His mouth tightened, his expression darkening into something fierce and ugly. “Then I believe our lessons are done for the night, Miss Greene. The door is behind you.”

Chapter Ten

Though his lips were still tingling from kissing her, Clay tried not to be hurt. He’d had much worse things said to him over the years, insults he’d hardly registered. Yet, this one sentence from an uptown debutante had twisted his insides and set them on fire.

You trust me, but I do not trust you.

Fucking ridiculous. He’d looked out for her since the moment she had crossed the threshold of this club. Had rescued her from that saloon when she’d been accused of cheating. Hid her during the raid. Christ, he’d done nothing but keep that woman safe and give her total honesty.

He’d even informed her of his hatred toward her father.

Yet, despite all that, she didn’t trust him.

He waited for her to say something, to apologize, anything. Yet, she merely stared at him with blazing eyes and stiff shoulders. “You cannot bully me into trusting you.”

“Kissing you is not bullying you.”

“No, I’m talking about the way you are scowling at me.”

Was he scowling?

“It’s my face, Florence. And unless you’re ready to admit you trust me, then we’re done for the night.”

Fury sparked in her eyes, her nostrils flaring ever so slightly as she stood taller. A warrior queen, a woman afraid of nothing. The sight impressed him, even if he was equally angry with her.

A quick rap on the door sounded before Jack poked his head inside. “Clay, you have a visitor. Are you free?”

“I was just leaving,” Florence said, her chin raised high. “Some people in this room are acting in an unreasonable manner.”

“I see,” Jack murmured, his gaze darting between Clay and Florence.

Clay didn’t try to stop her. She didn’t trust him. There wasn’t much more to say at the moment. “Come in, Jack.”

Jack pushed open the door and stepped aside to let the newcomer enter. Richard Crain appeared. Crain was a barrel-chested man who’d come up through the Tammany political ranks with their current mayor, Hugh Grant. As the city’s chamberlain, he held considerable power, serving basically as the mayor’s deputy. Clay had known him for years and Crain had proven invaluable on many occasions.

“Madden.” Crain entered the room then stopped as he noticed Florence. “Am I interrupting?”

“Not at all,” he said. “Have a seat.”

Florence gave Clay a smile that was all teeth before turning toward the door. “Yes, we are definitely finished here.” She sailed past Jack and out the door, disappearing into the corridor. Clay gave Jack a pointed look and his partner disappeared. Jack would follow Florence to ensure she was safely seen off in a hansom.