Page 11 of A Spinster for the Rakish Duke (Notorious Sisters of London #3)

Ronnik starred for a moment before nodding. “Thank you for acknowledging the value of my time, Donovan. I never thought enough people did that. Your brother says you are looking for someone?”

Donovan was secretly grateful that this man held no respect for his title, since he doubted Ronnik would be willing to play along with a lie to save face for a Duke.

“My brother, Benjamin Bradford,” Emma spoke up before Donovan could, her voice earnest. “He has been missing for several days now, and we haven’t been able to find any leads as to his whereabouts.”

Ronnik smiled at the desperate woman. “And who is this lovely flower? Your type is all about decorum, and yet you don’t even introduce us?” He smiled condescendingly at Donovan.

“Ahem... this is Miss Emma Bradford,” Donovan corrected, despite having intentionally not introduced them.

“Unmarried and untitled. Aren’t we lucky?” Ronnik said, bowing to her gently. “You may call me Ronnik. You’ll forgive me for not giving my full name; that is reserved only for my private acquaintances,” the gamesman told her while giving her a playful wink that Emma wasn’t sure how she felt about.

Turning from Emma, Ronnik addressed Donovan again, “Tell me, when you found no leads, why did you come here?”

There was an edge to his voice that told Donovan that this man would be unhappy no matter what answer he gave, so the Duke in hiding opted for the truth. “I know you have certain connections in London; I thought it was very possible you might know something.”

Ronnik laughed, sauntered around his desk, and sat in his high back chair lording over the room. He turned his head back to address Emma again.

“This is why his investigation skills are subpar, you know? Been reading too many crime papers. He thinks that crime is crime, and criminals are criminals. Like I’ve told you before, Donovan,” he turned back to address Donovan eye to eye, “I may be tied to less glamorous aspects of London than you are used to as that can’t be helped in my line of work, but I don’t deal with the messy stuff.

And kidnapping is very, very messy,” Ronnik told them with a look of disgust as if someone had spilled ink on his desk.

Donovan could feel Emma avoiding looking at him. He didn’t think she believed Ronnik’s criticism, even if it might have been been rooted in truth, but she also didn’t want to rock the boat and challenge their host's opinion of her investigator. Donovan cleared his throat.

“I recall our previous discussions. I also know that messy crimes make waves, even small ones. People notice things; people talk. Information is valuable, and I know you like to make sure you have valuable things on hand for your customers.”

Ronnik smiled at this. Donovan was playing all the right notes for the gambling hell owner.

He stroked his ego and conceded that they needed something from him.

Donovan knew his brother was hating him right now because he was tipping their entire hand.

That was the real trick though. Ronnik gamed to win, and Donovan was only gaming to win one specific thing.

It didn’t matter what else was “lost”. That was the one edge they had, and Donovan had to hold tight to it.

“I’ll tell you what. I know your brother likes to gamble, but you never have indulged, not in my hell at least. You make a bet with me, Donovan.

I’ll put my people out, ears to the stones.

If we find out anything, you’ll hear about it first thing.

If we find out that her brother actually became intwined with a nefarious plot, then I will owe you a favor.

But if we find out that he has simply absconded for his own reasons, then you will owe me a favor? What do you say?”

Donovan quirked his brow in consideration.

On one hand, he knew owing Ronnik a favor was a bad position to be in.

On the other hand, he got exactly what he wanted either way.

Ah, damn it all . Donovan realized Ronnik had caught on to his intent and played him, though he supposed this was the best-case scenario to leave with. They both got what they wanted.

Donovan stepped forward, offering his hand to shake. “You have a bet.”

Alistair hissed quietly behind him, “Are you insane?”

Ronnik tutted. “Alistair, be kind. Your brother made a very wise decision. This may actually be the smartest I’ve ever seen him enter into a negotiation with me,” he said as he gripped the other man’s hand firmly.

Alistair scoffed. Emma hoped her face didn’t show how pleased she was to hear that about Donovan.

Ronnik pulled Donovan by his hand into a closer embrace than expected and spoke softly, so only they could hear the words.

“Normally you are a lot less smart and a lot more headstrong? What is it that motivates you so well that you took your time today? Impressing that woman?” he asked coyly.

Donovan remained tight lipped, but he knew the look in his eyes gave him away. Ronnik smiled and said nothing, simply releasing Donovan with a hearty laugh.

“You two,” he gestured to Emma and Donovan, “you may go, but Alistair and I here still have some business to discuss.”

As Emma and Donovan thanked Ronnik and left, he said, a little louder, “And please wait in your carriage if you don’t mind. Your type makes my customers nervous.”

He laughed again, so that Emma wasn’t sure if he was kidding, but Donovan led them outside to the carriage all the same.