Page 170 of Manacled Hearts

Evie turns to me. “Can we go?”

“No” Madds and I shout simultaneously.

“Hey, that’s not fair. I want to see,” Evie says.

“Well, other people might want to see you and that’s a definite no for me.”

Morrigan laughs and shakes her head. “Your possessiveness is refreshing, but you know first-hand that no one touches anyone in my club without permission. You know you can just come for a drink. And a show.” She wiggles her eyebrows suggestively.

“Maybe just for a little bit.” Evelyn leans in, whispering in my ear.

I don’t answer, but the look in my eyes might be enough, because a cheeky smile spreads over her face.

“For the love of god, at least don’t go when Carter’s there,” Madds tells her.

“Ever the big brother you are,” she says with a chuckle.

“Speaking of the wolf. Where is he?” I ask.

“In the office,” Vin answers. “I texted him that you arrived too.”

Just on cue, Carter pops in through the back door, as always, dressed in pressed trousers, a light shirt with rolled-up sleeves, and tailored waistcoat. He looks every bit the man who belongs in a speakeasy. Only, there’s something different tonight. I can’t put my finger on it.

“Carter?” Vin’s tone sounds like he’s seeing the same thing I am.

“I have to tell you something.” Carter releases a slow breath that sounds too much like a sigh. Deeply uncharacteristic for the man.

“What?” I ask.

“I fucked up.” His gaze sweeps over each one of us. “About six months ago, when we were looking for Bartiste, I was looking for one of his men, and I went after him myself. I tracked him down one night, cornered him in an alley and after I got what I could out of him… I killed him.”

There’s a pause. “So?” Vin shrugs.

“Someone saw me.”

Vin leans forward in his chair, bracing his elbows on his knees, head cocked, as I guide Evelyn to go sit next to Madds.

“And?” I ask.

“I can’t find her.”

“Her?!” all of us say in unison.

“Sorry, a woman witnessed you killing a man, and in the last six months you haven’t been able to find her?” Vin runs through the story.

Carter nods, sliding his hands in his pockets, his expression one of annoyance, and maybe, just maybe, slight embarrassment. Amusement is common on his features, but anything beyond that is extremely rare. Which makes this highly worrying.

“You don’t know who she is?” Madds asks.

“No. Couldn’t find her. I kept track of reports, of stories, of damn internet posts, and no one has talked about it.”

“Maybe she recognized you, she’s scared, and knows better than to talk,” Vin adds.

“She certainly wasn’t scared,” Carter mutters under his breath, barely audible.

“What?” Madds asks.

“Nothing.”

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