Roche struggled to get up. Using the pommel of his cutlass Aidan struck him on the side of the head, sent Roche sprawling.
Aidan looked to Cale. “We do this together.”
Gripping the sword, Aidan held it out. Cale nodded, stepped forward and wrapped his hand around Aidan’s. As one they plunged the blade into Roche’s heart.
Chapter Eighteen
“Heave. Heave!” Aidan, Luke, Cale, and everyone else who was able pulled on the ropes tied to the cannon. It crept steadily off the hatch until finally it rolled off.
Aidan, hands screaming with burns and slivers, ripped open the hatch and skittered down the ladder.
Holy mother of God.
Two chairs could have fit through the gaping hole in the hull. His berth had been decimated by the blast. Through the few slabs of wood and lengths of rope remaining he saw the blankets. But Sarah wasn’t amid them. His gaze flew across the room. His table was on its side; the window was gone. His body started to shake.
“Aidan.”
He whirled and there she was. Clutching Carracks’ cage to her chest, she sat huddled under the ladder. Her hair had come apart from its braid and her eyes were red and swollen from her tears. Her shirt had slipped off one shoulder.
Oh God, he’d believed her lost. Despite wanting to rush forward, crush her in his arms and never let her go, he moved slowly. She looked fragile as glass and she’d been through enough. More than enough. The least she deserved now was some tenderness.
Cale came rushing down the ladder, followed closely by Luke. “Is she—”
“She’s fine,” Aidan said, his gaze never leaving Sarah’s. “She’s fine. Luke? What of Samantha?”
“Frantic to see you, but otherwise unharmed.”
His shoulders drooped. Thank God. “We’ll be up soon,” he said, dismissing them.
Seeing for themselves that Sarah was alive, they silently returned the way they’d come.
“She’s all right,” he heard Cale shout before Aidan put everything out of his mind but Sarah.
*
No, no she wasn’t all right, and she’d tell him soon. For now, she just needed to hold him, feel him in her arms, and know he was real. He was alive.
She pried her fingers from the cage and set it down, whispering, “Thank you for saving my life.” Then she came to her feet and unable to hold back any longer, charged into Aidan’s arms.
He flinched, hissed through his teeth. Sarah leapt back. Her eyes widened when she saw the blood that had seeped through his shirt.
“You’re hurt!”
“Only a little.” He stepped out of reach before she could poke at the wound. “The shot only grazed me.”
“You were shot?” Her knees wobbled. God, it was exactly as she’d feared.
“Grazed,” he corrected.
Grazed, as though that somehow made it better. As though it lessened what could have happened. She shook her head, caught the blood on his hands, peered closer and gasped. “Oh, your hands.”
“They’re fine, Sarah.”
“Fine?” she accused.
“They will be. At the moment, it feels as though rats are gnawing on them.” His eyes held hers. “How are you not hurt?” he asked, no doubt to distract her from his wounds. “With what’s left of the berth…”
“It was Carracks.”
“Carracks?”
“He was rattling his cage, making noise. I knew he was afraid. I was under the bed like you’d asked but it was terrifying. I had no way of knowing if you were hurt or alive and I—” She choked back the sobs, knowing if she started she’d never stop. “I’d no sooner come out from under the bed when the shot blasted through the cabin.”
He pressed the heels of his hands into his eyes. “I was standing right above when it happened. I’ve never been so scared. And then the cannon was blocking the hatch so I couldn’t get to you and then your father was there…”
He lowered his hands and despite knowing it wasn’t going to change her mind about what she had to do, she walked into his arms, gently this time. His arms closed around her and she felt his cheek on her head. Oh how she loved him. Careful not to further injure him, she ran her hands over his shoulders, the breadth of his back. He’d always felt good in her arms but in that moment, he’d never felt more precious.
It was going to be hell being with him until they made port knowing there was no future for them.
“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry for everything,” he said, as he rocked them, side to side. “But it’s over now.”
Sarah pinched her eyes closed; bit her lip hard to keep the emotions at bay. Yes, it was indeed over. And she needed to tell him. The longer she stayed in his arms, the longer she delayed it, the worse it would be for both of them.
Forcing all emotion aside, Sarah stepped back. “My father?”
“Dead.”
She’d known when Aidan charged into the cabin that if he was alive it meant her father wasn’t. It was as she’d wanted it, yet grief managed to find its way into her heart.
“I can’t say I’m sad he’s dead, but I can see it hurts you and for that I am sorry.”
“It shouldn’t, considering the kind of man he was.” She shrugged. “But I didn’t know who he truly was growing up and I loved him.”
Aidan cupped her cheek. “Of course you did.”
Unable to help herself, she ran her fingers through his hair, combing the locks away from his face. She knew as long as she lived she’d never forget his deep brown eyes, that handsome face.
“You lost your bandana.”
“Cale was bleeding, I gave it to him.”
“That was nice of you.” She lowered her hands, clasped them together to keep from reaching for him again. It was time. “Aidan I lied to you.”
“About what?”
“I told you after years of living as a prisoner it was possible I’d enjoy the adventure of piracy.” She shook her head. “I can’t. I love the ship but I can’t live through another battle. I know that makes me a coward and I’m disappointed in myself that I’m not stronger, but the truth is, I’m not. I’m not Samantha.”
He scowled. “Sarah, I never asked you to be. I love you for who you are.”
“You’ve waited your life to be Steele, to have the Revenge as your own.” She looked about the battered cabin. “It needs repairs but you can have it all now.”
“I don’t care—”
“I can’t be a pirate and neither am I strong enough to stay behind and watch you leave, knowing you may never come back. I’d think of this”—her hands waved to encompass the cabin—“and remember the cannons, the screaming. The wondering if the next shot would be the one that ended it.” Love for him, for what she was losing, pressed against her chest, making it hard to breathe. Her fingernails dug into her palms. Her toes curled within her shoes. “I love you. I will always love you.” She forced her lips to form a smile. “You don’t have to choose now, Aidan. There’s no choice to be made between me and Steele. I’m walking away. You can have what you’ve always dreamed of.”
*
Yes, it was everything he’d dreamed of.
And it meant nothing without her.
He knew, however, she meant what she said. She was willing to walk away. But hell if he’d let her. She wasn’t the only one who’d come to some realizations.
“Sarah.” He stepped toward her, not the least bit discouraged when she retreated.
He chased her until her back pressed against the bulkhead. Her shirt once again slipped off her shoulder, momentarily distracting him with that bit of creamy skin. He knew precisely how it felt beneath his fingers. How it tasted on his tongue.
Even before she yanked the garment in place, he’d shifted his gaze back to her face. Because he didn’t want her thinking this was about lust. It was about much, much more.
“Do you know why I wanted to be Steele?”
Squawk. “Sam Steele. Sam Steele.”
The question seemed to catc
h her off guard. “No.”
“I wanted Sam to be proud of me. I grew up watching her be brave and smart and, yes, courageous. She saved my life and I wanted her to be as proud of me as I was of her.” He dipped his head. It all sounded a little ridiculous now. He knew she’d always been proud of him and he’d never had to prove it.
“I couldn’t wait to be Steele. I wanted to follow in her footsteps, continue the legacy. I coveted the name as I coveted the ship. And yes, I was so goddamn proud when I took Steele from Cale. Finally, I thought. Finally, I had it all.”
He shook his head. Sarah wasn’t the only naïve one.
“But earlier, when I knew the cabin had been hit and I had no idea if you were dead or alive…” The memory still left him cold. “I sure as hell wasn’t feeling very proud. All I kept thinking was you may be dead and it was all because of me and this damn quest to be Steele.”
“That’s not true. You were going after my father because of what he’d done to your family. It had nothing to do with the glory of being Steele.”
He took her hands, needing to touch her. “When your father called Cale Steele today, I didn’t correct him. For once, it didn’t matter who was Steele. All that mattered was you and getting to you as fast as I could.” He squeezed her hands. “I love you, Sarah. More than anything. More than a ship, more than a damn name.” He brought her hands to his mouth, kissed them. “Please don’t walk away from me.”
*
Sarah wanted to believe him, more than anything. But she wasn’t convinced he could let go of a lifelong dream for someone he’d known less than a week. Nor did she believe that he wouldn’t wake up one day and wish he’d chosen Steele instead. Ignoring her heart, which wanted to grab him and never let go, Sarah followed her head.
“Aidan, you were worried about me being hurt, that’s why, in that moment, Steele didn’t matter to you. But if I wasn’t here and you didn’t have to worry about me, it would be exactly as you’ve always wanted.”
“Don’t you see?” he said, running his fingers over her cheek. “You just said it. I wasn’t thinking about Steele because I was thinking about you. Because you mean more to me than he does.
“And I only thought I knew what I wanted. But then I met you, and I realized those things pale in comparison.”
Oh, God. She could feel herself swaying and prayed for the strength to resist him. She didn’t want him giving up anything for her.
“But you love this ship,” she argued. “And I know you love Steele, no matter what you say.”
“I do. I always will. But I don’t need to be Steele any more. I have a family. I’ve only just found my father again and now I have you. I have too much to lose by being Steele. I promised never to lie to you, Sarah.” He leaned in, kissed her. “I’m not lying when I tell you I’m ready to let go of a boy’s dream. I have everything a man needs right here.”
Her chin trembled nearly as much as her heart. “Are you sure? I need you to be sure.”
“I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.”
He captured her mouth with his, kissed her long and slow, claimed her as his own until there was no room for doubt.
“Marry me,” he whispered against her lips. “Be my wife.”
Sarah’s heart filled to bursting. She was loved, truly loved for the first time in her life and she had her freedom. Once Grace had her baby she’d be a big sister. She shouldn’t want more and yet…
“You’re a bit late,” she teased.
“Late?”
“You missed my birthday, but a proposal is worth waiting for.”
He kissed her. “If it’s a present you’re after, name it.”
“Well I do like this ship.”
“You want to keep the ship?” he asked, clearly pleased with the idea.
Squawk. “Keep the ship. Keep the ship.”
“Not for piracy,” she was quick to add.
“Not anymore.” He smiled. “Was there anything else you wanted?”
She bit her lip. “Can you get the bandana back from Cale? I’m quite partial to it.”
Passion darkened his eyes. “How partial?”
Sarah grinned. “Get it and I’ll show you.”
*
Aidan wanted to shout it from the top of the mast that she’d said yes, but despite his excitement and happiness, there were things yet to be settled. Not with Sarah, he had no reservations where she was concerned. But there were others in his life to whom he owed an explanation.
The moment he stepped onto the deck behind Sarah and Carracks Samantha was there, golden eyes shining brightly despite her scowl.
“How badly are you hurt?” she demanded.
He wasn’t the least bit fooled. “Not badly enough that I can’t accept a hug if you’re careful.”
Her lips trembled, giving her away before she walked into his open arms. Her arms were so light around his middle he barely felt her, but he didn’t miss the tremors that shook her. “I’m all right, Sam. It’s over.”
As he placed a kiss to her head, he noticed Sarah took Carracks to the bowsprit, away from everyone, while Cale limped alone to the gunwale. Aidan sighed. He’d get to them, but first he had things to say to Sam. It wasn’t until Sarah explained how she’d felt during the battle that he’d understood it must have been what he’d put Samantha through the past four years. Four years he’d made her endure the worry and for what? His own selfish needs?
“I’m sorry Sam.”
She leaned back, brows drawn. “For what?”
“For scaring you. Not only today but every day I sailed with Cale. I knew I worried you, but I didn’t realize how much until today.” He rubbed a hand over his heart. “It’s hell not knowing if the one you love is alive or dead.”
Sam laughed through her tears. “It is at that.” She sobered, wiped her cheeks. “You love her?”
“I do. I didn’t expect to fall in love and certainly not with Roche’s daughter but—”
“Sometimes the least likely match is the best one,” she smiled as she looked over to Luke, held out her hand. He walked over, ignored her hand and wrapped his arm around her waist.
“And the baby?”
Sam rolled her eyes. “Despite Luke agreeing to let me join in the battle, I was hardly able to draw a weapon.” She narrowed her eyes but Aidan noticed there wasn’t any heat behind it. “He shielded me most of the time.”
“As it should be, luv,” Luke said, placing his hand over Sam’s stomach. “You’re carrying precious cargo.”
Aidan’s heart warmed as it always did watching these two together and he hoped he and Sarah could be half as happy as Luke and Sam were.
“Where are the others?” he asked, just then noticing Blake, Nate, and Morgan weren’t there.
“When they knew you weren’t hurt, they turned and headed back for Santo Domingo. Well, Nate and Blake did. Morgan didn’t say where he was going.”
“But they’re not hurt?”
“No more than the rest of us,” Luke said, gingerly tapping his split lip.
“How badly was Cale wounded?” Aidan asked, his attention shifting to the man at the gunwale.
“He wouldn’t tell me,” Luke grumbled, “but he let Samantha have a look.”
“It went through the muscle of his leg.” Her eyes filled with sympathy. “He’s hurting more than he’s letting on.”
Aidan knew she was speaking of more than Cale’s wound. “I know,” he said. This was tricky business and he hoped he’d reached a conclusion they could all live with.
“Sam, I hope you know how much I love you. You’re as much a mother to me as my own was. More, in fact, as I’ve known you longer.” He wiped a stray tear. “Thank you for saving my life. For giving me a life. And Luke,” he said, turning to the man he thought the world of. “You gave me your name when I didn’t have one but more than that, you were a father to me and you raised me to be the man I am. I don’t take that lightly.”
“You’re my boy in ev
ery way that matters,” he said, his voice gruff.
“Then, if it’s all right with you both, I’d like to remain Aidan Bradley. It’s who I am.”
They came at him as one, holding him tight. Aidan’s eyes were as wet as theirs when they pulled apart.
“I’m honored,” Luke said.
“The honor is mine, Luke, but I need you two to understand that Cale is my blood and while I won’t carry his name, I want him in my life. In our lives. And if, one day, I call him father, it in no way lessens what I feel for either of you.”
Luke pursed his lips then nodded. “I can live with that.”
Aidan raised a brow. “And you’ll be nice to him?”
“How about polite?”
Sam smacked Luke on the arm. “He’ll be nice, I promise for both of us. He’s a good man, Aidan. I had a chance to talk to him before we met up with you. He feels awful about everything.”
Aidan looked to Cale. How many times in the four years they’d sailed together had he seen the man alone and felt sorry for him? Well, he wasn’t going to be alone any longer. He had Grace and the child. And Cale had him as well. Aidan kissed Sam’s cheek, squeezed Luke’s shoulder. Then, still amazed at how his life had changed in such a short amount of time, took his place next to his father.
“Sam says that leg of yours will be paining you.”
He shrugged, continued to look out at sea. Aidan followed his line of sight, spotted Nate and Blake’s ships sailing in the distance.
“Was your pistol really spent?” Aidan asked.
“I assumed so but I never checked. I just saw it and grabbed it.”
“You could have been killed.”
Cale turned his blue eyes toward Aidan. “I wasn’t going to let him shoot my son. Not without doing everything I could to stop it.”
It was what Aidan had thought, and hearing it only made him feel worse for how he’d treated Cale when they’d both learned who the other really was.
Suddenly the words wanted to stick in his throat.
“I said a lot of things to you at Nate’s I’m not proud of.”
In the Arms of a Pirate (A Sam Steele Romance Book 2) Page 27
