Page 6 of A Raven Revived

“These are not men to be trifled with. Especially Ash. Apparently, he is extremely protective of those he cares about and of his club. I would tread carefully, if I were you.”

“Well, fortunately, I don’t plan to do anything to anyone he cares about. I simply want to do business with the man.”

Just then, a young boy appeared at the table and held out a folded piece of paper. “A delivery for you, sir.”

He accepted it, and the boy ran off before he could ask any questions. Looking down at the wax seal imprinted with a raven, he could guess who it was from.

“Speak of the devil, I believe.” He held up the note. Anderson looked surprised by the remark.

“Did you tell him you would be here?”

Fitz shook his head as he broke the seal to confirm he was right. “I believe that’s the point of having it delivered to me here, to remind me that I’m in his territory and he knows everything that happens here.”

Anderson’s eyes widened, and he breathed in deeply before taking a drink. He was probably regretting digging into these particular men. If they knew Fitz was here, they also knew who he was meeting and why. Fitz chuckled as he read the brief missive. It was a power move, and he liked it. Definitely someone he wanted to do business with.

“I’ve been summoned,” he said as he folded the note closed. “Tomorrow afternoon.” He smiled at the prospect and sipped his brandy. “Hopefully it means they are willing to talk about my offer.” When he looked up, Anderson’s eyes were still wide. “Sorry, my friend. I didn’t mean to drag you into something you weren’t looking for.”

He shrugged and took another drink. “Just don’t do anything to make them angry.”

Fitz laughed.

“I’m serious, Fitz. Don’t do anything to provoke them.”

“I don’t plan to. I want them to like me so I can invest in their club, remember?” He smiled down at his drink. “You really should go in and see the place. It’s magnificent.”

He shook his head. “Not only do I not have the funds to squander like you do, but that’s not really my idea of a good time.”

“Suit yourself.” Fitz downed the last of his drink. “Since I’m not welcome there myself right now, I suppose I’ll go up to bed.”

The following afternoon, a large doorman ushered Fitz to Ash’s office inside Raven House. The building was well secured. Apparently, it housed the Lady Ravens, and he obviously took their safety seriously. Ash sat behind his desk and looked up as he approached the door.

“Have a seat, Mr. Fitzwilliam.” No good day, or welcome, but he did as he was bid. He didn’t want to start off on the wrong foot, after all.

Almost immediately, the three other partners entered the room and closed the door behind them. It wasn’t a terribly spacious room, and suddenly felt quite crowded. He was surrounded, trapped, and three of them now loomed over him.

“Why does this feel more like an ambush than a business meeting?” He looked up at the men standing over him. Perhaps he had done something to provoke them, after all.

Ash shrugged, still seated in what might as well have been a throne, the way he leaned back, not a care in the world. “You can call it whatever you’d like. I brought you here to discuss Daisy. I believe you know her as Lady Jane.”

Oh, he knew who Daisy was. That’s what he’d always called her, and he felt the corners of his mouth tip up at the knowledge that she was using that name here. As soon as he’d learned that was her middle name, he’d never called her anything else. Whenever possible, he would bring her one just so he could see her smile. With her vibrant personality and a laugh that would brighten even the darkest night, she was never right to be named Jane.

“She is under my protection, Mr. Fitzwilliam.” The threat was clear in Ash’s voice as it pulled him out of his reverie.

Patrick leaned in closer. “She’s underourprotection.”

Well, it seemed she had landed on her feet here, at least.

Michael placed his hands on top of the desk and leaned in as well. “I understand you put your hands on her.”

“Whoa,” Fitz said, placing his own hands on the desk and standing up. “I take issue with that insinuation. Technically, I may have touched her, but I would never harm Daisy.” He looked Ash straight in the eye. “Never.” He’d fight all four of these men before allowing them to accuse him of hurting her. He’d get the stuffing knocked out of him, but if that’s what it took to defend his honor, so be it.

Silence stretched across the desk. After a full minute, Ash finally brought an end to it.

“Good. Sit back down.”

As much as Fitz disliked being ordered about, he also wouldn’t come out on top against the four of them. Begrudgingly, he lowered himself back into the chair. The other two slowly stepped back and folded their arms across their chests. Giles still stood behind him, blocking the door.

“We need your word that her secret is safe with you.”

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