Page 48 of To Heist and to Hold

“Of course,” he murmured.

She nodded, the tilting ship finally righting some as they returned to the business at hand.

“As discussed, at the conclusion of the boxing match, Euphemia will make her way to the gas valve and cut off the supply, dousing every lamp within Dionysus. If we have judged the villain right, the ensuing chaos will force him to reveal himself.”

He frowned. “And you are certain that will flush him out?”

“Certain?” she gave a small, sad laugh. “Nothing in this is certain, I’m afraid.

We are counting on human nature. If it’s as we suspect, the villain is using the anonymity of the masquerades to cheat people.

By flushing him out late in the evening, we have every belief he’ll have already made his move and stashed his ill-gotten winnings somewhere in the premises, and his anxiety over being found out in the ensuing chaos will force him to reveal his hand.

That, or he will use the diversion to secure more. ”

“But human nature is a capricious thing,” he murmured softly. “Is it not?”

Her heart twisted painfully. No doubt he thought her the most capricious of all.

But she was allowing her emotions to rule, which would only lead to disaster this evening. She had to keep herself under tight control until the bitter end.

“It will be a gamble, yes,” she replied evenly enough. “But we don’t have the luxury—or time—to do it any other way. As much as we may both wish it otherwise.”

He gave no response to that, but his gaze changed, that longing back in place. Once more she had the insane urge to take him in her arms and beg him that they begin again. Her feet inched forward against her will. It was only with incredible willpower that she managed to stop herself.

“You indicated in your correspondence with us that you have apprised your brother of what is to happen here this evening?” she said almost desperately, needing the change in subject.

He continued to look at her for a long moment. Finally, blessedly, he nodded once, breaking the spell. “Yes, Isaac is aware of everything.”

“And you trust him.”

“With my life.”

She knew it wasn’t a reprimand. Yet it only added to her guilt, knowing how he must have struggled with all of this. She dipped her head, her cheeks burning hot. “I’m sorry for questioning your judgment. It’s not what I intended.”

He was quiet, gaze unreadable. And then, voice tight, “My judgment is not infallible. You have every right to question it.”

Which must be a reference to the trust he had mistakenly placed in her. Tears blurred her vision, and she ducked her head lest he see. But there was no hiding her emotions when she said, “Ethan, I’m so sorry I deceived you. It was never my intent to hurt you in any way.”

“I know.”

Her gaze snapped back to his at the tenderness in his voice. “What?” she breathed.

The smile he gave her was painful to behold for the sadness that saturated it. “I know you felt you didn’t have a choice. I understand.”

Those simple, earnest words, spoken with such gentleness, were more painful than obscenities screamed at her. At least she would have felt she deserved that. But she did not deserve this kindness and understanding from him, not even a bit. And she knew, in that moment, she could not do this to him.

“I’m sorry, Ethan,” she managed through a throat tight with unshed tears. “I’m so sorry it’s come to this. I’ll put a stop to it. Let me go tell the others.”

She took a step toward the door, needing to escape this, to escape him, to find any other way but this.

His soft voice, however, stopped her more surely than if he had physically blocked her path.

“No, you won’t,” he said. “This is happening.”

She shook her head, so violently it threatened to bring down the intricate braids she’d carefully pinned up. “It’s not too late. We can end it before it begins.”

He sighed. “You would give all this up now, after the effort you have put in?” There was frustration in his voice that only intensified as he asked—nay, fairly begged, “Why?”

Why? Because I love you. But she could never say those words to him. She didn’t have the right to say those words.

“It could ruin everything you have built,” was her logical but completely lacking answer.

She could fairly feel him shrug. “If that happens, so be it. In truth I’ll have deserved it for what the club has done.”

She hugged herself about the middle, closing her eyes against the pain in his voice. “It’s not your fault.”

“Perhaps not. But that does not mean I should not take responsibility for it. I have to make things right.”

She shook her head again. “No. I won’t allow it.”

He huffed a soft laugh. “You cannot stop it.”

“Try me.”

Again that laugh, though with some humor to it this time. “If you insist on this, I’ll have no choice but to tie you up to make certain tonight happens.”

Which brought about an altogether different picture in her head. But she could not go down that path, now or ever again. “But—” she tried.

“No but s,” he declared firmly. “We shall see this through. Now, let’s finish what we’ve started and save your sister-in-law and I expect many others as well.” There was a heavy pause. And then, “Including me.”

She looked at him, only to see her own pain mirrored in his dark eyes.

He gave her a sad smile. “Go now, and prepare the others for tonight.”

What else could she do? Giving him one last mournful look, she turned toward the door. His sudden hand on her arm, however, stopped her feet in their tracks and her breath in her lungs. Her gaze flew to his, shock making her heart pound in her temples.

His eyes were back to burning again. No, they didn’t just burn. They blazed with fire. Without realizing it, she swayed toward him.

“But first, promise me you will be careful tonight,” he said, voice hoarse. “That you will not do anything unduly dangerous, that you will fetch me the moment something occurs.”

Tears threatened and she blinked them furiously back, for it sounded almost as if he cared what might happen to her. But he was waiting for her to reply. She swallowed hard. “Very well, Ethan. I promise I shall be safe.”

“Thank you,” he whispered. And then, giving her one last scorching look, he released her and left the room.