Page 7 of The Viscount and the Minx (The Unlikely Betrothal: Prequel)

Chapter 7

Evan

E van gritted his teeth as his knee bounced relentlessly as the carriage slowed before the dress shop. He’d hated leaving Marina alone—he should have refused outright. From now on, she’d have no choice but to accept that he’d shadow her every step until this threat was over.

He leapt down and motioned for the footman to follow but froze when he reached the door. Locked.

Dread knifed through him. Evan pressed his face to the glass—and saw flames consuming fabric displays inside. No sign of Marina. Only a figure darting toward the back.

Fuck. Where was she?

“No!” he shouted, pulling on the door with all his strength.

“Get this door open!” he barked to the footman before sprinting toward the alley.

“Out of my way!” Evan shoved past a man in his path, barely slowing as panic drove him faster. He ran as if his life depended on it because it did. If something happened to Marina, and after he left her alone again against his better judgment, he couldn’t go on.

Then—a gunshot.

His pulse thundered as he pushed his body harder, lungs burning, heart hammering like a drum. Please, God. Let her be alive. Let her know I’m coming. He would do whatever it took.

Rounding the corner, Evan spotted a stout man fleeing the building’s back door—the bastard from the window. Evan didn’t hesitate.

He lunged, tackling the man hard to the ground. They hit the cobbles with bone-jarring force, and Evan landed a savage punch. The man wriggled free just enough to strike back, his fist catching Evan’s jaw. The pain barely registered. Evan grabbed the man by the throat, slammed him down, and drove his fist into his face—again and again—until his body went limp.

“Evan!”

Marina’s scream broke through the haze.

“Thank God. Oh, thank you,” he rasped, glancing back to see her. Relief surged so fiercely it nearly dropped him. “Get help!” he shouted. “I need something to tie this bastard.”

The man barely stirred now, but Evan braced his knee on the scoundrel’s chest, grinding hard as smoke thickened the air. The bastard had planned to burn Marina alive while Evan arrived too late to save her. And the thought sickened him.

“You’ll never see daylight again,” Evan snarled. “I will make sure of it.”

The man coughed, blood seeping from his nose. “You’ll pay… for what you did to my cousin.”

Evan hit him again, harder. Hard enough that hopefully his bloody cousin felt it from prison. “You’re the one who will pay. And soon your cousin will hang. You get to live just a bit longer since I shall turn you over to the magistrate instead of dealing with you myself.”

By the time his footman arrived to help restrain the man, Evan had secured a gag around the man’s filthy mouth. The least he could do was silence whatever poison he meant to spew.

Only when the villain was bound and secured did Evan rush to Marina. He grabbed her, crushing her against him.

“Please tell me you’re unharmed,” he demanded, his fingers skimming her arms, her waist—any sign of injury. His breathing wouldn’t steady until he knew she hadn’t been hurt.

“I-I’m all right,” she said shakily, burrowing into his chest. “I was so afraid… I thought I’d never see you again.”

He kissed her hair, her brow—anything to remind himself she was real. That she was and always would be his. “I’d have torn through those flames to reach you. You know that. But I heard a gunshot. What happened, love?”

She gripped his arms, grounding him with her touch. “I had no choice. He locked us in a closet and started the fire. I only had one shot, so I aimed at the lock—and it worked. Mrs. Wilson and I got out just in time.”

“You’re bloody brilliant,” he said hoarsely, pulling her tight against him. “Have I told you that?”

“Not nearly enough,” she teased weakly, her smile faltering. “Please… take me home.”

“As soon as we speak with the magistrate.” He cupped her face and brushed his thumb along her cheek. “I promise.”

His lips claimed hers, heedless of their surroundings. He didn’t care who saw—he’d been too close to losing her. Again. And he doubted he’d feel at ease for quite some time.

When the magistrate arrived, Evan gave his statement through gritted teeth, barely keeping himself from dragging Marina home on the spot. Only when the blackguard was hauled away in irons did some of the tension in his chest begin to ease.

“Let’s get you home,” Evan murmured against her temple.

“I love you,” she whispered, her voice unsteady as unshed tears filled her beautiful caramel-colored eyes. His minx was a pillar of strength. She was the most capable woman he knew, and the only person she ever allowed to see her vulnerable side was him. And the sight almost broke him.

He swallowed hard, overwhelmed by the force of his emotions. “I love you too.”

Marina leaned into him, her hand curling into his waistcoat. “I just want to forget today ever happened.”

“You’re going to let me take care of you,” he said firmly. “Whatever you need.”

“Please,” she whispered, voice trembling as she submitted to his command.

The moment they were alone in the carriage, her breath hitched—a ragged, fragile sound that broke him all over again.

He hated that she’d endured even a moment of fear, and he questioned his choice to leave the bastard to the magistrate. But Marina needed him more than vengeance did. She was all that mattered—more than settling a score with a man whose fate was already sealed.

Evan held her tightly, stroking her hair, his lips brushing her temple. “You’re safe now,” he whispered. “I won’t let anyone take you from me.”

She curled into him, gripping his coat. “I know… I just—” Her voice faltered, and she shook her head, fighting her emotions.

“Tell me, love,” he urged softly.

“I don’t want to be afraid anymore,” she whispered. “I can’t face those nightmares again.”

“You won’t,” he promised fiercely. “I won’t let them. I’ll spend every day showing you that you’re safe. That you’re loved. That you’re unbreakable.”

She let out a shaky laugh. “Spoken like a true knight in shining armor.”

“Only for you.” He sighed, tightening his hold on her. “We’ll start with a long bath. I’ll wash away every bit of fear you’re still holding onto. You’ll feel much better afterward.”

She exhaled slowly, her body relaxing into his. “Perhaps you’re right.”

“I am going to remind you repeatedly that you just said that,” he said with a hint of a smile.

Marina swatted his shoulder, the glimmer of her usual teasing returning. “Don’t get used to it.”