Page 51 of A Raven Revived

“You may read or anything else that’s silent until we turn the lights out in an hour.”

With a sigh, she nodded her understanding. She didn’t want to be silent, but she also didn’t want what she knew would happen if she wasn’t.

Tomorrow, she would fight again.

* * *

“Why are we bothering with this? We need to go after her!” Fitz threw his hands up and stormed away from the table. Ash and a whole group of other men were gathered around a piece of paper that was spread over a table in The Raven’s Den, with a drawing of Litchfield’s estate and different props placed around to identify landmarks. It felt like such a waste of time.

Ash walked up behind him and placed a hand on his shoulder. “I know you’re frustrated, Fitz.”

He turned to face him. “While we’re standing around making a plan, God only knows what they’re doing to her.”

Ash nodded slightly. “We don’t like to think she might be hurting either. But that’s why we have to do this. We can’t just go in blind. If we get this wrong, it could take us far longer to track her down. It’s better to spend an extra day now to make sure we can get her safe and home as quickly as possible.”

He was right, of course, but that didn’t make it any easier. With a resigned sigh, Fitz returned to the table.

Michael patted his shoulder. “We’re going to get her back.”

Fitz was of two minds. He was infinitely grateful for their support, but it also made him feel more ashamed. She wouldn't be there, wherever she was right now, if he hadn’t left her.

“Now,” Ash said, continuing where he’d left off. “McKinnon, you and your men are going to go around to the back of the house. Once we’re in, give us five minutes and then you’ll enter through the service door. Your first priority is to find and secure Lady Litchfield to make sure she’s safe.”

McKinnon nodded. “Understood.”

Fitz only half listened as Ash continued to go over every step of the plan. He was distracted by all the scenarios in his mind of what Daisy was going through. His sweet Daisy.

“We’ll head out at dawn. Make sure you’re all punctual.”

Those words snapped Fitz back to what was happening. “Tomorrow? No, Ash. We are not waiting until tomorrow!”

Ash looked at him briefly before turning back to the group. “I’ll see you all in the morning.”

Knowing themselves to be dismissed, they all made a quick exit. They didn’t want to be witness to Fitz’s lecture. Even the other partners left.

“I’m sorry, Fitz,” Ash said quietly. “I know this isn’t easy.”

Fitz folded his arms across his chest, trying to hold the pieces of his heart together as it broke. “I love her.” His voice cracked and tears pooled in his eyes.

“I know.” Ash tapped his cane softly on the wooden floor. “And I know it’s different, but I do too.”

Fitz felt himself deflate and he nodded. He was so wrapped up in his own grief, it was easy to forget that these men cared for her too.

“I know you don’t want to hear this, Fitz, but I need your word again. I need to know you won’t try to do this on your own.”

“I don’t know why. The last time you sent someone to follow me anyway.”

“Well, he didn’t do a very good job then. You weren’t supposed to know he was there.”

“Anderson is very observant.” Fitz dropped his arms and rolled his shoulders. “I won’t go off on my own, Ash. As much as I hate waiting, I trust that you’re right, but what are the rest of you doing tonight?”

“We still have a club to run.”

Fitz nodded. “It’s hard to imagine the rest of the world has just kept moving. It feels like everything should have stopped with her missing.”

“There’s furniture in your townhouse. Why don’t you go there and get a good night’s sleep?”

He shook his head. “I can’t. Not without Daisy. That’s supposed to be our home.”

---