And then he melted into the crowd, heading toward the grand stair.
Eliza watched him for as long as she could before she turned to look at Menace. Who was looking down at her with an unwavering gaze. “Who was that?”
“John,” she answered, knowing the name didn’t explain much. “He was the man who saved Emily a few weeks ago when our uncle attempted to abduct us from Bash’s care. I recognized him. He’s the very man I was asking you about on the terrace.”
Menace grimaced. “That doesn’t mean you should trust him.”
She stepped closer to Menace. “He says that he knows where my father went and why he’s been gone for so long. He also said he is my father’s partner.” Hope began to swell in her chest. “But he also wants to meet me just before dawn at—”
“Absolutely not,” he returned.
“You didn’t even hear where.” She prickled. Not liking him telling her what to do. She’d enough of that with Bash and she could take care of herself.
“I don’t care where. You can’t go. Ladies don’t meet men alone in the wee hours of the night.”
She straightened away from him, irritation replacing the comfort she’d just felt. “You are giving lectures on how I should act?”
He tightened his grip on her waist. “I am.” He frowned. “Even with me out on the terrace, you took far too many chances. What you are referring to as protection for your sisters, I say is reckless.”
She tried to pull away, but he held her firm. “I’ll have you know that this meeting is the only way to get any information. Information you didn’t have.”
“You don’t need to get information at all. Most of the men who work at the club are researching on your behalf. They’ll find out who he…” Menace pointed his finger up the stairs where John had disappeared, “…is and what happened to your father.”
Eliza stiffened. “I don’t want to rely on them. This is my chance—”
“No,” he barked. “I appreciate that you are a strong, capable woman but there are lines you shouldn’t cross.”
Worry pricked along the back of her neck. How could he stop her?
Then she bit her lip. Menace could tell Bash. That would be enough. Her brother-in-law would make sure she didn’t go anywhere until this situation was solved. “You could come with me,” she said, hoping he’d agree.
He grimaced. “Also no.”
She put her hands on her waist. “You are insufferable, do you know that?”
“It’s too bad you never met my mother. She’d completely agree,” he said, with an edge to his voice that she’d never heard before.
She bit her bottom lip. “What if John knows where my father is right now?”
Menace paused. “If he did, why isn’t John going after your father himself?”
“That’s what I need to find out.”
“What if I go?”
This time when he pulled her closer, she softened against him because…because he really did seem to have her best interests at heart. “I appreciate that, but you might not know the right questions to ask.”
His frown deepened. “I hate to admit it but that’s a valid point.”
“See? We should go together. I can find out what he knows about my missing father and you can keep me safe.”
“And if Bash discovers that we’ve had a rendezvous?”
That was a problem. She had plans and so did he and neither of them wished to be stuck with the other. She placed her hands on his forearms trying to think potential solutions through. “I’ll lie and say it was some other man.”
His eyebrows went up. “You’d be ruined. Are you on a mission?”
She shrugged. “I let go of the prospect of marriage and a happily-ever-after when my mother died. Even before that…” She looked away, not finishing that thought. “I’ll make my own way.”