FOREVER KNIGHTS: #7 King of Assassins
A Hand in Winter's Haven

“What’ve you done, Joe?”

You slapped her.

“I-I don’t-I didn’t…I’m a damn fool!” He whined.

Would you have still realized it without me here? He doubted it.

“Yes, Joe. You are. You know my rules.” Savage’s voice was low. Cold.

“Yes, Savage Jack.”

“Why are you breaking them?” Savage walked a slow circle around the muscled young man. Eyeing him assessingly.

Was this intended as a challenge?

“I-I…Meant no insult.”

No, you didn’t. He assessed.

“You touched Dimurah.”

“I forgot she was yours.”

A serious mistake.

You’re drunk not impudent. He recognized. His muscles easing somewhat.

“She doesn’t belong to any man. But you touched her without respect.”

“I did.”

Honest at least.

“There’s a consequence for any action I don’t authorize in this Guild.”

“Yes, Savage Jack.”

Savage came to a standstill before the man.

Joe looked very meek just now. Shoulders hunkered in fear. Giving Savage sideways glances.

“I can take your life or your hand.”

Joe winced.

“Your choice.”

“But I don’t want to choose!”

Savage stared at him impassively. “I can choose…”

Inside Winter Haven, Dimurah paced. Skirts fisted in her hand beneath the huge green cloak.

She heard Joe’s deep scream.

Gasping she lurched toward the doorway, but several assassin’s and her own bodyguards closed ranks to keep her from passing.

“It’s not safe!” Markus warned.

She clawed and shoved them. Calling for Joe.

The door was kicked open and the group split to let Savage through. Seeing blood splattered the front of his shirt, Dimurah sobbed and put a fist to her mouth to stem the sounds. Savage past her without offering so much as a glance.

Knowing she couldn’t let these fierce assassins see her weakness, she bit her tongue. Stamping down emotion as she felt their waiting stares.

Savage went to the counter and slammed a hand still connected to part of a forearm onto a platter there. Making a horrible squishing sound.

Dimurah ran over and grabbed Savage’s forearm. Making him spin to face her.

He was quiet. Lips tight.

“Why?” She shook her head. Blue eyes welling.

Because it had to be done.

The door kicked open again and big Joe stumbled in clutching his arm. “Help!” He cried before falling.

Several men turned stunned eyes from the fallen man to Savage.

“He let him live.” One murmured in shock.

“The man is drunk. Harmless. Savage Jack knows that.”

Dimurah was oblivious as she mopped blood around Joe’s arm. Ripping the bottom of her dress to create a bandage to cinch his arm.

She sent Savage a vicious glare.

So much for a thanks.

I’ll be hearing about this later. He ordered a drink from the barmaid.

Belline carefully swung wide of the hand on the platter, looking a little green every time she glanced at it.

Another man walked over to move it.

“Don’t touch that.” Savage commanded. Staring ahead with arm outstretched sideways down the counter, to point. “It stays where it is.”