Pierce waved Mason on with the hand not clutching his bleeding abdomen. “Go after him. I’ll be fine.”
Mason was having a hard time extracting himself, so Lilly gave chase. Hiking up her skirts, she hopped down from the carriage and took off running after Stefan. She had no intention of catching him, but if she could just stay close enough to keep an eye on him, Mason could catch up. No doubt, he’d be able to trace her essence, even with so many twists and turns, and he wouldn’t be far behind.
Stefan disappeared down another side street, and she pushed herself to keep pace as they took one road after the other. She rounded the corner and ran straight into him as he waited for her. His arm tightened around her waist and he dragged her backwards, his other hand covering her mouth as she screamed. She kicked and struggled within his grip, but he was too strong and she had little purchase to try and stand her ground. No one was around to help as he pulled her into the darkened alley.
She fought her rising panic. Her heart thundered in her head, the pounding of it drowning out the reasoning that she could not die. For though that may be the case, there were enough things he could still do to make her wish she were dead.
He pinned her to the wall with his body, one hand on her mouth to muffle her screams while his other hand pulled at her skirt. She tried to kick her way free as he tore at the fabric protecting her, his hand grabbing her leg and pulling it up out of the way. Doubling her efforts, she got a hand free and clawed his face, barely registering the pain as her nails broke and bent against flesh and bone.
And then she saw him.
Jack yanked Stefan away from her. “How dare you.”
Jack planted his fist in Stefan’s gut, sending him stumbling back.
“This isn’t over.” Stefan glared at him, and then gave her a look that sent a shiver down her spine. To her, he said, “Until we meet again.” He then slipped around the corner, gone.
Lilly was slumped against the wall, but Jack put a supporting arm around her waist and helped her to feet. “Are you all right? Did he… harm you?”
His dark eyes searched her face, while she struggled to hold back her threatening tears, her entire body shaking with the shock of the attack.
He was still holding, but she pulled away from his touch, the images she’d seen not an hour earlier still fresh on her mind.
“I’m just shaken.” She knew not what to think or do.
As if seeing the fear in her eyes, he said, “Lilly, love… you cannot think me capable of such things. Please…”
His eyes held hers, but she could not bear the pain of looking into eyes she once loved, especially when she could not believe the words he spoke.
Mason would be there at any moment. This entire investigation could be over if she delayed Jack just a bit longer. But she then thought of what would be happening at that very moment if Jack had not arrived to pull Stefan off of her. It left her torn.
“Turn yourself in, Jack. Please. If you’re telling me the truth, then you’re better off explaining yourself to the Elders. You cannot keep running.” She closed her fists around his shirt, pleading with him to do the right thing. “I’m begging you.”
He looked resigned and exhausted. “I’m sorry, Lilly, but I cannot. I’d not meant for any of this to happen, and I never intended for you to become involved.” He stepped away, but she held on. “I’m so sorry, love.” He then pried her fingers from his shirt and took off running.
She tried to go after him, but her legs gave way, her entire body unsteady from the attack and all that had occurred. Taking a moment to gather her strength, she started to wander back the way she’d come.
She turned a corner and found Mason. Relief overwhelmed her, the last of her energy dissolving at the sight of him. He wrapped her in his arms and she collapsed against him, never more happy to be in his embrace. He said not a word, but his eyes took in her torn garments and disheveled hair. With a tight hold on her, they wound their way back towards the carriage.
His body was coiled tight with anger, tension in every muscle. He’d yet to say much of anything, and she knew it was because he would lose what control he was currently managing over his emotions.
With the carriage just up ahead, she noticed no one around it. “How is Pierce?” It was a small relief to know he could not die. Though they teased and bickered, she was terribly fond of him.
“He’ll manage. My driver, however, is in far worse shape. He’s been taken to the physicians by one of Nelson’s men.”
“Did Pierce also go?”
“He refused to and is waiting in the carriage. I’ll drive us.” Mason’s entire demeanor was stiff, and his control seemed tenuous.
Before he could pull open the carriage door, Lilly put a hand on his arm and stopped him. “Mason…” She knew not what to say.
“Did he harm you?” Hurt clouded his eyes as it became clear he suspected the worse had occurred.
“No, love. He had not the opportunity.” She cupped his cheek and then took a deep breath to prepare herself for what would come next. “Mason, it’s because of Jack that I’m safe. He stopped Stefan before he...” She did not want to think of what could have happened.
“Jack’s essence—it’s on your person.” He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Thank you for telling me. It means a lot that you were honest about it.”
“I tried to convince him to turn himself in, but he pulled out of my grasp.” She wondered if Mason would now go after Jack. He could probably still track his energy.
“Let’s get you and Pierce home.” He pulled open the carriage door and helped her inside.
She grabbed his arm before he had a chance to turn away, her gut in knots. “Are you going to try and find Jack?”
He let out a weary breath. “No. I’ll not risk Stefan coming back to finish what he started and they’ll be no chance of us leaving if I tell Nelson. Jack’s earned himself a brief reprieve.”
***
Lilly twisted the water out of the cloth and wiped away the blood around Pierce’s wound, trying to ignore the fact that he was naked from the waist up. “You should have gone to see a physician.” She pursed her lips in consternation, blaming herself that he and the driver were hurt. “I’m sorry about this.”
Pierce waved her concerns away. “I wouldn’t worry yourself over it. It’s bound to hurt a bit, but you’re being gentle enough, and it’s already stopped bleeding.”
She shook her head and frowned. “No. I meant about getting stabbed. I feel responsible. He was there looking for me.”
“He’s the one that stabbed me, aye?” He gave her a shrug and a smile. “I’ll tell you, Mason was furious when you went after Stefan. I’ve not seen him that angry in a long time.”
Indeed, Mason had given her an earful on the matter. His lecture had only come to an end when he left to discuss the case with Nelson and inform Damon of the latest with Stefan. Something would need to be done. She no longer felt safe walking the streets of London.
“Why Mason shows any interest is beyond me. I swear, I do nothing but annoy and frustrate the man.” She dropped the cloth back in the bowl to rinse it free of the blood, the acrid smell of iron in the air.
Pierce choked out a laugh that left him cringing in pain. “Truth is I’d give anything to have that sort of affect on him. You know, my dear, it would not be so if he did not care.”
She cocked her head in question. “And you think he doesn’t care for you? You’d be mistaken.”
Pierce gave her a sly smile and a wink. “Well, I do have my charms.”
Her eyebrows shot up. “Hmph. Of that I’m sure. I’m amazed at the amount of people you’ve charmed into your bed.”
“I’ve never been able to convince you, though.” He flicked a hand at her, waving her away. “Always too serious.”
She smiled while cleaning up the rest of the blood. “You’ve no interest in getting me into your bed, Pierce—not unless I bring Mason with me.”
“It could be fun, my dea
r. Are you not at all curious?” He gave her his most seductive smile, but she did her best to ignore it.
“You’ve obviously been a reaper far too long.” Needing to change the subject, she motioned to his wound. “There’s not much more I can do, but it looks like you’re already healing.”
“One of the many advantages of this life.” He reached over and pulled on a borrowed night shirt, since Mason had insisted Pierce stay at his home until he was once again well.
She looked away and sighed. Being a reaper had its perks, first and foremost not being dead, yet she could not find a level of comfort with what she was asked to do in return. And now with Nelson in charge, she wondered if the Elders would still allow her to take on a different position as Mason had promised.
“It will get easier, Lilly—but only if you let it. By the gods, I’ve never seen anyone fight things as much as you do.”
Her eyes went wide with dismay. “That’s not true.”
He shrugged with a sympathetic smile, his eyes kind. “If you say so, my dear.”
Chapter Eighteen
Having returned to finish the investigation with Nelson and the Elders, Mason was exhausted and his nerves were worn thin. However, he had one more thing he needed to do before heading home. He looked over his shoulder to make sure he wasn’t being followed and then followed the path Lilly had taken from his carriage.
His gut still clenched in worry as he recalled watching her run after that maniac. Clearly, she’d not thought the matter through, and what nearly came to be left him furious.
Jack. Of all people to save her. And a good thing he’d been there too.
Of course, it only complicated matters exponentially. If the Elders found out he didn’t pursue Jack when he had the opportunity to do so—no matter that Stefan could have attacked once more—Mason would be lucky to escape unscathed. The Elders certainly had ways of making someone pay for their crimes and transgressions.
He wondered if he’d have done the same were it someone other than Lilly. Likely not. However, the thought of what could have transpired had Jack not been there shook him to the core. He’d yet to find out exactly what occurred and truth be told, he did not want to know. Yet, in the same breath, he needed to know every detail, for certainly what his mind imagined had to be far worse than the reality of the matter.
One thing he knew without a doubt. If he ever got his hands on that bastard, Stefan, he’d make him suffer for what he’d done, and consequences be damned.
As he traced the steps she’d taken only hours earlier, he thought it odd that even amongst reapers who did not leave a strong trace of energy, she left even less behind. Indeed, it was why he’d had a hard time finding her sooner.
After a few missteps, he got to his destination. The alley was narrow and dark on such an overcast day, the houses too close to let in what little light existed. It was as he’d expected—Jack’s essence was there, but it was already faint and broken and not strong enough to follow. Yet it mattered not, for the real reason he’d come was to find any clue that might lead to Stefan.
With Stefan capable of seeing a reaper’s true form and immune to a reaper’s defenses, he posed a threat that needed to be seen to before he exposed their existence or attacked again. However, Mason was fully aware of why he was searching for the bastard. He knew full well what Stefan’s intentions had been with Lilly, and Mason needed to keep her safe and make Stefan understand what a grave mistake he’d made.
The thought of Lilly’s near rape fueled Mason’s anger and determination. It had been a while since he’d had to track down a human that was not a reap, but he’d been a man of the law when alive, and that experience would serve him well now.
What did he already know about Stefan? Lilly said his speech was that of a man with an education. Yet they’d found him in Whitechapel on two of the four occasions that Lilly had run into him. Did he have a home or offices in the area? Or had he turned up with the knowledge Lilly would be there. With the gift of sight, he could likely predict where she might be.
The thought sent his heart racing, his fists clenched tight. If Stefan could find her at will, how could Mason possibly keep her safe? There was only one way, and that was to catch the bastard.
Mason gave each occurrence some thought. If there was one chance meeting in the bunch, Mason suspected it would be when they first met, though it was possible instinct drove Stefan to the pub that night. Afterwards, Stefan was either following her or using his gift, for it could not be mere coincidence that he kept turning up.
Mason looked around the alley, but there was nothing to lead him to Stefan, and there hadn’t been any witnesses during the attack—other than Jack. It was yet another reason to track him down, as if the murders hadn’t been reason enough.
With nothing more to be found in the alley, he thought of returning to Lilly. She’d had a rough day, and Pierce was likely still healing. Once he checked in on them both, he’d think about heading out to the pub where Lilly first met Stefan.
He wandered back towards his carriage, only to find Nelson waiting for him. Tired as he was, Mason was in no mood to play games.
“Going already?” Nelson scoffed and shook his head. “I guess you have your priorities.”
Mason’s hands curled into fists, his voice clipped when he spoke. His patience was already worn thin after thinking of what happened to Lilly and Pierce, and he had little patience for Nelson’s nonsense.
“My lieutenant and driver were stabbed, and one of my reapers was attacked. You’ll forgive me if I go check on them when there’s nothing more to be done here. Or do you need help kissing Damon’s arse?”
“It’d be a grave mistake for you to make me your enemy, Mason.” Nelson’s eyes narrowed, the spark of anger glowing within them as he pointed a finger at Mason’s chest. “You underestimate me.”
Mason bit down on his words. “And you overestimate your importance. Now get out of my way.”
“Be careful, Mason. You’re far from invincible and there’s more than one way to get to the heart of the beast.” Nelson paused—said nothing for a long moment, though his eyes did not leave Mason’s. “When I was in her head, I saw something that makes me wonder how well you truly know your pet?”
Mason felt his heart skip a beat, for he wasn’t sure what Nelson was referring to. Had she betrayed him to Jack early in the investigation, and Nelson had seen it? Doubtful. He’d not have let her go if that were the case. It was just another of his games. “I know her better than your hand knows your cock. I’m done here.”
Without another glance, he spun to go, but was stopped by Nelson’s words. “Then you know she birthed a bastard child?”
Mason’s fist connected with Nelson’s jaw, but it took only a moment for Nelson to retaliate, his fist grazing Mason’s cheek as he leaned back out of the way. Before it turned into a brawl, Mason’s footman jumped down from the carriage and pulled them apart with the help of Nelson’s lieutenant.
Nelson was spitting mad. He grabbed his jaw, and then wiped at the blood coming from his cut and swollen lip. “I’ll make sure you pay for this.”
“Go fuck yourself, Nelson.”
***
Mason took Lilly’s hand away from his swollen cheek, not wanting her to worry. “’Tis nothing, love. How’s Pierce doing?”
“He’s asleep, and I suspect he’ll be healed in the next day or two. Nowhere near as speedy as your recovery from getting shot.” Lines of worry creased her face. “Who hit you? Was it Nelson?”
“Aye, but only after I hit him first.” Mason waved away her worries. “It matters not. Another quarter of an hour and I’ll have healed.”
Lilly looked like she was managing fine, though Mason worried it was only a façade. He ran a gentle hand down the curve of her cheek. “I’m more concerned about how you’re holding up with all that’s happened. You’ve had a difficult day, love.”
“I’ll not lie. The sight of that poor woman and what was done to her is g
oing to give me nightmares.” She squeezed her eyes shut as if attempting to erase the image from her brain.
He noticed she did not mention Stefan, and it made his heart ache for her. Unfortunately, it only made more difficult what he would now ask her to do. “I’d not bother you with this after all you’ve been through, but I need to see the murder through your own eyes while it’s still fresh in your mind and you can recall all the details.”
Her jaw dropped, disbelief in her eyes. She looked ready to protest, and Mason prepared to defend his request, but then she closed her mouth, swallowed hard, and looked away. “If you must. But first, if you’d be so kind as to get me something to drink, it’d be much appreciated.”
“Will brandy do?” When she nodded, he poured her a glass. “I know this isn’t easy for you, love.”
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