Lovers' Tussle (17 page)

* * * *

Aiden jerked as though slapped. “Did you feel that?” his voice tore out of him.

Roth narrowed his eyes. “I’ll kill the bastard, whoever he is, for daring such a trespass.”

“Where are you going?” Aiden raced after Roth as he flew from the room.

“Tienna was asleep last I checked.”

It did not take long to scour the house. Aiden silently thanked the small confines as they returned to Roth’s study. His eyes widened as he watched his brother pocket a pistol. “For heaven’s sake, Roth, this isn’t some pirates’ mission or bandits’ plot we are on. Will you settle down before you get one of us shot?”

Roth bristled visibly. “Stay out of my way, and you should be safe.”

Shaking his head in annoyance, Aiden placed himself strategically at the doorway. With his shoulders squared off there was nowhere for Roth to go unless he chose to squeeze through that tiny porthole that served as a window. “Well, will you tell me where you plan on going? We have no idea who has her.”

Some of the bluster seemed to leave Roth as he slumped. “Right.” He began to pace the floor.

One, two, three. And turn. Aiden raised his eyebrows. How did this wolf ever survive in this den that was the size of a mouse hole? “Who has a bone to pick with her?”

Between step two and three, Roth’s steps faltered. “Matthew.”

“Who?”

“The man who interceded while we battled. The one who you should have killed for his audacity. Viscount Matthew Willington, Tienna called him.”

Aiden frowned. “Did she deal with him further than the blow I dealt him?”

“Indeed. She had him cast out of the pack.”

“Oh.” Aiden effectively blocked the side from which Roth tried to escape. “Do you know his residence?”

“No, but I’m going to find out.”

“You do know I will be better able to, seeing as he is a titled nobleman.”

“
We
shall suss him out.” Roth finally pushed past.

Aiden charged after him. “I am not taking you anywhere with me. For the love of God, with that look in your eyes, my peers will believe I now keep company with the devil.”

“Damn them. Maybe it is time to let the cat out of the bag and declare our brotherhood.”

That was all the motivation Aiden needed. As they settled against the plush cushions of his immodest carriage, he inquired, “You will not really tell everyone, will you?”

Roth shrugged, not committing.

“Brimstone and balderdash, Roth. Do you know that information will see me serving the rest of my life as a guest in Newgate prison?” He tried to gauge Roth’s true intent. “Will you stoop to such depths to have Tienna? Deuce it all, you are really the devil incarnate.”

“And don’t you forget it.”

Aiden managed to convince Roth to remain in the carriage as he sieved out Willington’s residence. But the wheels had barely stopped spinning once they’d reached Cameron Street, once again in Mayfair, when Roth burst through the doors.

His violence got them nothing but speculative stares, however. Viscount Willington was abed, nursing a drunken stupor. Aiden had waited in the foyer while Roth had verified that fact by charging into the man’s private rooms.

He tugged his coat down as he tried to avoid the eyes of the stunned onlookers on the pavement. “Get in the bloody carriage, man.” Once in, it took all of his willpower not to drive his fist into Roth’s face.

He was also panicked by Tienna’s disappearance. No, he quickly amended, her abduction. Her loss was just as great a loss to him as it must be to Roth. The moment he’d felt the hand of another man on Tienna he’d been overcome with a violent rage. He, however, unlike Roth, possessed the finer arts of gentlemanly manners stemming from a trained, moderated brain. He needed to think rationally. Roth was like a lion let loose from a cage, and with a thorn in his paw, no less. He was no help.

Who else had a grudge against Tienna? Who had one against him? Roth? Half of London probably hated Roth, but none knew of his involvement with Tienna. He had detected no further harm, so he could only equate that to one thing. She was being held to bait either him or Roth. Perhaps both of them. That brought him to a focal point in his mental exploration. Who knew about their relationship? There was only one person. But that answer was rather far-fetched.

Curious, he turned to Roth. “Have you tried to communicate with her?”

“Of course. Don’t be a coxcomb. I’ve been calling out to her ever since she’s been snatched.”

“And she is not responding. I know because I have tried as well.”

Roth suddenly leaned forward. “What is it?”

Aiden shrugged. “I may be wrong, but why isn’t she communicating if she is in trouble?”

“She could be unconscious.”

“That’s the thing. I felt the distinct cut when her mind had shut down. But did you not feel a stirring not too long after? Followed by another, less instantaneous blank?”

With an incredulous look, Roth growled. “You think she is intentionally steeling her mind against us? Whatever could her reasoning be?”

Aiden inhaled slowly. He did not like what he was about to reveal. And he had a nasty suspicion Roth was not going to relish the idea either. “Protection.”

“To protect us?”

“And possibly her captor.”

Roth reared back, stunned. “What?”

“Think about it. Who could steal her from us that she feels a need to protect? She would likewise feel the need to keep us out of his reach.” Aiden nodded unenthusiastically as Roth slumped back in understanding. This was going to be another long night. Unfortunately, it would not be nearly as enjoyable as last night had been.

“Call on your pack. Let’s hope their predatory skills outweigh their pompous indignation in a matter of survival.”

Aiden ignored the jibe as he made the silent call and rapped the roof loudly with his walking cane. In order to see this to its end, they needed to make a start.

* * * *

Tienna scowled fiercely, doing her best impersonation of a disgruntled bear at the stubborn man pacing before her. But in all honesty she was forced to admit she probably looked more like a slighted cub with an ice pack tossed over her head and a bag of vinaigrette strategically placed on her chest. “Father, this is entirely unnecessary.”

Christian made another turn in his pacing. “I will not leave what is mine in the hands of two unpredictable oafs. Look at the state I found you in. Wandering the streets like a lost waif. ”

Tienna’s lips curled in affront. “The bump on my head was compliments of
your
own men. And I don’t need to be coddled like a child. I am well able to handle myself.”

“Oh, and you’ve done a splendid job thus far. Batting your eyelashes at wolves will not get you anything worth your while. And neither will spreading your legs.”

Inhaling sharply at her father’s crude words and harsh tone, she offered stiffly, “I am still the heir to this pack. You cannot take decisions out my hands at every juncture.”

“I can, and I will.” He turned his back on her as he mumbled beneath his breath. “Females should never be left to their own devices. What would the world come to when they see the solution to their problems in simply bedding the damn enemy?”

“Mother.” Tienna could not help the whine.

On cue, Lady Cynthia leapt to the defense of not only her daughter but women at large. “That is totally uncalled for, husband. I am sure in time Tienna planned on picking one of the two. Does she not have the right to try on a pair of shoes before deciding whether she wishes it or not?”

“Those”—Christian stabbed a large finger at the window—“are not damn shoes.”

“They are indeed, metaphorically speaking of course. Tienna has the right to sample that which she wishes to remain by her side.”

Tienna interrupted quietly, “Actually I wish both.”

Her mother threw her hands in the air, exasperated.

Her father chortled. “You see. No sense I tell you.”

Tienna huffed.
So much for honesty
. “Will you not consider my wishes?”

“Of course we will.” Her father turned with a sly smile. “As soon as one kills the other off or I do.”

Tienna would have slumped, but she was already lying on her back on the large chaise. “They will not come.” She sounded confident, but inside she was tremulous. Had she blocked them out completely? She knew her mates would be ruthless in trying to find her. But she did not wish this confrontation. As she eyed her father continuing to wear a patch into the carpet, she wondered if she would come to resent him for this someday. “Father, I beg you to reconsider. I just need a little more time.”

“Time. That is all I have been giving you. You want to see this at its end? Simple. Just choose a name.”

Simple
. Tienna’s lips pressed into a tight, thin line. “I cannot.”

She turned her eyes to the window. Outside, everything was black. She sensed the prowling of her pack members. They would patrol the area until their lured prey made an appearance. Tienna shivered. There was the stench of doom already in the air. If this was supposed to be the calm before the storm, it was anything but tranquil. Her insides trembled so fiercely she was positively sick.

She prayed they would not come. But before she could finish the silent plea to God, she felt the slightest shift in the air. The fine hair on her nape stood on ends. The entire pack seemed to be holding a collected breath. The atmosphere was alive, crackling with energy and she knew. They had come.

Roth entered the study first. It was like watching a devil wind enter the room. His dark presence engulfed everything light and good. Rage and death cloaked him like a living being as his great coat swirled to a stop at his ankles. His black hair was tousled and fell haphazardly across his forehead. His eyes glowed as they settled on her, possessive and demanding.
Danger
. The man was like the grim reaper come to deliver death.

Aiden followed closely on his heels. But he entered with all the pomp and grace of a gentleman gracing a royal banquet. He took the time to bow elegantly when he spotted her. Thankfully he had more sense than to kiss her hand in greeting. His blond hair curled neatly around his ears. His blue eyes remained alert and cautious as he eyed her down the length of his straight, narrow nose even as his whole appearance screamed nonchalant. His thumbs hooked into his waistband as he puffed his chest out. Tienna found it incredible that the man was not a born and bred nobleman. Instead, that honor belonged to the devil next to him.

Her father broke the deafening silence. “So good of you two to accept my invitation.”

Roth snapped, “Let Tienna go.”

“Tsk-tsk. What impudence. I shall have to see you taught a bit of manners before dispensing of you.”

Tienna quickly rose. Her mother tried to hold her back, but she was having none of it. She stood beside her father. “You should not have come.”

“Of course they did.” Her father was in a jovial mood, considering he had murder on his mind. “So what good news do you bring? Have you decided if in fact you are brothers after all? Have you settled on which possesses the bloodline of the esteemed Kendrick and which the common Demount?”

Tienna stiffened as he needled them. This was a sore enough point without him adding salt to their wounds. “Father, that is enough. I believe I am well capable of handling things.”

“Indeed?” He cocked his head toward her. “So which will it be?”

“I have already told you.” She winced as he suddenly grabbed her arm in a painful grip.

Both her mates growled. Her father seemed to relish the sound. Tienna felt the edgy stirring of the pack. She knew Roth and Aiden had not come alone. If she did not do something quickly there would be a bloodbath. Outside, the night would be colored in blood, and within, death would taint the air she breathed with the essence of one of her lovers. “I cannot simply choose one.” She stared imploringly at her mates, her gaze bouncing back and forth between them. “Why must you pressurize me into doing this? Can there be no camaraderie? Compromise?”

Roth bellowed in anger as her father’s grip tightened. “Why do you accept his dictates? He uses you like a trading tool, hoping to elevate his status.” His voice lowered. “Come to me, Tienna. You are worth no man’s auctioning as though you were a prized mare.”

Her father hissed in outrage. Tienna frowned in confusion. “I am not a bargaining chip.”

Roth shook his head sympathetically. “My whimsical, innocent Tienna, why do you think we are going through this farce? By his own mouth, your father admitted he wishes the wealthier, loftier of Aiden and me.”

Her father growled, and suddenly she found she was the one holding him back as ludicrous as it seemed. She was but a moth compared to his bear strength, but she dug her heels and restraining hand in firmly. Even her mother had stepped forward, her face marred in lines of outrage. “Desist, Roth. You know not what you speak of.”