By Grace Alone (The Death Dealer Book 2) Read Online Free Page A

words, she knew he wasn’t the one who had changed…she was just more knowledgeable now. It was too late to take the oath back, but she could refuse this request. “I won’t follow Moore.”
    “Suit yourself. People know where the Death Dealer has allegiance, and Moore’s out for vengeance. If the Death Dealer is caught, who do you think will stand beside you?” Marcus dropped his feet to the floor and his boots thumped heavily onto the wood. Her downstairs neighbor would certainly give Grace an earful tomorrow. Marcus stood and opened the door to leave.
    “I don’t blame Sergeant Moore for his actions,” Grace said.
    Marcus slammed the door and his heavy boots clattered down the stairs. A few of the other tenants shouted insults and curses and the old woman below her banged on her ceiling. Grace picked up her brush and ran it through her hair like nothing had happened.
    ~*~*~
    Thom waited dutifully outside. “She said no,” he observed from Marcus’s glowering expression. “Should something happen to her?” He made the comment out of loyalty to Marcus, but hurting Grace would be akin to kicking a puppy.
    Marcus softened. “Of course not. She just wants to hold on to the tatters of her chivalrous code. Like a paladin out of legend; ever righteous, ever vigilant, ever annoying. She’s been afraid of death ever since the incident with Mac, and since she lost Jack, she doesn’t know what to do or where to turn. She’s not a real threat, though. We’ll just keep her in the dark.”
    “Ridley tells her everything, though. Girlish chatter and all that. And Ridley is always spying on you.”
    The men fell into step. The rain dredged up some of Glenbard’s more unpleasant smells and debris. It was a wonder Grace could stand having an open window. The two dodged a large glob in the street.
    “I could never keep Ridley from Grace, but I don’t have to stand for the eavesdropping. Let’s give my little girl some power. I think it’s time I take a trip. In the meantime, Ridley can assume the role as your right hand man.”
    “I get to be you during these most cheerful of days? Oh, how I love being a scapegoat,” Thom retorted with annoyed sarcasm.
    Marcus ignored the barb. “Moore wants me to lay low, so let him waste his efforts trying to find me. He thinks that if he finds me, he’ll find Harris.”
    “When do you plan to defect?”
    “I have everything ready so I can leave tonight.”
    “I’m beginning to suspect you were planning this before your offer to trail Moore was turned down.”
    Marcus nodded. “I heard people talking before we caught Adam. I knew Moore was looking and it was only a matter of time before he turned his nose to us.”
    Thom had taken one oath in his life: to serve Marcus. He trusted the man and revered him, but he was still insulted. “You could have told me.”
    “Apologies, old friend, but I wanted to see how long I could keep my flight a secret. If my preparations weren’t noticed by you, likely they weren’t noticed by anyone. I have a safe house lined up already, and I’ll be looking for Harris. I expect you to do the same in my absence. Fool as he is, he shouldn’t be found by the Guard.”
    Thom sighed. “And what should I tell everyone?”
    “My mum is ill.”
    “She’s dead.”
    The men splashed through a puddle. The water was warm and soaked through the sides of Thom’s shoes. He hated the sensation, making his feet feel dirty. “And who knows that? You and Ridley? She’ll sit and pout and ramble on, but by the time the truth is out, I’ll have been underground long enough for the trail to be cold. Everyone else can sit and puzzle about where my mum lives, if she lives, or if we’ve cooked up a scheme, and all the while, Ridley’s our unwitting distraction. Just keep your nose clean and distract Moore.”

 
    Four
    Grace wasn’t completely surprised to see Thom in Marcus’s seat of power the next morning. The King of Thieves had fallen into the