610 Margaret let out a bitter, humorless laugh, her voice carrying the weight of years she dared not speak of. “You’re so sure, aren’t you? That honesty is the answer to everything. Life isn’t that simple, James.” James, ever the calm presence, folded his hands behind his back as he regarded her.
611 Margaret shook her head violently. “You don’t understand,” she said, her voice trembling. “If Darwin knew what really happened—if he knew the truth—it could destroy him.” James’s expression softened, his voice quieter now. “But what if it doesn’t?” Margaret froze, staring at him as though the
612 James’s gaze softened further, his voice laced with quiet compassion. “Then tell him that, too. Tell him what it cost you. The truth isn’t just for him, Margaret—it’s for you, too.” She turned toward him sharply, her eyes wide and glassy with unshed tears. “And what if he doesn’t forgive me?”
613 James knocked softly on Lady Margaret's door, the urgency in his steps evident even before he spoke. “My lady,” he called quietly but firmly, his voice cutting through the stillness of the night. Margaret, half-asleep, stirred at the sound. “James?” she called groggily, pushing herself up onto
614 Margaret glanced briefly at James, who lingered near the door before turning her attention back to Maelstrom. “The last time we spoke, you said you had a lead on the Oakbar brothers. I assumed you would call me when you had more information.” “I did say that,” Maelstrom agreed, his voice silky
615 Margaret’s gaze lingered on the heavy doors Maelstrom had vanished through, her thoughts swirling like a tempest. His cryptic warnings were always laced with just enough truth to keep her on edge. The Oakbar brothers. The mere mention of their name sent a shiver down her spine. James, ever th
616 The tavern was stifling now. Margaret felt the air weigh down on her as the group of men continued to stare, their gazes thick with both interest and malice. James shifted, his expression darkening. “My lady, they’re staring again.” Margaret’s lips thinned, her eyes sweeping over the men. She didn’t look away even when one of them caught her gaze. The wiry man with the crooked nose was the first to speak. “Looks like we’ve got ourselves some nobles slumming it tonight,” he said loudly, his voice dripping with mockery. Margaret arched an eyebrow, calm and unshaken. “Is that supposed to impress anyone?” The man blinked, momentarily thrown off by her cold composure. His companion wasn’t as hesitant. “You lose your way, pretty lady?” he jeered. “Or you come here lookin’ for somethin’ else?” Margaret didn’t answer immediately, her gaze pinning the man like a bug under glass. But James stepped in, his voice low and dangerous. “Watch your tongue, cur, unless you’d like to swallow i
617 “Why not?” Margaret demanded. Archer swallowed hard. He leaned in, so close that Margaret could smell the stale beer on his breath. His voice was barely audible. “Because they are very dangerous now.” James frowned, his grip on the hilt of his blade tightening. “What do you mean by that?” Ar
631 Zayne stood over them, dark eyes flicking between James and Margaret. James was on his knees, breathing heavily, blood streaking his sleeve. Margaret sat next to him, her fury burning bright despite the bonds digging into her skin. “Well,” Zayne drawled, “what should we do with them now? Killi
630 The two of them attacked in brutal sync—one aiming low, the other high. James fought back fiercely, his movements sharp and practiced, but Margaret could see it: exhaustion was starting to take its toll. His breathing grew heavier, his movements just a fraction slower. A hard blow from Felix’s
629 The air was thick—heavy with hostility. Margaret’s fingers clenched at her sides as Zayne’s smirk started to falter. The amusement that once danced in his eyes darkened to something far more menacing. His patience was unraveling, thread by thread, and it showed in the way his movements grew sha
628 Margaret’s glare sharpened, her voice slicing through the heavy tension in the room. “Who is the Broker you’re working with? Tell me now.” Zayne smirked, lounging back against the edge of the ornate table as though her words amused him more than anything. “As if we’d tell you that. Do you take
627 “You’re all so sure of yourselves,” Margaret bit out, masking the unease rising in her chest. “But you’ve underestimated me before, and I’ll prove you wrong again.” Zayne’s grin widened. “Oh, I do hope you try, Margaret. We could use the entertainment.” Micah, who had been silent for much of
626 Margaret’s eyes narrowed dangerously as she stepped closer, her voice low but laced with venom. “You’ll pay for what you did to my son.” Felix arched a brow, amusement flickering in his cold gaze. “Your son? What are you babbling about now, Margaret?” “You know exactly what I mean!” she snapp
625 “You’re lying!” Zayne roared, lunging toward her. Felix and Lucian immediately grabbed him, pulling him back as he struggled to break free. “Let go of me! I’ll make her talk—” “Enough!” Felix’s voice cut through the chaos, and Zayne froze, though his breathing was ragged and his gaze locked on
624 Margaret’s sneer faltered. Her arms fell to her sides, her knuckles white where her fists had been clenched. She opened her mouth, hesitated, and then closed it again. “Margaret,” Micah said, stepping closer now. “If you don’t tell us what’s going on, you’re not just failing her—you’re abandon
623 Felix moved faster this time, grabbing Zayne’s wrist in a tight grip and yanking him back. “Stop it,” Felix said sharply, his voice full of authority. “This isn’t helping.” Zayne’s chest heaved as he glared at Margaret, his fury barely contained. “She knows something,” he spat, his voice a low