Jack nodded and released her. “Stairs are around the corner, behind the third door. Boys at the front will fetch you a hack. Don’t wander the streets alone at this hour.”

“I won’t. Thank you.” She hurried along the hall, eager to find some peace and put her thoughts back together. Because the next time she faced Clay, she had to be in control of herself.

Clay heard the keyhole door open and he paused, waiting. Had he driven her away for good? Half of him prayed that yes, she’d been appalled at the nature of his business. God knew it would make his life easier. Florence’s presence in his club only complicated everything.

And yet . . .

Well, there was no reason to finish that thought. Only fools wished on stars.

He exhaled a long stream of smoke, enjoying the sting to his eyes, when the outer door opened. Only, it wasn’t who he expected.

Jack strode in, his face thunderous. “What in Hades did you say in here?”

Clay hadn’t a clue as to why Jack was so angry. “Bill demanded a larger share. Thinks he’s got me over a barrel.”

“I assume you set him straight.”

“Of course. Showed him the banknote.” He took a long puff. “He was displeased.”

Jack lowered himself into the armchair vacated by Bill. “No doubt that’s true. He’s been spending money as soon as it comes in.”

“You mean his wife has been spending money.”

“She does love to shop, apparently. Add her store bills to the renovations and the vacation house, and Bill’s skating on thin ice.”

“Well, I’ve made our position clear. I suspect he’ll calm down.”

“And if he doesn’t?”

“Let’s worry about it if the time comes. Was that why you stormed in here like you wanted to punch me? Because of Bill?”

“Hell, no. I saw Miss Greene tear out of here like the building was on fire. Couldn’t imagine what you’d done to affect her in such a manner.”

He braced himself. This was the part where Jack relayed how much Clay had scared her. “Horrified, then.”

“No, it didn’t seem like it. She didn’t come across as scared. Just anxious to get out of here.”

Clay picked through the papers on his desk and tried to sort out the jumbled mess inside his brain. “So she’s not coming back.”

“Wrong. Said she’d return in a few days.”

Clay couldn’t wrap his head around it. He hadn’t scared her off? At every turn she had surprised him.

“The two of you certainly were cozy in the training room.”

Clay leaned back in his chair and glared at his friend. “Worried for her virtue, Jack?”

“Seeing as how you’ve sworn off women, no, not particularly. But that doesn’t mean it’s right.”