Page 9 of The Big Bad Duke (The Shadows #9)

F ord pushed through the front door of their modest lodgings, exhaustion weighing heavily on his shoulders.

“Ford!”

Grace rushed toward him and flew into his arms. He could get used to this greeting. Except her face was pale and drawn, her forehead lined with worry.

He hugged her tightly and pressed a kiss in an attempt to smooth her worry lines. She melted into him, rubbing her head against his chin, purring like a satisfied kitten. Then, suddenly, she pushed against his chest.

“Where were you?” She looked up at him, fury blazing in her dark eyes.

He caught her hands in his, feeling how cold her fingers were. “I went to see Wolverstone.”

Grace jerked backward. “I told you—I asked you not to do this. Why would you go to him?”

“You know why.”

“No.” She pulled her hands free and stepped away from him, wrapping her arms around herself. “I do not. We have discussed this time and again. He is dangerous. He is a murderer.”

Ford moved closer, but she held up a hand to stop him. Her chest rose and fell rapidly, and he could see the shine of unshed tears in her eyes.

“He kills people who deserve it,” Ford said gently. “You said it yourself—the Brotherhood are despicable men, and they deserve to die.”

“A person who kills so brutally might not recognize the difference.” Grace’s voice was barely above a whisper. “What if he decides you deserve to die, too?”

Ford took another step toward her, his voice soft but firm. “That’s what I went to figure out. It’s my job, Grace. If he’s a cold-blooded killer, he needs to be taken off the streets.”

“By you?”

“Who else, if not me?” He let his frustration show in his tone. “Have you forgotten who I am?”

“I haven’t. But I thought you were more careful than that. What if he is a cold-blooded killer?” Her voice rose, sharp with panic. “What if he proves it by murdering you?”

“He wouldn’t have been that brazen to kill me in his own home. He wouldn’t have known whether we were being watched by other thief-takers,” he said reasonably. “And I would have gotten away. Do you truly have so little faith in me?”

“You are the only thing I have faith in in this world.” Her voice cracked. “And that is why I wish you wouldn’t put yourself in unreasonable danger.”

Tears appeared in the corners of her eyes, and the sight of them undid him. Ford crossed the room in two quick strides and pulled her into his arms. She collapsed against his chest, her whole body trembling as she buried her face in his shoulder.

“I can’t bear the thought of losing you,” she whispered, her words muffled by his coat. “I’ve never had anyone—.”

Ford tightened his arms around her, one hand stroking her hair as he pressed his lips to the top of her head.

“I love you,” she whispered.

“I know you do.” His voice was rough with emotion. “And you know me, too. If I hadn’t confronted Wolverstone, I wouldn’t be the man you fell in love with.”

Grace pulled back just enough to look up at him, her eyes red-rimmed. “Then you could have at least waited for me to go with you.”

Ford let out a chuckle, but it was gentle, not mocking. “No way.”

“Why?” Her hands fisted in his shirt.

“Really? You think I’d ever put you in danger?” He cupped her face in his hands, his thumbs brushing away her tears. “I would never risk you. Not ever.”

Grace searched his face for a long moment, then seemed to deflate. She laid her head against his chest, and Ford could feel some of the tension leave her body as she listened to his heartbeat.

“There are exactly two things that make up the core of my being,” he said quietly, his chin resting on her head. “I will not cower or avoid pursuing leads because of perceived danger. And I will never— never —put you at risk.”

They stood like that for several minutes, holding each other in the dimly lit room—a small but cozy space. Ford could feel Grace’s breathing gradually slow, sensing her finding her equilibrium again in his arms.

Finally, she spoke without lifting her head. “So what are you going to do about Wolverstone?”

“I don’t have any evidence to arrest him, even if I wanted to.”

Grace tilted her head back to look at him. “But you don’t want to.”

Ford let out a deep breath, his hand still stroking her hair. “As long as he’s eliminating the Brotherhood, I’m going to let him do that. There are criminals and then there are saviors, and I think at the moment he’s both.” He paused. “But as soon as he crosses the line, I’ll be there to stop him.”