The Runner's Enticement (Men of Circumstance Book 2)

by Addie Jo Ryleigh

  “What do we do now?”

  The woman he’d made love to had betrayed his trust. Nate hadn’t thought beyond that realization and needed time to work through the emotions crashing into him. “For now, we return to your father. Separately. I with the bell and no thief apprehended. You . . . hell, I don’t know. You just act yourself, but without the stealing.”

  He advanced closer. “Know this, if another item goes missing or I find you with any of your father’s artifacts, I won’t be so accommodating. You will learn firsthand how ruthless I can be. Something even killers respect.”

  Chapter 38

  Anna never doubted Nate’s parting words. Not even the next day when she sat, enclosed in the library once again, this time with Nate and Foxmoore. She had no intention of taking another of her father’s items. She hadn’t been lying about putting the bell back. If only she’d escaped the library before he’d appeared.

  It wouldn’t have saved her though. Not when Foxmoore had witnessed the entire incident unfold. He’d have reported all to Nate. At least he could confirm she’d returned the bell.

  “Anna?” Nate’s voice broke through her musings.

  “Yes?” She didn’t pretend she’d been paying attention. Her fate might hang in the balance, but after a bit of time listening to Nate’s and Foxmoore’s scheme to expose Mr. Rollins, her mind had returned to the previous night.

  “Are you with us, princess?”

  She hated how he’d returned to calling her princess in that particular tone. It continuously reminded her of his return to being a Runner. Whatever friendliness they’d developed had vanished. She didn’t fault him. It had been her doing.

  “I’m here.”

  “Good. Perhaps now you can be of assistance. How do you contact Rollins?”

  “I have letters sent to the local inn. He retrieves them from there.”

  His look of disbelief returned. “You didn’t think that behavior odd?”

  She might be guilty of all he accused her of but she was becoming irritated with his superior tone. “We’d always agreed to meet at the school. It wasn’t until after he’d lent the money when I’d realized my mistake. By then it was too late.”

  All a repeat of what she’d already mentioned during Nate’s hour-long inquisition into Mr. Rollins and the artifacts. As soon as the library door had shut behind her, Nate and Foxmoore had gotten comfortable as she’d divulged everything. Foxmoore had remained quiet, while Nate had followed each statement with a question.

  She hadn’t expected anything less. After witnessing her father’s disappointment when Nate hadn’t apprehended the thief, she’d do anything Nate asked of her. He hadn’t indicated what he intended to do with the knowledge that she’d taken the artifacts. At the moment she couldn’t concern herself with it.

  If Nate could find a way to restore the items to her father, she’d face her punishment when the time came.

  “How long does it take for Rollins to respond?”

  “Typically a day but he doesn’t send anything to the house. All letters are directed to the school. Now that you know there is no threat to my wellbeing, I can return to the school to retrieve my mail. There might already be a letter from him. I doubt he plans on sitting silently as my fortnight dwindles.”

  A silent message passed between Nate and Foxmoore she suspected had nothing to do with the stolen items. She’d already relayed Mr. Rollins’ final demand and her rapidly approaching deadline, so it couldn’t be that. Still, she didn’t have the right to question either man.

  “I could go to the school once we are done here.” She attempted to lighten the situation. “Of course, my trusty lap dog is welcome to tag along.”

  When neither of the men smiled, she couldn’t take it any longer. “What aren’t you telling me?”

  She pinned her gaze on Nate and didn’t back down until he ran his hand through his hair and answered, “The thief wasn’t the reason behind your increased protection.”

  “Then why?”

  It was Nate’s turn to pace the library. “We didn’t want you to worry but there is a good possibility an escaped killer is targeting me . . .” He paused, then whispered so softly under his breath she barely heard him. “Or you.”

  There was no mistaking the look Foxmoore and Nate mirrored. They were worried for her. These two very strong capable men were concerned for her safety.

  She needn’t ask for the villain’s name considering she already knew of one killer running around England. Whoever The Viper was, he presented enough danger to alarm Nate.

  Since she had no control over a killer, she chose to address what she did have control over. “You don’t think I had a right to know my life could possibly be in danger? I’m not some silly chit who falls to the floor in a dead faint because of a little trouble.”

  “A little trouble? I doubt a monster who can barely travel one hundred miles without adding to his kills could be classified as a little trouble.”

  She pushed to her feet. “Stop picking apart my words. You know what I meant. I should have been informed.”

  He stepped closer to her, matching her anger. “To what end? So you could look over your shoulder day and night? Afraid to go around a corner? That is what my men and I are here for.”

  Did that mean the nights he’d stayed with her had only been about protecting her?

  They stood so close, she had to tip her head up to meet his eyes. “I should have been told.”

  “There was no point. My men and I have it covered.”

  “Children, as entertaining as your bickering is, there are other issues at hand.” It was the most Foxmoore had spoken since they’d gathered in the room.

  Nate gave her one more heated look before he turned away. “Foxmoore can deliver a letter to the school and have it dispatched from there. He can also retrieve correspondence that arrived in your absence.”

  Foxmoore nodded in agreement. There wasn’t any point in arguing, so she kept silent. Besides, she didn’t have a desire to ride through the country where she could run into a killer.

  “Why would The Viper be after me?”

  “How do you know it is The Viper?”

  She sighed heavily. “I may have made some bad choices over the last several months but I’m not an idiot. Who else could it be? Do many killers you apprehend go missing?”

  He fumed, “Is how I know important? Can’t you just believe what I tell you?”

  “After discovering you and my father have been lying to me? No, I can’t.”

  “Very well.” He let out a deep breath and tossed a quick glance at Foxmoore. Perhaps she wasn’t the only one uninformed.

  Finally he muttered, “I received a letter.”

  “From The Viper? You correspond with a killer?”

  “Yes, princess, we like to send friendly notes inquiring to each other’s health. No, not The Viper. From someone else.”

  “Who?” Foxmoore’s demand caused her to glance at him in surprise. No longer relaxed, the earl straightened, alert, absorbing the proceedings.

  She turned back to Nate. He seemed almost . . . embarrassed. “I haven’t been able to determine the who.”

  Foxmoore stood. “How about the why?”

  Nate cast his glance around the room before he finally turned his regard to Foxmoore. “There were some threats and possibly some blackmailing.”

  “You’ve been receiving blackmailing letters and failed to mention it?” Foxmoore shook his head as if to clear it. “You truly are related to your brother.”

  “I had good reason.”

  A single raised eyebrow accompanied Foxmoore’s snort.

  “You seem to be forgetting I’m the Runner,” Nate snarled.

  “And you seem to be forgetting your family’s history with
blackmailers. Are they connected somehow? Or has England been infiltrated by a band of blackmailers?”

  “No band of blackmailers. As far as I can tell, there is only one.”

  “Care to explain?”

  Instead of bending to Foxmoore’s firestorm of questions, Nate stood straight and continued to meet the man’s eyes. “It appears we had it wrong. Johnstone wasn’t solely behind the letters to Gabe. He’d only been a pawn for the real blackmailer. Something his death in prison and Jarvis’ escape only confirmed.”

  “You have no idea who is responsible?”

  “As of now, no. Only that Jarvis is repayment for me not agreeing to his demands.” Nate looked at Anna, his face void of all emotion, hidden behind his Runner mask. “And I’m not necessarily his target.”

  As Foxmoore paced the room, Nate studied her. When she perused him in return, a flicker moved through his blue eyes, revealing something she hadn’t expected. He felt responsible. He believed he’d placed her in danger. That he brought The Viper to her.

  Despite knowing the killer only knew of her existence because of Nate, she didn’t blame him. Quite the opposite, she felt safe with him. Even though a killer could be targeting her, she knew Nate wouldn’t let it happen.

  If Foxmoore hadn’t been present, she would have told him so. Instead she held her tongue.

  Foxmoore turned on his heel and pinned Nate with intensity, a look that rivaled any Nate had ever given her. “Let me see if I can understand correctly. The very man who had been blackmailing your brother is now blackmailing you to the point of setting a killer free, and you didn’t find it something you should share?”

  She remained silent, enjoying how Foxmoore scolded Nate. It certainly was preferable to Nate continuously rebuking her.

  “It was a personal matter.”

  “The hell it was! I fail to see how that is and I’m fairly certain your brother would agree.”

  Nate’s features mirrored Foxmoore’s stubborn hardness. “Having the blackmailer move on from Gabe and his family was all that concerned me. The situation is in hand.”

  “By placing Lady Annabel in danger?”

  She tried to intervene but Nate’s quick response prevented an opening. “Of course not. As I said, I have the problem in hand.”

  “With your attention divided between catching the thief—and now Rollins—and The Viper? I know you aren’t daft enough to think half your attention is enough to stop a killer of Jarvis’ caliber.”

  Anna had to admit Foxmoore had a valid point. She might still feel safe with half his focus on The Viper, but if the man was as evil as she’d been told, surely Nate had better things to do than to help her with Mr. Rollins.

  Especially since she didn’t deserve his assistance. Not after all she’d done.

  “Perhaps I should just go to my father. Admit what I’d done. Then you could concentrate your efforts on The Viper.”

  As soon as she spoke, both men turned to her. She kept her eyes on the only one who mattered to her.

  “While I appreciate your willingness to sacrifice yourself, I have it under control. Jarvis hasn’t been sighted anywhere near the estate—and believe me, Lawson has the manpower in place to keep him from going undetected. It might not be what I had been sent here to do, but I plan on dealing with Rollins.”

  The hard determination in his eyes kept her from arguing. His stubborn streak could be as formidable as his handsomeness.

  First Mr. Rollins, and now a killer. And she’d been worried about having a dull and boring life.

  “Now, back to the matter at hand, locating Rollins and the artifacts.”

  Before Nate could reveal any details, Foxmoore held up a staying hand. “I thought Gabe was the headstrong brother. I’ll allow for you to have your way for now. Just know, as long as Jarvis is a threat and the blackmailer remains hidden, I’ll be staying right here.”

  Nate studied the man before he gave a slight nod.

  “Besides, Phoebe would have my head if anything happened to you. Seems our niece has decided Uncle Nate is her favorite.”

  Nate chuckled and the air in the room seemed to lighten a degree. The matter settled, the men returned to discussing ways to lure out Mr. Rollins.

  Chapter 39

  The next day, Nate didn’t feel as confident, recalling the deadly look burning in The Viper’s eyes the night of his capture. Foxmoore had the right of it; Jarvis wasn’t someone to trifle with and certainly not someone Nate could apprehend while only looking over his shoulder.

  He needed to fight Jarvis head on but until he had a chance to settle matters with Rollins, he couldn’t focus his attention on the killer. He could only hope Lawson had enough men involved to get a visual of Jarvis before the man had an opportunity to strike.

  At least with the thief no longer an issue, his men were able to concentrate on patrolling the estate to ensure Jarvis didn’t take them unawares.

  If only knowing the thief’s identity could ease Nate’s mind. Two days later, he still couldn't convince his more foolish thoughts to see Anna in a new light. His inability to control his unwanted arousal irritated him the most. The light would set a streak of fire in her dark hair. Or she would move in such a way that the sweet curves of her body would call out to be stroked. His hands did nothing but itch to run over her smooth skin just one more time.

  He must stay focused. He couldn’t afford the distraction.

  “How would you like me to respond?”

  Such as now. Instead of imagining all the very appealing things he could be doing with her bent over the writing desk, he needed his attention on the case.

  What had she asked again? If he didn’t hand Lawson his resignation after this, he at least needed a long absence to get his priorities righted.

  When he didn’t answer, she lifted her head and, as was becoming a habit, it took a moment to remember why he couldn’t lower his lips to hers.

  “How should I respond?” she asked again.

  Nate gave his head a solid shake, dislodging all erotic visions. “Respond as you normally would. If I word it for you, he might notice the difference and become suspicious. Just make sure you use the designated meeting spot.”

  She returned her attention to the letter, and he had to fight like hell to not run his tongue along her exposed neck as she bent to her work.

  Damn! Would he ever force her out of his head? For God’s sake, she admitted to being a thief. To lying to him. He took a step back, hoping some distance would aid his trouble. Still too close. Because his eyes could travel down her bare arm to her delicate fingers, watching as they slid the quill across the page.

  Nate spun on his heel to tread the room. Determined to avoid the memories swirling in the library, he had opted to meet in the drawing room. It might hold intimate moments of him and Anna, but at least it didn’t remind him of her betrayal.

  He continued to move about as Anna wrote her reply to Rollins. Instead of penning one yesterday to send with Foxmoore to the school, they’d waited for him to retrieve her mail on the off chance Rollins had contacted her first. And they’d been smart to do so.

  Included with the pack of correspondence she’d received, was a letter from the man giving her a blatant reminder of her looming deadline. As Nate read the letter, heat had boiled his blood. The man hadn’t threatened her directly but he sure as hell came close. If what Anna had said could be believed, and Nate was starting to suspect it was, they were dealing with a different Rollins than the one she’d first met.

  What drove the man? Surely he didn’t simply go around and prey on innocent women. By Nate’s calculation, even with the money the bounder had loaned Anna, he’d made a mint off the deal. Had he targeted Anna because of her father?

  Whatever the answers, Nate couldn't wait to extract every single explana
tion from the man once they found him. Which, after Anna’s summons, would be soon. Thankfully, Rollins hadn’t already designated a place to meet. Now Nate could control the when and where, a vital factor with Jarvis still on the loose.

  In order to not appear desperate, they’d decided to set the meeting for two days, which according to Anna, would still be two days before Rollins’ deadline.

  “Done.”

  He turned and instantly found himself fixated on how she folded the letter and placed the seal. How could something so routine be arousing?

  She stood and he forced his focus to the letter she handed him and not the pull of her dress bodice over her breasts.

  “Now what?”

  He pocketed the missive. “I’ll have Foxmoore take it to the school to have it dispatched to the inn. Hopefully, Rollins will have it in hand by the end of the day.”

  “And then?”

  “Then we wait.”

  As their eyes met and held, regret similar to his own seemed to be reflected back at him. Even if he could forgive all she’d done—and learned to move past it—too much stood between them. Her social status was the least of it. He knew she saw his refusal to tell her about Jarvis as a dishonesty. Was her lying to him worse than him not sharing everything with her?

  “Do you believe me yet?” Her voice pleaded with him.

  Nate wished he could tell her what she wanted to hear. He released a heavy breath. “Does it matter?”

  She took an uneven step back as if he’d struck her. Hell. He didn’t want to hurt her.

  “Anna, I’m sorry. That didn’t sound as I intended. Would my believing you make a difference?”

  “Of course it does! Thoughts of my father and how it would destroy him weren’t all that kept me from taking the bell.” She moved closer. “You, Nate. I couldn’t do it because of you.”