Fallen Hero (A New Adventure Begins - Star Elite 3)

“I think we have to wait until we get to the Lincoln house. I take it your Elspeth is still there?”

Aaron frowned at him. “Yes. Why? What do you want with her?”

“I have a small matter of three thousand pounds to discuss with her.”

Aaron’s head whipped around. “You know about that?”

Sir Hugo smirked. “I have my ways and means. Yes, I know of the money being removed from Thomas’s account only a few days before his supposed death.”

“Supposed death? Are you saying he isn’t dead then?” Aaron demanded.

Sir Hugo sighed heavily. “I am saying that your friend is your friend because he is like you. You two have a lot in common. There is, however, a somewhat sharp sting in the tail, and I am not at all sure you are going to like what I need to tell you. In case you are terribly angry by my news, I will wait until we reach the Lincoln house. Then, I will tell both you and your Elspeth what I know. Then we are all going to sit down and discuss what we are going to do for the future.”

“The future of the Star Elite?” Aaron asked.

Sir Hugo nodded. “The Star Elite cannot function without its men, but I suspect you know that already. That is why you chose to walk away, because it would teach me a lesson about treating you all with more consideration. I must confess it has worked. The investigation has been taken over by another local group for the time being, but they are playing catch-up and are still struggling. You, however, have been mired in another kind of trouble that is considerably more personal and has significantly more resonance given it relates to Horvat as well.”

“Horvat?” Aaron spat. He stared at Sir Hugo with narrow eyes. “What in the Devil’s name does Horvat have to do with Elspeth and Thomas?”

“I have told you that you wouldn’t like it,” Sir Hugo sighed. He stared into the horizon for several moments. “Let’s get to Miss Lincoln’s house and then I will tell you everything I know.”

Aaron knew that when Sir Hugo became reticent, trying to get information out of him was like trying to pull teeth. Sir Hugo would tell them all everything when he chose, and only when he chose. It was as annoying as Hell, so Aaron settled into a disgruntled silence, but not before asking one last question.

“Let me just ask something?” Aaron said suddenly.

Sir Hugo lifted his brows at him.

“Is Elspeth still in danger?”

Sir Hugo studied him for a moment. “Yes.”

Aaron nudged his horse into a canter. The sun was already disappearing beneath the heavy cloak of night-fall, but it wouldn’t stop Aaron from returning to Elspeth. Thankfully, Sir Hugo was not far behind.

CHAPTER TEN

“Thank God you are here,” Elspeth gushed when Aaron stepped through the front door just before dawn.

Aaron lifted his brows and smiled at her. He was exhausted, but his tiredness vanished the second he set eyes on her and saw the relief on her beautiful face as she raced toward him.

“Missed me?” he grinned.

Elspeth struggled to contain her delight. It was only the presence of the man who closed the door with far too much careful precision that stopped her from hugging Aaron the way she really wanted to.

Aaron didn’t give a damn what Sir Hugo thought about his connection with Elspeth. Nothing stopped him from sliding his arms around her and dragging her into a huge hug.

“Are you all right? Why are you not in bed? You should be asleep,” he chided.

Elspeth laughed, then hugged him back. When she did lean back it was to look up at him with a gaze that was nothing short of adoring. Gently, despite the presence of the stranger who had sidled around them and was making his way to the kitchen, Elspeth slowly traced a finger across the dark shadows beneath Aaron’s eyes that she knew hadn’t been there when he had left.

“You look exhausted,” she murmured gently.

“Why are you still up?” he countered.

“I couldn’t sleep,” she replied carefully. “What took you so long?”

“Ah. Well, I ran into a slight problem when I got home and have a few things to tell you.” Aaron looked up at Sir Hugo who was quite clearly waiting for Aaron and Elspeth to join him in the kitchen. “Sir Hugo has something to tell us about Thomas as well.”

Elspeth stared at the newcomer. Worry began to settle deep within.