Page 30 of From Duke Till Dawn
She watched the look on Lacey’s face. It went from mildly bemused to outraged in a heartbeat. He glared at her with a fury that could burn down Bethnal Green.
Cassandra’s heart pounded.No.
She started to edge toward the door.
Lacey’s hand shot out and grabbed her elbow. His grip was strong and cruel, tightening enough to bring a sting of tears to her eyes.
“You fucking slut,” Lacey snarled.
“Please, Mr. Lacey—George—” she pleaded. “I didn’t know. I had nothing to do with it.”
“The devil’s bollocks,” spat Lacey. “Never trusted either of you. A pair of adders.”
She felt the color leave her face. “I was looking for him. Ask the barman.”
The barman in question shrugged. “She came in just before you. Searching for some bloke. I don’t know who.”
Cassandra pled, “I swear to you—”
“Shut it!” He gripped her tighter, his fingers digging into her flesh. “For all I know, you’re going to meet that bastard in Glasgow and split the lot between you.”
“No—”
“Listen careful and close, trollop.” Spittle formed in the corners of Lacey’s mouth, and his face was a vivid red. “You get me my goddamn money. You get itnow, understand?”
“As soon as I find Martin, I swear I will. Pay you back with interest,” she added.
“You fucking better,” Lacey hissed. “It’s my bloody business to hurt people who cross me. Don’t think I won’t on account of you being a female. I’m especially clever when it comes to hurting women.”
She didn’t doubt that.
“I’ll get your money,” she gasped, struggling against the pain.
“Try to run,” he vowed lowly, “and you won’t be able to show your face in any city in England. Got connections abroad, too. No place will be safe for you. Remember that.”
“I will.” Fear was white-hot, combining with the pain Lacey inflicted, nearly blinding her.
“Now get the hell out of here before I find some other way for you to pay me back.”
He released her quickly, and she caught herself on the bar before falling to her knees. She stumbled outside, into the street, her breath coming hard and fast as the throbbing continued where Lacey had held her.
She ran down the street. But there was nowhere she could run. Lacey’s reach was everywhere. He’d find her, no matter where she went.
What am I going to do?
Martin had to be somewhere. He couldn’t have gone far, could he? Or maybe he was already halfway to Dover, and then onto Calais and the Continent.
If Lacey knew about Martin, then all of London understood what had happened. The entire city would turn its back on her. With nowhere to go, and no place to find shelter, she was alone.
Completely alone.
There was one person, however, who was trustworthy. One man knew who she truly was.
She just prayed he wouldn’t throw her out into the street, as she deserved.
“Your Grace, I don’t believe you’ve heard a word I’ve said.”
Sitting at the desk in his study, Alex stared at the papers stacked before him. Numbers and words covered the sheets and folios, but to him they resembled nothing more than a child’s illegible scrawl in the dirt, drawn with a twig.
