The Gadget: The Rondon Chronicles Book One by V. Timlin (speed reading book .TXT) 📕

maw of muscle fibres gaped wide open, but there were no gurgling veins or exposed vital organs. A third sigh of relief escaped her lips. A flesh wound. Thank goodness. Although it looked messy, it wasn’t a deep graze. Nevertheless, Jasper needed medical help. She smirked—Vari would be more than happy to apply her white stuff on Mr Sunshine.

Anouk stood and approached the body at the door. She had no need to test his pulse. The back of his skull had exploded and a halo of blood had formed around his head. Nausea washed over her as she turned and staggered away from the dead man.

A hand landed on her shoulder. She jumped away, lifting her prod to stun the intruder.

“Just me.” Nat grinned as he took a step back.

“Jeez!” Anouk shrieked. “Don’t sneak up on me like that. You nearly gave me a heart attack and got yourself zapped.” She rushed to give him a hug.

“Sorry.” Nat chuckled and returned her hug. “Are you alright?”

Anouk took a deep breath, leaning her face against his shoulder. “I am now.”

The smell of him and his warm body wrapped her into a safe bubble. She could stand there, in his arms forever… at least, if her own body wasn’t about to betray her. She stepped back before her hands started to live a life of their own and slip under Nat’s shirt. She smiled up at him to show she was fine.

“Someone punched you?” Nat studied her face with a scowl.

“It was Stalo but it’s nothing. Honestly, I’m alright.” Anouk patted Nat on his arm. “So, what happened? Are Stalo and his lackey arrested?”

“Erh, no.”

“Damn!”

Nat gave her a wary look. “I’m sorry.”

“No, Nat, I didn’t mean it that way. I’m not blaming you.” She rubbed her forehead, trying not to feel disappointed. Once again Stalo had slipped through their fingers. No returning to London yet as she had planned; the hunt would go on. “Madam Valeria and Stalo didn’t believe me one bit. They seemed to know we were setting a trap.”

“I should have guessed since they were doing business together that he would be here too.” Nat paused and studied her face with the same wary expression. His eyes stopped at her throbbing cheek. “But I was willing to take the risk.”

“Well, this was my idea and I did volunteer, didn’t I? I was being naive, trusting too much in Madam Valeria’s greediness.” Anouk secured the prod under her arm again. “By the way, how did you know where I was?”

“From Lila. She also said Stalo would be here.”

At least one thing she hadn’t misjudged. Lila had been on their side.

“Madam Valeria made a mistake, letting Shannah’s murder slide.” Anouk turned to look at the brothel owner, who was coming around. A weak moan came from the madam’s throat. “I think we should let the enforcers arrest her and Jasper.”

“No, I want to speak with her first before the enforcers arrest them.” As soon as he took a step towards the madam, four officers barged into the salon.

They scowled at him and one of the officers asked, “What are you doing here, bounty hunter?”

“We tipped you off about this brothel being Lord De Meriweth’s hideout,” Nat said, with a cool tone.

Ignoring Nat, the officer eyed the dazed madam and still unconscious Jasper on the floor. “Ah, Madam Valeria and her butler, excellent.” Without another word, he turned to his colleagues. “Let’s pack up these criminals.”

Nat stepped to intervene, but the officer lifted his baton an inch from Nat’s face. “Are you trying to obstruct the arrest?”

Nat stiffened. “No, but I need to talk with the madam first. She might hold a vital clue regarding Lord De Meriweth whereabouts.”

“We’ll get it from her, bounty hunter.” The officer bared his teeth. “Or do you want us to arrest you too?”

Nat stared back at the enforcer, showing no sign of backing down. Three other enforcers lined up next to their colleague, dropping their hands on their batons. Anouk swallowed. Shit!

She placed a hand on Nat’s shoulder. “Nat, let them do their job. We’ll talk to Chief Constable Loka.”

He nodded and took a reluctant step back.

The officer sneered at Nat. “That’s more like it.” He turned, slipping the baton under his belt. “Alright, chaps, let’s take this scum to the prisoner carriage.”

It wasn’t long before both Madam Valeria and Jasper were handcuffed and the enforcers started to escort them out of the salon.

Madam Valeria spat curses and tried to pull free. She craned her neck and called to Nat. “How could you? I thought we were friends.”

Nat rolled his eyes, but he didn’t respond. Anouk gaped after the madam. “How dare she after all she has done?”

Nat shook his head, staring in the direction the madam had been taken. “It’s better to let it go.”

Madam Valeria’s protests echoed from the hall. Anouk groped around in her head to say something, but failed to come up with anything that might be helpful. “Are Rose’s daughters safe?” Anouk asked instead.

Nat sighed. “Lila took Rose’s daughters to safety.”

“That’s good. It must have been a harrowing night for them.”

Nat opened his mouth to reply, but Chief Constable Loka entered the salon. “Mr Walla. Miss Herring.”

Nat bowed his head. “Chief Constable Loka.”

“Chief Constable,” Anouk replied, surprised by his acknowledgement.

Loka stalked around, scanning the salon. He glanced at the body lying close to the doorway. “One of Stalo De Meriweth’s men?”

“Yes,” Nat said.

“Where is the former lord himself?”

“He got away.” Nat wore an unreadable expression on his face. “I followed them to the basement, but they had locked the door behind them. While I started to pick it, I heard an explosion. They used explosives to seal the tunnel that leads to the sewer.”

Chief Constable Loka grunted. Had he expected Nat and her to fail? Maybe they had been too ambitious, trying to deal with Stalo when there were only two of them. No, four of them. Well, the chief constable shouldn’t feel too complacent. The enforcers had been their cavalry,