A Code of the Heart (The Code Breakers Series Book 3) by Jacki Delecki Read Free Book Online

his breeches, carried over another tankard of ale.
    “Hullo, Harry.” The dark-haired woman batted her eyelashes at the older man.
    “You caught yourself a live one.” The waiter winked at him as he put the tankard down.
    Brinsley lifted his cup. “To a night at Ship’s Aground with…?” He glanced at the young woman, eyebrows raised.
    “Bev, at your service…anything you’d be needing.” She leaned into him, her soft ample curves pressing close.
    Brinsley ignored her blatant invitation. “Seems like a quiet night. I heard this place can get rough.”
    Bev raised her tankard and took a big swig. She wiped the foam from her lips with the back of her sleeve. “When the dock workers get paid…that’s when it gets interesting.”
    “You must be popular. Seems like you know everyone who comes here.” He sipped his ale. “You knew I wasn’t a regular.”
    “I knows most of the men.” She looked up at him, her eyes narrowed. “You’re looking for someone, ain’t ya?”
    “Why’d you say that?”
    “Cuz your likes don’t come to places like this.”
    Shit, had he already blown his cover? Lord Rathbourne would have his arse. And she was only half right. After he had been rejected by his family and friends, he hung out in dives just like this to wash away the taint of good society. “You’re right. I’m looking for my hellion brother.” In spy lies, always stick as close as you can to the truth. “He has a drinking problem and we haven’t seen him in weeks. When he’s in a foul mood and in his cups, he goes looking for trouble.”
    “I could keep an eye open for your brother.” Bev lowered her voice, but ran her hand over his arms in a playful manner for anyone watching.
    “Could you, now?” He wound a curl close to her face around a finger. He leaned closer. “That would be very helpful.”
    Her laugh was throaty in an effort to sound sultry. “I got my uses.” She then whispered in his ear. “Twenty quid.”
    By Bev’s exorbitant price, she understood the significance of the job. He traced the border of the frayed material along her breasts, giving the impression of a man absorbed. “Done deal.”
    “Why don’t we go upstairs and work out the details.” Her hand was back in his crotch. “The tiny, insignificant details.”
    God, he might not want her, but his partner didn’t seem to mind. He laughed out loud as he pried her fingers away. “The waiter was right, you’re a live one.”
    He kept her hand between his. “Tiny, huh?”
    She purred. “Not tiny at all.”
    He pressed his lips to her neck and said low, “My brother is not big like I am. He’s short, and likes to pretend he’s French.”
    Bev threw her head back as if enjoying an erotic interlude. “I understand. How will I contact you?”
    He continued to keep his head at her neck, but his fingers played in the front of her gown. “I’ll contact you.”
    As he had done many a time paying for a night between the sheets, he reached into his coat and pulled out the coins. He placed the money on the table for all observers to see the transaction.
    “I’ll be back.” He started to stand, searching for Ash who had remained at his table. Now, Ash was in a shoving match with a brawny dockworker who outweighed him by four stone.
    Ash threw a punch at the burly man and all hell broke loose. Just what Brinsley had needed—a bloody brawl.
    Someone grabbed Brinsley by the arm. Swinging around, he was confronted by a giant with a scar across his cheek, broken bottle in his hand, already primed to do damage. He ducked the swinging bottle and landed a punch to the bully’s gut. The well-placed punch didn’t faze his assailant, only enraging him more.
    “You smarmy bastard.” The giant swung the jagged bottle as he charged forward.
    Brinsley shouted over the din of crashing furniture, breaking bottles, and shouts of aggression. “Come and get me. I’m not afraid of you.” Brinsley was immensely entertained by the look on