want him to, but also because it was the right thing to do.
Floating, fucking hell.
Fancy that.
“We are all Winters,” Dom agreed.
The resulting silence from his siblings was only interrupted by the announcement that Jasper Sutton had arrived. Mayhap the rest of them would require more time. Mayhap this change was something only love could bring about.
Because, aye, there was one reason and one reason alone Dom was about to meet with Jasper Sutton. He was in love with his wife. Desperately, irrefutably, ridiculously in love.
Demon was not wrong in his assertion. Hewasa Bedlamite.
Jasper Sutton stood on the threshold then. Every Winter in the chamber drew to his and her respective feet.
“Search him,” Dom told Devil.
His brother grunted and moved to Sutton.
“No weapons on me,” Sutton said.
“All the same, I will believe my brother’s word over yours,” Dom said brightly, watching as Devil performed a thorough search, seeking any hidden weapons.
