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The relationship Ian had with his family was complicated to say the least, but they still loved each other. And Helen would not want to see that shatter.

“Then I’d burn the documents,” she said resolutely. “I’d try my best to sabotage the rebellion, but I would not tell anyone else about this. Neither your father, nor your handler.”

Ian was silent for a long moment, visibly turning her words over in his mind. “You’d go rogue.”

He didn’t give away his emotions. Helen couldn’t tell whether he seriously considered her suggestion. But she decided to be frank till the end. “I’d do whatever I had to do to protect my family.”

He raised a brow. “Even become a traitor?”

“I would,” Helen said without a moment’s hesitation. “But you don’t have to. You know enough to hinder the rebellion’s plans. You know enough to keep your family safe. If anyone can do this, you can. Because you’re a spy.” She smiled and pressed her forehead against his. “My wicked rogue.”

Chapter 29

Helen and Ian returned to London a week later with all the fanfare: a carriage with the Atholl crest, ten outriders, and a couple of maids. Ian knew they were being watched and followed, probably by the Shadows, perhaps by his fellow spies as well. However, their loud and visible escort ensured they reached their destination untouched and unbothered.

Upon their arrival in London, the first place they visited was Viscount St. John’s townhouse. While Helen retired to her old room with Lady St. John and Laney, Ian spent a few hours discussing matters with the viscount. There was a lot of mistrust between the two men, but after they put all their cards out on the table and spoke sincerely, they ended the conversation by shaking hands, more or less.

St. John insisted that the Shadows had nothing to do with either the blackmails or the murders, and the only reason Ian’s name was on that note was because he was spying on the viscount himself. He promised to help solve the murders and to let his leader know that Ian was an ally now.

They ended the dialog with the viscount threatening to make Ian’s life a living hell if he made Helen upset just once. Ian wouldn’t fault the man for trying.

Finally, after a long and tedious conversation, he was ready to take his bride and their daughter home.

When it was time to settle into bed late that night, Helen came to him with a little piece of paper in her hands. “What is this?” he asked and took the paper from her hands. It had a name and an address written on it.

“I promised this young woman in a women’s shelter to help her find her sister. While I was away, I am certain her hope to find her must have dimmed. But she doesn’t know that I am married to a spy.”

He chuckled and kissed her temple. “You want me to find her?”

“Yes, if you can.”

Ian quirked a brow. “Oh, I will. Trust me.”

Helen grinned. “Now that you’re still not reinstated into the rank of spies and have some time on your hands, perhaps that’s what we can do. Together.”

“You want to help reunite women from the shelter with their families?”

She nodded. “I want to do as much good as I can. I am going to live my life to the fullest from this day forward. And I won’t shy away from getting the things I want. That includes helping people get what they want.”

“Good.” Ian kissed her on the lips. “And I’ll be by your side every step of the way.”

“I love you,” Helen said looking deeply into his eyes.

“I love you,” Ian repeated and lowered his mouth to hers.

Helen kissed him deeply, and he was ready to move to a more salacious act when she said suddenly, “But we still haven’t figured out who murdered those three men.”

Ian shrugged. “St. John swears the Shadows have nothing to do with it. And if what you say is true, and William is out of the country, then there is no telling who it could be. It could be the Brotherhood themselves doing it. It will take longer than one night to figure it out. And at the moment, I have a more pressing matter at hand. A question I need answered.”

“Truly?” Helen raised her brow. “What is it?”

“How many times can I make my wife come in one night?”

Helen laughed and attempted to crawl away from Ian, but he swiftly caught her hands, held them tightly above her head, and proceeded to kiss every inch of her skin.

* * *

In the meantime…