Page 18 of The Scot Who Loved Me

Will showed no sign of appeasement. His broad shoulders remained just outside the salon doors.

Mary hummed sympathetically. “You have hesitations about our league. That’s understandable. But, should you help us, know that you will be well paid.”

“Keep your money. I don’t want it.”

Cecelia searched the other women, her light laughter sprinkling the air. “Well, that answers my fear of him stealing from us.” She turned keen eyes on Will and spoke in crisp, untrusting syllables. “Though I can’t imagine you’re here out of the kindness of your heart. In my experience, men always want something in return for services rendered.”

His smile was predatory. “Never said I wouldna take payment.”

“Then... you will join us?” Mary asked.

“If Anne gives me what I want.”

Furniture creaked, and six pairs of eyes veered her way: five of them curious and the sixth, exultant. A conqueror come for his due. The hearth’s fire blazed at her backside and her hands holding the paper she pinched so harshly it’d scream. A fine reminder that foolscap. They were so, so close—and Will was literally the key.

A drop of sweat trickled down her spine.

“Pray tell, what do you want?”

Will’s eyes burned molten gold and his voice singed, uniquely soft. “My demands are best made in private, madame.”

Her skin tightened.Madame?Will reserved the title for when angry or battling for control and curse the man, he had it. This was primitive. Barbaric. Before witnesses, no less. She should be properly offended. Instead, a vibration swirled inside her, hot and prodding to meet Will’s challenge and toss back one of her own. At the moment, she couldn’t think of one, but this awkward standoff was... stimulating.

“And I am supposed to yield, whatever it is you want?”

“Easy as that.” Will’s brogue danced around each word.

One could say Hades was amused, and she his current toy.

She flushed, felt it rising up her chest and landing on her cheeks. What game did he play? She refused to be cornered by a deal with the devil, but Will consumed the air. He commanded it. A ploy for power? Knowledge of the league?

Access to her body?

Pinpricks vexed her skin. Testy, seductive little sparks under layers of clothing. This was battle, and she stood in the fray. She’d planned every step of stealing back their gold. It was her mission, planned and delegated accordingly. Will was the unknown, the factor she’d resisted, and his jaw jutted the longer she held silent.

She knew that look; he wasn’t giving an inch. He didn’t have to.

“I do not like nebulous demands,” she said.

“And I do no’ like being ambushed.”

Her belly knotted behind her stays.Then you will hate me for what I require of you.

Guilt was a sword at her back, irony a whip. Head down, she contemplated the floor’s wood planks. Cecelia was in her side vision. Her pitiless, round-eyed visage shoutingTell the man you’ll give him what he wants!Her gaze swept to Mary’s neatly linked fingers. Small burns scarred what was once pretty skin on hands which toiled late at night with searing metal. No woman of substance and courage left this world unmarked. Life battered the brave.

Her run-down properties, her body, her soul, she’d give him all.

Whatever Hades wanted.

Raising her head, she met his gold-chipped stare. “As God is my witness, this unnamed demand of yours, I shall pay it.”

Chapter Five

“We’re settled, then.” The deal struck, Will strolled into the salon, a beast among the delicate.

A voice of reason warned him.Shedidnahonor her last promise. What makes you think she’ll honor this one?

It was a gamble he’d take. A fair arrangement in a new venture, however short or long it’d be. He claimed no unique skills. He repaired ships most days, unloaded cargo on others. He could only conclude Anne and her league needed a strong back, which was the one thing he could provide with ease. Rough around the edges, he didn’t belong in this temple of refinement with mirrored sconces and lime-white walls.