Chapter 102 A Desperate Bargain

Black Bart's smile stretched wider, a cruel crescent moon in the dim light. "A tempting proposition, Mrs. Harrington," he drawled, his voice dripping with amusement. "But loyalty has its price, and yours, it seems, is a bit too steep." Jane's heart sank. Her gamble had failed. "What do you mean?" she stammered, a sliver of hope clinging to her voice. "Let's just say," Black Bart continued, leaning closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, "your competition offered a more... persuasive incentive." Jane recoiled, a surge of nausea washing over her. Competition? Who could he be referring to? Mary? The thought filled her with dread. "What kind of incentive?" she forced the words out, her voice barely a whisper. Black Bart's smile turned predatory. "Let's just say it involved a good deal more… skin in the game." He punctuated his words with a vulgar wink, sending chills down Jane's spine. The indignity of it all burned hotter than the rage. She wouldn't stoop to Mary's l