Page 12 of The Devil Himself
“Thank you, Joe. Keep him safe.”
Joe nodded and stood, pulling his cap out of his pocket. “Mr. Grey. I’ll see you to report before I leave.”
“I will depend upon you, Joe.”
“Yessir.” And Joe departed, his wide shoulders filling the doorway as he left.
“You trust him?” Luc asked, turning that bright blue stare on him.
“With my life.” Joe had been with him since before the club had opened. He’d been a boxer, and Rys had bet on him not to throw a fight when everyone else had thought he would. He’d made a packet, and he’d shared it with Joe.
Joe was as loyal as the night was long.
“Good. I’ll prepare Gareth to go back to school, then.”
“How has this become your responsibility? I know you trust neither Daffyd nor Arthur, but Hannah surely has a solicitor.”
“We cannot trust him,” Luc said. He stretched his feet out in front of him and crossed them at the ankle, settling in.
Rys couldn’t help but notice the length and musculature of his legs, the flatness of his belly above the waist of his breeches. He was a well-made man, and Rys couldn’t help but stare.
“I see. Well, that is settled then. What else is it you want?” He let cool impatience creep into his voice to cover his reaction to Luc’s presence.
“I just wanted to update you. I’ve enlisted Warrington to help make some inquiries. He has contacts in banking.”
“Julian Leavy? That Warrington? You did mention him earlier, but—” Rys shook his head. This man was constantly surprising him. “You are good friends?”
“We are.”
Julian was— well, a rogue after Rys’s own heart. And while it had been some time since Jules had been in the Playground, Rys had some very fond memories of the man…
“So you do know him?” Luc was watching him just as closely.
“Jules? Yes.” Rys steepled his fingers, leaning back in his own chair. “A good choice. He can be discreet.”
“Yes. He and Owen became friends over the last year or so before Owen’s death, and I’ve known him for some time. I trust him.”
“What else?” Rys asked, not wanting to be involved, but feeling so no matter what.
Luc made a wry face. “Sadly, nothing. I am grasping at straws.”
Rys frowned. “I can make a few subtle inquiries at various… institutions.” What on earth had he made that offer for? He didn’t need to saddle himself with this mess, but somehow, he wanted to see Luc again. Soon.
In fact, heneededit, which was a thought he chose not to examine right now.
Those golden brows rose. “You would? That would be deuced decent of you, Grey.”
“Don’t be too certain I am doing it to be magnanimous. You already owe me a favor.”
“I suppose I do.” Luc crossed his hands over his belly, drawing Rys’s attention to what lay beneath. Good God.
“Have you dined?”
Luc blinked at him. “I beg your pardon?”
“I asked if you have eaten supper.” Rys smiled, glad to have disconcerted Luc. He felt the need to keep the upper hand.
“I—I had a few nibbles at my club. Nothing substantial. I was playing cards to while away the time.” Luc was staring at him as if he were a snake about to strike.
