Page 117 of Devil in Her Details

He scowled right back.

The door to the tavern opened and Maxen and Drake strode in. One look at him, and both of them were scowling as well. They each took a seat at his table. Could he love and hate his brothers at the same time?

“I’ve received word that Deveraux was spotted in London.”

Reaper cracked his knuckles. “Ah, good. A distraction. Just what we all need. And I’ve been waiting for this day.”

London.

“You’re not going,” Maxen said flatly. “You stay here.”

“Why the devil am I doing that?” Reaper complained. “I can sniff that fool out quick and good. Drag him back.”

“You’re too bloody reckless, that’s why,” Drake doused water all over the man’s hackles. “He’ll hear your diabolical laughter coming a mile away.”

“I’ll go,” Saint volunteered, and clapped a hand on Dagger’s shoulder. “I’ll take Dagger with me.”

No. Not bloody happening. “I’m not going.”

“I’ll drag you there my bloody self if you don’t get your act bloody straight,” Drake warned.

“Can you drag me there?” Dagger snapped. “You’d have to let go of your wife to do that. Don’t make me laugh.” And no one could bloody drag him anywhere he didn’t want to go.

Drake leaped to his feet but was held down by Maxen. “Don’t pick a fight with a drunk.”

Drake scowled but settled back into his seat.

“You have business in London, too,” Knight said softly to Dagger.

“No business there.” None at all.

“Are you really going to lie to yourself, frère?”

“Who’s lying? I’m not going to London.” Dagger added for good measure, “Don’t bloody expect that from me.”

“Not even to catch a glimpse of your beloved?” Reaper asked. “She must look so pretty dressed up in finery and whatnot.”

“A glimpse could be good,” Serpent supplied from the back.

“Exactly!” Reaper jumped in. “Otherwise, this is too heartbreaking. Two people choosing each other at the exact moment they believe they cannot keep each other. This is why I hate love.”

Dagger shut his eyes.

Knight cursed.

“Forget I said anything,” Serpent muttered. “Don’t listen to that fool.”

It was already rare for Serpent to stay at the tavern as long as he had. Usually, he’d be at his caves on the beach or hunting down enemies. Just because Dagger was having a hard time of it, didn’t mean Sirius wasn’t lurking about, waiting for the right moment to strike. And Dagger was in no shape to take on an enemy. His brothers knew it.

He just couldn’t bring himself to care.

“You don’t have to go if you don’t want to go,” Maxen said gently. “But someone needs to go with Saint. I’m not sending anyone off on their own. We’ve been one step behind all this time, and we need to get ahead. We’re damn lucky they haven’t made any moves recently.”

Dagger stared down the barrel of his glass.

This had been his spot since he’d returned to Fury’s after he let her go. His world. A phrase he was beginning to loathe. And all he had to do these past five days was think. And drink. Thinking while drinking. What were worlds anyway? Didn’t they, if it came down to the very heart of it, live in the same one? What was the divide anyway?

Two people choosing each other at the exact moment they believe they cannot keep each other.