His stomach knotted.
“Whatever are you doing?”
“We are making sure that you take from these fine people.” Stafford’s jaw was tight. “We’ve spent days watching you doing nothing, waiting for you to take from them like you used to – but you won’t. You have taken on the role of highwayman, but you’re not doing anything about it.”
“What does it matter what I do? “Felix exclaimed, suddenly angry. “I pay you to ride with me. That is all.”
“But we want more,” Connelly stated, but Felix only shook his head.
“Then I suggest you leave me and go to your own venture,” Felix spat back, suddenly furious. How dare they turn upon him like this? “I pay you to obey my orders. If you think you can do a little better than I, might I suggest you leave my employ at once.”
The third man chuckled.
“That’s exactly what we’re doing.”
Felix’s stomach dropped.
“We know you’re a wealthy fellow,” Stafford continued, darkly. “We may not know your title, but I’m sure someone in London would recognize your face.”
“Except no one has ever seen my face,” Felix retorted, only to realize this was a threat rather than a statement.
Did these men intend to unmask him and, thereafter blackmail him into doing whatever they wanted? If he did not pay them enough or do as they asked, then he would be revealed to all of society.
And to Lady Elizabeth.
Swallowing hard, Felix quickly took in his difficult situation. He was unbalanced, unguarded, alone against three men. How could he stand against them? What was it he could offer them that they did not already have?
“There is another choice.” Connelly was grinning, his eyes glinting behind his mask. “You give us whatever we ask for and we don’t reveal your face - or your name – to anyone.”
Realizing he would have to summon great strength and show not even the smallest hint of weakness, Felix lifted his chin.
“I do not intend to reveal either to you, no matter your threats.”
“Then you accept the consequences.”
Without warning, Stafford stepped forward, one hand balled into a fist, but Felix dodged him quickly. His years of fencing, riding, and bouts of fighting had taught him to move quickly, always watching for what his opponent would do. His heart began to thud in his chest as he dodged one blow after another, realizing that, should they choose to, one of them might shoot him without warning.
Stafford was heavyset and slow, but Connelly and Griggs were quicker. A shove sent Stafford wheeling backward into Connelly, but Felix had barely a moment to catch his breath before kicking out hard at Griggs, knocking the pistol from his hand. There was no time to grasp it – not for either man. The fight was difficult for, the moment one man went down, another approached. His chances of succeeding were minimal indeed. He stepped back, assessing the situation, refusing to shoot his own pistol, unwilling to take the life of another. Connelly came again but Felix knocked the hand away, ducking his head as Grigg’s fist swung towards him.
“Enough!”
Connelly and Griggs stepped back, leaving Stafford holding a pistol, which was aimed directly at Felix’s heart.
“Take the mask from your face.”
“No.”
“Then if you will not, take what you can from this family and prove you are a highwayman. From now on, whatever you take will be shared between us – although your payments will continue.”
Felix shook his head.
“I will not.”
A tremor ran through him, but he lifted his chin.
“Very well.” Stafford chuckled, then gestured to Griggs. “Take off your mask or we will take it from you.”
A glance at his own pistol clutched in his hand, sent nothing but fear into his hand. If he raised it, he had no doubt Connelly would shoot him. Taking a breath, he fought to know what to do next, only to hear another soft click come from behind him.
