Seeing Danger (Sinclair and Raven #2)(65)

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE


Had Dev his way, he would have left Lilly with his sisters, and yet he knew she would never have allowed that. She sat, hands folded in her lap, appearing calm on the outside. But he knew her now; she was anything but calm. Her lovely eyes were moving between the three men constantly.

James sat behind his desk, Lilly across from him. Dev paced instead of doing as he wanted: punching Nicholas Braithwaite. Lilly's brother also stood.

After last night, his need for this woman had, if possible, grown. Just looking at her twisted his insides. She looked delicate this morning, her eyes haunted, face fatigued. She wasn't delicate, however. She was strong and resilient.

He'd made love to her last night because he could not resist her. She was a fire inside him now, a part of him. He wanted to protect her and keep her safe. Lilly, of course, would never allow that. She had been protecting herself for some time.

“Firstly, I want to know why you contemplated marrying Lilly to Danderfield. Is it, as Dev suspected, because you need money?”

Devon was pleased to see that at least Nicholas did not lower his eyes when James spoke.

“To my shame, yes, that is the truth.”

James gritted his teeth.

“That is unpardonable, Nicholas. How could you treat your own blood that way? Your parents were good people. You have no excuse for your behavior.”

“I know my behavior has been reprehensible, but I want to change... will change.”

“Yes, well, we’ll deal with your behavior and subsequent debts later. Now is not that time.”

Nicholas Braithwaite's lip was swollen from Dev's fist yesterday, and he looked different; his eyes had lost their insolence. Today he, like his sister, looked young and uncertain, but Dev had no intention of feeling anything but anger for the man.

“I have made this mess I now stand in. I will deal with it, and my debts.”

“Very noble, I am sure, cousin, but I will not let you fall on your sword when both your sister and aunt rely on you, and you have your parents’ reputations to uphold.”

“One thing has come clear to me, Braithwaite.” Dev entered the conversation, as standing in silence and letting another speak for him had never been something he was comfortable with. “Your sister's life is in danger, and living with you she has no protection. Therefore, she will move in here with James and between us, we will keep her safe.”

“I understand the gravity of what has occurred, Devon,” Lilly said. “I am of course indebted to you all for saving me, but I am sure that as long as I now exercise caution, I will remain safe living in my family home.”

“No you will not, now please be quiet, Lilly, while we discuss this matter further,” Dev said.

“No, I will not be quiet, damn you! Do not speak of me as if I am not seated right here several feet from you.”

“Lilly!” her brother said in shocked tones, which told Dev that Nicholas knew nothing about his sister. She was outspoken when required, and used several curses, also if required, to prove her point.

She spun to her brother. “Don't you dare censure me for using the word damn when you have used that and worse in my presence. You are a drunkard, gambler, and whoring wastrel. At least I can lay claim to doing something worthy with my life.”

Had she sprouted wings and flown across the room, the effect on her brother wouldn’t have been greater.

“I-I know my past behavior has been wrong,” Nicholas said slowly, as he looked at Lilly as one would a fire-breathing dragon. “Yet, I ask that you allow me to make amends.”

“No.” She shook her head. “I want nothing from you.”

“Me, however,” Dev said, moving to her side and placing a hand on her shoulder, “she will wed, and I will ensure she is loved, protected, and safe, Braithwaite.”

He felt the tension beneath his hand.

“No, I will not marry you.”

Yes, you bloody will.

Dev was about to open his mouth when he looked at James, who shook his head. He was right, of course; this was not the forum to pursue the matter of their futures, and seeing the firm set of Lilly's jaw, he wished he had held his tongue and spoken to her first. She made him lose reason, which while understandable considering how he felt about her, was not a practice he should continue. The problem was, he wanted her bound to him so tight she could never leave.

“I do not know what has happened or why she was abducted, yet when I am furnished with all the facts, I will change everything from this day forth. She will be protected, and I will ensure she feels no pressure to wed. She will not be forced, Sinclair,” Nicholas Braithwaite declared.

“Why would you do that?” Lilly questioned. “What gain is there in any of this for you, Nicholas? I am trying to understand your motivation.”

“Before you answer that, Braithwaite, perhaps you should beg your sister's forgiveness for her treatment at your hands over the last few years,” Dev said.



“I want no apology from you simply because you are intimidated by James and Devon, Nicholas.” Lilly regained her feet. She had a feeling she needed to stand tall to deal with what was about to unfold.

Her brother seemed different today. His face had lost that arrogant expression it perpetually wore. Yet Lilly knew him well enough to know he could play any part should he need to.