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

hurt them. However, if she was discreet with Sebastian, none would be the wiser and her family’s reputation would be safe.

But she had to know something first. “Do you enjoy killing?”

He let out a long sigh. “Not at all. You see, every death, it stays with you, it does. Or at least part of it. So, no, there’s nothing I enjoy about ever taking a life. But sometimes it is necessary. Especially to save the innocent from monsters.”

The fact was comforting. And though she’d never imagined Seb would enjoy such a thing, some did, and she could never start anything with someone who did.

“But I will tell you this.” He paused in the middle of the abandoned warehouse to look down at her. “I will enjoy killing the man who orchestrated your kidnapping. That I can promise you.”

“Why would you enjoy killing him?”

“Because he dared to take you. He dared to scare you. He dared to try to kill you. That sort of man is not fit to exist in Society. His death will not trouble me in the slightest.”

“I don’t think it will trouble me, either.” As much as she felt guilty saying so, Seb was right—such a man was dangerous to exist in Society, and she would lose no sleep over his death. Though the thought of Seb getting his hands dirty dealing with such a grub was troubling. “But murder is a sin, Seb. I would hate for you to be damned, especially not over someone of that man’s ilk.”

Seb smiled and recommenced carrying her through the warehouse. “I was damned from the moment of conception, Livie. Another body to add to the list is not going to make a difference. I’ve already earned my place in damnation.”

The thought was depressing, but redemption was always possible, and like Charlotte said, he helped many without any accolades for doing so. Her heart suddenly sank. Oh no. Charlotte!

“Oh my goodness, Seb, I helped Charlotte escape and she was going to find you…” she said in some panic as her fear for the girl swamped her.

“She’s fine,” Seb said, weaving around some of the men’s bodies scattered over the warehouse floor. “She bumped into us on her dash from the docks and is under lock and key at my residence with Rowan.”

“Thank goodness.” Livie was never one to cry, either, much like her aunt, but without warning, tears began to glisten in her eyes. She swiped away at them roughly. “I didn’t want to send her out into the night, all alone and to face certain danger. But I knew she’d be in even more peril if she stayed in the cell with me. I hope I didn’t put her in any danger, though. I was trying only to protect her.”

Seb’s hands tightened slightly around her as he stalked through the ground floor of the warehouse to the front entrance doors. “You saved her. You put her life before your own. For that, I will forever be in your debt.”

“I did only what anyone else would do in the circumstances.”

“No. You didn’t. You put someone else’s life ahead of your own. You put my sister’s life, the one person who is the only true family I have left, ahead of your own. Those are the actions of someone with courage and honor. Someone I am happy to have as a partner in any business endeavor going forward.”

His words filled her with pride and absolute delight. She doubted many could say that the Bastard of Baker Street was in their debt. Not that she wanted him to be. It was more so that she could see the benefit to her and the gazette in having him so. Because now at least he’d be more inclined to listen to her and invest further in the project. She had grand plans for the venture, after all.

“It is an action I’ll never be able to fully repay,” Seb continued, carrying her out the door and into the street, passing several men milling about, some nursing bruises, others covered in blood.

He must have seen the look of confusion on her face as she watched the men walking around. “They’re my men. The Lads gang is no more.”

Relief filled her instantly, but then she frowned. “But you still have to find their leader.”

“Yes,” Seb replied, striding farther down the street before turning a corner to where a horse and carriage were waiting. “He had enough time to escape with a few of his most loyal men just before we arrived.”

“He’s a dangerous man, Seb.” She tried to impress upon him the truth of her observations. “And I don’t know why, but he hates you with a vengeance. Such a vengeance that goes well beyond normal turf wars and power struggles. It’s personal for him. And he’s out to get you.”

“I know.” Seb placed her onto her feet beside his carriage but had the sense to leave his hands on her waist to keep her upright. His fingers were so warm and strong that for a moment Livie nearly forgot her train of thought. He dipped his head down to hers and murmured softly with a brush of his lips against her ear. “In you go.”

Livie really did forget her train of thought after that.

She could only bob her head up and down as he assisted her inside the carriage.

Immediately, her eyes were drawn to the ebony wood cane perched in the far corner. “My cane!” She swiveled back to face him as he stepped into the carriage behind her and nearly bumped heads with her. But his reflexes were uncannily sharp, and he reached his hands out and steadied her before their heads clashed.

“You found my cane?”

He seemed slightly uncomfortable acknowledging so but nodded nonetheless. “I found it in the warehouse and had one of the boys bring it and leave it in here. I know how much it means to you.”

She squealed in delight and launched herself into his arms. “Oh, thank you, Sebastian, you