Of course, if they killed him they’d have no lawyer for Doyle.
“You want to negotiate then let’s negotiate.” He kept his stance strong, folded his arms and lifted his chin. “Tell me where my father is.”
The two men shared a look. Duke tightened his jaw. He’d wager the men thought they’d wave a pistol at him, and he’d come easily. No doubt with their boss’s reputation for violence, they seldom had to persuade anyone to do anything.
“If you want him alive, come with us,” said the taller man.
The gold-toothed man slapped his weapon against his palm again and again, as though tapping a beat to a song. Duke took a long, slow breath and unfolded his arms. The man stilled and eyed him carefully. One wrong move and he suspected this person would take pleasure in firing a shot and maiming him.
The way his fingers flexed around the barrel told Duke it wouldn’t take much. The sorts who worked for Doyle took pleasure in inflicting pain. There was no chance Duke wanted to give him reason to shoot him, but he couldn’t fathom how to end this stalemate without a shot being fired one way or the other.
God, he wished he’d come up with a proper plan. He hadn’t had a straight thought since his father was taken.
No, make that since he kissed Violet.
“What makes you think I’ll cooperate if I do not know he is still alive?” Duke forced a laugh. “Your boss really is not the cleverest of men, is he?”
The man with the gun muttered something to the other. Duke didn’t hear what was said but the taller man’s cheeks reddened. As much as Duke didn’t have a plan, it seemed these two did not either. He could use that to his advantage with any luck.
Issuing a lengthy sigh, the taller man took a step closer. “We’ll do an exchange. Your father for you. How does that sound?”
“Bring him here then,” Duke said firmly, maintaining a neutral expression.
He hated to think what his father might have been through and what the hell they intended for either of them, but he knew no one would come out of this alive if he simply went along with their plans. As soon as they got Duke anywhere near wherever they were holding his father, they’d both be in trouble.
“Do you want to die?”
Duke eyed the end of the gun, now turned upon him. “Do you want to tell Doyle you killed the only lawyer with a chance of saving his father from the gallows?” he countered.
The man cursed under his breath. He narrowed his gaze at Duke. “I could shoot him in the leg,” he said to his companion. “Then he’s going nowhere.”
“With that gun?” Duke nodded toward it. “You’ve got more chance of blowing your hand off than hitting a moving target.”
Gold-tooth frowned. “You’re not moving.”
“No. But I do like ferns.”
“What?”
“I said…” He lifted his voice. “I do likeferns.”
Duke dove to the side as the sound of the gunshot cracked the air. Gold-tooth made an ungodly sound and grabbed his shoulder. Another bang followed and the wall behind Duke exploded, showering him in brick dust. Apparently the man was a good shot despite his terrible pistol and a wound to his arm. If Duke had been any slower, the wall wouldn’t be the only thing with a hole in it.
Roman raced into the building at the same time Duke rose to his feet. His friend dove for the tall man and wrestled him to the floor. While Roman had his companion in hand, Duke went for the gunman, knocking the weapon from the man’s hands before he could reload it. The pistol skittered across the slabs of stone and vanished under a crate.
Fists curled, Duke faced down the man who had beaten him savagely once already. He wasn’t going to let it happen again.
He smirked. “Not able to take me by surprise this time.”
“I’ve fought my whole life,” the man sneered, slowly stepping to the side. “Think you can really beat me?”
Duke mirrored his opponent’s movements. It was true. The man probably had a wealth of experience of fighting, but Duke was stronger and benefited from boyhood lessons of boxing and fencing. Not to mention there was a lot more at stake for Duke. He eyed the man. He forgot where they were, the fighting going on between Roman and his opponent—everything narrowed to one single moment.
He lunged, swinging hard at the same time. The impact jarred up his arm, but he only felt heat and the fierce thud of his pulse as the man staggered back from the blow to the jaw. He punched again, striking the man’s gut. His opponent grabbed him, and they fell to the ground.
Duke found himself under his enemy so he grabbed the man’s lapels and smacked his head into his nose. The man howled and released Duke long enough for him to gain the upper hand. He rolled the man underneath him and punched again.
“Didn’t expect me to fight dirty, did you?” Duke spat, as he struck out again when the man continued to claw and squirm. Finally, his opponent sagged, his breaths coming heavily.