Mistaken Identity (Saved By Desire 4)

He didn’t explain when Ben looked questioningly at him. Maybe one day, when they were sitting in the pub with a pint of ale, the rest of the men from the Star Elite would regale the lad with their adventures on the romancing pathway. For now, it was important to get matters wrapped up with Sayers they could all move on.

Marcus leaned back to look at Jess’ beloved face. His voice shook with the depth of the emotion that still held him in ruthless claws.

“Don’t ever do that to me again,” he demanded huskily. “When I couldn’t see you, and watched that damned thing come down, my world crashed with it. Everything, every ray of hope, every dream, and expectation in life I have ever had went with it. Don’t – ever – do – that – to – me – again. I won’t ever lose you. I won’t ever let you walk away without me by your side.”

“I love you,” she whispered. “I have tried not to. I know I cannot compete with London. I know I have no skills and no understanding of the work you do. I know I have nothing to offer you but me, and it is not much. But I promise you that I will love you unconditionally for the rest of my life.”

She was forced to stop when Marcus placed a finger over her lips.

“That’s all I want, Jess. All I need is you, me, us, and the rest of our lives together,” he whispered.

His throat closed, and he found himself unable to say the words he wanted to say. It was the wrong time and the wrong place to tell he

r of the future he wanted right now. He would have to wait until later when they could be alone.

Jess jumped when two men staggered past carrying the heavy weight of Sayers’ lifeless body.

“Is that-?”

“Yes, it is,” Marcus whispered.

He turned her until she was facing him, not least because the man had half of his head missing and he didn’t want her to witness the gory sight.

“I have to go and see Mr Grant’s house. If you don’t want to come with me, then I can leave you here with Ben. But Smithers is inside Mr Grant’s house, and we need to get to him before he destroys too much in the way of evidence. I want this job done, Jess, so you and I can get on with our lives.” His voice shook with emphasis, but he wanted her to know just how important this was to him, her, and them.

She nodded her understanding.

“It’s alright, but please let me come with you.” She couldn’t bear to be parted from him. Just the thought of him disappearing again made her want to scream.

It wasn’t the sight of Sayers’ body that disturbed her, although that was a visible warning of the dangers that had surrounded them all. It was just the thought that something might happen to Marcus while he went after the rest of Sayers’ gang that left her distraught. She couldn’t abide life if she lost Marcus or Ben. The house could be rebuilt. She could find somewhere else to live. But her brother was family, and a man like Marcus was irreplaceable.

“Just stay close to me,” Marcus murmured.

It was then that he realised she was holding something. His eyes popped wide, and he looked at her in astonishment.

“Jess? Where did you get that from?” He carefully relieved her of the gun that hung from her limp fingers and stared at it in shock.

Jess looked a little sheepish. “Well, I was a little busy while you were away.”

“What?” He grew worried.

She coughed and nodded toward the thicket. “Come and see.”

Aware that the men were staring at her, she led them over to where she had abandoned Lloyd.

Marcus knelt beside him and studied the large lump on the man’s temple, and shook his head in dismay.

“What happened?” He demanded.

Jess told him everything Lloyd had revealed to her.

“So, he has been trying to keep everyone away from Mr Grant’s house,” he murmured. He looked at Barnaby. “We need to get an interim magistrate here.”

“When you said he was corrupt, I just thought he broke the law around here. I didn’t realise he was part of Sayers’ mob,” Barnaby growled.

This time, when Barnaby looked at Jess, there was a deep respect in his eyes. Barnaby was relieved that Marcus had found a woman who was so calm, and strong. She astonished him. Her life was in tatters right now but, although she was upset, she still had the foresight and determination to thwart a much bigger man. Not only that, but she had been level headed enough to stay and keep guard over Lloyd while she watched her home burn to the ground.

He had never met a woman who had amazed him more.