by Lisa Kessler
“And you’re protecting a woman we both know could murder an entire special forces team and no one would ever discover how it happened.” David raised a brow. “I’ve never doubted your loyalty…until now.”
King sighed, his shoulders slouched. “I’m no hero, you know that, but she’s my daughter. I can’t let you turn her into some weapon in your paranormal arsenal.”
David ran a hand through his hair. “I’m not planning on making her into a weapon, but we need to bring her in for assessments and monitoring. It’s protocol.”
“To bloody hell with your protocol.” King reached for his flask. “If you had a daughter, you’d do the same as I.”
The thought of having a family was so far from David’s realm of existence, he couldn’t fathom it. Department 13 was his life.
“What if I give you my word that you can observe her testing and cataloging?” David waited a moment after dangling the carrot to gauge King’s reaction. When he didn’t reply, David added the pressure. “If you keep getting in my way, I’ll have no other choice but to lock you up, and you can bet we don’t have any flasks in the holding cells.”
King’s fingers twitched. Jesus, the thought of losing alcohol scared the guy more than having his daughter tested for their files.
Finally, King shook his head. “That’s not enough.”
“You’re shitting me.” David rolled his eyes. “You know I always get what I’m after. It’s only a matter of time until Dr. Charlotte Sinclair is here in our facility. With or without your help.”
King sat back in his chair, his hands sliding off the keyboard and into his lap. “You might have to kill the pirate to get her, and I understand he’s a tough man to murder.”
David raised a brow. “I noticed Keegan has a soft spot for her, but I think you’re forgetting he’s a pirate. His crew comes first.”
The corners of King’s mouth twitched up. “And who says she’s not going to become a member? No one knows more about that ship and her crew than my daughter.”
Chapter Eighteen
Keegan had been right about Char having the heart of a sailor. He’d never seen her glowing with joy like this. Once they were a few miles into the Atlantic, he asked Colton to man the helm so he could give Char the full tour.
He met her at the railing at the front of the bow, where she was staring down as the Sea Dog cut through the swells of the ocean. He ran his hand up her back. “Are you sick?”
She straightened up with a grin. “No. I’m…elated. This is amazing.”
God, he would never tire of her smile. His thumb caressed her jaw. “Would you like a tour before we start plotting our reconnaissance mission for the Grail?”
“I’d love it.”
There was that word again. It shouldn’t jump out at him. It never had before. But hearing her say it made him…aw, who the hell knew.
He took her hand and walked her back toward the stern.
She stopped and grinned. “Wow, something smells amazing.”
He chuckled. “One-Eyed Bob is cooking up dinner.”
He pointed out stairs leading to the lower decks, then guided her farther down to the stern of the ship. Once they reached the open area, she gasped as she stared up at the sky. “It’s gorgeous.”
He followed her gaze. The color glowed before them like watercolors from the gods. The moon was already rising, and soon, the stars would join her as the only lights in the sky.
At the other end of the ship, Colton shouted orders to the crew. He was going to tack into the wind. Keegan’s fingers slid free of Char’s hand. “Wait right here. They might need another set of hands for the riggings.”
“Sure.” Her attention didn’t stray from the horizon as Keegan jogged back toward the helm. “Want me to take the wheel so you can help turn the sails?”
“Nah, it’ll be slow and far from clean, but I think we’ve got it handled.” Colton barked another command as the others readied the lines.
A huge gust of wind pushed the sails, fighting the crew. The mast groaned, the deck tilting.
From the back of the ship, Char screamed. Keegan’s head snapped toward the sound. She skidded as the deck tilted, leaving her clinging to the railing. He raced toward her as the aft sail swung across the ship. He ducked under it instinctively without slowing his pace.
Char stood up as one of the lines broke free. The pulley was still attached, headed for her with the force of a major league fastball.
“Look out!” Keegan shouted just before it connected with her middle and took her right over the railing.
From above, John yelled, “Man overboard!”
Keegan took two running steps, diving over the edge after her. It was a good fifteen to twenty feet down to the water, but he’d made the jump before. He kept his body tight, his hands stretched out, pointed over his head.
He cut through the swells like a knife, his pulse pounding in his ears as he plunged beneath the surface. When he popped his head out of the waves, Colton’s shouts carried on the wind, but Keegan’s full attention was on locating Char. He circled around, and finally her head burst through the water. Thank the gods.
He swam to her, clamping his arm underneath hers. “Got you, love.”
She spun around to face him and…laughed. “Just because I get seasick doesn’t mean I can’t swim.”
He raised a puzzled brow. “You’re all right?”
She nodded, still smiling. “I might have twisted my ankle on impact, and it knocked the wind out of me, but otherwise I’m unscathed. My ego is more bruised than my body.”
His crew lowered a small lifeboat from the main deck. In the distance, John called up to Colton that he spotted them, but Keegan barely noticed. He couldn’t take his eyes off the amazing woman in his arms. Seeing her vanish overboard had stopped his immortal heart for a moment, making it impossible for him to ignore the one thing in this world that frightened him…her mortality.
Living in the moment was a fallacy. He was either all in or he needed to get out now while he still could.
It would hurt like hell, but if he didn’t get away soon, there would be no turning back.
He swallowed the lump in his throat. “Falling overboard in a storm is a death sentence to most seafaring men.”
Her hands treaded the water, helping to keep them afloat. A crease formed between her brows. “I’m all right, Keegan. You’re looking at me like I died, but I’m right here.”
He shook his head, his voice deep and raw. “I know.” He nodded, resting his forehead on hers. “But seeing you fall…you could have drowned.”
“But I didn’t.”
“I can’t do this. I thought I could…” The dingy came up beside them, saving him from the conversation. Keegan buried his pain and looked up at his boatswain. “Take her first.”
Keegan gripped Char’s waist, lifting her higher until John clasped her arms and pulled her inside the small boat. Once she was safe, she turned and looked down at him. She was soaking wet, with fire flashing in her eyes, but she didn’t speak a word.
…
Charlotte kept her eyes on Keegan as he gripped John’s forearms and caught the edge of the dingy. He crawled inside and sat beside her, but she couldn’t bring herself to meet his eyes. She stared out at the darkening sky, watching the ageless stars sparkling above.
The rhythmic squeak of the oars soothed her jumbled emotions. Keegan was going to fade from her life as suddenly as he came in. She’d seen it in his eyes. And the fact that he was willing to do so…hurt.
More than she wanted to admit.
Finding a partner in life was never on her radar. Her parents had never been there for her, and she quickly discovered the only person she could count on was herself. She was content.
And this damn pirate had rocked the boat.
She’d come into this strange power, and when she saw fear in her parents’ eyes, Keegan had been at her side, his faith in her unwavering. Did the bastard have any idea how much that m
eant to her?
And now he wanted out. She’d seen it in his eyes. He looked at her like she was a ghost.
They climbed up a rope ladder and back onto the deck. Colton grinned, handing each of them towels. “Welcome back.”
“Thanks.” Charlotte pulled the towel tight around her shoulders. The wind was colder now, and a chill shot down her spine. Charlotte glanced toward the stern. “Do you have a shower in the captain’s quarters or extra clothes or anything?”
“Aye.” Colton pointed. “Keegan can show you.”
Great. She marched down the deck, refusing to check and see if Keegan was following her. She didn’t need his help anyway. She’d find the clothes eventually. The ship wasn’t that big.
She tugged the door at the end of the walkway and stepped through. Keegan came in behind her and closed it. She didn’t trust herself to turn around.
He came closer, and even without looking, she could sense his closeness, part of her aching for him to touch her. The weak part of her. He opened the cabinet and tossed a couple of pairs of jeans on the bed, followed by a T-shirt and a hooded sweatshirt. “You can have the sweatshirt.”
His voice was a weapon, and her emotional armor was weakened. She reached for the clothes without risking a look in his direction. “Is there a way to rinse out my hair?”
He took her hand, his thumb caressing her knuckles. “Char, please understand…”
“Oh, I do.” She yanked her hand free, mourning the loss of his touch the second he let go. She met his eyes, clinging to the rage to keep from drowning in the pain. “You were there for me when no one else was, and you want me to be safe, but forgive me for not being immortal.”
He almost flinched at her harsh words. Good. She wanted him to hurt as much as she did. And did she ever. Hot tears threatened. She clenched her teeth to hold them back. “Never mind about my hair. I’ll be fine.” Clutching the clothes to her chest, she glanced at the door. “Could I get some privacy?”
He caught her chin, meeting her eyes. “Not before I say my piece, love.”
“No.” She stumbled backward, away from him. “Don’t call me that.”
“Fine.” His gaze never strayed from her eyes. “I’ve lost someone before, watched her fade away, and there was nothing I could do. I couldn’t even die with her. If I lost you, the pain would never end. Not for me.”
“I know.” She stared up at the ceiling, unable to bear the rawness in his eyes. “It’s not fair. None of this is, but…” Her gaze shifted back to his face. “But I wish you never showed me how much better my life could be with someone in my corner. It’s my own fault. I let you. But now I want this…whatever this is between us…and you’re…” Her voice hitched in spite of her tight grip on her emotions. “You’re walking away.”
A muscle clenched in his cheek, his voice barely audible above the snapping of the sails as the ship changed its course. “I’m sorry. I thought I could live in the moment, but I already care far too much for you.”
“Oh, please.” She rolled her eyes. “My parents told me my father died while driving drunk because they ‘cared,’ too. You’d think I would’ve learned by now. The only person I can count on is me.”
“That’s not true.” He sighed, staring down at his boots. When he lifted his head, his wet hair drooped over one eye. “Everyone needs a crew, lass. And you deserve one that isn’t afraid to face the hands of time at your side.”
“Spare me your advice.” She narrowed her eyes, pain tearing at her insides. She was going to cry soon, and she’d be damned if he was going to witness it. No way. “Just go, Keegan. I’ll live.”
He nodded and reached for the door. She waited, holding her breath and clenching her jaw to keep from blurting out that she didn’t want him to go. His hand tightened on the handle. Time slowed.
But instead of walking out, Keegan turned back, then he rushed to her, wrapping her in his strong arms. Even cold and soaking wet, his body felt right against hers. His lips brushed her ear; his whispered words were ragged. “I can’t walk away.”
He pulled back just far enough for her to stare up into his deep green eyes. He tucked a wet curl behind her ear. “It’s too late, love.” He searched her face. “I just want to be with you. And I will be grateful for every moment.”
“Are you sure?” Her vision blurred as a smile curved on her lips. “Because if you try to leave me again…”
“I’m a pirate.” He chuckled, shaking his head. “I know treasure when I see it.”
She reached up to caress his cheek. “I never knew I could feel this way.”
He turned to kiss her palm. “Maybe I’ll refuse the cup this time, like Colton. We could grow old together.”
The thought of Keegan fading away into history…bothered her. “I wish you didn’t have to choose me or eternity. I’d give anything to watch the world unfold over the centuries the way you and the crew have.”
He shrugged. “There are drawbacks. The crew is all I have. I try not to make friends because watching time steal away their bodies and minds before my eyes wounds me more than any blade could.” His gaze locked on hers. “No children, no family—it’s a hefty price.”
“I’m not close with my family and never pictured myself as a mother.” Her words slowed as her mind rushed ahead to the ultimate destination. “I wish I could drink from the cup with you.”
Chapter Nineteen
His ancient heart stuttered. Did she understand what she would be giving up? “You sure about that? Eventually you’d have to vanish from this world before people notice you’re not aging. You’d lose your career at the museum, your home, your friends…”
A sad chuckle escaped her. “I think we already established I’m not very good at making friends. And the chance to document the rise and fall of nations overshadows my Pieces of Eight exhibition coming up at the maritime museum by a long shot.”
He stroked her wet hair back from her face as he bent to kiss her lips. The taste of saltwater and sin warmed him from the inside out. He rested his forehead on hers. “It’s not my call to make, but I’ll bring it up with the crew, and I’ll fight for you if you’re sure this is what you want.”
“I’ve never been surer of anything,” she whispered, and, tugging on his shirt, she pulled him down to her again, her tongue tangling slowly with his until his blood was pumping below his belt, his cold, wet clothes forgotten.
He wrapped his arms around her, walking her back toward the bed when a heavy knock came at the door.
“Fuck.” Keegan groaned with a grin. He called over his shoulder, “Go away!”
Char smiled up at him, her cheeks flushed with color. He would never get enough of her.
“Keegan! We need you on the deck now. You’re the one who knows where the Grail is heading, and Flynn needs to be back at the dock in two hours.”
“Damn it,” he grumbled. “Fine! Tell Flynn not to get a barnacle up his arse.”
John chuckled on the other side of the door. “Tell him yerself.”
Char ran a hand up Keegan’s chest, her voice muffled as her lips caressed the base of his neck. “Go. I’ll get changed and meet you up there.”
He forced himself to take a step back. “Why do I always have unfinished business with you, Dr. Sinclair?”
A sexy smirk curved on her sinful mouth. “I want you, too.”
Her admission had his hands twitching, aching to take her clothes off and lose himself in her. He adjusted his erection in his jeans and tugged off his wet shirt, his eyes never leaving hers. “When we get off this ship…”
“Definitely.” She nodded, pulling her waterlogged top off, too. “My place.”
He slid his arms into Colton’s khaki shirt and started buttoning it. “Mine is closer.”
“Works for me.” She pulled on the hooded sweatshirt, covering the black bra. Her eyes met his. “Just so you know, you’re already naked in my head.”
He stole a kiss and went to the door. “I’m a damn lucky pirate.
Meet me at the helm.”
He stopped and looked back. She’d taken her pants off, but the sweatshirt was much too big for her, hanging down to mid-thigh. Even soaking wet and dressed in his friend’s baggy clothes, she was the sexiest woman he’d ever seen.
She glanced down at her outfit and chuckled. “I’ll be the one who looks like she played dress up in her dad’s closet.”
He shook his head. “You’ll be the one who makes it tough for me to concentrate on privateering.”
She raised a brow. “Should I be sorry?”
“Only that we’re both still dressed.”
She wet her lips. “Not for long.”
His erection pressed painfully against his zipper. “Thank the gods for that.”
He closed the door and headed for the bow. The others were circled around the deck. Colton gripped the wheel at the helm in Keegan’s absence. He stepped aside as Keegan took his place as ship’s pilot.
“’Bout time,” Colton chided. “Never should’ve let you go back to take off yer wet clothes with a lady present.”
Keegan shot him a crooked smile. “If anyone on this crew should understand, it’s you, mate.”
“Aye.” Colton clapped his shoulder and turned to the others. “Let’s find the Grail.”
Cheers erupted from the crew, and Keegan filled them in on the shipping schedule for the relic.
Captain Flynn crossed his arms, narrowing his eyes. “And you think the Serpent Society hasn’t changed all that after you killed their emissaries in the barn?”
Keegan shook his head. “Agent Bale handled that. The papers are reporting there were four bodies removed from the fire. There’s no reason for them to think their information ever escaped the barn that night.”
Flynn nodded, slowly lowering his hands to his sides, his attention shifting. Keegan followed his gaze to find Char approaching. She stared down the captain without a trace of submission. Even in the baggy sweatpants and hoodie, the spark in her eyes demanded respect.
Flynn glanced at Colton. “I don’t believe playthings were invited to this meeting. Our plans are for crew members only.”
