The Devil of Downtown (Uptown Girls, #3)

by Joanna Shupe

“And who is your friend?” Mrs. Grant asked quietly. “He’s certainly a handsome one.” “That is Mr. Mulligan.” “Well, it appears many of our guests already know him. Is he a politician? Or a fancy railroad magnate?” “He’s . . .” She hesitated. “A businessman.” It felt wrong to dissemble but the description wasn’t exactly a lie. “That ain’t no businessman,” one of their guests said as he passed by. “That’s Jack Mulligan. South of Fourteenth Street they call him the very devil.” Mrs. Grant’s face changed, wariness creeping into her expression. “Oh, I hadn’t realized it was that Mr. Mulligan.” “He’s not as bad as that,” Justine said. “He’s quite generous.” “But he’s also dangerous.” Mrs. Grant watched Jack as he shook hands with a table of men. “I’ve heard stories. Should you be associating with a man like that, Miss Greene?” Her back straightened, the urge to defend him tightening her muscles. She wished the world knew him as she did: a sweet, funny and kind man. Who else would have rushed here to help tonight, merely because he wished to spend time with her? Who else would have made a speech at the Metropolitan Opera House as a way of saving her reputation? What about teaching her bowling and promising to help get her into the police department? He’d done all that and more since she met him. “He’s merely a friend.” “If you say so. Please tell him we are grateful for his help tonight.”

The main dining room was empty by the time Justine left. She hadn’t seen Jack depart but why would he remain? There must have been a hundred other things requiring his attention. She’d find a hansom uptown and meet her family at home for dinner. Pushing open the heavy wooden doors, she emerged outside. Cool night air washed over her just as she spotted a slick black carriage waiting at the curb. Her heart stuttered. A good-looking man leaned against the side, his hands in his trouser pockets. He looked delectable—like an ice cream cone, an ear of roasted corn and a chocolate bonbon all rolled into one. His mouth hitched when she started toward him. Warmth shone in his startling blue eyes. “A ride, miss?” “I am looking for the bighearted, good-looking man who was inside a few moments ago. Have you seen him?” “Perhaps. Was there some sort of reward being offered?” She stepped closer, mere inches from him. “Most definitely. A large reward just for him.” Jack’s throat worked as he swallowed. “Then come aboard. We’ll see about locating him for you.” He handed her up and she settled against the velvet seats. She was kissing him before the wheels even started rolling. Warm heat spread through her as their lips brushed, a sense of rightness that had been missing all day until this second. She was nearly in his lap when they paused to breathe. “You were very impressive tonight, Mr. Mulligan.” “Was I?” He sucked on her bottom lip, pulling it through his teeth and making her gasp. “I...

He’d come to look forward to their time together. She was enthusiastic and adventurous in bed, sweet and gentle out of it. They talked about everything, from his childhood and her charity efforts, to their families and aspirations. Nothing was off-limits. He’d never felt closer to another person in his life, not even his mother. He liked her so much that he’d spent time at a soup kitchen just to be near her. Not that he was against charity. Quite the contrary. He donated to several around the city, but anonymously. It wouldn’t do for his reputation if people knew. A man like Jack had to be hard and impenetrable to enemies. Not a softhearted do-gooder. Which brought to mind his softhearted do-gooder and how much he missed her.

Please, let him live. He wasn’t a terrible man. Underneath that fancy suit beat the heart of a caring and gentle soul. A man who loved and lived fiercely. A man with whom she had fallen in love.

“Steady,” Rye said as they turned the corner. “I wouldn’t like to explain to Miss Greene how those stitches came undone.” Rye and Justine got along like old friends. Though Jack grumbled loudly in their presence about them ganging up on him, he secretly liked that two of the most important people in his life were fond of one another. “She’ll be angry with me, not you. This was my idea, remember?” “She’ll be angry with the both of us, I daresay. She is scared you’ll develop an infection.” This was nothing new. Justine had been harping on the notion ever since his eyes opened after the injury. “I won’t. I’ll be fine.” “She loves you, you know.” Jack frowned, using his arm to steady himself on the door frame. “You’re insane.” “You didn’t see her face when she learned you’d been plugged.”

“I want to check your incision.” “No more poking and prodding, cara. I am fine.” “You are not fine and I will be checking. I’m quite happy to have Rye hold you down while I do so, if necessary.” Christ. Had he admired her stubbornness before? “I’ll allow it on one condition.” One brown brow shot up and her arms crossed over her chest. “Bargaining, Jack? Really?” “If you don’t wish to check the sutures . . .” She smirked and shook her head in what he assumed was extreme exasperation. “What is your condition?” “That you get into bed with me when you’re done.” “That is not a good idea. Any sort of vigorous activity could reopen that wound.” “Not for vigorous activity. I merely want to hold you. On my good side, I swear.” Her expression softened into something affectionate and tender. His chest expanded at that look and what it might mean, the feelings it might convey. He held out his hand, desperate to feel her. “I miss touching you.” “All right.” She slipped her hand into his and squeezed. “On your good side.”

“Remember the man I needed to meet with at the fundraiser?” “I do.” “His name is Julius Hatcher. He’s an investor in the Little Water Street Brewery.” “I’ve met Mr. Hatcher. His wife is a friend of my oldest sister.” “I am in the process of taking the brewery national. We’ll produce and ship beer all over the country. And I need Hatcher’s support to do it.” “What a great idea.” She caressed his chest. “You are so clever.” “Thank you. I know it’s a great idea and I thought I had Hatcher convinced.” “But?” “But then I was shot. During our meeting at the brewery.” “You were meeting with Hatcher when you were shot?” “I was.” She exhaled slowly. “And now he’s reconsidering the venture?” He pressed his lips to the top of her head. Smart, this woman. “Correct. He says my association makes the entire thing too risky.” “You can hardly fault him. Poor man’s probably still in shock. He’s a notorious recluse and seeing you shot in front of his eyes undoubtedly had a lasting impression on him.” “None of it is my fault, either. Not to mention that I’m the one who was shot, not him.” “I would say some of it is your fault. You lead the life of your own choosing—and it’s a dangerous one. You’ve never made any excuses for it, but you have to know the risks.” He did, all too well. The proof was the burning ache in his side at present. “I am not asking him to share office space with me. We don’t even need to see one another in person again. There’s no risk to his physical person.” “True, but ...

“I believe Mr. Keller has some good news for you, Miss Greene.” “Indeed, I do.” He cast a quick glance in Jack’s direction before meeting Justine’s eyes. “We would be honored to appoint you as the first woman to the New York City Police Department.” Jack had promised it, but Justine hadn’t believed the appointment would happen until she actually heard the words. She clasped her hands together in her lap to try and control her excitement. If the room were empty she would have danced a jig. Instead, she tried to look calm and mature. “That is excellent news, Mr. Keller. You won’t regret this. I shall work very hard.” “We know you will.” “That is kind of you to say. I hope to earn my detective’s badge within two or three years.” Keller’s brows drew together, and he appeared even more nervous. “You don’t understand, Miss Greene. You need not earn a detective’s badge. I am having you appointed as a detective, not a roundsman.” Not earn it? “I suppose I don’t understand, then. All officers start as roundsmen. Then they are promoted to detective after proving their abilities.” “You’ve already proven your abilities.” Jack gave her a patient and fond smile. “There’s no need for you to struggle your way up the ladder. Right, Keller?” Keller swallowed, his nod a touch too emphatic. “Definitely. Yes. Indeed, no need at all.” “But, you told me I would be taking a job away from a man with a family to support.” “We don’t need to worry about that any longer.”

“This path of favors and bribes as you call it has done a lot of good over the years. Including for you.” “I realize that and I am grateful for what you’ve done up to this point. However, you once told me not to ask how the soup was made if I liked the way it tasted. I cannot do that any longer—not even if I get what I want.” She’s slipping away. Say something. Do something. You are going to lose her. He came around the desk and drew closer. “Mon ange,” he said quietly, “I only want to make things easier for you. I wasn’t attempting to corrupt you or take away your choices. But if I went too far, then I’ll stop. I won’t interfere in your cases any longer.” She started shaking her head before he even ceased speaking, moving away from him as if he were diseased. “I cannot do this anymore. The temptation will always be there. I won’t be able to keep from talking about my problems and you won’t be able to keep from solving them. I cannot keep eating the soup. At some point it’ll change me—if it hasn’t already.”

“We are good together. Tell me, are you so eager to throw that away, too?” Hurt flashed across her face and he almost took the words back. Instead, he fell silent and let her think about what walking out meant. It meant no more bowling or afternoons on Bond Street. It meant no more kisses or carriage rides. It meant no more laughing or fucking or just breathing together. And if she took all that away, he’d never be the same.

“Justine, I’ve never met anyone like you. There’s never been another woman in my life, not in this way. Not someone I cared for and trusted as I do you. Who knows what would have happened after my injury if you hadn’t looked after me? This isn’t all one-sided. I feel just as off-balance and unsure of myself around you. But, I don’t want to give you up. Please, cara, do not leave me.” She sucked in a ragged breath and he could see the moisture gathering in her eyes. “I don’t wish to make you cry,” he whispered and dragged his knuckles over the tender skin covering her jaw. “Je ne peux pas vivre sans toi.” Sniffing, she put a hand to her mouth. “Do not say that.” “It’s true. I cannot live without you.” A fat tear rolled down her cheek, the effect like a punch to his stomach. “You are killing me. Say you’ll stay.” Silence stretched. He couldn’t read her expression and his anxiety mounted. Noise from the club below echoed, the familiar sounds of his life usually reassuring. Now they only served to accentuate the quiet in this room, the momentous decision being made outside of his control. After what seemed like a decade, she shifted to cup his cheek in her palm. “I cannot. This is not my world—it’s yours. And I do not like who I am becoming by remaining in it. Thank you for everything you’ve done, for every minute we have spent together. I’ll never forget you.”

“That’s a shame because I’ll do everything in my power to forget about you.”

“She is banned from both Bond Street and the club. No one lets her in—not the boys at the front or the kitchen staff. If she crawls in through a goddamn mousehole, heads are going to roll. Do you understand me?” “Aye, I’d say that I do. What happened between you two?” “Never mind that. Just know that as far as I am concerned, Justine Greene never existed.”

“You love him, don’t you?” Justine couldn’t answer past the lump in her throat. She concentrated on breathing and the tiny spider crawling on her ceiling. How appropriate. “Oh, Tina.” Florence hugged Justine’s arm even tighter. “This is exactly what I was afraid of.” “You did the right thing,” Mamie said on her other side. “Though I realize it’s little consolation at the moment.” “Eventually you’ll move on from this,” Florence said. “You shall meet someone else and Mulligan will be a distant memory.” The problem was Justine didn’t want anyone else. How could any man ever compare? Furthermore, why would she ever risk her heart again? This was unbearable. “I never really understood when you two were going through your man troubles. I thought you were exaggerating. I was so cavalier with my advice when I had absolutely no idea what you felt like.” “One doesn’t need to experience tragedy to offer help or sympathy. And you were never cavalier,” Mamie said. “Agreed.” Florence rolled off the mattress and came to her feet. “And I think we should stop talking and start wallowing in our misery as men do.” “By doing what?” Justine asked. “By getting drunk.”

“One more, Rye. Just one more match.” “No, not today. You’re near exhausted as it is, not to mention that fresh scar still healing on your side. And when was the last time you tended to the books?” Five days. He hadn’t stepped foot in his office since she left, the sight of the room like a swift kick in the stones. Returning to Bond Street was also out of the question. Probably time to find a real estate agent and sell it because he’d never sleep there again. “Don’t worry about the books,” he said. “And I can’t stop. We haven’t seen the shooter yet.” “It won’t matter when you drop dead here on the floor.” “That’s ridiculous. I am in excellent health.” “You wouldn’t say that if you could see yourself.” “Stop nagging me. If I’d wanted a wife, I would have married a long time ago.” “No, you wouldn’t have because nobody’d put up with you—nobody except her. And you’ve kicked her out.” I didn’t kick her out. She left me. “Mind your own goddamn business and find me another fighter.” “I’m busy watching for O’Shaughnessy. If you’re so eager to kill yourself then you’ll have to do it without my help.”

“I ask you,” she shouted. “How many of you has Mulligan personally helped? How many of you would receive the shirt off his back if he thought you needed it? He cares about each and every one of you. Every man here has made him proud. You joined together to create an organization the likes of which this city has never seen—a powerful organization even the police cannot touch. You did that—you and Jack Mulligan. So, are we going to let Trevor O’Shaughnessy take all that away? Or are we going to go over there and get our man back?” They started nodding before she stopped speaking. By the time she finished, men were filing out of the saloon and pushing closer to the boxing ring. No one moved, all eyes remaining on her. Cooper leaned in. “Well?” “What do you mean?” “They’re all waiting for you to lead them over there.”

“Let me try and reason with O’Shaughnessy first,” she murmured to Cooper. “Absolutely not. There’s no reasoning with him.” “We have to try. If Jack is still alive, then we may be able to avoid bloodshed today.” “If they’ve killed Jack, the men and I will burn this place to the ground.” Justine almost wouldn’t blame them. She would want to hurt Trevor O’Shaughnessy in such a case. “Cool heads must prevail, Cooper, until we know what has happened.”

“I do not have ten thousand dollars. Not on such short notice.” “Pity. But then, I’d never really expected you to pay up.” “Then why send the ransom note at all?” “Because killing him quickly would have been too easy. And you wouldn’t have been here to witness it.” Oh, Lord. He’d wanted her here the whole time? Perhaps Cooper had been right. Perhaps she should have gone home instead. “He won’t kill me, Justine. He won’t risk it, not with all those men outside.” O’Shaughnessy’s smile turned cold. “You’re not the only one with secret tunnels. I’ll be long gone before your men make it inside the front door.” “Then what do you possibly want?” Jack asked. “Maybe I want her,” O’Shaughnessy said. “Over my dead body.” “That’s exactly what I’m plannin’, Mulligan. Too bad you won’t still be around to see it.”

“What do you want, Justine?” “When was the last time you slept?” “Hoping to get me into bed? I thought you put an end to all that.” “I am not trying to get you into bed. I am worried about you.” “Of course you are. But it turned out you were right. I am poison, after all. At least where you are concerned.” “What are you talking about?” He returned his ball to the rack then thrust his hands in his pockets. “You said I would corrupt you—and I did.” “Are you referring to what happened with O’Shaughnessy? Because I don’t regret any of it.” “You never should have been involved.” “I had no choice. He sent me the ransom note and I went to the police. They wouldn’t help me, so I went to Cooper and organized the men.” “Yes, I heard all about your Joan of Arc speech, mobilizing the masses.” He shook his head. “Leading a mob down Bowery. Brandishing a pistol. Trading insults with O’Shaughnessy. I wouldn’t believe it if I hadn’t been there to witness it.” Her back straightened, the words hinting at wounds she’d prefer stay closed. “Why? Because I’m naive and sheltered?” “Because you are good and decent and the purest person I have ever met in my life!” he shouted, his blue eyes wild. “You almost killed a man because of me. It’s not an easy thing, Justine. Do you know what that does to you, the weight on your soul when you take another person’s life? You’d see it in your nightmares for the rest of your life.” “I wouldn’t think twice if it meant saving you.” “Then you’re a fool!” Her sk...

“Impossible. You cannot . . . love me.” No reason to deny it now. “Too late, because I already do.” “You shouldn’t.” She tried to mask the hurt at his reaction. If she’d expected a grand declaration of his feelings, well, the more stupid her. “I do not expect you to return my sentiment now, but it is my hope it’ll grow to happen over time.” “There’s no chance of that. You said it yourself, this is my world, not yours. You don’t belong in it, do-gooder.” Frustration and anger boiled over. “I don’t know where I belong anymore! I feel like I am between two worlds. I went to the police with the ransom note and they wouldn’t help me. They said it was better for the gangs to fight it out amongst themselves. So I went to Cooper and instantly had an army of men ready to save you. I’m confused, but the one thing that makes sense is you. Whatever you do next, whether it is a brewery or a business, I want to be there with you.”

“Whatever I do next?” He lifted his arms and let them fall. “Justine, I am plotting to kill O’Shaughnessy. That is what I am doing next. I am reclaiming my empire.” “But . . .” Her stomach sank. “I heard you give your word.” “Just like O’Shaughnessy gave his word that he’d allow me to walk out of there? We’re liars and thieves. We cannot be trusted.” “Please, Jack. Do not kill him. Do not be that man. You are better than that.” He gave a gruff, bitter-sounding laugh. “No, I really am not.” “You are. Promise me you will not kill him.” He said nothing, so she pressed her case. “Don’t you see? This is your chance. You could walk away. Disappear. We could go somewhere together. Be happy, just living away from the city.” “I can’t do that. This will always be hanging over my head. Waiting to come back and destroy whatever life I’ve managed to build for myself. O’Shaughnessy cannot let me keep breathing. He knows my men would follow me again in an instant. He will track me down if I don’t get to him first.” “So you are choosing this”—she swept her arm to indicate the hidden house—“over a future with me?” “You were right to walk away. There’s no happy ending for a man like me, one with enemies everywhere. And I cannot allow that to ruin your life. You deserve better.” “You are making decisions that affect me without my input. What about what I choose?” “I won’t do it, cara,” he said softly. “I watched you put yourself in danger, hold a man at gunpoint, and I was terrified that you...

“I almost got her killed!” he shouted. “Or raped. You should have heard what O’Shaughnessy said. Fuck, Rye. Don’t you get it?” Several seconds passed. “Ah.” Rye nodded as if all the problems of the world suddenly made sense. “You love her.” “You’re not listening to me, old man,” Jack growled. “I hear every word, even the ones you aren’t speaking. You’re scared. You love her and you’re scared.” Jack dropped back into the chair, put his elbows on his knees and rested his head in his hands. “How I feel doesn’t matter. Not anymore.” “Wrong. You don’t believe me, fine. Why not go see the one person who can really help you?” There was no doubt as to whom Rye referred. “And why would I bother?” “Because you can’t hide out in this big house, alone, for the rest of your life, drinking and bowling yourself to death.” “I won’t be alone.” “Yes, you will,” Rye said. “Because Cooper and I won’t sit around and watch you destroy yourself. Go and talk to him, Jack.”

“I don’t want to leave and run a maple syrup farm.” He wanted to run a national brewery, but not anonymously and not under an assumed name. That dream, however, felt further away than ever. “Then what are you going to do?” “Get rid of O’Shaughnessy, I suppose.” More blood on his hands. More violence in his head. He definitely couldn’t go back to her after that. He’d tainted her enough. Please, Jack. Do not kill him. Do not be that man. You are better than that. He had no choice. Couldn’t she understand? It was why he’d cut her loose. She was better off without him. “Can’t imagine Justine would approve of that,” Clayton said. “She asked me to promise I wouldn’t.” “And did you?” Jack’s brows pinched. “Why would I do that? There’s no other way to deal with O’Shaughnessy, Clayton.” “Isn’t there? Stop thinking about this like Jack Mulligan. Think about it as an outsider would, someone who doesn’t know our rules and practices. That’s what I had to do when I lost everything.” “How does that help me?” “It might just solve your problem. It also might help you win the girl. Shall we switch you to coffee?”

“Why am I here, Jack?” He nodded toward the window. “Did you like the show?” “You must be very happy that your archenemy is now out of the way. Congratulations.” “I am thrilled beyond measure, but that isn’t why you are here.” “No? I assumed you wanted to gloat.” “Gloat?” He approached where she stood at the windows. “What on earth for?” “That it has all worked out for you, exactly as you wanted.” “Except that it hasn’t.” “Well, I haven’t a clue as to what else you need. O’Shaughnessy is gone, and you’re able to return to your throne. You may continue overseeing your kingdom.” “I still don’t have the one thing I need, though. Have you not guessed what that is by now?” The intensity of his stare was beginning to rattle her. She had never seen him so serious, so focused. “No.” “You, mon ange. I need you.” Disappointment crashed through her at the same time that her heart leapt in delight. “You said I was better off without you.” “That’s still undoubtedly true, but I can’t give you up.” “Too late. You already gave me up.” “That was a mistake.” “I cannot do this again.” She rubbed her brow tiredly. “We are still circling round and round when we’ve both made our feelings clear. It’s exhausting.” “No more circles, no more confusion. It’s very simple. I’ve given away my kingdom with no intention of reclaiming it. Furthermore, I have just removed the only obstacle to a future with the woman I love.” “Love?” She blinked at him, struggling to comprehend. Had he really said love? “Is...

“Jack . . .” His name came out on a long, frustrated sigh. “Tell me what is going on.” Taking her shoulders, he gently brought her around to face him. His hands were warm and strong, and the simple touch sent tiny shock waves all through her. “I wanted a future with you, but I had to deal with O’Shaughnessy first. Unless I moved to another city and changed my name, I would always be at risk.” “Except you pushed me away.” “Because I couldn’t see a way out. I assumed I would need to wage a war against O’Shaughnessy to get rid of him. At the very least, I thought I’d have to kill him. Instead, I found a way to have him put away for a long, long time.” She tried to feel outrage over Jack’s machinations . . . but O’Shaughnessy deserved it. He had tried to kill Jack and threatened to assault her. If given the chance, he likely would have followed through on both. “And you didn’t kill him.” His expression softened, tenderness blazing in his bright blue eyes. “You asked me not to.” “So, all of this”—she gestured to the scene below—“was about proving something to me?” “I want you in my life, by my side. You are more important to me than anything else in the world and I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you.”

“Have we made up, cara?” Justine bit her lip and stared at his chin. She’d always believed in redemption. That everyone deserved a second chance. How could she deny him forgiveness when he’d done all this for her? When he’d confessed his true feelings? She looked up. “It seems we have. You love me, after all.” “And you still love me?” “I still love you.” That earned her a quick kiss on the mouth. She leaned back to meet his eyes. “Are you certain you won’t miss being the most fearsome man in New York City?” He gathered her close and held her tight to his chest. “Absolutely not. And while I cannot promise I won’t attempt any favors or bribes, I do promise to limit them strictly to our bedroom.” “Such a devious mind you have,” she said, unable to hold back a broad smile. “Yes, but only for you from now on.”

“Will you let me make an honest man out of you, Jack Mulligan? Will you marry me?” “Yes, but not completely honest.” He reached down and lifted her right off the floor, then carried her to the desk. “I wouldn’t want you to get bored.” She scraped her teeth over the sensitive skin of his throat, causing him to groan. “I think there’s very little chance of that.”