“No.” Once over the threshold he towed her down the corridor, not slowing his pace. The sooner he got her to safety, the sooner he could breathe freely again. “I won’t allow it. You must leave. I will contact you to let you know when you may return.”

“What if you don’t find anyone? Does that mean I may return tonight?”

“Not tonight.” As much as he wanted her in his bed he wouldn’t chance it.

“So it could be weeks before I see you again. Is that what you are telling me?”

He stopped on the stairs and maneuvered her until her back was against the wall. Placing his forehead to hers, he cupped her jaw with both hands. “I’ll not risk your safety. Not today, not ever. Don’t ask it, because I cannot allow anyone to hurt you. It would destroy me.”

Her jaw fell open as her chest rose and fell with her labored breath. They seemed to pause a moment while the weight of what he’d said settled between them. “Oh, Clay.” She pressed up and kissed him swiftly, her lips warm and insistent, reassuring. She was here, right here, safe with him.

And it needed to stay that way. He couldn’t let the dark ugliness from his life ever bleed into hers. “Come along,” he said after breaking the kiss.

In a few minutes they reached the back door. Kid Johnny was on the floor, slouched against the wall with some ice on his head, a few other men gathered around. “One of you fetch a hack,” Clay said to the group standing around. One of the boys nodded and took off out the back door. “You all right?” Clay asked Kid, who was actually twenty-five but looked more like sixteen.

Kid winced as he frowned up at Clay. “I’m sorry, Madden. Guy got the drop on me. I heard a noise in the alley but couldn’t see anyone. I went out to investigate and he clobbered me.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Clay said. “We’ll find him. I need to see her off first. Then I’ll return and get you settled at Anna’s.”

“Clay, what if I—” Florence started, but he held up a hand to stop whatever she was about to say.

“Answer is still no. You’re going back uptown, princess.”

Chapter Nineteen

Clay and Jack turned over every chair, looked in each corner. They searched cabinets and closets. Under beds and behind curtains. No room was missed, from the cellar to the attic. Yet, no intruder was found.

They had even checked the patrons on the casino floor. No strangers were present, no one who would need to fight his way inside. All were paying members.

It made no damn sense.