The Wolf's Pursuit (London Fairy Tales #3)(53)

It was useless.

Which was why, when Samuel the infuriating Russian butler opened the door, Hunter felt the need to finally get the man's name right rather than irritate him beyond reason.

"My good man." He slapped the butler on the back. "Is the Beast at home?"

Samuel groaned and rolled his eyes. Perhaps it was impossible for Hunter to be normal. Perhaps it was because the man was Russian, which immediately made Hunter want to say something annoying. After all, he was conditioned to do so with all Russians. Just ask Dominique.

"In the study." Samuel pointed and wandered off.

"Thank you," Hunter yelled at the retreating butler's back. A grunt was his only response.

Hunter sauntered over to the study and knocked on the door.

No answer.

Was no one at home today?

And then he heard it.

A blunt object was suddenly pushed against the back of his head and the all-too-familiar click of the hammer being pulled back gave him pause.

"Explain," Dominique said in Russian.

He only spoke in Russian when he was truly upset.

"Has something happened?" Hunter asked in English.

"It is about to," Dominique ground out. "You have three seconds."

"Listen—"

"One."

Hunter tried to turn around, but Dominique pushed him against the wall.

"Two."

"Fine!" Hunter held up his hands and cursed. "What is it you want? And stop pointing that thing at my head! Devil take it, you are not even giving me a chance to speak!"

"One cannot speak if one is dead." Dominique cursed in Russian, then pulled the pistol back from Hunter's head. Though the minute the pressure was relieved, he kicked Hunter in the leg, causing a shooting pain to run from his calf all the way up his spine.

"What the devil is wrong with you?" Hunter flipped around and glared at his friend.

"I should ask you the same." The pistol was still pointed at Hunter's body. Brilliant. Perhaps he would get shot twice in one week! One could only hope.

Hunter could not fight back the grin. Truly, it was the worst time in the history of his lack of self-control to actually be unable to restrain himself.

"If you took advantage of her, slept with her, I swear I will shoot you and never look back." Dominique sneered. Ah, so he was to negotiate with a beast.

Well, he was a wolf, after all.

With a quick movement, he knocked the pistol out of Dominique's hand. It fell to the floor in a clatter as Hunter punched Dominique in the stomach. Was it his fault his fist slipped and nailed his best friend on the chin?

Cursing, Dominique came at him, fists flying. Within seconds they were on the floor wrestling one another.

"Heavens, what is all that noise?" came Isabelle's soft voice, and then the woman cursed. "Unhand each other this instant."

Dominique looked up at his wife. Hunter took advantage and landed a blow to his friend's jaw. Murderous outrage reflected in Dominique's face as he thrust his head against Hunter's, causing his body to slump to the cold hard marble.

"Isabelle? What is all that noise?" Another figure appeared. Though the voice was feminine, Hunter could not be sure if it was another person, or if he was suffering merely from double vision.

"Dominique!" Gwen yelled. "Kindly remove yourself from my future husband!"

"Not until he's dead." Dominique cursed and grasped at Hunter's cravat, winding it tightly into his hand. To breathe was the very devil. To be fair, Hunter hadn't expected this reaction from Dominique. Now, Montmouth? That was another story entirely.

"I said release him." Gwen pushed Dominique off of Hunter and glared. "Truly, what has gotten into the both of you? Acting like rebellious children! Whatever happened to talking?"

Hunter pointed at Dominique. "He tried to shoot me."

"He struck me first!" Dominique argued.

"And my horse is bigger than yours," Isabelle said dryly. "Now, husband, explain." She glared daggers at Dominique. Hunter shifted nervously on the floor, suddenly feeling quite lucky that he wasn't married.

"He ruined her." If Dominique pointed his finger one more time in Hunter's direction, he was going to snap it in half.

"Actually…" Gwen winked at Hunter. "It is I who ruined him… for all other women."

There it was. That blasted grin. Though his face hurt like the devil, it decided to make an appearance again as his eyes greedily took in Gwen and her defense of him.

"And it only took two minutes," Hunter added helpfully.

"At most." Gwen sighed.

"What the devil is going on? And Hunter, I swear by all that is holy, if you lie to me, I will end you." Well, at least the bloke was speaking in English now. That had to be a good sign, didn't it?

"I'm a spy!" Gwen blurted, just as Hunter opened his mouth to speak. Was she planning on saving him all day or was this just a phase?

"Your grace." Samuel cleared his throat, taking in both bloodied men sitting on the floor, and shrugged. "This came for you while you were out."

Hunter winced as he rose to his feet and took the letter. He carefully opened it and cursed.

Redding dead. Meet tonight at 7, The Horse and Hare.