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

“Where are you taking us?” Livie asked, looking straight into the first man’s eyes.

“To seek redemption, me lady.” He chuckled again, and Livie got the sense he was somewhat unhinged in the head. “Ya shouldn’t a had nofing ta do with that Bastard of Baker Street. He’s like a disease, killin’ all he comes into contact with.”

“Well, at least you are aware of your fate,” she replied.

“What do ya mean?” He scratched his head, looking rather nonplussed.

“I’m sure you’ve heard the rumors of what the Bastard of Baker Street does with his enemies. He destroys them, utterly and completely.” Livie shrugged. “They won’t even be able to identify you once he’s done with you.”

Livie was happy to see some beads of sweat break out on the man’s forehead, while his companion grew noticeably gray-looking.

“Ya ain’t scaring me none,” the man declared, even though he squirmed uncomfortably on his seat and pulled the collar of his shirt away from his neck. “Besides, he won’t find us.”

“Oh, he will,” she assured them. “He will find you both, and then you will wish you were in Hell instead of suffering his punishments.”

The man leaned forward and slapped Livie hard across her cheek. Her head whipped to the side, a sharp sting stretching across her cheek from the contact. Very slowly, she turned back to face him, her eyes flashing in defiance.

“Ya shut ya fucken trap, ya hear!” he screamed into the space. “Not another fucken word out a ya! Or I’ll make ya sorry ya dared to defy me, I will.”

Livie merely raised her brow, refusing to let him see her cower. But she knew she’d pushed him to the edge. The man was terrified of Sebastian, even if he pretended otherwise. And that fear might be enough to stop him from really doing anything terrible to them both. At least she prayed it would be.

Charlotte’s hand slipped into her own and she squeezed the girl’s fingers tightly, trying to impart that all would be okay, which she desperately hoped to be the case. But without knowing why they were being kidnapped, apart from the loosely mentioned redemption, nor the location of where they were being taken, Livie was at a loss to know how they’d save themselves.

And though she believed all she’d just said about Seb, it was more so that he would seek vengeance against the men for daring to take Charlotte, even though it appeared they didn’t know of the prize they’d inadvertently secured by kidnapping her along with Livie.

Yes, Seb would tear London apart trying to find his sister. And then God help the men when he did.

Chapter Thirty-One

The small cell that had been built into the basement of the warehouse was cold, dark, and damp. The perfect arena to try to terrify them, if that was their captors intention.

A shudder ran up Livie’s spine when one of the men who had escorted both her and Charlotte down into the space turned the brass key in the lock of the cell gate. The latch clunked heavily as it clicked into place, effectively trapping them inside, with little hope for escape.

Livie’s eyes followed the guard as he wandered away down the hall, leaving her and Charlotte alone, at least for the moment. She’d thought she’d heard him mumbling something about the boss wanting to see them shortly, though with his heavily broken speech it had been difficult to tell if that actually had been what he’d muttered.

Unable to contain a heartfelt sigh, Livie swiveled back around to face Charlotte. Thankfully, the girl didn’t appear nearly as terrified as she had in the carriage, though not having a gun pointed at her may have assisted in that regard.

Livie began to hobble over toward the far wall where a rather dirty window was beckoning, but had to stop halfway, her leg paining her and her movements somewhat more limited without her cane to lean on. From the corner of her eye, she could see the look of concern on Charlotte’s face, but thankfully the girl made no move toward helping her, seemingly understanding that such a thing would only embarrass Livie.

Fury roiled in her stomach once again over the bastards not letting her keep her cane. And not for the first time did Livie curse her leg. Darn it! How were they to escape? Even if they did by some chance get out of the cell, how would she get anywhere without her cane?

But she could worry about that later. She needed to work out how she was going to get both of them out of this mess.

What she needed was a lock-picking kit, but unlike Kat, Livie did not carry around a set of lockpicks with her wherever she went. She certainly now regretted laughing when Kat had suggested she and Etta should start doing so, after Kat had taught them how to pick a lock.

If only she’d said yes, she’d have the picks on her and would be able to make quick work of the lock and get them out of there. Or at least get Charlotte out. Without her cane to help her walk quickly, Livie would be only a hindrance to any escape.

How was she going to get Charlotte out of here, especially before the guard or anyone else returned? Resuming her somewhat ungainly hobble, she made it over to the window panel. It was too high for her to reach the area without assistance, but she tiptoed on her good leg and gave the glass a quick rattle. Locked tightly.

Just as she had suspected.

Her hopes fell. How on earth were they going to escape from this predicament? And had anyone yet realized they were missing?

“What are we going to do, Lady Olivia?” Charlotte appeared determined, even if her voice quivered slightly.

“Firstly, we are not going to worry or panic. We will get out of this mess, I promise you that. And