Connor smiled and patted her shoulder. “We all worry about you. I’m glad that they’re making you understand how important your safety is.”
“He can’t be too worried about it if he’s dropped that far behind.”
“He’s not far behind.” Connor winked at her and placed his hand at her lower back to encourage her to keep walking. “Miguel understands that Devon and Gilbert would see him as a threat and perhaps lose faith in you.”
“If I’d had a chance to warn them.” Kass glanced down at the dial in her hand and turned to the left and headed down a hill toward what looked like it might be a path through the woods. “They’ve already been through so much.”
She pulled at the strap across her chest, adjusting the pack on her back to a more comfortable position. It was getting overly warm, and she wished she’d realized how far they would make her walk. She glanced down at the compass-like object in her hand, and the small dial spun around in a circle. “I think we’re almost there.”
“I certainly hope—AHH!” Connor’s words were cut off when the ground beneath them dropped away.
They both dropped a few feet and then slipped on an angled surface. Kass had enough time to spin over onto her stomach and reach for the surface when her world tilted and she slipped backward down a sharp incline. “Miguel!” she screamed and thought she heard her name being shouted when the opening they’d fallen through slammed shut.
“Are you okay?” Connor shouted as they slid down.
“Yeah.” She could feel the incline tapering off. “Get ready! I’ll take left.”
The darkness in front of them disappeared as what looked like a wall dropped, letting in bright light below them. Kass pulled the pistol from her hip and stretched out her left arm along the metal surface beneath her as she slid. She pointed her gun to the left, knowing that Connor would do the same to the right.
Deep down she was terrified and wished she was still tucked into bed with Julien and Miguel, but in order to get there again she had to get through this.
They slid out into the open air, a few hundred feet below where they’d been before by her guess. A man stood at the bottom of the incline, his arms crossed over his chest. His legs were wrapped in leather chaps and a hat with a worn brim sat low on his eyes. A holstered weapon sat on each hip, but he made no move to grab them.
“Well hello there, darlin’.”
Kass pointed her gun at the man’s face, but he continued to grin down at her. “Dammit, Gil! You scared me to death. I should shoot you on principle.”
Connor laughed as he flopped back on the slide. “That was fun.”
Gil stepped forward and held out his hand to help her to her feet. “I’m sorry we frightened you, Captain.” A moment later she was ensconced in a tight hug. “You all right?”
“I’m fine.” She patted his back, and he loosened his grip enough she could step out of his arms. She’d known Gil would be a handsome man once he got away from the pits, and she was right. He’d put on some weight and muscle mass since the last time she saw him. “What was all that for?”
“You’d picked up a tail. Damn good, too. It was sheer luck that we noticed him.” He pointed up at the top of the ravine, where Dev stood with a gun pointed at his prisoner. Miguel looked furious, with his hands resting on top of his head as he glared daggers at her.
“Uh-oh.” For a moment Kass thought to ask Gil to hold onto Miguel for a bit and give her a head start. Although, she knew it wouldn’t be long before Miguel caught up to her and then she’d have to explain.
“Do you know him, Kass?”
“She sure does,” Connor replied before she could. “She’s practically bonded with him.”
“I’m not,” Kass automatically replied. That was something the three of them hadn’t discussed and she wasn’t certain she wanted it. They would want her wrapped in cotton and tucked away in an ivory tower to waste away to nothing.
“Well now, that’s a shame.” Gil’s speech had taken on a distinct drawl since the last time they’d spoken. “Dev and I were planning on seducing you into staying once we got you here.”
Kass blinked. “I’m sorry?” The idea they thought of her that way had never occurred to her. “I’m not certain what to say.”
“Say you’ll give us a try, Kassie girl.” Gil wrapped his arms around her again and tugged her closer. “In this here beautiful country, open and free, away from the New World democrats, we’re free to live the way we want to.”
“I can’t, Gilbert.” She patted his chest. “I’d never be the calm, placid woman you two want.”
“Now see, Dev and I’ve been talking, and we decided we’re liking life with a bit of spice.”
“Captain, if I might offer a word of advice.” Connor spoke from behind her. “The package?”
“Right.” Kass patted Gil’s cheek, and he smiled ruefully down at her. “I brought what you wanted.”
“But, we’re not going to get everything we wanted, are we?”
Kass stepped away and shook her head. He let her go, and she unbuckled the pack and handed it over to him. She could hear the underbrush crunching as Dev and Miguel walked up behind them.
“We’re mighty obliged, Captain.” Gil looked over Kass’s shoulders and frowned. “I’m not certain I feel comfortable leaving you with him.”
Kass felt the hair at the back of her neck stand up. There was one very good reason why that might happen. Miguel was furious. She turned and noticed that his fury wasn’t directed at her but at Gil and Connor.
In a move so quick she almost missed it, Miguel spun around and knocked Dev’s legs out from under him. At the same time he punched the gun from Dev’s hand while relieving him of the one still holstered. Gil pulled both his guns, but Kass lunged for his hands. “No, please.”
“If either you or Connor moves, I’ll shoot him.” Miguel pointed the gun down at Dev’s head. His eyes lacked any emotion as he stared at Gil. “Kass, slowly walk over here and stand behind me.”
Kass looked up at Gil, who glared down at her. “Don’t shoot.” She let go of Gil’s hands and backed up away from all four of them.
“I will not hide behind you, Miguel, especially from men I trust. Now the four of you can settle down and we can have a nice conversation or you can continue to point weapons at each other until your arms get tired and fall off.”
It took a moment, but both Gil and Miguel finally lowered their weapons. Miguel stepped back and held out a hand to Dev, who ignored it and flipped himself to his feet and then swung a fist at Miguel’s head. Connor jumped to Miguel’s defense and Gil to Dev’s. Kass turned on her heel and marched away in disgust. The scuffle continued behind her as she made her way back up the slope to the top of the escarpment.
“Kassie girl, don’t run off like that.” She heard Gil’s loud voice echo up to her. She continued on her way. She was going back to her ship and leaving all the immature males behind to roll in the dirt.
She’d made it a few meters down the path when she heard the rhythmic thud of horse hooves coming from behind a group of trees. Kass melted down into the shadows of the trees and peered out in time to see a large black stallion pull up a few feet away.
Miguel bent over the horse’s neck and scanned the tree line. He passed over the grove that hid her and she’d half a mind to let him spend a while searching for her. But, she didn’t want to walk in the hot sun back to the ship either.
As soon as she moved, his gaze darted in her direction and narrowed on her position. “At least you had the sense to hide until you knew who it was.”
“Don’t start with me, Miguel.” He bent over and crooked his arm. She linked hers with his and hopped up. The momentum and his pull lifted her up high enough. She swung her leg over and slid into the saddle behind him.
Miguel twisted and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into his lap. “My heart stopped when the ground swallowed you up like that.”
“They thought I was in danger.” Kas
s traced her finger over the red mark on his jaw.
“No, they were making a point, so I returned the favor.” He dipped his head and captured her lips in a devastating kiss. “Next time, Connor can follow behind. I’m staying with you.”
Kass felt Miguel’s cock stir under her leg and wriggled in his lap. “If you can keep up.” She laughed when he groaned and hugged her close. “Did you steal their horse?”
“Borrowed it to come and get you.” He grinned when she gave him a suspicious look and took the reins, turning the horse back toward the way he’d come. “We have time to have lunch with them and then we’ll head back to Atlantis.”
“As long as you all behave like civilized human beings.” Kass wrapped her arms around Miguel’s waist and rested her cheek against his chest. “No more fighting.”
Miguel laughed. “I’m not making any promises.”
Chapter Nine
“I’ve absolute trust in my crew, Dev.” Kass pointed her knife at the man before lowering it and cutting another piece off the delicious apple in her hand. She hadn’t had such fresh fruit like this in what felt like years. When she and Miguel had returned, Dev and Gil had invited them to share something to eat before they left. “You know everyone on the Aphrodite. Why would you side with him on this?”
The four of them had been discussing her penchant to act first and think later. She didn’t see the problem. She thought as she acted and changed her plans as required. When Miguel brought up her blind faith in her crew, Dev agreed.
The fact that she felt that she needed to defend her crew annoyed her. She hadn’t heard complaining when her crew rushed the slave pit and rescued them. She’d thought on her feet that time, too. “I’ve a small handpicked crew that I can trust. We work well together.”
“What about Walter Miller?” Miguel interjected. “He’s obviously intelligent and has been trained in stealth tactics. He might’ve made it into the upper levels of Atlantis, but Julien wasn’t impressed with the man’s character.”
Kass looked at Connor, who shrugged his confusion. “Miguel, I’ve no idea who you’re talking about.”
“This is a perfect example of my concerns. You don’t know all the members of your crew,” Dev pointed out.
“No, I’ve never had a Walter Miller as part of my crew,” Kass replied. A sick feeling washed over her. “When did you say Julien spoke to him?”
“We need to get back immediately.” Miguel was already getting to his feet and held out a hand to lift her up. Gil and Connor made quick work of tidying up their impromptu picnic as Dev grabbed the horses.
“We’ll be in touch.” Dev gave her a quick hug with one arm. “You be careful, Captain.”
Gil strode up and gave her a big hug as well. “We’ll be here if you change your mind, Kassie girl.” He put her on the ground long enough to wrap his hands around her waist and lift her up into the saddle. “When you get to your ship, just give the horses a smack and they’ll come home.”
“A pleasure, gentlemen, and watch your backs.” Miguel shook each of their hands before swinging himself up into his saddle. Connor traded good-byes and the three of them galloped off toward the ship. Kassandra couldn’t get back to her ship fast enough. Something was clearly very wrong.
When they’d put some distance between Gil, Dev, and themselves, Connor fired one of his guns into the air. The bullets reacted to the oxygen and flared a vibrant green as they tracked through the sky. The crew would know that it was imperative they leave immediately.
The horses’ rhythmic thumping echoed the rate of her own heart. It felt like it took longer to ride to the ship than it did to walk. Kass leaned close to her horse’s neck and whispered encouragement to the stallion. Her clothes fluttered in the wind, and she galloped up to the docking ramp, reigning in her horse at the last possible moment.
She leapt from the animal and gave it a sharp slap on its rump before running up the ramp. Miguel and Connor did the same thing seconds after her. The Aphrodite lifted up into the air as Connor raced up the ramp.
“What’s the problem?” Gabe was standing at the entrance as she ran in.
“We have reason to believe that there’s an assassin on Atlantis or at least a saboteur,” Miguel answered for her. Kass was pacing across the floor trying to think of a plan.
“We can’t contact Atlantis while she is submerged unless Julien has raised the transmitter to send a message. It’ll be faster to get there on our own.” Kass’s pacing took her past Miguel again. This time he wrapped an arm around her and pulled her back against him.
“Come on.” He took her hand and headed toward the spiral staircase that would take them to the upper level. “We have a few hours before we get back there. It’ll give us time to make a plan.”
Kass knew that Miguel was as bothered by this turn of events as she was, and if planning made him feel better, then she’d do it. But she’d a feeling that they would end up having to make snap decisions.
As soon as they stepped through the doorway onto the bridge, Raz turned a concerned look at them. “We saw your warning. What’s going on?”
“Atlantis might be under the threat of an attack.”
Kass went straight over to her navigations table. “Connor, try to make contact with Atlantis. Julien might have raised her for one reason or another or is trying to contact us. Keep the lines open until we get there. Also, get a message through to the Apollo and the Seahawk. Let them know of the possible danger to Atlantis. They’ll help. ”
“Yes, Captain.” Connor disappeared down the hall to the communications station.
“The Seahawk are pirates. Why would they care about Atlantis?” Raz stalked over to her. When she wouldn’t look at him, he placed his hand over the map she’d been reading.
In an instant, Kass had the pistol pulled and pointed at Raz’s surprised expression. “Back off. I know what I’m doing. This is my ship, not yours, and you will follow my orders. We will contact people I trust to help us. We will fly in the direction I choose. There’s someone on Atlantis masquerading as one of my crew members. Julien will not expect an internal attack if he believes this man flew with us. Now, if you want to argue, then I invite you to take one of the parachutes and feel free to leave my ship.”
Raz held up both hands and stepped back. “As you wish, Captain.” His tone was filled with derision, and she didn’t doubt that he was itching to take over. Well, he could stand in line. “Gabe, do you hold the same feelings as your brother?”
“I’ll always side with my brother, Captain,” Gabe answered as Raz stood next to him. They were a formidable team, and she knew they were loyal to Julien. “But, we’ll wait till we get to Atlantis and see exactly what’s going on.”
“Fine.” She bent her head and continued to measure out time and distance, wanting to figure out the safest and fastest route. No matter what she came up with, the fastest route by far was the most dangerous. Miguel stepped up behind her and placed a hand on her lower back. He looked at the path she’d chosen for them. It was going to take them over a major city and a militia stronghold. With the New World’s attitude toward Old World technology, their armed forces would shoot first and ask questions later. Considering the circumstances, she needed to get there as fast as possible. If the unthinkable happened and the militia managed to shoot them down, she’d know that there were other ships en route.
“This will make for an exciting trip.” He pointed out some of the more dangerous areas she planned on crossing.
“I want us moving as fast as possible, and with a bit of luck, by the time they assemble their forces, we’ll already be gone. The militia is essentially a lazy bunch. If they don’t have any reason to think we’re trying to attack, I’m hoping they will leave us be.”
Miguel rubbed small circles on her lower back. It went a long way to calming her. She glanced over at the twins. They were whispering furiously to each other, and she feared they might be planning to take over.
“Don’t worry ab
out them. They’re loyal to Julien and want to make certain Atlantis is fine. There’s a possibility we will rush back and he’ll have taken care of the situation on his own.”
“I’m hoping that’s exactly what happens.”
“Captain, I reached the other ships,” Connor said as he re-entered the bridge. “The Seahawk is dry docked for the moment as their missus is due to have a child. The Apollo is there as well. I spoke to Captain Liam and he’s readying to meet us at Atlantis as we speak, but they won’t be ready to go for another hour.”
“Yzzi must’ve wanted to be there for her sister.” Kass didn’t know if she had the right to ask her to leave her family at such an important time. She never had a sister who cared for her like that. But, if there was danger, she would want to know she had backup.
“Yzabeau of the Apollo?” Miguel chuckled. “They have as much chance of leaving her behind as I would have trying to make you stay put.”
Both Gabe and Raz walked over to the navigational table and took a look at Kass’s flight plan. Raz continued to scowl as he looked over the path. “It’s not going to matter who you have called to help. We’ll be shot down long before we make it over the water.”
“Then I suggest you fly her as well as you think you can and avoid what they might launch at us.”
Raz snorted. “They’ll never hit us.” Raz held out his hand and Kass shook it.
“Come on.” Miguel wrapped his fingers around her wrist. “There’s nothing we can do for the next couple hours except lie down and regain some strength.”
“I’ll get us to Atlantis, Captain,” Raz said. He didn’t look as defiant as he had before, and she wondered what Gabe had said to him for such a change in attitude. For now she would accept it because she felt so very tired. Miguel was right. She needed to lie down for a bit and re-energize.
“Alert me if anything happens or if we meet up with any other ships. Julien has a lot of allies, and we may need as many as we can get to aid us.”
Davies, Corinne - Steam-Driven Seduction [Steampunked Lust 3] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 12
