A war raged inside him and he didn’t know what side he wanted to be the victor. The side that needed to keep her at a distance in order to protect himself from further hurt? Or the side that craved the closeness they’d constructed?
Weary of fighting himself, he pulled her into his arms. Her lips were as hungry as his as they deepened their kiss, until not even a breath could sneak between them.
Before his common sense failed him, Nate pulled back, holding her loosely in his arms. “We have to stop.”
Sadness flashed in her eyes yet she nodded in agreement.
Knowing it needed to be said, he added, “My actions might not show it, but that mustn’t happen again. It isn’t fair to me and it sure as hell isn’t fair to you. Not when I can’t honestly look beyond all that transpired.”
“I know.” Her shoulders stiffened and he recognized the pixie spitfire who always failed to comply. “Just know that one day I will prove you can trust me.”
Chapter 40
As it turned out, they didn’t need to wait long for Mr. Rollins’ reply. It sat in the collection box at the school when Foxmoore returned the next day.
Anna sat on the chair in the drawing room, a room designated as their planning area, when Foxmoore handed her the unopened letter. She hid her surprise that Nate allowed her to read it first. It gave her hope he would grow to trust her again.
She had finished reading the one-line note when Nate spoke from behind her chair. “Did he agree to meet?”
She held it out to him. “Yes.”
He accepted the paper from her hand and read aloud, “I will meet you as requested.” Dropping the note to her lap, Nate rounded her chair so she could see him. “Are all his letters so abrupt?”
She’d spent enough time in his company to know his Runner impulses controlled his thoughts and he was trying to decipher the mental workings of Mr. Rollins. “Typically, yes. Usually with a veiled threat or further demand included.”
Nate rubbed a hand over his bristly jaw. “Good. At least nothing seems to have changed on his end. If we are lucky, he won’t have suspected anything.”
Standing off to the side, Foxmoore’s deep voice entered the conversation. “Is everything set for tomorrow night?”
“Yes.” Nate turned to his friend. “Without incriminating Anna, I told my men what to expect. They believe you were able to locate the thief through your channels and that we’ve set a trap. Grant and I surveyed the folly earlier today and it will fit our purpose.”
Anna never thought her father’s Egyptian inspired folly would actually be of use to anyone. It typically only served as a point of conversation.
“My men know to hold back and stay hidden so Rollins isn’t alerted to their presence,” Nate continued. “If not for the remote possibility Jarvis could be lurking nearby, I’d have kept them from the plan altogether.”
A chill settled over Anna at the reminder that a killer could be seeking her. Still angry at Nate for keeping the rather important detail from her, she found it difficult to admit he might have been right. Neither would she speak of the sleepless nights she'd endured as she envisioned a killer standing in the shadows of her room. Knowing Nate stood guard at her door was all that allowed her a few hours of sleep. She wondered when he managed to find time for his own rest.
“Once Rollins is inside the folly, the men will move in to keep unwanted visitors out and to offer reinforcement, if needed.”
“Will they be needed?” Foxmoore asked before she could.
“I doubt it. If Rollins was dangerous, he wouldn’t be targeting a woman. He’d go after bigger fish. Since we need Anna to keep Rollins from spooking before we can waylay him, I don’t want to leave anything to chance.”
Given the determined lines marking Nate’s handsome face as he turned to her, Anna suspected he’d leave her behind if he could. Just another reason why she loved him. Despite everything, he’d put her safety first. She didn’t know what she’d do once he left.
She’d simply need to find the means to convince him to stay.
“Try to appear as normal as possible.”
Nate’s advice fell heavy in the silent folly but try as she might, Anna doubted she’d manage to hide the slight tremble of her fingers from Mr. Rollins. Thankfully, Nate’s plan didn’t include her handing the evil man the bell. Her job was simply to lure Mr. Rollins inside the folly. Then stay out of his reach. Nate didn’t want the man to use her as leverage for his escape.
“And whatever you do, don’t glance in Foxmoore’s or my direction.”
His final warning whispered across the single room as he backed into the shadows. Her heart thudded in her chest and threatened to burst free. The sensation created a new respect for Nate and how exceedingly strong his muscles must be for his heart to have remained within his chest cavity during all the nerve-racking situations he’d faced as a Runner.
She pulled her cloak tight as she stayed in the limited space Nate had forbade her to step from. The amount of planning that had gone into his trap amazed her. As far as she could tell he’d left nothing to chance.
Two candles had been placed in precise locations to ensure the corners closest to the door—where Nate and Foxmoore hid—remained dark yet illuminated enough to ease any of Mr. Rollins’ possible suspicions.
A shuffle of sound drifted through the open door and her heart nearly dropped to her toes. She thought she’d been nervous around the vile man before, but nothing prepared her for the trepidation now coursing through her.
She felt safer knowing Nate’s eyes were on her the entire time. But Mr. Rollins was an unpredictable sort. So much could go wrong.
She wrenched her eyes from the doorway to check the box sitting on a table to her left. The same box that had once held the Bes bell.
Now it sat empty.
The noise grew louder, demanding she return her eyes to the doorway. Knowing the source of those unmistakable footfalls did little to ease her fright.
“Relax.” Nate’s whispered demand edged past her worry. And once the single word penetrated the steady pound of her heartbeat ringing in her ears, she relaxed her fingers. They had fisted the fabric of her cloak until her knuckles were tight and her shoulders were level with her chin. Surely not a sight to put Mr. Rollins at ease.
One by one her fingers eased their grip on the fabric. Dropping her shoulders, Anna pulled a deep breath in through her nose.
Just when she felt in control of her body, a shadow fell across the doorway. Recognizing Mr. Rollins’ harsh features, emphasized by the candlelight, still failed to stifle the soft gasp that worked its way up her throat.
“Evening, Lady Annabel. So good of you to invite me.”
Her renewed anger effectively destroyed her fear. How dare the vile miscreant have the gall to greet her as if their meeting was a social call?
As he brazenly stepped into the folly, she fought the urge to retreat a step back. Nate’s trust in her to do what he'd asked was all that kept her feet firmly on the floor. If she showed any fear, Mr. Rollins might sense something was off and flee before Nate could apprehend him. Though, as brave as she wanted to be, she couldn’t force any words past the lump in her throat.
Unaware of her plight, Mr. Rollins’ eyes flickered to the box before a smirk of evil twisted his lips. “I see you brought something with you. I doubt a box so small can contain anything valuable enough to pay the debt in full. There will be no more extensions.”
Knowing everything Nate had endangered by helping her, she settled her nerves and pushed strength into her voice as she replied, “Surely you’ve heard of my father’s latest discovery.”
Cast in sufficient light, there was no mistaking the flare of surprise that moved across his face. “You have the Bes bell?”
“So you have heard. I wondered if
the news had reached you. Since you are aware of the bell, you must also know how irreplaceable it is. No such item has ever been unearthed before.”
He masked his reaction before she could read it. “You feel it will be sufficient to settle your debt?”
She hated having to speak even a single word to the man but Nate had stressed endlessly how far into the room Mr. Rollins needed to venture before he or Foxmoore could spring from the shadows and capture the blackguard before he could escape. The wretched man had a good two feet more to go.
In an effort to entice him closer, she nudged the box in his direction. “I think you’ll agree it will be more than adequate.”
When he failed to budge, she wanted to stomp her foot in frustration. Instead he used his words to bait her. “If you are willing to take such an item from your father, the school must mean a lot to you.”
“I hardly expect you to understand.”
He sneered. “Children coveting their father’s possessions. I understand far more than you know.”
His cryptic remark did nothing to lessen her anxiety. She steadied her eyes on her opponent, fighting the urge to glance in Nate’s direction for help. She wanted this to be done.
“So you’ll take it for the final payment?”
“It isn’t what we agreed upon.”
His reluctance wasn’t a surprise. She had a feeling even if she’d offered him money above what she owed, he’d still be reluctant to free her of his control.
“Certainly you agree the bell is more than enough to cover my remaining debt.”
He still hadn’t abandoned his spot by the door. Had he sensed the trap Nate prepared? The darkness of his eyes might be cast in shadow but she sensed they were as cunning and evil as ever.
What he knew or didn’t know made no difference. Nate was relying on her to entice Mr. Rollins into position. After all he’d done for her, she owed him this.
“Why don’t you look for yourself? As a collector, you’ll clearly see its value.” Thank God, her voice never wavered despite the thought of him moving closer sending shivers of alarm down her back.
A flicker of something passed over Mr. Rollins’ face, though she didn’t have time to place it as he finally took a step in her direction. Her breath held tight in her lungs at his approach, making her head fuzzy before he finally closed in on the box and she breathed in relief.
Anticipating the noise, she only winced when the thud of the door slamming shut vibrated through the room the moment Mr. Rollins reached for what he believed to be the priceless treasure.
What she hadn’t prepared for was Mr. Rollins’ lack of alarm. His hand hovering over the box, he slowly turned to Nate and Foxmoore blocking his escape.
“Well, well, well, if it isn’t the famous Runner and Lord Foxmoore. You must forgive me for not bowing to your supreme expertise at capturing me since I’m not all that surprised by your appearance.” He flicked a look at Anna. “I figured it wouldn’t be long before Lady Annabel called in reinforcements. Given the advancement of your relationship, it was only a matter of time before you became involved.”
Her head spinning with all Mr. Rollins had said, Anna grabbed hold of the table to keep from falling to the floor. How had he learned of her involvement with Nate? Had he been spying on her? Who exactly was Mr. Rollins?
Unaffected, Nate answered in a hard voice, “Since you don’t need introductions, let me be blunt. What is your interest in Lady Annabel?”
“Not the same as yours, unfortunately. If I’d known she’d be open to a little bed play with a bastard, I’d have thrown that into the agreement.”
Nate advanced forward, rage carved into his face. Thankfully, Foxmoore halted Nate by the shoulder before he could act rashly.
A flash of something in Nate’s hand caught Anna’s attention and her eyes widened at the pistol he gripped. The reality of the situation hit her so hard, she stumbled back. He had tried to warn her Mr. Rollins was far more criminal than she’d wanted to believe. Given his reaction to being caught, Nate had been right.
No longer appearing unfazed, Nate uttered a growl, but before he could voice his obvious threat, Foxmoore spoke. “I’d caution you to choose your words carefully, Rollins. As much as he wants answers from you, I believe Frederickson would be satisfied with pummeling you instead.”
Mr. Rollins’ cold laugh rang out. “I have no fear of him. Like so many, he is nothing more than a Wesbrook by-blow.”
Something about the way he sneered the word made Anna believe it had far more meaning than the obvious. Then again, she suspected Mr. Rollins might not possess all his wits. No man in his right mind would be so oblivious to the pure rage pouring out of Nate.
As if to prove his impatience, Nate took a menacing step closer to her tormentor. “Even if you were in a position of power here, which you most certainly are not, nothing you say holds sway over me. Instead, you will be the one answering the questions.” Keeping his eyes on the man before him, Nate motioned toward her with a jerk of his head. “Anna, come over here.”
Since being near him was more favorable than her current position, she rushed to obey. Unfortunately her new stance at Nate’s side allowed a view of Mr. Rollins’ face that made her wish she’d remained where she’d been.
She’d always thought the man was in league with the devil but she never suspected how sinister he could be until witnessing the remote look on his face. Only she wasn’t the target, as she would have expected since she’d ultimately betrayed him. Instead, he’d cast his hatred on Nate.
“Now, to business.” Nate tapped his pistol against his thigh as if its presence might prove incentive for Mr. Rollins to speak. “Why did you target Lady Annabel?”
A cunning smirk lifted the man’s lip. “She is nothing more than a means to an end. A profitable means but yet, just a pawn.”
“For what purpose?”
Anna would like to know the answer as well. None of this made any sense.
“There is much you don’t know, Frederickson. I couldn’t give a fig what happens to her pointless school. I just needed her beholden to me. Something to push her to do what I bade.”
Nate released a heavy breath. “Why? What could a society miss possibly get for you?”
Mr. Rollins’ eyes narrowed to slivers of darkness. “You. She brought me you.”
Unlike her wide-eyed shock, Nate took the admission in stride, countering with a hint of mockery lacing his words. “What need do you have of me?”
An unsettled silence filled the folly as Mr. Rollins returned Nate’s brash demeanor with his own. To the point that if she viewed the man just right, it was as if Nate stood in his boots.
Oh, God no.
It couldn’t be. It wasn’t possible. She nearly had herself convinced when she recalled Mr. Rollins’ reference to the previous Duke’s countless illegitimate children.
“I asked a question. What is your interest in me?” Nate’s voice had dropped to a menacing level.
Anna might not be the only one suspecting a deeper link between the two men.
In casual disregard for his safety, since Nate remained armed, Mr. Rollins taunted, “You are the invaluable Runner. You tell me.”
Nate advanced on the man and Anna had to hold her feet to the floor so she didn’t pull him back. If by some outlandish chance Mr. Rollins was Nate’s half-brother, she would hate for him to have to shoot him.
“Rollins, I’ve lost patience with your prevarication. Say what you want to say and let us be done with it. If I started questioning everyone who could possibly share the same father as me, there would hardly be anyone left in England.”
“A rather harsh way to speak to your brother.”
“You are no brother of mine.”
A hard edge in his voice, Mr. Rollins responded, “Amus
ing, since you can claim no deeper connection to Wesbrook, yet you declare him as your brother.”
“All of this is because you’re jealous?”
“How is it that despite being as much a bastard as I, you manage to bask in Wesbrook’s fortune while I get nothing?” Mr. Rollins spat the question at Nate.
Nate shrugged easily. “If Gabe gave handouts to all Wesbrook’s by-blows, he’d empty his coffers before he could accommodate everyone.”
“What makes you so special?”
Nate stiffened before he took another angry step closer to Mr. Rollins. “I take nothing from Gabe besides brotherly affection and friendship, neither of which costs him anything. Which is not the issue at hand. Now that you’ve worked so hard to get me here, what is it you want?”
“I want what you prevented me from having when you helped rescue Wesbrook’s daughter. Money and revenge. Something I thought you would supply me with but you were too noble to steal Brodford’s artifacts. Leaving me no choice but to move past the money and on to revenge.”
Anna had lost understanding of the conversation. Similar to Foxmoore standing at her side, she could only absorb the verbal war between the half-siblings. Reference to her father’s collection had her even more confused.
Just as Nate’s response of lifting his gun and leveling it at Mr. Rollins left her baffled. This time she did step forward to intervene, but before she could close the distance, Foxmoore gripped her arm, wordlessly holding her in place.
“You are the blackmailer.”
Blackmailer?
“It was you who’d been controlling Mr. Johnstone.” Nate’s hand tightened on the gun. “Because of you, Gabe’s daughter could have been killed. What the hell do you want?”
The Runner's Enticement (Men of Circumstance Book 2) Page 25