Page 2 of A Raven Repents

“You must be joking. You think I have one hundred pounds in my pocket?”

“You have it somewhere, Mr. Henderson. I’ll give you one hour to collect it. If you don’t return by then, I’ll announce your betrothal to the entire ballroom.”

Why had he even bothered with a mask? He pulled it off and chucked it onto the floor.

Apparently, his needy cock had led him straight into a very expensive trap. Had she intentionally lured him in? Or had her father simply followed him and was taking full advantage of the situation?

What difference did it make now?

“I’ll need a day or two to get that kind of money, but I’ll pay you,” he said irritably.

The man shook his head. “I’ll extend it to two hours because I’m feeling generous.” He pulled his watch from his pocket. “That starts now.”

Bloody hell. There was clearly no use arguing with the man. With a huff, Giles wrenched the door open. He didn’t keep money like that in his townhouse. That was just asking to be robbed. Since the bank wasn’t open, he’d have to borrow some of it from one of his partners. He didn't particularly want to tell them about his folly, but what choice did he have? He certainly wasn’t going to marry the deceitful woman.

When he stepped down from the cab in front of The Raven’s Den, it was too quiet. He cursed under his breath. He’d completely forgotten they’d closed for Trent’s wedding celebrations. If no one was around, he’d have to borrow it from the safe, instead. Perhaps that was better anyway. Then he could just sneak the money back in, and no one would ever know about his imbecilic mistake.

“Good evening, O’Connell,” Giles said as he patted his pocket. Great, no keys.

“Evening, boss.”

“Would you mind letting me in? I need to retrieve something from the office.”

It was eerily dark inside, and the silence was absolute. He could have heard a pin drop, if there had been someone around to drop one. Under normal circumstances, the cavernous space was filled with light from the countless lamps, and a mélange of noise from all kinds of raucous activities.

Unable to see, he felt his way cautiously across the large space, still managing to bang his shin twice by the time he got to the other side. He whipped the curtain aside and marched up the stairs. The door to the office was locked. Of course it was bloody locked.

He’d never been in the club when it was empty, and it hadn’t even occurred to him he wouldn’t be able to get what he needed. He kicked the door. Clearly, he had not thought this through. Perhaps that was the theme of the night. He didn’t want to trudge back through the darkness. Not to mention, did the bouncers even have keys for the office?

With his fingertips, he massaged his forehead. If he went all the way home for his keys, he might not make it back to Lady Hempsted’s within the two-hour window. How had he managed to put himself in such an impossible situation?

At least the back door was easier to get to than the front. Definitely safer for his shins. He should have come in that way in the first place. He couldn’t unlock it, of course, so he knocked and waited for it to open.

“Good evening, boss.” The man was obviously confused to see Giles just standing there like an idiot, but he didn’t ask any questions.

“Do you have a key to the office upstairs, Donoghue? I really need to get in there, and I don’t have mine on me.”

“We don’t get a key for that door. I believe Allister has one, though.”

“And where might I find him?”

He shrugged. “You could check Raven House, but he may have gone home, since the club is closed for the night.”

Giles breathed a frustrated sigh. “I don’t suppose you have one hundred pounds on you?”

The man’s brow furrowed and he shook his head, the joke completely lost on him. Giles had no choice. If he didn’t want to bother someone at home, he’d have to go fetch his keys. Perhaps if he hurried, he’d still have enough time.

By the time he got back to The Raven’s Den, he was out of breath and sweaty. He let out a string of curses as he banged his shin, again. Why hadn’t he come through the back? With an exasperated roar, he barged through the curtains. Worst night ever. After fumbling to line it up correctly, he jammed his key into the lock. He flipped the switch, blinded by the harsh light it created.

Through squinted eyes, he got the safe open and pulled out the bank notes he needed. Checking his watch, he was relieved to see it hadn’t been two hours yet. If he was quick, he might just make it. He locked the safe and turned to leave.

Ash stood in the doorway, and Giles’ heart leapt into his throat.

“Bloody hell. You startled me.” But Ash didn’t laugh, or smile. Giles looked down at the money he held in his hand.

Not again.

“This isn’t what it looks like, Ash.”