Page 34 of The Devil Himself
“Well, between Finley and Harris, they will save it.” Harris Manford, Luc had learned during his stay at the club, was a force of nature, much like Rys. He got things done in a ruthless, single-minded manner with a smile on his handsome face.
“Perhaps you’ll go there with me when I travel down to look it over, assess its condition.”
Surprised, he blinked at Rys, but he recovered quickly, lest Rys think he did not wish to do just that. “I would enjoy that very much, assuming we have foiled whatever plot your brothers are attempting.”
“Naturally.” Rys’s jaw flexed as if he was grinding his teeth. “Bastards.”
“We’re running out of time.”
“I can only do so much. No one is reporting odd movements. Though now I shall have to bribe or threaten everyone they speak to in order to make sure nothing else is sacrificed for ready cash.”
“Perhaps it is time to step up our efforts. I could go see Hannah. Make myself a target again.”
“No.” Rys cut the air with his free hand. “No, I will not allow it.”
“Pardon me?” Luc raised an eyebrow. Then he munched a biscuit to keep from railing at Rys. He was his own man. No one allowed him to do anything. But Rys was clearly overset.
“You heard me, Luc. I cannot abide the thought of you being hurt.” Then Rys sighed, his gaze pleading. “Please.”
He sipped some tea to wash down the biscuit. “Thank you. I will stay out of sight for now, but I feel Hannah must know what’s happening.”
“One of my men has been slipping regular updates to her lady’s maid.”
“Clever.” The servants would be completely overlooked by Rys’s brothers. Of the three of them, only Owen had ever treated them like people.
“Thank you.” Rys inclined his head. “But I feel as though you’re right. We do need to step up our efforts to finish this. Perhaps it’s time I stepped into the ring.”
“What?” He stared, another biscuit halfway to his mouth. “Certainly not.”
“I am not as much of a gentleman as you, Luc. I am more likely to see a miscreant coming.”
“No. No, we can do this without either of us being a target.”
“Says the man who just offered.” Rys watched him steadily.
“Well, that was stupid of me.” His belly wanted to turn at the idea of Rys being hurt. He understood why Rys had been so forceful about it.
Rys barked out a laugh. “I will just go talk with Daffyd at Dionysus. That’s all. Maybe tip his hand, and then my men can snap him up.”
“Hmm.” Luc ate the cookie. “That has merit. But promise me you’ll not be unarmed or unguarded.”
Those dark eyes went hard, Rys pressing his lips together. “You have my word. He won’t get a chance to harm me.”
“Good.” He finished off his tea, despite the heat of it. “Now, about revisiting what we were about…”
“Shall we go where we won’t be interrupted?”
“Please.” Luc rose, his cock hardening in a rush. He wanted Rys’s hands on him. His mouth.
“I thought you’d like that idea.” Rys stood as well, laughing and taking his hand. “This is so much better than discussing my erstwhile family.”
“It is. I want you.”
Now that gaze darkened with lust. “Then come have me, love.”
And Luc would follow Rys anywhere when he said things like that.
Fourteen
