“I heard you had a good night at the Silver Unicorn,” Ferryman said, placing both hands on the head of his cane and seeming to rest them there. “But did you make enough to pay your taxes?”
“I’ll pay them,” Violet said. “The money is at the tavern. You’ll have to come there.”
“I don’t have time to run about all day. You come to the Black Bear and pay me tonight. And come alone, Miss Baker,” he said with a look at King.
Violet didn’t like the sound of that, but she could handle herself. “Thank you,” she said, just as King said, “Miss Baker won’t be coming to see you tonight, or any other night.”
She tried to elbow him again, but he’d moved out of her reach.
“If someone needs to pay, I’ll do it.”
Ferryman raised his brows. “Is that right?”
“Shut up, King,” Violet muttered.
“That’s correct,” King went on, ignoring her. “I’m her protector now, and I find this whole requirement she pay you taxes not only illegal but unnecessary.”
“I see. Are you saying you will not pay the taxes?” Ferryman looked at Violet.
“We’ll pay them. King, let’s talk about this alone.”
“There’s nothing to talk about.” King stepped in front of her, which would have been noble if it hadn’t been so stupid. “From now on, you’ll leave Miss Baker alone or you’ll answer to me.”
“You are new here, King,” Ferryman said. “So I won’t kill you for your insolence. Not yet.” He snapped his fingers, and half a dozen men stepped out of the fog and into view.
“Ferryman,” Violet said, scrambling in front of King. “He is new to Seven Dials. I’ll speak with him, and I’ll come to the Black Bear. I’m sorry. Just let us pass.”
“Too late for that, Miss Baker.” Ferryman gestured to her, and one of the men grabbed her arms and pulled her away.
“King, run!” she cried, struggling to free herself. But of course, the idiot man didn’t run. It was five to one—six if she counted Ferryman—but King crouched into what she recognized as a fighting stance and stood his ground. She supposed he thought the men would fight him like gentlemen, coming one at a time. But he wasn’t in Mayfair any longer. The men rushed him.
Violet struggled to free herself from the man holding her arms pinned behind her back. She kicked at him, but he was agile and much stronger than she. With a sob, she watched as King threw punch after punch, but he was no match for a group of men, and she let out a cry when he went down. The punches and kicks continued, and she cried out. No one paid her any mind. The blows continued until Ferryman raised a hand. Then the men stepped back, and she gasped at the curled form on the ground. Using his boot, Ferryman pushed King onto his back. “Ionly give one warning,” he said. “Next time I’ll kill you.” He spat, and the spittle landed on King’s chest.
Ferryman approached Violet and paused to stroke her cheek. She looked away, but she couldn’t move until he snapped his fingers, and his man released her.
“Come tonight,” he said. “Alone.”
Then he was gone, and Violet rushed to King, who still lay on the ground. “King?”
Seeing him on the ground, bloody and broken, made her chest tight and her breath short. Violet hadn’t prayed in a long time, but she prayed now—a constant chant of “Please, God, please, God” under her breath.
King opened his eyes and gave her a bleary look. “Ow.”
She laughed and had the urge to kiss him. “Are you hurt badly?” She felt down his arms and pushed his hair back off his forehead to see a gash. Blood dripped down his temple.
“I’ll survive,” he said, pushing up with a groan. “Help me stand.”
“Go slowly.” Relief rushed over her, making her eyes sting with the promise of tears. She pushed them back. “I should leave you here,” she said gruffly, but she offered her hand and pulled him to a standing position. He stumbled, and she rushed to place an arm about his waist to steady him. “You’re an idiot.”
“I said I’d protect you.”
How could she keep her heart from melting when he said that? It had been years since anyone wanted to protect her, and no man had ever stood in front of her and taken a blow.
“Yes, you’re doing an excellent job so far. Come on, let’s get back before you decide toprotectme further.”
She supported him through the alleys of Seven Dials until they finally reached Clover Lane and the Silver Unicorn. Georgie opened the door to them and gasped. “What happened to Pa?”
Violet was too tired to remind him King was not his pa.
