But how could she reveal her predicament to Quinn without revealing the truth?
“You had more than enough funds,” he continued.
Funds she’d spent on a fool’s errand. “Yet, all the funds in the world cannot buy brothers now, can it? And that is what I’ve needed these past years.”
“Damn, sis, you still know to make a man feel guilty as hell.” He raked a hand through his blond hair. “Westfield? Is there something I need to know?” he pressed.
“No, there is nothing youneedto know.”
Her brother regarded her for a moment, seemingly deciding if he should press the issue, before finally confessing, “Look I know about Edgar and I suspect Westfield moved in for your protection. I also presume you are protecting your friends by not mentioning recent events.”
Belle jaw dropped open.
The shock was swiftly replaced by betrayal, which twisted in her gut. “You know about him? How?”
He looked away, but not before Belle saw another flash of guilt cross his face. “There are things I cannot discuss now, but you must advise your little band of ragamuffins to let De Roux be. We have everything in hand.”
Ragamuffins?
Wait. We?
Wehave everything in hand?
An unsettling feeling stole over her.
Could her brother be a spy?
“I do not understand.”
“Bradford and I, we are aware De Roux is hunting you. We know he threw you overboard a ship after you attempted to lure him out,” the last he said with a fierce scowl before he continued in a disapproving tone, “Your little band saved you, yes, but you are all in over your heads.”
“You’ve beenspyingon us?” Belle accused even though she still reeled from his earlier revelations.
“Ever since—” He looked away.
“Ever since what, Quinn?” she demanded in a stern voice.
His jaw clenched. “Ever since...”
“What…?” Belle’s voice trailed off into silence but then it dawned on her.
Ever since she almost died on the docks.
Her brothersknew, and still, they hadn’t returned for her. Still, they stayed away.
Breathe, Belle.
She clutched her stomach as memories stabbed at her mind, but this time she attempted to grab hold of them. The unsettling feeling only magnified.
“You were there,” she finally managed. It wasn’t a question, but a soft confirmation of the fact.
His face had lost all color. “I was the one that found you.”
A soft cry escaped her lips as horror washed over her. She remembered a ship, vaguely, but beyond that she fought to recall anything of how she survived.
“You’ve known all along. But you never came home, not even when I needed you the most.”
His face awash with grief, he too seemed lost in memories. “There was so much blood. I thought you were dead. I believed I’d been too late. But my first man felt a slight pulse, and we raced you to my ship where the doctor took care of your wounds. I kept tabs on you more closely after that.”
