Page 51 of Devil in Her Details

Dagger stared at the woman, then laughed, a rough rumble that trailed off into a chuckle. “We seem to have the same idea. Spreading rumors.”

She blinked. “Why don’t I find that reassuring?”

“Both our rumors are meant to have him scrambling. Yours back to London, mine out of the hole he burrowed himself in.”

“Well, mine serves us better. As our agreement has come to an end, you should be glad.”

“I’m afraid it’s too late for that.”

Her brows drew together. “Why is that?”

“I’ve already made an enemy of the marquess. He won’t let me off.”

“Well, you did break his fingers.”

Dagger nodded. “I’ll have to break more to get the message across.”

“Lord. So what do we do then?”

“We? I thought you wanted me to leave?” Dagger teased, the urge surprising even himself. He also had no intention of leaving.

Her eyes flashed. “Can poor old me make you leave if you don’t want to?”

Dagger chuckled, then smoothed his features, drawing his brows together a bit. “Are you not going to help me put salve on my wound? It hurts.”

Her beautifully suspicious eyes narrowed on him. “I thought you said it didn’t hurt.”

“That was then, this is now.”

She scoffed, then muttered. “I forgot the salve you gave me at the shop.”

Dagger sat up and dragged his coat over and rummaged through the pocket, retrieving a handful of tins. “I brought more.”

She stared at the ointments in his hand before her gaze shifted to his coat, eyes widening as she finally caught sight of his daggers lining the inside.

“Lord, is Brighton really such a dangerous place that you need that many weapons?”

“If you’re a Fury, yes.”

She lifted the fold of his coat to take a peek. “I’m not sure if I should be alarmed or impressed.”

Her face said she’d rather not think about it at all. His gaze dropped to her hands on the fabric of his belongings. She had no idea what she was doing to him.

“Why have you never worn this before?” she asked.

“Didn’t want to scare you.”

She grimaced. “You might be right. I’d have run for another seaside town.”

And she might have been better for it.

“Now you’re stuck with me.”

“Stuck with you?”

“Yes, stuck with me.” He flashed a grin. “Though, my price becomes steeper each time we make a deal.” And his mission now was to get as many kisses as possible from her before she returned to her own world.

Chapter Eleven