Thump.
It was not a simple crack. The interruption was enough to make Daphne jump. She could not tell where the sound came from but it was loud enough to be heard over the hum of voices. The floor beneath them buckled.
Then, there were screams and yells from the men, whose game was interrupted completely. Even through the din, a scream of absolute terror pierced through from the back where the private offices were. There was a cloud of black smoke coming from one of them.
Adrian’s laidback mood faded and was replaced by something akin to disbelief and shock. The change happened in an instant. It was evident he was baffled by the commotion.
What is happening behind the door of that office?
He rose from the couch. Meanwhile, Daphne could not process the sound of splintering wood and glass. She suddenly felt a searing heat on her face.
“Daphne!” Adrian roared, as he pulled her towards his own body.
She gave a strangled cry. As much as she wanted that night to work according to her plans, everything had gone wrong. A woman shrieked as the flames spread from the offices to thegambling area, furious red and orange destroying the velvet trappings.
“We must get out of here,” he bit out, his voice no longer calm or playful. He became a living shield, as he shoved bodies aside to protect hers.
She squeezed her eyes shut as tears streamed down her face from the smoke. The heat burned the air from her lungs, making her pant a little. Shrieks surrounded them. When she opened her eyes and squinted at the chaos, she saw debris falling.
Daphne mustered the strength not to faint. No. Adrian needed her to be strong. She was not going to act like a damsel in distress in his gambling hell. She wanted to see the Wolf, and at the moment, he had been unleashed, like a growling animal ready to pounce at anyone who blocked their way.
The advantage of having the owner with her was that he knew the twists and turns of his own property. He dragged her toward a hidden side exit, even as he barked orders at some of his men.
“Get as many of the patrons out as possible, but ensure your safety, as well!”
“Yes, Your Grace!”
Even through the fear and chaos, he managed to think about everyone else there, and it gave Daphne hope. The Wolf was not here to destroy, but to protect.
He finally pulled her out of the exit, and they stumbled out into the chilly air. It was a back alley, she realized. She gulped as much air as she could, knowing that it was perhaps better to slow down.
“Are you all right?” he asked, sounding panicked.
“I am!” she insisted. “But the Obsidian C?—”
“Don’t worry about that right now. My men will know what to do. We are prepared for such things, knowing we have enemies. But tonight -.”
No. She could tell that even though he was apprehensive about bringing her to the gaming hell, he did not expect that anything would happen at all while they were on the premises.
“Look over there!” she said, pointing over his shoulder.
He turned and saw a shadowy figure darting down a dark alley, the raging fire casting light on it in turns.
“That bastard!” he growled and seemed to be about ready to run after the stalking figure.
“No. You don’t know who he’s with, or even if he’s involved in setting the fire,” she protested, even though her words didn’t ring true.
No matter. She did not want Adrian to risk his life by running after the anonymous watcher.
“Of course, he is. Look at the way that man runs from us.” Adrian lifted a fist in the air and shouted, “Come back you coward! Face me!”
“No,” Daphne gasped. “Do not make matters worse.” She clung to his arm.
“But I cannot just let the culprit run free.” Adrian did not struggle against her. Instead, he took several steps forward, dragging her along with him. “We cannot let Briarwood get away with this.”
“Briarwood?” Daphne was shocked by the accusation. The person they’d been watching was nearly out of sight, but even she knew, from this distance, that the arsonist was not the Earl. “That man does not look like Briarwood.”
Adrian shook his head showcasing his regret as the man darted around the corner. “Briarwood has minions everywhere, Daphne. He might not have lit the fire with his own match, but you can believe that this was his handiwork.”
