Desire (Notorious 3)

“Yes, I believed him!” He eyed her sharply. “These are vicious men, Brynn. They tortured one of the fishermen who refused to aid them. Removed his skin piece by piece as an example to the rest of us. It took the poor bastard two days to die. I think I would rather face hanging than that fate.”

She took a shuddering breath. “Do you realize they used Lucian’s seal on a forged letter to steal another shipment of gold?”

“I feared something like that might happen.” Gray’s expression twisted in a grimace that was almost agony. “I wasn’t told their purpose, but I can’t deny I suspected sinister dealings.”

“What of the gold, Gray? Do you know where it is?”

“Here, in the caves below the house. Three strongboxes were delivered last night, which I hid among some other contraband. I am supposed to turn them over to Jack tonight.”

“Grayson,” Brynn said h

oarsely, “you can’t deliver the gold into French hands. Napoleon will use it to fund his armies. Think of all the men who will die fighting when the war drags on because of that gold!”

“I have no choice, Brynn. I can’t get out. I’m in too deep. Believe me, I’ve tried. As long as Caliban exists, I am trapped.”

“But think of what you are doing! Treason…”

“I know.” Gray took a gulp of wine. “You cannot say anything worse than I’ve said to myself a thousand times. I hate myself for what I’ve done. For what I must do. But I have to comply, or they will kill me-or worse.”

“Worse?” Brynn repeated.

He gave her a long, bitter glance. “I wasn’t the only one they threatened. After I gave them imprints of Wycliff’s seal, I told them I was through, but Jack said they would kill my entire family if I deserted them. Theo, you, our brothers…”

“Theo?” Her voice held a note of alarm.

“Yes, damn it, Theo! And you. Why do you think I’m so terrified? They proved their point very clearly recently. A carriage almost ran you over in London, didn’t it? Jack said it was a warning to me, Brynn.”

She stared at her brother. That potentially fatal accident had been deliberate? She had thought Lucian’s life was in danger from the curse, never that she was the target of Gray’s enemies. Or that Theo was. Dear God.

“The British government may hang me for treason,” Gray added, his voice almost fierce, “but at least my family will be spared. I couldn’t live with myself if one of you were to die when I could have saved you.”

Horrified, Brynn swallowed convulsively, still trying to digest his revelation.

“There must be something we can do,” she murmured finally in desperation, searching Gray’s face.

His eyes glittered darkly. “There is nothing! Don’t you think I have tried?”

“But you could be hanged for treason…”

With a shrug, he stared down into his wineglass. “Do you know what I dread even more than hanging? What Theo would think of me, seeing me dishonored before the world. But I would rather hang than risk him being killed.”

She raised a hand to her mouth, pressing back a cry, wondering what in God’s name could be done. “Perhaps… Is there no one we could ask for help? Lucian…”

Gray’s mouth twisted. “I’m certain he would be delighted to aid me after my betrayal.”

“You could throw yourself on his mercy.”

“I would land in prison at the very least.”

Brynn wanted to argue that Lucian might be persuaded to show leniency, but she had already discarded that hopeless option herself. Lucian would be the last person ever to feel sympathy for a traitor.

“Besides,” Gray added grimly, “that still wouldn’t prevent Caliban from carrying out his threat to kill you.”

Before she could think of a response, her brother set his jaw and gave her a dark glance. “To be frank, you haven’t done me any favors by coming here, Brynn. Wycliff is bound to be suspicious when he discovers you’ve returned home.”

“Lucian doesn’t know I’m here. He has gone to Dover, searching for the gold.”

“Well, I sincerely hope he keeps away.” Grayson took a final swallow of his wine. “If he tries to intervene, he will likely be killed.”