A Risk Worth Taking by Laura Landon Read Free Book Online Page B

bullet that killed Freddie was intended for me!”
    “How do you know that?”
    “That isn’t important. I just do.”
    “You can’t be sure,” Adam argued. “It’s been three months. Has there been another attempt since then?”
    Griff shook his head.
    “Then perhaps it
was
a robbery. If there is truly an assassin out there, why hasn’t he tried to kill you again?”
    Griff swept his hand over his damp brow. “I don’t know. Perhaps he will. Perhaps he satisfied his revenge on me by killing my best friend. How should I know?”
    Adam paced the room. “So you want me to assume your responsibility to Freddie’s sister and let you go to the country and drink yourself into an early grave? You want Patience and me to fulfill Freddie’s dying wish and let you go scot-free?”
    “No. I only want you to provide Freddie’s sister with the cover of respectability. I will cover all her expenses, her wardrobe, and anything else she needs. And you will not have to worry that she will not be snatched up. The generous dowry I intend to provide her will guarantee she’ll attract every eligible male in England.”
    Adam shook his head. “She’s a complete stranger to us.”
    Griff walked to the liquor decanters and poured himself another drink. Thankfully for Griff, the world had become pleasantly hazy, because his next words were damned difficult to say. “Please, Adam. Just grant this one favor and I’ll never bother you again. I’ll never show my face in London or be an embarrassment to you ever again.”
    The two brothers, as similar as night to day, stared at each other for a long moment. Finally, Adam walked across the room. With his back to Griff, he stared into the blazing flames in the fireplace.
    Griff felt a sense of relief. Adam would help him. He always had. Only this would be the last favor Griff would ever ask of him. He took another swallow as he waited for Adam to answer.
    “Very well, Griff. You may move Freddie’s sister into my home. Patience and I will sponsor her into Society.”
    “Thank you, Adam,” Griff acknowledged sincerely.
    His brother turned to face him. “Under one condition.”
    “Anything.”
    “From the moment Freddie’s sister steps foot in my house, you will not have another drink.”
    Griff stared at him, dumbfounded. “You can’t be serious.”
    “That is my offer. Take it or leave it.”
    “No.”
    “Then find another way to help Freddie’s sister. Sponsor her yourself.”
    “You know I can’t! I’m not married. I can’t allow a single woman to reside under my roof. Her reputation would be in shambles before the sun set on the first day. I need you and Patience to help me.”
    “Then agree to my condition.”
    “Make another condition. Anything.”
    “There will be no other condition, Griff. Either you stop drinking completely, or Freddie’s sister can stay in the country until she starves.”
    “This is ridiculous! I can stop drinking anytime I want!”
    “Then stop right now! Put that glass down and don’t pick up another.”
    “No!” Griff had never felt such cold anger, such a violent explosion of his temper. He wanted to hit Adam. To double his fist and slam it into the authoritative expression on his face. Didn’t Adam know Griff’s guilt and grief were too devastating when he was sober? He clutched the glass tighter. “I don’t want to quit.”
    “You will if you want the girl to come to London.”
    Griff slashed his hand through the air. Bloody hell. He could stop drinking anytime he chose. But he didn’t want to. The pain was too great, the regret too unbearable.
    “I’ll get you help. I have a friend, Dr. Samuel Thornton. He’ll help you.”
    “I don’t need help.”
    “You do, Griff.” An even harsher expression darkened Adam’s face. “You aren’t strong enough to do this on your own.”
    Griff glared at his brother. Anger raged through his body. “Damn you, Adam. Why can’t you leave me alone?”
    “Because you are all the