Page 93 of From Duke Till Dawn
The unconscious Lacey had his hands manacled. He was only just starting to come to, groaning as he was dragged from the silent Union Hall.
Deadly silence filled the space after Lacey’s exit. Even Rose Donovan had nothing to say. Alex strode to the center of the parlor, until he stood beside Cassandra.
“You’ll be repaid today,” he announced to the crowd. His look was thunderous. “But ifanyonethinks to pull a stunt like Lacey, ifanybodytouches this woman, Lacey’s fate will seem like a holiday compared to what awaits you. Am I understood?”
“Yes,” the crowd unenthusiastically chorused.
“Excuse me?” Alex demanded.
“Yes, Your Grace,” everyone said, much louder.
Alex nodded. “Now queue up, and don’t say another word.”
Docilely, the crowd obeyed. Rose Donovan led the pack, but she was a decidedly more humble woman when she accepted her share of the money.
Soon, most of the cash had gone, and Cassandra tucked the remainder of it in her reticule. Exhaustion sapped her. When Alex placed his hand on the small of her back, she wanted nothing more than to lean into his solid strength.
Instead, she kept her chin high as she announced, “I hope to never see any of you again.”
“Good luck, Cassie,” Rose said with something akin to fondness.
“Goodbye, Rose,” she answered.
With Alex beside her, Cassandra left the Union Hall. For the last time.
“How did you know?” Cassandra asked as they climbed the stairs of Alex’s home.
“Know what?” He hadn’t stopped touching her since the Union Hall.
“That Lacey would be there today.”
Alex looked grim. “Because bullies like him can’t resist tormenting people. Makes them feel big.” He shook his head. “I’ve seen my share of that in Parliament. But there’s not much difference when it comes to men with power.” He exhaled. “I sent a quick note from the coaching inn, informing the authorities as to when and where to find Lacey.”
Cassandra waited until they had reached his room before she spoke again. He closed the door behind them, and she waited by the fire. When he stood before her, she looked into his eyes.
“Thank you,” she said simply. “For what you did with Lacey.”
“It was for my benefit as much as yours,” he answered. “I didn’t want to be tried for murdering that son of a bitch.”
“What a beautiful thing to say,” she murmured, and kissed him. He returned the kiss hotly, his mouth demanding on hers. Heat curled through her, and she felt in every part of her body how long it had been since they’d made love.
She broke the kiss. “My work isn’t finished.”
He raised a brow in curiosity.
“My debt to you,” she said.
Cassandra stepped away to pick up her discarded reticule. She pulled out the remainder of the money, then walked it to him. “Here,” she said, holding the cash out to Alex. “Plus what you paid Lacey, and interest, that’s everything I owe you.”
She exhaled. This would set everything right and mark the end of their time together. She felt no relief, only emptiness.
He looked at the cash for a long time. So long that Cassandra pressed the bills into his hand.
“Take it,” she urged.
He gently pulled his hand away.
“What are you doing?” She thrust the money at him. “This is yours. Everything you wanted.”
