Page 67 of A Whisper of Desire
The thug opened the door and stepped aside just as Arend arrived.
“You should have waited, and paid me what I want, Arend. I have the information you are seeking.”
“I don’t suppose you feel inclined to share,” Arend asked with a raised eyebrow. “Out of the goodness of your black heart.”
Angelo laughed and clapped Arend on the shoulder. “You know what I require, Grayson Devlin, Lord Blackwood, on his knees before me.”
Halfway through the door, Maitland stopped at Angelo’s words. He looked over his shoulder directly at Arend, whose face was a mask of seething rage. Arend had known. Arend knew what Angelo wanted in exchange for the information.
“That’s never going to happen. Why can’t you want money like any other normal person?” Arend growled.
“Grayson slighted me and he will pay.”
“Christ. Slighted you? Angelo, hundreds of men have slighted you.” When Angelo said nothing, Arend looked at Maitland before turning back to Angelo. “Can’t you let the past go? This is too important to play games. If you’ve learned something, you’re now a target too. Help us and it helps you.”
“Bring Grayson to me and you’ll have your name.”
The idea of Grayson on his knees to this pervert made Maitland’s stomach curdle. Arend launched himself at Angelo, only to be tackled to the ground by one of the huge thugs guarding the door.
Arend yelled at him, “Go. Make sure Marisa’s safe. Angelo won’t hurt me.”
“Not much, anyway,” Angelo laughed. “I won’t kill him, if that’s what you’re worried about. Arend and I have a history. I might simply remind him of that fact.”
Undecided, he hesitated before Arend again and yelled, “Go.”
His Tiger Matthew saw him emerge from the club with Marisa in his arms and soon they were ensconced inside—safe.
Marisa stirred and he focused on what was most important. Arend could take care of himself until help came. He vowed he’d collect Hadley and return as soon as his doctor had seen to Marisa.
“You are fussing. It’s only a bump on the head. Turn the carriage round and go back for Arend.”
The desire to take her home and lock her away forever to keep her safe burned in his blood. She was important to him. She was—his life.He needed her in his life like he needed air to breathe.
She sat on his lap, cradled in his arms, and he hugged her.
“Hey. You are squeezing too tightly.” But she had a huge smile on her face. “Go back for Arend. I really am quite all right.” She placed her finger on his lips. “I’ll wait in the carriage.”
He pushed her finger aside and pressed a kiss to her lips before banging on the carriage roof. “I’ll collect Hadley first.” Once he’d given instructions to go to Hadley’s townhouse, he ran his fingers over the back of Marisa’s head. The skin had not broken, but she had a lump the size of an egg.
“Arend knows Angelo. Aren’t you at all curious as to the connection?” Marisa asked.
“Arend has always been something of an enigma. He withdrew from our group for a few years. Said he was on the Continent. We thought that odd, given the war with Napoleon.”
Marisa remained silent. Arend held secrets. Anyone looking at him could tell that much. He was the dark, silent, brooding type. Perhaps that is why, along with his good looks, women found him irresistible—a challenge to conquer.
Once they’d collected Hadley, the two men discussed how to handle Angelo.
“Time for niceties is long past. The man is playing a dangerous game.” Hadley pulled off his gloves and shoved them into the pocket of his greatcoat. “We have to do whatever is necessary to make him reveal what he knows.”
Maitland nodded. “Perhaps Arend is doing that as we speak.”
The two men exchanged a look.
“Where do you think Angelo will have taken him?” Maitland asked.
“His tented drawing room. Do you know where it is?”
“Yes, on the second floor at the back of the house. Marisa and I were interviewed by Francis in that room.”
