A Terrible Misunderstanding (A New Adventure Begins - Star Elite 6)

Even at dusk, Serpentine had a tranquil air about it that was infinitely calming. Its picturesque houses amidst which protruded the tall spire of a chur

ch made it look like any other country village in England, but Serpentine was different.

Because it has Clara in it.

Niall knew it was no lie. Serpentine would be instantly forgettable had it not been for the people he had met who lived there. Each one had an individual character that when combined made the entire village unique. The locals were a little forceful, intrusive definitely, yet a happy, supportive group of people who all worked and lived in a small cluster of houses.

I suppose in a strange kind of way it is a little like the Star Elite, but without guns and with more busybodies.

“It takes some getting used to. Look on the bright side, Oliver isn’t all that far away. Half a day and you will be able to take Clara to go and visit him and Emmeline.” Will grinned when Niall threw him a dirty look, but deep in the back of his mind he was already envisaging that happening.

“Once we have dealt with Erasmus, you can always ride away from her and put her and the entire place behind you. Nobody is going to force you to go and see her,” Rhys reasoned in a quieter voice. His gaze turned solemn. “This has to be your choice.”

“Why are you here then?” Niall challenged.

“To make sure you don’t do anything stupid like bury Erasmus neck deep in a dung heap and leave him for his cousin to find,” Will teased.

Niall grinned because he knew that if he was pushed, he would do just that. He was still contemplating it when he met with Morgan in the safe house several hours later.

“God, am I glad to see you?” Morgan hissed fervently.

“A little boring, is he?”

“I have work to do. Proper work, not looking after him.” Morgan tossed his head in Erasmus’s direction.

Erasmus glared balefully at them. “Just how long do you intend to keep me here? You cannot keep me imprisoned like this. It is kidnap and false arrest. I am going to have my cousin arrest you.”

“Your cousin is no longer in office. He has been removed from his duties as magistrate and is no longer in any position to turn a blind eye to your crimes,” Niall warned with no small amount of satisfaction.

Erasmus, clearly stunned, stared at him. “You are lying,” he whispered.

“Really? Well, you are free to go, Boyle.”

“Not yet,” Atticus snapped from the doorway.

Everyone turned to face him and watched their boss step into the room. Atticus swept an arrogant look around the room before he levelled a baleful glare on Erasmus who seemed to shrink in the powerful man’s presence.

“I hear you have been harassing my daughter,” Atticus growled at Erasmus and then flicked a look at Niall. “And lying by telling people you are engaged to her.”

“You are nothing short of a criminal to keep me confined like this, sir,” Erasmus declared arrogantly. “I am not a prisoner.”

“Yet,” Will bit out.

“I don’t think you are in any position to call anybody a criminal, Boyle. I have sent men to investigate your business activities and have received word that you have been involved in bribery and extortion.”

“I have no idea what you mean,” Erasmus snorted.

“Really. Well, there is a network of cut-throats in the city who think it is acceptable to wage a campaign of terrorism on local shopkeepers and force them into paying exorbitant amounts for their protective services,” Atticus announced. “I have to warn you that while Morgan here has been nursing you, his colleagues have closed down your connections. They are all, as we speak, behind bars for criminal damage, assault, bribery, and extorting money.”

“You have made that up,” Erasmus sneered.

“I am afraid that your connections are not as wary of you as you might think. They all sold you to the Devil when they learnt that they might strike a deal and lighten their sentence if they told me what they knew about you. I heard some quite interesting stories from them, and it is enough to ensure that you, Erasmus James Boyle, face justice for the criminal you are.”

Niall leaned a shoulder against the wall beside him and folded his arms as he watched Atticus Potter work. He had never seen the boss like this. Whenever he had met Atticus in the past the man had always been stuck behind his desk battling a mound of papers. Now, he could understand why Atticus Potter had earnt his position in the War Office and garnered the respect of some powerful men. Before him was a man who was calm, assured, smooth, yet infinitely dangerous because he knew he had the law behind him, and the might of the Star Elite to ensure that it was served to its fullest.

“Morgan, Harry, take this criminal to gaol, will you? We aren’t going to spend any more time on him. His cousin is already facing charges for misappropriation of office. Seeing as they work together, they can share a cell together,” Atticus murmured.

Nobody spoke while Harry and Morgan dutifully escorted their new prisoner out of the building. They were all relived to see the back of the pest.