Red tinged the edges of Tommy's vision. He grabbed the man by the collar, slamming him against the wall of the bathhouse. "You lay one finger on her, and I swear I'll?—"
"You'll what?" the man taunted. "Go crying to the police? Ah, you were, weren’t you? They're all in Blackwood's pocket. Face it, Ward. You're out of your depth here. Just throw the match like a good lad, and maybe Blackwood will let you keep your wife. For a while, at least."
Tommy's grip tightened, his knuckles turning white. The pieces were falling into place now – the smuggling, the match fixing, Blackwood's hold over Minnie's father. It was all connected, a web of corruption and deceit with Blackwood at the center, pulling the strings.
The man pushed Tommy off him, his lips curling into a sneer.
“And then there’s your livelihood. Blackwood hasn’t visited your employer yet, but he’s planning on doing so — very soon. He has eyes and ears everywhere, and he knows about your little investigation.”
Tommy's heart hammered in his chest, but he kept his expression neutral. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Don't play dumb, Ward. We know you have the ledgers. And we know you're trying to connect Blackwood to the business at the docks."
Tommy's mind raced. How had they found out? He and Minnie had been so careful. Unless... Blackwood had men planted in Minnie's father's company, men who knew much more than they had realized. They'd been watching their every move.
"You're in over your head, Ward," the man continued, taking a step closer. "Hand over the ledgers and throw the game. This is your last warning."
Tommy stood his ground, his fists clenching at his sides. "I'm not giving you anything. And I'm not throwing any matches. You can tell Blackwood that."
The man's face darkened, his hand slipping beneath his coat. Tommy tensed, preparing for a fight. But before either of them could make a move, a feminine voice rang out across the field.
"Tommy! There you are!"
Tommy's head whipped around to see Minnie hurrying toward them, Lily and Emmaline in tow. His heart leapt into his throat. What were they doing here?
Minnie reached his side, looping her arm through his and pressing a kiss to his cheek. She turned to the man with a bright, open smile. "I'm sorry, I don't believe we've met. Are you a friend of Tommy's?"
The man blinked, clearly thrown by Minnie's sudden appearance. He glanced between her and Tommy, his hand still hidden beneath his coat.
"Just a fan," he grunted. "Wanted to wish Ward luck in the next match."
"How kind of you," Minnie gushed. "Tommy works so hard. I'm sure your support means the world to him. Doesn't it, darling?"
She gazed up at Tommy with adoring eyes, and despite the danger of the moment, his heart swelled. She was putting on an act, creating a distraction. Giving him an out.
He forced a smile, patting her hand. "Of course, luv. Always happy to chat with a fan."
The man's jaw clenched, but with Minnie and her friends present, he couldn't make a move. He gave Tommy a pointed look. "I'll be watching the match closely, Ward. Don't disappoint. Think about what I said. For her sake."
With that, he slunk away, disappearing into the shadows.
Minnie threaded her fingers through Tommy’s as they watched the man walk away. "Who was that? What did he want?"
That was just it. Tommy still didn’t even know his name.
Tommy drew Minnie close, pressing a kiss to her hair. He wanted nothing more than to hold her as tightly as he could and never let go, to make sure that no one could ever touch her or take her away from him. He took a breath to calm his racing heartbeat.
"Blackwood's man. He threatened you, Min. Said Blackwood is angry about your father's broken promise."
Minnie paled but lifted her chin. "There’s no way for him to take me any longer. Not now that I’m your wife."
His heart swelled at her faith in him, even if he wasn’t sure that it would be enough. Yes, they were married, but from what he had heard, there were men out there who wouldn’tcare that she wore another man’s ring on her finger. He would, however, do all he could to keep her safe. Of that, he was certain.
"I know, luv. And I won't let anything happen to you. But there's more. He all but admitted that Blackwood is the one behind the smuggling scheme and the match fixing. It’s all part of his scheme to have the city under his thumb. He’s making the city’s richest men desperate. Forcing them to place sure bets, only for them to lose everything to him.”
“He’s not just bribing you anymore,” she noted with a furrowed brow.
“No,” he agreed, shaking his head with a grimace. “He’s now threatened you.”
