“Who did you have in mind? Your cousin, Dare?”
“Anyone and everyone. Crane. Mortimer. His connections in Brighton.”
Maxen cursed. “We’ll talk about it—”
The tavern door burst open on a gust of rain and cold, slamming against the door. Drake went utterly still as Knight stepped inside, rainwater streaming from his coat, boots tracking mud into the tavern, dragging a limp body behind him.
The breath he’d been holding rushed out when the most beautiful sodden sight he’d ever seen followed in his brother’s wake. Her gaze found his instantly. He would have bloody bolted to her in a heartbeat if his legs could move. The only limbs that obeyed him were his arms, so he opened them wide. That was all the invitation she seemed to need. She launched herself forward like a cannon blast, straight into his arms.
Drake caught her with a grunt, the impact driving him back a step as he wrapped her tight against him and lifted her clear ofthe floor. “Are you hurt, little flame?” he demanded, voice rough against her hair.
“No,” she said breathlessly, pulling back just enough to scowl up at him. “But you are.”
“I’m fine.”
Her gaze flicked to his bandage wrapped around his head, concerned knitting her brow. “Do not say those words to me. You always faint when you do.”
A short laugh broke free of him. He pressed his brow to hers. “Then let me put it this way. I’ve never been steadier than I am with you in my arms.”So just stay there forever.His body might not collapse tonight, but his heart and his soul? It seemed where Violet Sharpe was concerned, he’d be collapsing all his life.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Drake Fury washer pomegranate seed.
If there had been any doubt, this day had proved it as fact. There was no escaping his kingdom, his darkness, him. And Violet didn’t want to escape. She had found a strange power in his world, and she wanted to stay and rule with him. He wound his arms tighter around her waist, pushing even further into his muscled chest.
No matter how tempting it might be to forget all that had happened between them, to let herself be swept up in the dangerous game their villainous families were playing, she wouldn’t falter.
Not yet.
Not until she had what she came for.
A confession.
She pulled her face away from him to search his gaze and caught only a glimpse of dark intent in his even darker eyes before he captured her lips in a ruthless kiss. And just like that, all her troubles lifted. That was, until she realized this was most decidedlynotthe place nor the time. Well, perhaps the time, but not the place for indecent kisses!
Violet bit down on his lower lip.
Scoundrel.
He broke the contact of their lips, his eyes holding a hint of accusation in them.
“I’m all wet,” Violet accused right back, blinking to gather her wits in the midst of that brooding stare.
“So am I.”
Her gaze flicked over him. Only then did she truly notice his state. The same coat. The same shirt. Still damp. Still marked with the night’s violence. The bandage stark against his temple, probably already darkened through where he’d been struck. He hadn’t changed. Hadn’t rested. Hadn’t stopped waiting. Lord, itfeltas though hours had passed since they’d left the warehouse, but in truth, it might not even have been a full hour.
“You’re wounded, Drake. Put me down.”
“Not when you’re in my arms, I’m not.”
This blazing stubbornness... “You still have something to say that I want to hear.”
“Oh?” Amusement replaced the brood. “And what is that?”
“Are you going to make me ask?” Her eyes narrowed to slits. “After all this time?” She leaned into him until their noses almost touched. “I won’t force you, naturally, but then you shallhaveto put me down, I’m afraid.”
His brow furrowed. “Why?”
