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“I am coming with you!” Olivia glanced at the babe in her arms, reluctant to leave her even for a moment.

Jarvis smiled, his gaze filled with humor, love, and pride. “No, you’re not. I want my two favorite ladies to be safe.”

“Will I be safe alone with the babe in this house in the middle of the night?”

“Elkins will take care of you.” He paused, his brows furrowing. “Or should I ask for someone to stay with you?”

“No. I want to go with you,” Olivia insisted. “We can leave the babe with my parents while—”

“That is out of the question. It’s dangerous business; you know this. Besides, we shouldn’t bother your parents in the middle of the night.”

“I will not rest if you’re out of the house on some mysterious, dangerous business.”

He paused, scratching his jaw. “Would it make you feel better if I didn’t go alone?”

She bit her lip. “Perhaps.”

“Then get dressed. I will drive you to Annalise and bring Payne with me. He owes me a favor for helping rescue Annalise. It’s time to pay up.”

Olivia happily sprang to the nursery and placed the babe back in the cradle so she could get dressed. “I am certain he would help you even without mentioning this debt of his.” She walked toward her husband and hugged him tightly. “Promise to be careful?”

He kissed her on the lips. “I promise.”

Chapter 23

The office of the House of Pain and Pleasure was crowded when both Lord Payne and Lord St. John finally arrived.

Gideon had only requested the carriage, but the men had come themselves.

Gideon wasn’t mad at the reinforcements, even if he didn’t want to involve more people for fear of getting them hurt.

St. John bowed deeply, demonstrating quiet reverence for the infamous Erebus. Payne, however, was more reserved in his greeting, his shoulders stiff and his jaw set with barely contained emotion.

“So,” Payne said, “you are the man we’ve heard so much about. The man for whom I was abducted and tortured.”

Gideon met his accusing gaze steadily, understanding the man’s resentment but refusing to accept blame that wasn’t his. “That was not my fault; I hope you know this,” he said firmly. “Whatever happened to you occurred before my time. Besides, the people who abducted you—if what I read is true—are the same people hunting us now.”

Payne’s eyes narrowed, and he leaned forward slightly. “What people are those?”

“The Brotherhood,” Gideon replied, watching carefully as the two men exchanged a meaningful glance. The look that passed between them was loaded with recognition. “I suppose you know what I’m talking about.”

“We do,” St. John confirmed, his voice grave. He placed a reassuring hand on Payne’s shoulder. “And that’s why I was comfortable bringing Blake here with me. I hope you don’t mind.”

Gideon shook his head. “The only thing I mind is that you’re putting your lives in danger. All I required was the carriage.”

But Payne took a determined step forward, his demeanor shifting from reserved to fierce in an instant. His hands clenched into fists at his sides. “If you’re about to uncover the man behind my abduction, I am not leaving.”

Gideon felt a surge of respect for him.

“Then you’re not leaving,” Gideon agreed with a short nod.

Over the next quarter hour, as they traveled to Roth’s townhouse in unmarked carriages, Gideon quickly summarized the events of the last few weeks, providing the necessary historical context. He spoke of the Brotherhood’s formation, their responsible deaths, his own family’s murder, and his subsequent acts of revenge.

“And now,” he concluded, “the only hope of finding their leader and saving Leila’s brother lies in identifying the man who calls himself Cardinal.”

He glanced toward Leila, who was seated beside him in the carriage, her face unreadable but tense.

“And we hope Roth, the Earl of Roth, will be able to help us with that,” Gideon added.