When his family’s house was bought out from under them? When they were forced to move into a tenement, thanks to Duncan Greene? Those things had been out of Clay’s control. As had been his brother’s death, as well as his father’s up and leaving one day. Clay would never allow himself to be powerless again.

So, yes. Florence had to stay away. As much as he longed to see her smile, to hear her laugh or to kiss her mouth once more . . . he couldn’t. He refused to want something he could never have. It was an exercise in madness.

He looked at Jack, who was watching Clay’s internal debate with great interest. “Whatever I feel for her is not the issue. She doesn’t belong here.”

“Seemed to me like she fit in just fine. And you aren’t worried about her reputation. You’ve never cared for that nonsense. So what really happened?”

“I just told you. I slept with her then ordered her not to come back.”

Jack’s jaw dropped open, astonishment and disappointment washing over his features. “In that order? Jesus, Clay. Not one for tenderness after the fact, are you?”

Clay poured himself another glass of bourbon, just as tall as the first. “No, I’m not, which is what I’m trying to explain. Women like her, they want promises and jewelry. Rides in the park. Can you actually picture me in a carriage during the fashionable hour?” He snorted.

“Yes, I could see that. You’re more comfortable here in the club, that’s obvious to anyone, but you won’t catch fire in the daylight. And what makes you so certain she wants promises and jewelry? Did you ask her?”

“I don’t have to. You know her father, her family’s privilege and wealth. We could not be more ill-suited, even for a short-term affair. I’m one slim step ahead of the police, and only because I pay them so well.”

Jack scratched his jaw while he appeared to consider his answer. Clay suspected he wouldn’t like it, but he valued Jack’s counsel. Always had. Jack’s life hadn’t been an easy one, but he was intelligent and levelheaded. He wasn’t good with numbers, but he was excellent at reading people and knowing how to look at a problem from all sides. It was what made them successful partners.

“You think you aren’t good enough for her.”

“That’s absurd,” Clay said weakly. He rubbed his eyes. He couldn’t even compose a proper argument, he was so dashed tired.

“No, that’s it. You believe you’re a black-hearted criminal and she’s an uptown angel. You’ve placed the two of you in those ledger columns of yours and come to the conclusion they don’t add up.”

“Are you saying we do? The idea is ridiculous.”