Read Online Hold Your Breath 01 - Stone Devil Duke by K.J. Jackson - Free Book Online Page B

on your safety, my lady. You know well that there be plenty of men who can do this business for you.”
    He tightened his cap back on his head. “Just hire one of ‘em, please, my lady. It could save you from much harm. And me from much guilt.”
    H e did this every night she went out as a hack driver. And every night, he failed at getting her to veer off-course.
    “ Tommy, you know full well why I do this myself. I do not want any man being hurt or killed because of a confusion,” she said, keeping the reprimand in her voice to a minimum. “I am the only one who can recognize these men for certain, and I will not risk someone else’s safety, or the possibility that the job will not get done, just because I am scared or could get hurt.”
    His gaze fell downward. Aggie softened her tone. “Tommy, I realize you are only looking out for my best interest. And I know you believe I am in constant peril, but you must not worry. I know what I am up to, and I know how to protect myself.”
    He looked back up at her, worry still evident, but wanting to believe what she said.
    “Your help has been invaluable to me, and the best way you can help me is to continue to find out as much as you can about the last two men and keep the coach and horse a secret.”
    Aggie put on her brightest smile. “ I really do not know how I could continue safely without your help, Tommy.”
    That always got him, as she knew it would. He sheepishly grinned and apologized for questioning her plans. Aggie went to rub Sunshine’s nose.
    “But , my lady?”
    “Yes?”
    “At least let me accompany you for protection’s sake?”
    Aggie smiled at his question. It was always ask her not to go, then ask if he could come with. She walked to the front of the carriage.
    “ Tommy, you know I am counting on you to put in place the plan to protect my mother and sister if something should happen to me. You are the only person I can trust to do that without fail.”
    Resigned, Tommy shook his head. “Yes, my lady. Don’t you worry nothing about your family.”
    Aggie smiled over his loyalty, handed him a small reticule full of coins, and turned to crawl up to the driver’s perch.
    “One more thing Tommy.” Aggie looked down at her young friend with hope on her face. “Have you or your boss discovered out anything at all about the fifth man—the gentleman?”
    Tommy ’s answer was the same as it had been since she had first hired him and his boss, and every time she had asked since then.
    “No, my lady. I am sorry.”
    Aggie nodded in resignation, bothered once more that the man hadn’t been found. It would seem that their leader was impossible to track, and the longer Aggie knew nothing of him, except for his evil face, the harder it would be to find him. Especially if she disposed of the other two.
    If she couldn’t get one of the last two murderers to tell her about their boss, she knew peace would be forever elusive. She could not rest until their leader was brought to justice.
    With a deep breath to calm her nerves, Aggie thanked Tommy, and clicked Sunshine forward. She rambled off down the cobblestones, Tommy looking after her, admiration shining plainly on his face.
    ~~~
    She had been gone from the ball for only moments before Devin found himself clear to make it to Killian. Both men had been deluged for some time by gentlemen eager to gain an ear to talk investments.
    A fter watching Aggie scurry back to her aunt, Devin hadn’t been back in the ballroom a minute before five men surrounded him, intent on gaining his attention.
    He gave it to them, partially, while the majority of his mind worked on the slip of a girl that stood across the room from him, her face never fully losing the blush from the balcony.
    She had been impossibly easy to find. Too easy, for a woman attempting to go undercover as a hack driver. He originally thought he’d talk to the girl, tell her he would handle the two remaining men. And that would be it. Maybe a