Seeing Danger (Sinclair and Raven #2)(83)

No one spoke again as they moved to the next cluster of trees.

“Christ, I'm scared, Lilly. They are so small,” Devon whispered into her ear.

“And strong, Devon. You have taught them well, and they will be safe until we reach them.”

He squeezed her hand but said nothing further.

They got as close as they could without detection. The shadows were beginning to settle, yet if anyone looked they would still notice any movement in the trees. The house was made of dark gray stone. To Lilly, it looked bleak and empty. The windows on all levels were shut, curtains drawn, and not one speck of light could be seen.

“What do you see, Dev?” Essie asked.

“No one is inside.”

“The twins’ voices have faded, almost as if they have moved beyond the house,” Eden said, frowning. “Outbuildings,” she then added softly. “There must be outbuildings, and if Lilly is correct, maybe the other children are being held there also.”

“What reason could Danderfield have to be kidnapping children, sister,” Devon said.

“Then why kidnap the twins?”

“True,” Cam agreed. “We know this is his property, but not that he is involved.”

“James, you take Cam and circle the house from the far side while we take this way,” Devon said, pointing to his right.

Lilly watched James brush Eden's fingers as he and Cam left. Lilly, Eden, and Essex held hands as they followed Devon. He motioned them to hunch over as he did, and keeping parallel with the house, they made their way to the rear. If Devon lifted his hand, they stopped, and restarted only when he lowered it.



Dev wanted to kill someone; he wasn't picky who, just someone who was responsible for the pain that had taken up residence in his chest. It had been bad when Lilly had been taken; he had felt a furious burning rage that someone had dared to harm her, his woman. And now his little sisters had suffered the same fate. Dorrie and Somer, who looked on the world as a vast and entertaining treat, filled with wonderful, exciting experiences. They were not supposed to feel pain or terror. He and his siblings had done their best to ensure this didn't happen to the youngest Sinclairs. Yet now it had, and he would see whomever had done this deed in hell.

Moving to the shelter of a bush, he looked at the long low building still some distance away. They would have very little cover to reach it and to do so with so many of them would be folly.

“We saw nothing on our way,” Cam said, arriving at Dev's side with James on his heels. “In fact, this place looks deserted.”

“There is what we are after.” Dev pointed to where the building lay. “And there are four armed men patrolling the outside. I can see colors inside, multiple colors, all children, therefore your guess, Lilly, appears to be accurate. The twins are now in there too.”

“There is no cover, just that bloody lane in.”

Everyone grew silent as they studied the landscape.

“They won't shoot at women.”

“Definitely not!” James whispered to his wife. “I will not allow you to go up to that—”

“No!” Dev snapped at the same time.

“And yet we have no other choice,” Essie said, removing her bonnet. “This is our only chance. If we can distract them long enough for you, James, and Cam to approach, then well and good. If not, you will have to rush them.”

“Exactly,” Lilly said, removing her bonnet also. She then took Dev's necktie and tied it around her head in a band. Eden quickly did the same.

“This is ridiculous,” Dev hissed, gripping Lilly's wrist. He could not allow something to happen to her.

“Trust us, Dev, and know we will be safe until you reach us.”

He held her eyes, saw the determination, and knew he had to let her do it because he had no other way to get to his sisters.

“I don't want to let you do this, but I can see no other way—”

“We are wasting time,” Lilly said.

“You are to take no chances,” he said, scowling at her. “Any of you,” he added, turning the look on his sisters.

“Take my knife,” Cam said, handing it to Essie who slipped it into her bodice.

“Can you shoot?” Dev said, removing his pistol and handing it to Lilly, who in turn lifted her skirts and put it in her stocking.

“I walk the streets of London at night, Sinclair; of course I can shoot.”

He could lose himself in those eyes, and planned to do so, along with her body, when they were home safe. “Be safe,” he said, running a finger down her nose.

Checking Essie over to make sure she looked more like a village woman and less like a noblewoman, he nodded. “Remember you are just to lure them away from the front of the building so we can get there undetected. Attempt nothing further,” he cautioned.

“Any sign of trouble, you run, but not in a straight line,” James added in a harsh voice. Dev saw the fear he felt in his eyes.

“What do you plan to do?” Cam said, looking worried.

“Flirt.” Eden looked scared but determined.

“I've changed my mind—” But it was too late, they'd left Dev's side and walked out onto the rutted lane that led to the outbuildings.

“Watch carefully, Sinclair, and if you see anything, no matter how small, we run,” James whispered. “Simply put, that is my life walking down that lane, and without her I am nothing.”