Belle had no problem staying out of the line of fire. Jo, on the other hand, always preferred the front line.
Bradford’s eyes found hers and her shoulders tightened. “You nearly died when that bastard gutted you and you almost drowned not even a week ago. I refuse to take any more chances with your life.” He glanced around at the others and announced, “If any of you oppose to this, you will find yourselves arrested and detained until this bastard is taken care off, reputations be damned.”
Oh.
Her heart fluttered happily, pleased by her brother’s protectiveness. How she’d missed it.
Expectedly, Jo stomped on her husband’s foot and he released her with a yelp. She eluded his grasp and stalked over to Bradford, poking him in the chest. “Fine, but do not think for one moment I trust in your capabilities, which I take we’ve suffered with now for four years in the running.” Bradford’s jaw hardened, but Jo continued uncaring, “And do not for one moment believe I trustyou.”
“She’s a feisty one,” Quinn quipped with a lavish smile, “Too bad you did not wait for me, sweetheart.”
“Quinn!” Belle admonished.
St. Aldwyn growled in the back of his throat.
Bradford ignored them.
“You believe we cannot take care of it?”
Jo waved his comment aside. “I believe in results and you’ve shown none.”
Guilt flickered in his eyes before it was gone, replaced by coldness. “You know nothing of it.”
Her friend held her brother’s gaze unblinkingly, before she said, “I know Derek and James and I trustthem. We will back off only if they assist you in this endeavor.”
Bradford paused, narrowing his eyes at Jo, before replying. “You are quite the busy bee, Lady Josephine. Do not think I’m not aware of your, how would you put it,activities.”
Jo snorted.
St. Aldwyn stepped forward and wrapped his arms around his wife, pulling her away from Bradford. He glared over at Bradford over the top of Jo’s head. “Do not for one moment think I won’t put my fist up your ass if you ever speak to my wife like that again.”
“Settle your feathers,” Belle intervened. “I doubt that Derek and James would allow themselves to be left out at this stage in the game.”
The brothers nodded in agreement.
“And I, for one, would feel much better if Lady Josephine spent more time with Belle,” Quinn said with a wink to Belle, who glanced quickly in Simon’s direction and back to Bradford, who hadn’t noticed the exchange.
Simon, however, had not missed the exchange and his eyes narrowed on Quinn. Of course, he would prefer it if Jo remained holed up with her husband.
“Belle is safe as long as she remains within the house.”
Bradford narrowed his eyes on Westfield.
Shoot.
But Quinn had noticed and stepped in front of his brother, cutting off his narrowed regard before he discerned anything that might set his temper off. “We should be heading out before someone takes note of our presence.”
Belle sobered. This time she did not hold back, she flew into her brother’s arms. “Be safe, Quinn.”
He placed an affectionate kiss on her forehead. “Stay out of trouble.”
She glanced up at Bradford, who stood staring at her, unmoving. She hesitated, but only for a moment, before launching herself in his arms, too. He held her tight, a slight tremor running through his body. “We will be home soon.”
He let her go and Belle touched his arm gently. “I don’t blame you for what happened to me, Bradford. It wasn’t your fault.”
“I should have been there,” he whispered.
“And I shouldnothave been there. You cannot be at fault for a decision I made.” Emotion clogged Belle’s throat. “You should leave before you are seen.”
He nodded, and then glanced over at the Shaws. “We will meet soon,” he said and then both her brothers retreated around the edge of the garden.
Belle watched the empty space they occupied only moments before, her heart burdened with fear for them.
“They will be fine,” Simon murmured, coming up beside her.
Belle hoped that he was right. Her brothers were finally back and she did not wish to lose them now.
As the group thinned, each heading out in their own direction, no one saw the figure lurking nearby, chuckling. His evil cackle would have stroked fear into the heart of a lesser man.
