Chapter Fifteen
The mask glimmeredon a bed of red satin, the culmination of the idea Luke and his brothers had devised years ago to help them deal with an untenable situation. Luke had never worn the thing other than the one day in the attic when he was little more than a child—the day he’d met Serenity. He’d never had the courage to follow through with those plans, but one of his brothers had. Their stepfather had been found a few months later at the base of the highest tower of Winters’ manor, crushed from the fall, a piece of the cloak still clutched in his hand.
Luke had been the one to find him, and he’d been both horrified and relieved. The monster would never hurt them again. He’d hidden the cloak, and everyone had assumed Winters had either jumped or fallen. He and his brothers had never talked about it, but he’d always assumed Adrian had done it.
However, he’d recently found out that Adrian had not pushed the bastard. In fact, Adrian had confided that he’d always thought Luke had done it. Which only left Morgan, the sweetest and most mild-mannered of them all. Morgan had never been the victim of Winters’ and Roger’s twisted games, and Luke could only assume he’d done it to save Luke and Adrian.
One more dark conversation he’d have to have with Morgan once he’d gotten himself together. Luke hated that his little brother had lived with that all these years.
Once they became adults, Adrian had refined and perfected his own role as Prometheus, scouring the bowels of the city to help those who could not help themselves. He’d created Brookhaven, the orphanage they all contributed time and money to, and then he’d started rescuing children from Roger’s brothels, giving them a second chance at life.
Unfortunately, in retaliation, Roger had set his men upon Anne and Vanessa. Luke knew Adrian would never forgive himself for Anne’s death. He had sworn to never be Prometheus again.
Now, Luke stood before the mask, contemplating putting it on himself. He was an earl, for God’s sake. This was ridiculous!
But because he was an earl, he couldn’t very well go poking around the corners of Cheapside, asking questions no one wanted to answer. By donning this mask, he would not only buy himself some anonymity but also give himself the credit due Adrian for all the work he’d done as Prometheus. People were afraid of the man who wore this mask, and he could only assume that would be helpful in his quest.
“It should be me,” Adrian said, for the tenth time since Serenity had left. “I know where to go. I know who to talk to.”
Luke shook his head. “No,” he said succinctly. His little brother had been deeply affected by their sister-in-law’s death, and Luke couldn’t ask him to take these risks again. Besides, Adrian had a family of his own now. Luke didn’t want him to put that in jeopardy to reunite his own. “You’ve done enough. It’s time for me to take up the role of Prometheus. I need to do this to save my daughter.”
Adrian grimaced but finally nodded reluctantly. “All right. But there are a lot of things you need to know if you’re going to be successful.”
“Teach me,” Luke insisted. “I can do this.” Hehadto do it. Serenity and his daughter were relying on him. This might be the only way he’d ever regain what would have been his all these years if not for his mother’s interference.
* * *
LATER THAT NIGHT, LUKEstood upon the roof of a brothel called Illusions, his heart thundering in his chest. The journey across the rooftops that had brought him here had been harrowing, to say the least. He had a new appreciation for Adrian’s commitment and stamina. How had his little brother done this several times a week for the last few years?
He pulled out the mask and secured it over his face, making sure the long cape he wore hid most of his dark clothing from view. He didn’t want anyone to be able to connect the Earl of Hawkesmere to Prometheus.
Taking a deep breath to compose himself, he strode over to the door that led down into the building, prying open the lock with a length of pipe. The pop was louder than he’d anticipated, and he stood frozen just inside the threshold, listening intently for signs that someone had heard it.
Long moments passed, and he finally drew in a deep, steadying breath. Since Prometheus had not made an appearance in a month, perhaps they’d lowered their vigilance. At last, he consulted the scribbled map Adrian had made him of the layout of the place and crept down the corridor.
When he reached the third door on the right, he slowly twisted the knob, then thrust the door open. A woman stood on the other side of the room, and she twisted around in surprise. Before she could raise an alarm, he’d crossed the room in a few long strides and wrenched her arms behind her back, covering her mouth with his hand.
She struggled against him, but she was no match for his strength, and at last, she settled down.
