Thieves' Quarry (The Thieftaker Chronicles) Read Online Free Page A

part of five years, and though they didn’t live together, and though Ethan had made it clear to Kannice that he wasn’t the marrying kind, he would have faced down the king’s army to keep her safe. Once, there had been another woman in his life: Elli—Marielle—to whom Ethan had been betrothed before his imprisonment. For many years, while serving his sentence on the sugar plantation, and even after his return to Boston, he had mourned the loss of his first love. But more recently that wound had healed. He and Elli remained on civil terms, but Ethan didn’t long for her anymore. Today, Ethan was as devoted to Kannice as he had ever been to Elli.
    Kannice walked back to where Kelf was ladling out the stew and said something that made the rest of her patrons laugh uproariously. She might have been unyielding when it came to her rules, but she could outdrink a Scottish sea captain and she told jokes that would make an old sailor blush.
    “You’re going to tell her what I did, aren’t you?” Diver said, once she was out of earshot.
    Ethan took a quick sip of ale to hide his amusement. “I’ll tell her what happened. She’ll work out the rest.”
    “Probably,” Diver muttered. “I really am sorry.”
    “It cost you nearly as much as it did me.”
    “Aye, but I know how much you hate being bested by Sephira.”
    Ethan looked away. Kelf was headed in their direction carrying two bowls of steaming stew.
    “There y’are,” the big man said, placing the bowls in front of them. “Another ale, Diver?”
    Diver glanced at Ethan.
    “We’ll both take another,” Ethan said before draining his tankard and handing it to Kelf.
    Once the barkeep had walked away, Diver turned to Ethan again, a sheepish look on his face. “Ethan—”
    “Leave it, Diver. Sephira’s men didn’t beat me. Sephira didn’t threaten you or Kannice or Elli and her kids. All she did was take a bit of coin that I’d claimed for myself. It’s not worth worrying about.”
    If anything, the younger man’s shoulders drooped even more after hearing this, but he muttered something in agreement.
    Kelf returned with their ales, and for some time neither man spoke. Ethan watched Kannice as she made her way around the main room of the tavern, chatting with her patrons, laughing at their jokes, chastising them when they spilled their drinks. Now and again her eyes found Ethan’s and she smiled, but for the most part she left him and Diver to themselves.
    “I liked working with you,” Diver said at length, pushing his empty bowl to the center of the table. “I liked being a thieftaker, even if it was just for a little while.”
    Ethan eyed him. “Did you?”
    “Aye,” his friend said. “Was I any good at it?”
    “You figured out that Tanner was our thief. That took some doing.”
    Diver beamed. “Does that mean I can help you with another job?”
    “I don’t know. Can you manage to take a girl to your bed without telling her my business?”
    “Of course I can,” Diver said, his color rising.
    Ethan sat forward. “Are you sure? I’m asking you seriously. There are times when I’ll want your help, but after this…” He shook his head. “If I’m going to rely on you, I have to know I can trust you.”
    The younger man held his gaze though Ethan could tell that the words stung. “You can.”
    Ethan regarded him for another moment. “If you tell me it’s so, I believe you. Next time I need help, you’ll be the man I turn to.”
    Diver grinned. “I’m grateful.” He hesitated before asking, “What did Sephira do to him?”
    “To Tanner, you mean?”
    Diver nodded.
    “She had one of her toughs cut his throat.”
    The blood drained from Diver’s face. “They killed him?”
    “No. She didn’t want him dead,” he said, knowing as he spoke the words that it was true. “She wanted to distract me. She figured I would save him. And I did, though only just.” Ethan regarded his friend. “Do you still want to work with