The Bachelor Bargain (Secrets, Scandals, and Spies) by Michaels, Maddison (short books to read TXT) 📕

when I refused the job and made sure everyone in our territory refused as well, knowing of your abhorrence of violence against women? You know perfectly well you wouldn’t give a shit if it was anyone else except for Lady Olivia, as long as no one from our territory accepted the job. Which it seems this rival gang may have had no qualms in agreeing to.”

“And that is why you are not in charge, Lance,” Seb said. “You don’t think beyond what’s in front of you.”

“What the hell does that mean?” Lance demanded, his jaws grinding tightly.

“It means that of course I want to know if a gentleman is seeking to have a lady murdered.” Information like that was powerful. “If you’d seen beyond the mere request as to how we could use that knowledge to our advantage, then you would have shown initiative to lead, rather than merely follow.”

“And if you weren’t so caught up with this Lady Olivia and her business, you would lead better, my friend. She’s having a weakening effect on you,” Lance retorted. “You’re becoming soft.”

Seb’s lips pulled tightly at the corners. “Soft, am I? You’re welcome to challenge me, if that’s the case.” He was talking about leadership of the Baker Street Gang, which he was still in charge of, even though Lance did most of the coordinating of the gang itself as Seb was too busy focusing on his legitimate businesses. A fact he knew Lance sometimes resented.

But if Lance wanted to challenge Seb, it would be a bare-knuckled fight until one of them was dead. There was no other way to assume leadership. “Well? What are you waiting for? If you disagree with my leadership, then challenge me.” His words were clipped and as cold as ice.

“For God’s sake!” Rowan stood and strode over next to them. “Will the two of you stop this? We clearly have a problem with this Lads gang and we need to sort it out together, not fight with one another.”

For a tense minute, neither Seb nor Lance backed down, but then Lance sighed and took a step back. “I’m sorry, I just haven’t seen you so interested in a woman before, especially one so far out of your reach. To be honest, it’s thrown me slightly.”

“Well, you can rest assured I’m not trying to reach for her.” He, more than most, knew better than to dally with a lady. Even if thoughts of doing so had consumed him of late. “Rowan’s right, we need to focus on the threat.” He turned to Rowan. “Find out if Lady Olivia is the target, and, in the meantime, task three of our best men to keep watch on her and protect her. Tell them if even a scratch is to befall her, they will answer to me. And tell them to keep their distance; I don’t want to worry her or attract any unwanted attention. They will have to dress the part to be hanging out in Mayfair, too.”

“I will see to it,” Rowan affirmed.

“Also, if we don’t catch him sooner, ensure our men are in place to apprehend this McGinchy when he attends the boxing match on Thursday. I’ll be there myself, watching from my box.”

Rowan nodded. “Consider it done.” He paused at the door. “You two aren’t going to kill each other if I leave, are you?”

“Go.” Seb’s voice brooked no argument, and with hands held in the air, Rowan left. Seb glanced back to Lance, who was watching him carefully. “Your informant was either fed false information or purposefully assisted in trying to set me up.”

“I know,” Lance said. “His information has been reliable up until this morning’s events, which is why I trusted the content of it. But don’t worry, he will pay for his mistake, and depending on whether it was accidental or deliberate, will dictate whether he pays with his life or just a good beating.”

“Good. I don’t want to have to question the information I get from you ever again. Are we clear?”

“Crystal.” Lance gave him a mock bow and sauntered out of the room.

As Seb had told Livie, he couldn’t truly trust anyone, and he was beginning to suspect that that was true of Lance most of all.

The thought was a truly disappointing one.

Chapter Thirteen

The next morning, when Livie made her way downstairs to the breakfast room, it was to be confronted by the unusual sight of her father, seated at the head of the table, with her three brothers standing and crowding around beside him. They were all intently looking down at the flyer her father was holding, with surprise and alarm in each of their expressions.

“Have you seen this yet, Livie?” Justin, the youngest of the three but still older than Livie by two years, asked as he glanced toward her while she made her way over to them.

“What is it?” she asked, her cane swinging along next to her as she came to stand beside them.

“Something that is causing quite the stir,” her father answered, holding out the paper to her, his weathered hand sure and steady. “A pamphlet warning the bachelors in Society to beware.”

Trying to contain the excitement coursing through her, Livie took the paper from him and stared down at the bold print.

Bachelors beware.

No longer shall your vices and follies remain unknown.

No longer shall your prospective fiancées be forced to wed you in ignorance. The Bachelor Bounty Gazette will be released in a fortnight and will critique three of you each month, listing in detail your deficiencies and failings.

For those who keep secrets and prey on the weak and innocent, you will be exposed, with all of your dirty little secrets laid bare to one and all.

No longer will you be able to stay hidden behind your titles or family connections. If you dare to trifle with the affections of young ladies with no thought to the consequences, take heed of this warning, for in ruining a