Jack A Grim Reaper Romance (14 page)

She twined her slender fingers with his. “And you still think it wise for me to stay here? I’m not so sure, Mason. What will the Elders think?”

The thought of that man following her sent a shiver down his spine and set his anger alight. “The Elders will not risk you coming to harm, and until we find this
Stefan
, I don’t see that either of us have a choice. It’ll be over before long, and until then, we need to make do.” He had not meant it to sound as if he did not want her staying with him, though he did little to correct the misunderstanding.

She pulled her hand free of his, her mouth set in a thin line. “Perhaps it’d be best then if I went home to fetch my own things. I promise to not get in your way, and will make my stay as brief as possible.” She pressed the blankets firmly across her chest. “If you’d be so kind as to give me some privacy, I’d like to get dressed now.”

He wanted to kiss her, to tell her he was happy she was staying with him. But in the end he said none of it.

“As you wish, love.”

Mason sent word to the Elders about the previous evening’s occurrences, and then informed his footman that he was to accompany Lilly to her home. By the time he finished breakfasting and moved to the sitting room to read the dailies and smoke his pipe, his expectant visitor wandered in.

Mason folded his paper and motioned to a chair with a flick of his head. “Surprised you didn’t show up yesterday to gloat. So unlike you. I hope you’ve not been feeling unwell. You do look rather like bland custard that’s gone off.”

With a wry smile, Nelson folded his wiry frame into the chair. “And so unlike you to worry about my health. On the other hand, it’s my understanding that Jack Torrington left you in quite a bit of pain, and you managed to let him get away in the process. I’d have thought you capable of handling him.” He flicked his eyebrows up as if dismissing the thought. “I must have been mistaken.”

Mason shrugged, not letting it bother him. He knew better than to give Nelson the advantage by getting upset, though he did wonder how Nelson managed to already know about Jack’s attack. “He’s figured out a way to disguise his whereabouts, though I angered him enough to draw him out of hiding. My mistake was in underestimating how effective I’d be.”

“I’d have said the mistake was in letting him go.” Nelson ran a hand across his ruddy beard, intelligence clear in his dark blue eyes. “I was told Ms. Gordon’s been helping with the investigation. She had relations with Torrington, did she not?”

“She did, though that ended quite some time ago and she’s had little to do with him since.” Mason told himself it was only logical that he’d ask about Lilly, but it bothered him that he focused on her so quickly. “We’ve managed to see very little past the murders themselves—and then, only enough to know Jack is involved.”

“Perhaps you’ve not pushed the girl into giving you enough.” The corners of Nelson’s mouth turned up in a sly smile, as he leaned forward. “Unlikely I’ll have that problem. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I think it’s time I paid her a visit.”

Chapter Fourteen

Lilly tried to stifle her annoyance, not only with Mason, but herself, as she helped her maid pack her things. She knew better than to think of Mason as anything more serious than a pleasant distraction. Yet she’d let herself get caught in his sticky web, only to be surprised come morning, when she woke up with her emotions in a tangled mess. It would all end badly—just like it had with Corwin, and just like it had with Jack.

Now she’d be stuck living with him, of all things. She told herself it was a temporary measure, until they found Stefan and handed him over to the Elders. However, if just one night in Mason’s arms could throw her off balance, then surely a week or two—or gods forbid, three—would be nothing but a nightmare to navigate.

Perhaps seeing Mason shot and injured had temporarily crumbled her defenses, and there was still hope she’d manage to get through this with her heart intact. Quite frankly they both had matters of greater importance and consequence to deal with.

Her footman knocked on the open door of her sleeping chambers. “Mum, there’s a Mr. Samuel Nelson here to see you.”

Lilly cursed, while her heart thudded against her chest in a quiet panic. Mason had tried his best to protect her from the Elders, but with Nelson now in charge, she was sure there’d be little mercy shown. She knew she’d eventually have to deal with Nelson, but hadn’t expected it to be so soon.

Fully aware there would be no way to avoid him, she steeled herself and went to meet him. With her head held high and her posture straight, she went downstairs and found him waiting for her in the sitting room. “Mr. Nelson.”

She’d never met him before, and was taken aback by his looks. He was handsome, as were all reapers, but he was also built tall and lean, with hair the color of a doe’s coat and a tightly trimmed beard flecked with copper and gold. Intelligent eyes the color of brandy held hers, but the fierceness there sent a shiver down her spine.

“Ms. Gordon. I hope I’m not inconveniencing you.” His voice was deep and silky, but the preciseness of his tone spoke of a stern nature.

“If I had known you were coming, I would have prepared for your arrival. I’ll send for some tea. Please, have a seat.” As they continued their social niceties, Lilly wondered just how long their charade would last.

He motioned for her to take the seat closest to the fire and sat across from her, getting right to the matter at hand. “Unfortunately, Jack Torrington still eludes us, but I’ve been assured of your cooperation. You understand it is of the utmost importance that we catch him.”

“Yes, of course.” She bit her tongue, refusing to comment on whether Jack was innocent or guilty. At this point, she had to think of her own survival. “I’ll do what I can to help.”

He tilted his head in acknowledgment, the corners of his mouth turning up in a hint of a smile. “I’m glad to hear you say that. It will make both my job and your life much easier. Shall we get started?”

“Get started? With what?” She all but stammered the words. Surely he could not mean to question her then and there. If those were indeed his intentions, she’d have little control over what he did to her.

His smile faded, as his mouth disappeared into a thin line, hidden by his thick beard. “I need you to tell me everything you know about Jack Torrington, and more importantly, I need to see what you were able to glean from the murders.”

Nausea overtook her, for she now knew Nelson planned to rummage through her head just like the Elders had. Even worse, she feared he’d not refrain from looking at memories that had nothing to do with catching Jack.

She thought of pleading with him, but knew it would do her no good, and she’d rather save a bit of her dignity, for it would be tried soon enough. By the time he got through with her, chances were good she’d be begging him to stop.

“Damon’s already been through my head, and I’ve told Lord Archer everything I know, which is precious little.” Lilly sat forward, swallowing hard to keep her voice steady and mask her fear. “You’ll excuse me, but I’d feel more comfortable if he were here.”

“This is not about your comfort, dear lady.” Anger tainted his voice and sent Lilly’s heart racing. “As for Archer, he’s fully aware I am here to question you, yet he’s nowhere to be found. Perhaps you overestimate your importance to him.”

Though his words cut like a knife, she knew he was baiting her and she’d not fall for it. “Perhaps.” She shrugged nonchalantly. “But I’d like him here all the same. After all, he is still part of this investigation and I’m a reaper under his jurisdiction.”

“Once again you overestimate matters—in this case, Lord Archer’s importance in the case.”

He got up and grabbed her head while she tried to fight him off, but he was strong—too strong. The blinding pain left her screaming as she struggled to get free, Nelson’s grip tightening. He tore through one memory after another, each moment more excruciating than the one before. Tears streamed down her face as she tried to hold on, scared of what would happen if she lost consciousness.

Lilly then heard him, half wondering if she’d imagined it. Mason. She fell to the ground as Nelson released her, the pain slowly subsiding.

Mason pushed Nelson away from her and helped her to her feet. Relief washed over her, but the matter was far from over. Mason touched her cheek, his eyes searching hers. “Are you all right, love?”

When she nodded, he spun around with a fist ready, but she grabbed his arm and held tight.

“Mason, don’t.” He still struggled to get his arm free, but she somehow managed to keep her grip. “Please, it’ll only make matters worse.”

“You should listen to the girl, Archer.” The smirk on Nelson’s face nearly had Mason breaking loose to pummel him to a pulp. “You’re already in enough trouble. Is she really worth it?”

“I don’t know why I’m at all surprised to find you’ve lost all sense of decency and manners. The Elders may have put you in charge of this investigation but you take liberties only the Elders are allowed.” Turning to Lilly, he asked, “Did you agree to give him your full cooperation?”

“I did.” Lilly held Nelson’s gaze.

Mason turned back to Nelson. “Then what’s the problem, aye?” Lilly could see Mason was still raring for a fight, his head cocked in question. “I’ll not have you harassing one of my reapers, especially when they’ve done nothing but cooperate.”

Nelson’s smirk widened as his eyes narrowed with mocking humor. “The Elders have given me the authority to do whatever it takes to find Jack Torrington, and if that means rifling through her head until there’s nothing left of her but a broken hollow shell, so be it.”

Nelson gave Lilly a look that turned her blood to ice. “I’ll take true pleasure in hearing you scream again, only this time it won’t be so short lived. Step aside, Archer. I have an investigation to conduct.”

When Nelson moved towards her, Mason blocked him with a hand on his chest, pushing him back. “She’s agreed to cooperate, but I’ll be damned if I’m going to let you haul her out of here so you can have your perverse way with her. From here on out, I’ll be the one retrieving the information for you. If you need something, you let
me
know.”

Nelson’s face was beet red with anger, the tendons on his neck popping out under the tension of his body. “I’ll be taking this up with Damon, and I guarantee he’ll not be happy.”

“You may have the lead on this case, but I still hold some influence. Now, show yourself out before I help you to the door.”

“This isn’t over, Archer.” Nelson stalked out of the room, and slammed the door behind him.

Mason pulled her close, searching her face as he cupped it in his hand. “I’d have come sooner, but had to wait for my other carriage to get hitched.” Being in Ilymnia, he couldn’t just hail a hansom, and she had taken the carriage he normally used. “Does your head still pain you?”

She closed her eyes for a moment, the throbbing in her temples exacerbated by the pounding of her heart. “That’s the least of my worries. What if he comes back with the Elders?”

“I’ll go and speak to Damon.” He ran a thumb across her lips and then kissed her forehead.

He held her close so she lay safely nestled against his shoulder, his arms wrapped around her. She could have stayed there an eternity, but when his lips found hers in a sweet kiss, it reminded her of their difficulties and that he could easily break her heart. How she found the strength to turn away, she did not know, for truth be told, she did not want to leave the comfort he afforded her.

“Perhaps it is best if I stay here.” She thought of Stefan and Nelson, but living with Mason could be far worse when her heart was at stake.

“Have you lost your mind?” A bulging vein now snaked its way across his forehead. “How can you say such a thing after what Nelson just did to you?”

“I’m perfectly sane, Mason, though even I’m surprised that is the case, having spent the last few weeks in your constant company.” She knew she was being unfair, yet she also knew she was falling for him. Picking a fight was a far safer bet than letting him comfort her. He’d made it clear the only reason he wanted her at his home was out of duty and to safeguard the investigation.

“Am I that horrid, that you’d rather risk the company of a stranger, and another that’s threatened torment?”

He turned away and paced the room, shaking his head. When he finally came to a stop, she saw the hurt in his eyes and had second thoughts—for a moment. His face then hardened, the look he gave her all too familiar.

“As chancellor, I’ve decided that it’s not safe for you to stay here. You’re the sole connection we have to Jack, and I’ll not jeopardize that. You’re staying with me until we find Stefan.”

“So now I don’t even have a choice in the matter?” She could have screamed when Mason laughed at her.

“You never did, my dear.”

Chapter Fifteen

Annoyed, Mason pushed away his untouched plate of breakfast, ignoring the look Pierce gave him. It had been five days since Lilly had come to stay at his home, and five days since he’d last seen her. She’d locked herself in his guest quarters and refused to come out.