Page 38 of Summoner of Sins

“If I die, I want to know you’ll see my inheritance is s-sent to my wife.”

Max froze, expecting a reaction to his stutter. But his brother didn’t notice. “Wife? You’re married?”

“It’s in the letter.”

“Are you still in your townhouse in Cheapside?”

Max shook his head. “Staying with Ironheart.”

“Whitehouse is giving you trouble even with the backing of a duke?”

Max nodded. “He’s got friends everywhere.”

“I’ll see to your wife should you need it,” Eastham gave him a nod to confirm his words. “And I’ll second you with Whitehouse should you need.”

Max jerked his chin in response. This time, he did not choose silence, he was at a loss for words. He’d never imagined receiving his brother’s support.

His brother started up the steps but stopped halfway up. “Our father is dying. I don’t know if it’s weeks or months, but if you’ve any last words for him, they should be said soon.”

Max nodded again and then turned to make his way back to the waiting hack. He didn’t need apologies, he wasn’t looking for explanations. All he wanted was a commitment that Sophie would be tended to. It was all he required before taking up the rest of the fight. As he climbed into the hack, he noted that down the street, another carriage started just after his.

He cocked his head to the side. “Take a right.”

The driver did as he commanded, the other carriage making the same turn. “Left.”

The driver turned, and again, the other vehicle followed suit. “Damn it,” he whispered through gritted teeth. He was being followed.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Tucking the coins for his fair in the seat cushion, Max cracked open the door. “I’ve left your money plus extra. Keep driving toward Cheapside,” he instructed.

The driver leaned over giving him a quick nod. “Aye, Govenor.”

“Pick up speed, and take that left just up there,” Max said. He needed a good ten seconds where he could roll out of the carriage unseen.

The driver did as he was asked, pushing the horses faster before taking the wide turn. Max didn’t hesitate as he jumped out and rolled away. He sprang up and ducked into the narrow alley between two buildings. The driver reached back and snapped the door shut just as the other carriage made the turn.

He let the vehicle pass and then he sprinted back out, hopping onto the back of the vehicle, taking the narrow seat meant for a footman.

He had to hunch down to avoid being seen, but from this spot, he could hear the men inside talking.

“Where’s he going?”

“Don’t know. How long ye think we have to follow?”

“Not sure. We’ll ditch out in time to make it to the meeting.”

Max cocked his head, knowing he’d ride for as long as it took to find out where that meeting was and who was in attendance.

The carriage followed the hack until the driver stopped in front of a haberdashery in Cheapside, where he sat.

Max nearly chuckled out loud when the men in the carriage spit and cursed when no one entered or exited the carriage. At some point, an older woman approached the driver about a fare, which he accepted. She climbed in and off they went.

“What the fuck was that?” one of the men rumbled. “Where is the mark?”

“Hell if I know,” another answered.

They debated Max’s whereabouts for five minutes before finally abandoning the search and starting for the next destination. He tightened his grip in anticipation. Whatever he learned tonight, he knew it would help him with the decisions in front of him. He’d do whatever need be done to keep Sophie and Abigail safe.

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