She narrowed her eyes. “Who says that?”
“I did. Just now.” He smiled and hissed in a breath. “Don’t make me smile. Hurts too much.”
“You really should be in bed, but if you can manage, I need someone to stay behind the bar for an hour while I go to the Black Bear and pay Ferryman.”
“No.”
“You can lie down when I return.”
King grasped her arm, and she immediately pulled free. He knew she didn’t like being controlled, but his panic was such thathe couldn’t think of another approach. “You’re not going to see Ferryman.”
“Not that you have anything to say about it, but he said I had to go alone. So off I go.” She started away, and this time King was smart enough to let her pass.
“Joshua!”
The boy looked over, and King motioned to the bar before following Violet into the back room. She gave an exasperated sigh when he stepped in. “Now what? Georgie, go help Joshua behind the bar.”
Georgie jumped down from the stool and happily left the dirty dishes behind.
King waited until the door shut. “Violet—Miss Baker, I’m asking you not to go.”
Her brows rose. “You can ask or you can demand. My response is the same. I have to pay him. I’ve seen what he does when he’s crossed.”
King folded his arms over his chest. “And what’s that?”
“Rape. Murder. Torching of shops.”
“He won’t torch your tavern. He can’t collect from you then. And I won’t let him touch you.”
“It’s not only about the blunt, King. It’s about respect and setting an example for the rest of the neighborhood. If I cross him, I will be sorry.”
“If you go tonight, you’ll be sorry. He has more on his mind than taxes, I promise you.”
She tossed her hair. “I can take care of myself.” She pulled on her coat and stuffed her bag of money in the pocket.
“I don’t doubt it for a moment, but I’m saying that you don’t have to. Violet.”
She looked at him, her eyes wary.
“You don’t know me well, but I’m asking you to trust me. I’m asking you to let me keep my promises to Joshua and to you.”
“To Joshua—you mean about Lizzie?”
“Yes. I told Joshua I’d help her, and I told you I’d protect you. I’ll do both.”
Her eyes softened, and she stepped toward him, taking his hands. “King, it’s not that I don’t trust you, but you don’t know what you’re talking about. Look at you. Ferryman could have killed you today. Next time he will.”
“He may try, but he won’t succeed. And if you keep giving in to him, he’ll take more and more and more. He’s a bully, and I know bullies. I was one. The only way to stop him is to stand up to him.”
“And lose everything!”
“You think he won’t take everything anyway? Tell me his demands haven’t increased. Tell me he won’t keep demanding until you can’t meet his price. Then he’ll take Georgie and Joshua and you as well. That’s what he really wants.”
Tears sprang to her eyes, but she swiped angrily at them. “And you want me to just give up and give it all to him now?”
“No! I want you to fight before it’s too late.”
“It’s already too late.”
