Turning back to the cloaked figure, he cleared his throat. “I’ll explain, but only if you ensure my words will be faithfully passed on to Owen. And only Owen.”
A long silence answered his demand. Then the hooded figure lifted one hand to make a series of swift gestures. The darkness around them immediately shifted and morphed as the shadows stood and became men who stalked silently from the alley.
They’d been surrounded the whole time and hadn’t been the slightest bit aware of it.
“Now,” their adversary noted in an unyielding tone, “spill.”
Colin took a steadying breath, hoping this wouldn’t prove to be a mistake. “I’m Lord Wright. This is Mr. Bentley and Mr. Thomas.” He paused then added, “We’re brothers by way of our father.”
After a moment, the man replied darkly, “That’s all very interesting, guv, but it doesn’t answer me question, does it?”
“A father,” Colin continued firmly, “who is also shared by Max Owens.”
There was another length of cold silence.
Then the man began to laugh. A full, deep-throated laugh that nearly had him doubling over. After a bit, he straightened and forced himself to catch his breath as he shoved the hood of his cloak back from his head to reveal the features of a surprisingly young man with hair that was neither light nor dark but some mix of the two. Scruff darkened his jaw, but it was not enough to disguise his wide, laughing grin.
“Well, then. That changes everything, doesn’t it?” Throwing his arms out to the sides, he gave a bold wink and said, “’Ello, bruvs.”
