Well, everlasting hell.
The Bulldog didn’t seem to want to leave anything to chance. Which begged the question: Could this confounding night get any worse?
Chapter Eleven
We don’t kill.
Violet didn’t know why, of all times, Drake’s words of earlier came to mind right now. The statement ought to have been reassuring in a way; it had been at first. It spoke to a code of honor. Honor amongst devils, but honor nonetheless. However, staring at the ruffians before her, she was also reminded that in circumstances such as these, the strongest hand dictated the outcome. And it might very well come down to strike or be struck down. Could she kill a man? She didn’t think so. She was a runner, after all. The difference, she supposed, was that this time she hadn’t run when she should have.
Did they even stand a chance?
A thought occurred to Violet. Did this have something to do with her brother? Why had that man seemed familiar to her? Since Drake had tried to lure her brother into a trap, there must be more to their discord. But this went far beyond mere rivalry. This was outright war! What had the Fury done to her brother? What had her brother done to him? More horrifying still, was her brother here in the fray?
“Let me off,” Violet said urgently. “I can run away on foot and you on horse.”
“Not a chance in hell, Violet.”
An arm banded around her waist, the same arm he’d been using to staunch his wound, and a protest welled in her throat. But before she could voice a single objection, he jerked the reins into a sharp left and drove the horse into a gallop, driving into a narrow alleyway.
Violet risked a glance over their shoulders, and her stomach plummeted. Several of the men set after them. Before she could count how many, they disappeared from her view. “There must be at least four or five following us!”
“Let them,” Drake growled. “They won’t catch us.”
“You sound awfully confident for a man bleeding out.” She wouldn’t forgive him if he died in front of her eyes!
“Bleeding, yes. Out, no. Not tonight.” His hand tightened around her waist as they took another sharp turn. “Why don’t you hold on to me, little flame? This will get worse before it gets better.”
“Where should I hold?” she snapped. “Your legs?”
“Turn your body and wrap your arms around me.”
“Are youmad?” Violet snapped. The man was bleeding and still managed to sound amused. “This is no time to joke.”
“Believe me, Violet, I’m not joking.”
Shouts echoed behind them.
“You could put pressure on my wound as well,” he added tightly, his humor briefly slipping. “Since you’re so determined I not bleed out.”
Ah, blazes. How could she fight against that? “Fine, but if we topple over, I swear you will regret it.”
An infuriating chuckle filled her ears. “I almost can’t wait.”
Vexing man.
She twisted around, her hands clutching his leg for balance before she flung her arms around him. Her cheek found his shoulder, settling against the reassuring solidness. With a bracing inhale, she slid her hands lower, fitting her forearmagainst his side, right where the shirt clung wet and warm. Even through her coat, she sensed the sodden cling of his shirt beneath her forearm, enough to send her stomach swooping. She pressed harder regardless. He needed this. Needed her.
In the end, even though she’d tried to save the man, he’d still gotten hurt. What had even been the point? She wasn’t the sort to save people. She hadn’t been able to save herself without the help of Holly and Pippa, who not only had helped her leave London without a trace, but also planted the seed and encouraged her to do so. Without them, she might truly have lived a life more miserable than words. Despite her bold thoughts of claiming this life and not leaving, and her bold determination to be strong, she’d wanted to flee the moment she’d believed her brother might be here in the streets, somewhere.
Useless girl.
The voice was old and familiar.
Not now, Violet!
A low curse rumbled against her ear, and she realized she’d been tightening her arms around Drake. His wound. “Too hard?” she asked.
“No,” he ground out. “They’re herding us. Damn it.”
