Page 22 of A Raven Revived (The Raven’s Den #4)

Chapter Twenty-Two

A s Fitz followed Daisy in through the backdoor and around to Ash’s office, he was shocked to see his solicitor hesitantly approaching from the other direction.

“Anderson? What brings you to Raven House?”

“Fitz!” Relief fell over his features. “I hadn’t heard anything from you, so I was hoping I might find some kind of update here.”

“I’m sorry. I should have paid you a visit, but there’s been a lot to deal with.” A warm glow flowed through him as he took Daisy’s hand. “Anderson, this is Daisy, my fiancée.” He turned to Daisy. “Anderson is both my solicitor and my closest friend.”

“It is a pleasure to meet you, my lady.” He bowed politely over her hand.

“Even if I wasn’t going to be Mrs. Fitz soon, I’d still want you to call me Daisy.”

Anderson chuckled, and pride blossomed in Fitz’s chest. She was sweet, charming, funny, and so beautiful. And she was going to be his wife.

“Do you have good news to share with me?” Ash asked from the doorway to his office.

“Yes!” Daisy ran to him and wrapped her arms around him.

Ash laughed and shook his head. “What am I going to do with you, Daisy?”

“You’re going to put up with me like you always do.”

Fitz couldn't help but smile. “Would you mind terribly if I left you here for an hour so I can go have a drink with Anderson?” Raven House was the one place he knew she would be safe.

She shook her head. “I’m sure the floors are in need of sweeping.”

“I’m sure they are.” He held his arms open. “I need a hug before I go.”

With an animated smile, she walked into his embrace.

“I’m about to head over to the Den,” Ash said. “When you get done with your drink, security will let you in through the backdoor of the club. Come upstairs and see me for a bit. Daisy will be safe here.”

Fitz nodded. How was this his life?

Once they were seated at their usual table, Anderson held up his glass. “Congratulations Fitz, for so many things. I’m not entirely sure how you managed to end up with everything you ever wanted, but it would seem you have.”

Fitz clinked his glass against Anderson’s and they both took a drink. He let out a long sigh as contentment settled over him.

“You’re not wrong. I don’t know how it happened either, honestly. More than anything, I’m just so glad Daisy is safe.”

“She appeared well, with her smiles and teasing.”

“Somehow, she is. Or at least, she will be. Her father sent her to Auburn Ridge. It was a horrific place, and the things they did to her there should have broken her completely. But she’s incredibly strong. Now, I just need to make sure nothing like that ever happens again.”

“Well, let’s get you married then. I’ll get the paperwork started for a license. I assume you’d rather not wait any longer than you have to?”

“I’d marry her this very minute if I could.”

“Well, Ash no doubt has some pull with the local church, and between the two of us, I’m sure we can make it happen quickly.”

“You are going to stand by my side while I say my vows, right?”

“I would be honored to.” He sipped on his brandy. “I hope you’ll still find time to have a drink with me occasionally with all of your newfound responsibilities.”

“I may be gaining new friends and responsibilities, but that doesn’t make our friendship any less important, Anderson. You’ve been with me through all of it, even when everyone else thought I was crazy for continuing to look for her.”

“Not that I was really any help, but I’m glad it all worked out in the end. Besides, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed our adventures.”

Fitz raised his glass. “May there be many more of them!”

When Fitz approached the back entrance of The Raven’s Den, he was still a little surprised the large bouncer opened the door for him without even having to say a word.

“I should probably know all of your names by now. Especially those of you who came to Auburn Ridge with us. Lord knows I owe you all a debt. My name is Fitz.” He held out his hand.

“Donoghue.” The large man shook his hand and gave him a nod.

Fitz made his way down the dimly lit corridor, feeling like he should have some kind of escort. His heartbeat escalated as he opened the door that led to the stairs, as if he was going somewhere out of bounds. Was he really going to be a partner in this place? He swallowed before climbing the steps. Giles came around the corner and they met halfway.

“Good evening,” he said jovially. He shook Fitz’s hand. “I know you and I haven’t spent much time together yet, but I’m glad you’ll be joining our team.”

“Thank you. I’m somehow both thrilled and terrified.”

Giles laughed. “I know the feeling well. Selfishly, I’m just happy that I’ll no longer be the new guy. But don’t worry, the hazing isn’t too brutal.”

“Giles.” Ash appeared at the top of the stairs. “Don’t scare the poor man off before he’s even gotten started.”

Giles chuckled. He clapped Fitz on the shoulder and trotted the rest of the way down the stairs.

“Ignore him. He likes to stir up a bit of chaos.” Ash shook his head. He walked down a hallway and Fitz followed. “I’m glad you made it.” He gestured for Fitz to precede him through a door to a room he hadn’t been in before. It was dark within, but as he moved further inside, it quickly became apparent what this room was. It was a balcony that overlooked the gaming floor, and it was marvelous. He could see everything and everyone in exquisite detail.

“I had wondered how you’d been so aware of my interest in the place.” He chuckled. “I thought I was being so careful not to draw attention to myself. Little did I know, you were up here the whole time, watching my every move.”

Ash nodded. “That’s why it’s here.”

His gaze traveled over every person, but then it landed on one Lady Raven in particular.

“You let her dance tonight?”

“What?” Ash strode to look over the edge. “Christ.” He sighed. “I’m sorry, Fitz. I didn’t even realize she was down there.”

“Oh, I’m not upset about it.” He watched in awe and his heart fluttered. “Look at her. She’s incredible.”

Ash nodded, a proud smile growing on his face. “That she is.”

“I never thought I’d see this. Do you mind if I watch for a bit?”

“I don’t think there’s any harm in it. I wanted to talk about her, anyway.”

Fitz nodded, only half listening, entranced by the vision of Daisy moving in synchrony with the other ladies.

“You’re going to need to have some security for her.”

Fitz reluctantly tore his eyes away from her so he could concentrate on what Ash was saying. “I suppose I am going to have to leave her alone eventually if I’m to start working here.”

“We’ll make sure she’s in good hands. As the owners of this place, we have to take certain precautions. All of our wives have around the clock protection when we’re not with them. McKinnon seems to have a bit of a soft spot for her.” Ash sighed. “He’s the head of our security, and one of our best, so I hate to lose him, but I think he's a good choice.”

“And what does McKinnon think of that?”

“I haven’t asked him. He is unwaveringly loyal, though, and will do whatever we ask him to.”

“He may be happy to do anything for you, Ash, but might feel differently about coming to work for me.”

“He’s going to be working for you either way.”

Fitz blinked, trying to process that statement. He blew out a long breath. He looked back down at Daisy and then at the rest of the ladies around her. His stomach tightened.

“I don’t know if I’m worthy of this, Ash. How can I possibly deserve the loyalty of those men and the trust of these women?”

“That question”—Ash tapped the raven top of his cane gently against Fitz’s shoulder—“is how I know you actually are worthy.”

Fitz nodded slowly. “I will be,” he promised. “I’ll make sure of it.”

* * *

As Daisy climbed the stairs to return to Raven House, Ash’s eyes locked with hers. He gestured to the room behind him. She was in trouble… again. But what could he possibly do now? He couldn’t very well suspend her. Even tonight, she wasn’t supposed to dance, but she’d needed to. One last time.

She wasn’t surprised to see Fitz standing inside, but what she was expecting was a raised brow and a lecture. Instead, what she saw was hunger, urgent and fierce. His eyes raked slowly over every inch of her body, his breathing accelerating.

She reached for him, but he shook his head, his eyes flicking to Ash, who stood in the doorway, seeing the rest of the ladies off for the night.

“Go get changed,” he whispered. “And don’t dally. I want you in my bed as quickly as possible.” His gaze swept over her once more before he gestured toward the door.

His obvious desire made her desperate for him. She strode from the room, her nipples already pressing themselves against her corset as she hurried down the stairs.

As they walked, hand in hand toward home, the prolonged anticipation was nearly unbearable. Once inside the door, she raced up to the bedroom ahead of him. He closed the door, but then he stopped and took a breath.

“You do want this too, right? I’m not pushing you?”

Daisy rolled her eyes, but he crossed to her and placed his hands on her shoulders.

“I’m serious, Daisy. I don’t want to put pressure on you. You’ve been through more than I can possibly imagine, and I only want this if you really want it for yourself.”

He was so sweet. She cupped her palm against his cheek. “Not only do I want you desperately, but I need you. I need you to want me. I was afraid, when I got out of that place, covered in bruises and broken?—”

He shook his head. He didn’t like that word.

“Alright,” she said. “Not broken, but changed, at least.”

He closed his eyes and breathed out a long sigh, but eventually he nodded.

“I was afraid you wouldn’t want me in that way anymore. In this way.” She reached down and gently brushed her fingers over the bulge in his trousers.

Without another word, he claimed her mouth. Her momentary calm was shattered by the hunger of his kiss. When he eventually pulled back from her, they were both breathless.

“I’ve never wanted anything as much as I want you, Daisy. Nothing will ever change that.” He unbuttoned her bodice, and his eyes widened. He took a step back and his lips turned up in a slow smile.

“That’s not your usual corset and chemise.”

Warmth blossomed in her cheeks and she shook her head. “Ella makes us special undergarments to wear beneath our raven dresses. Apparently, the lower the neckline, the looser the men will be with their money.”

He licked his lips and continued to stare. “Well, you can certainly have as much of my money as you want.”

“Be careful what you promise. I might say I want a country estate with horses and plenty of land to ride on.”

He wrapped his arms around her, reaching down to settle his hands on her backside. “If that’s what you wish, it’s yours.”

“Really?” She hadn’t taken any time to consider what his financial situation was like. “Are you wealthy, Fitz?”

He chuckled. “Do you want the modest answer or the truth?”

“The truth, of course.”

“Would you still marry me if I were a pauper?”

“Of course I would, but I know you aren’t. Investing in The Raven’s Den isn’t a mere pittance, and neither was this townhouse. But you just said you’d buy me a country estate, as well. That’s an entirely different level of wealth.”

“I’ve made a handful of very profitable investments, and then my father also left me a hefty sum when he passed.”

“But what does that mean?”

He bent down and traced the tip of his tongue along her collarbone, sending a shiver through her. “It means—” His hot mouth moved up her neck. He was distracting her, and she wasn’t sure she cared. Finally he whispered in her ear, “If ever there is something you want, you need but to ask, and it is yours.”

His mouth moved down to place hot kisses over the tops of her breasts, his tongue searing a path to dip between them. She groaned. “You are a devil, Mr. Fitzwilliam.”

He laughed before pushing her skirts to the floor and dropping to his knees. “You’d better believe I’m a devil.” He wrapped an arm under her leg and lifted it over his shoulder, then ducked beneath her chemise.

His tongue licked over her sex making her gasp. She reached for the bedpost to steady herself, as his hands brushed up her thighs and grasped her bottom. Somehow, the cotton barrier of her split drawers beneath his palms made what he was doing between them feel even more intimate. She tipped her hips to give him better access and cupped the back of his head, pulling him tightly against her flesh. God he was incredible. Down on his knees, bringing her unimaginable pleasure. It was as if he was worshiping her.

She rocked herself shamelessly against his mouth and called out his name as a torrent of sensation ripped through her. If not for his strong hands on her backside, she would surely have collapsed. Her body continued to tremble as he slowly lowered her leg and looked up at her with a wicked grin.

“What was it we were talking about? I got distracted.”