Hook: Exiles of the Realm

by Adrienne Bell

  “Why’s that?”

  She picked up her fork and dug in to her breakfast. “He did bad things for the greater good. You do them for you. Besides, you don’t have a band of Merry Men.”

  “I work better on my own,” he said.

  She shot him a look. “You mean you work better when you get to keep all the money for yourself?”

  “Semantics.” He grabbed an apple from a bowl on the counter. He tossed it high into the air before catching it and taking a big bite. “Besides, I’m not alone. I have you.”

  His tone was light, but his words were not. Something about them settled over her, covering her like a warm blanket. Comforting her more than Mercy wanted to admit.

  She didn’t love him. But that was the easy part—saying what she didn’t feel, what she could never allow herself to feel. The trouble came when she tried to define exactly what she did feel for James.

  Because she was far from indifferent to the man.

  And she wasn’t just talking about the primal heat wave he caused in her. The terrible truth was that she liked James Hook. She liked him a lot. She enjoyed talking to him—the sparring, the back and forth banter. She liked the way he never let her off easy, and never acted like she’d wounded his pride when she did the same. She liked that he listened and remembered the little things. Then there was the bone deep sense of closeness when he held her hand or wrapped his arm around her. The way she felt stronger when he stood at her side.

  Maybe he was right. Maybe he did have her. And she had him too…but for how long? If she somehow managed to survive this muddled mess, how would she feel when he disappeared, not just from her life, but from the whole world? What good would this sense of comfort do then?

  “I have to get ready for class, and then work.” She finished her last bite and pushed the plate away with a sigh. “Thank you. It was delicious.”

  “You’re welcome,” James said, inclining his head with a dramatic flourish. “Maid Marian.”

  “Ha,” Mercy scoffed as she jumped from the stool. Funny, she was feeling a lot better than she had just a few minutes ago. A little food had worked wonders. Well, that…and the company. “Maid Marian, my ass. I’d be Friar Tuck, and you know it.”

  “Not hardly,” he said with a laugh as she started to walk toward the bedroom to get dressed. “I know the man, and he’s nothing more than a drunk and a coward. You’re nothing like him.”

  Mercy froze. He knew Friar Tuck? She craned her head over her shoulder and caught the teasing look in his eye.

  “Just kidding,” he said. “That story has nothing to do with the Realm.”

  Mercy let out a long breath and headed back toward the bedroom. “You’re a total jerk, you know that, Hook?”

  His laugh followed her. “And you’re the most amazing creature I’ve ever known, Mercy Herrera.”

  Another quiet day passed.

  It was surprising. James didn’t much mind following Mercy around as she went about her day. A few students raised eyebrows as he sat down next to her in the classroom, but so far nothing that a smile and a few well-chosen words couldn’t gloss over. And, of course, no one minded seeing him at the restaurant. He’d stayed outside at his usual table, drinking wine all the while keeping a watchful eye on Mercy. No one questioned why he’d walked in with her, or why he was staying so long. Unlike Mercy, most people were happy to take his words at face value.

  Of course, it would have been easier if she had allowed him watch over her at his apartment. To spend the day eating and talking. Maybe after a while her defenses would start to fall and he could’ve even coaxed her onto the couch for another round of kisses…or more.

  But he knew Mercy was never going to let go of her life.

  The catch was he probably wouldn’t find her so alluring if she did. He’d known plenty of beautiful women, but not even the most classically gorgeous had ever held his attention like Mercy did. Even watching her do the most mundane tasks—writing orders on her pad, bringing drinks to the tables—held his interest. She burned with an inner strength that captivated him completely. Her resolve to improve herself and her world moved something deep inside him. If she gave that up she’d no longer be his Mercy.

  At least, he wouldn’t have to follow her too much longer today. After six hours, her shift was almost over. Which was good, because he was nearly out of wine. James picked up his glass and drained the last sip.

  The sun had set a little over an hour ago, and the neon lights had come to life in the windows up and down Columbus Avenue. The city hummed with new life as more people, freshly sprung from their day jobs, filtered out onto the sidewalks. James watched them walk by, all smiles, ready for a night of fun.

  What he’d give to see Mercy smile like that—hopeful and carefree.

  The seed of an idea began to take root in the back of his mind. By the time her shift had finally ended, it had grown into a full-blown plan.

  He stood as she made her way over to his table. He offered her his arm, and she didn’t hesitate before linking her own around it. A few of the staff whispered to each other as they shot questioning looks Mercy’s way, but she didn’t seem to notice. She let out a long sigh, as she rested her head against his shoulder.

  “That was a long day,” she said. “I am really looking forward to plopping my butt down on your couch and not getting up for several hours.”

  “That’s unfortunate,” he said.

  “Why?”

  “Because that’s not where we’re headed.”

  “No?” She lifted her head, her eyes going wide. “Where are we going?”

  “I’m taking you out,” he said.

  She shook her head. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. I’m tired, and I still have to study.”

  James wrapped his hand around hers. “You’re also young, and alive, and surrounded by beauty.”

  She arched a brow. “You think North Beach is beautiful?”

  He looked her in the eye. “Certain parts of it.”

  A rush of pink lit her cheeks. That blush stirred something deep inside him.

  “You deserve a night out,” he said.

  She let out a laugh. “What I deserve is a week-long vacation at a beachside spa in Fiji.”

  “Fair enough. Then tonight we’ll simply have to settle for what you desire.” He smiled, and slowed their pace, letting the people pass them by like currents in a stream. “If you could do anything in the city what would it be?”

  “Sleep for ten hours in my own bed,” she said.

  “Besides that.”

  “I’m not sure,” she said, bobbing her head from side to side. “Define anything. There’s a lot to choose from.”

  “Anything,” he said with a wink. “Tell me what your heart desires more than anything in the world.”

  Mercy narrowed her eyes. “That’s a dangerous question.”

  “I told you before, I’m a dangerous man.” She didn’t laugh this time, but she did grip tighter onto his arm. “Answer the question, Mercy.”

  She bit her lip. Her gaze rolled toward the sky, and James couldn’t help but wonder if she was taking so long to answer because she’d never allowed herself to think about it before.

  “I guess I’m boring,” she finally said. “The only thing I can think of is having a few drinks someplace with a spectacular view.”

  “A spectacular view?” A wide smile spread across James’ face. “That doesn’t sound boring at all.”

  In fact, he knew just the place.

  Chapter Fourteen

  “Are you crazy? We can’t go in there.”

  Mercy dug in her heels. At least, she tried to. But standing in the center of a concrete courtyard there wasn’t exactly anything to dig her heels into.

  “Why not?” James asked.

  His grip on her arm was relentless, and with every step he took, Mercy slid a few feet closer to the locked side door of the San Francisco Museum of Fine Art.

  “Well, for starters, the muse
um is closed,” she said.

  “That’s never stopped me before,” he said without looking back.

  “That’s one of the biggest differences between you and me,” she said. “I’ve never been in prison.”

  “Neither have I,” he said, dragging her ever closer to the door.

  “Really?” That was hard to believe.

  “Well…not in your world.” He shot her a wink before stopping at the door. He let go of her arm and turned his attention toward the lock.

  Mercy should seize the moment to run like hell, but for reasons she didn’t quite understand, she stayed put. It was like watching a train wreck. Some fool part of her just couldn’t turn away.

  Why had he brought her here? To a museum of all places? After she answered his silly question, she’d thought he might take her to some ocean-view bar, or maybe a fancy top-floor lounge. Never in a million years did she imagine that he would break into one of the world’s best art galleries for drinks.

  “This doesn’t even make sense,” she said.

  He turned around and lifted a finger to his lips. She leaned closer.

  “People don’t come to a museum to drink,” she whispered.

  He cupped his hand over her cheek. “Trust me.”

  Mercy opened her mouth but nothing came out. Trust him? What kind of spell had he put on her that she was even considering it?

  “I want to. I really do.” And the strange thing was that she did. “But I also don’t want to spend my last few days inside a jail cell.”

  James laughed, and the rich, melodic sound wrapped around her, pulling her closer.

  Seriously, what the hell was wrong with her?

  “We’re not going anywhere, but inside the museum,” he said. “I promise.”

  She narrowed her gaze. “How?”

  “Because of this.” His smile grew as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a glittering yellow ball.

  The orb glistened in the low light of the surrounding overhead streetlights. It was one of the most beautiful trinkets Mercy had ever seen. She could barely pull her gaze away.

  “What is it?” she asked.

  “An enchanted sylph eye,” he said. “It renders the holder, and whoever is standing near him, invisible.” He shot a pointed glance at the two security cameras above the door as he slipped the eye back in his pocket. “Electronic surveillance included.”

  Mercy let out a long breath as he turned his attention to the door. “You know, just because we can get away with something doesn’t mean we should.”

  “What if I promise not to steal anything once we’re inside?” he asked, slipping something slim between the doorframe and the physical lock.

  Mercy twisted her mouth to the side. “It’s a start.” She also knew it was as good as she was going to get. “But if that’s not your plan then why are we here?”

  “So impatient,” James said slowly. A second later a soft click sounded, and he pulled on the handle. The door swung open.

  Mercy’s eyes widened. “That was easy.”

  “Not really,” he said, his blue eyes sparkling as he held the door open for her. “I’m just that good with my hands.”

  Oh, she remembered. She rushed inside before he could see the blush firing up in her cheeks again. The wide grin covering his face told her she was too late.

  He came up right behind her, and wrapped his arm around her waist. He tucked his head against her shoulder.

  “Don’t run too far ahead, sweetheart,” he whispered. “Remember you need to stay close for the eye to work.”

  Mercy swallowed down hard. She turned her head his way. “How close?”

  His smile grew wicked. “Very close.”

  Mercy rolled her eyes. She had to be losing her mind. On the other hand, he seemed to know what he was doing. Not a single alarm had gone off when he opened the door. No armed guards were rushing toward them. They might actually get away with this.

  Not that she had any idea what this was. All she knew was there was a very good chance that this was her last opportunity to have any kind of real adventure before some seven-foot tall fairy ripped her heart out of her chest, or she went up in a puff of smoke.

  James took her hand.

  “And keep quiet,” he said in a hush. “The eye obscures vision, but not sound.”

  Mercy tiptoed behind him as he silently wound through the bright back hallways. Just when she thought he was lost, James cracked open an unmarked door, and poked his head through. A second later, he held it open for her.

  Mercy stepped out into a magnificent tiled rotunda. A towering glass dome arched above her head. The lights of the city shined against the beautiful black backdrop of the night sky. Curved walls surrounded them, every panel adorned with a priceless painting, each one a masterpiece. The sight was enough to take Mercy’s breath away.

  “You’re right,” she whispered against his ear. “It’s gorgeous.”

  He grinned. “And this is only the appetizer.”

  Mercy quirked a brow, but James pulled her on before she could ask what he meant. He led her down a corridor past the main lobby, pausing as a security guard rounded the corner in front of them. Mercy sucked in a quick breath and held it. She tightened her grip on James’ hand. She didn’t miss the satisfied smile that spread over his face as she pressed herself flush against him.

  Mercy tried her best not to move as the man passed, but she couldn’t quite stop her hands and knees from shaking. Her heart hammered so hard against her breastbone she was certain the man must have heard it, but the only sound echoing off the walls was the click of his heels against the polished tile. He didn’t so much as blink as he moved past them. Still, Mercy didn’t dare take another breath until he turned the next corner.

  James’ voice was barely a gentle breeze against her ear. “Trust me now?”

  She gave a shaky nod. And the crazy thing was she did. Even crazier—she started to relax.

  Not much at first, but with every step more and more of her fear melted away. James hadn’t lied to her. He knew what he was doing. He hadn’t brought her here just to let them get arrested.

  So why had he brought her?

  James pulled her around another corner and into a fancy-looking café. Apparently, he knew just where he was going, because he led her around the counter and straight to the fridge. He pulled out an expensive bottle of champagne and two glasses. He tucked the bottle under his arm, ready to head out again, but Mercy pulled hard on his hand. He turned around and shot her a questioning look.

  “You promised not to steal anything,” she whispered.

  His lips flattened as he gave her his best Seriously? look. But Mercy held firm. A second later, he let out a long breath and pulled a roll cash from his pocket. He quickly peeled two hundred-dollar bills off the top and plopped them down on the countertop.

  He arched his brows. Happy?

  Mercy nodded, and didn’t protest as he led her from the café and through even more corridors, and up a few flights of stairs. They went up three floors, maybe four—Mercy was beginning to lose track—before James opened a door marked Roof and stepped out into the cool night air.

  “It’s fine to talk again,” he said as soon as the door clicked closed behind him. “The guards never come out here.”

  Mercy arched a brow. “And you know this how?”

  His sly grin reappeared. “I may have spent some time in this building when I first landed in your city.”

  Mercy’s mouth fell open as realization swept over her. “You’re the guy who stole the Evening Star diamond a few months ago, aren’t you?”

  “And if I was?” he asked.

  “I’d want to know why you gave it back,” she said. “That doesn’t seem like the sort of thing you’d do on your own.”

  “That’s because it isn’t,” he admitted. “I gave it to someone who needed it more. She was the one who, in the end, gave it back to the museum.”

  Now that made sense. “And now you come
back here just for old times’ sake?”

  A mischievous twinkle shone in his eye. “Something like that.” He shot a pointed glance over to one of the two gothic stone towers shooting from the building’s facade. “Shall we continue our journey up?”

  Mercy dug in her heels. “We can’t go up there.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because it’s not allowed,” she said out of habit.

  He laughed. “Neither is breaking and entering. So where’s the harm in going another fifty feet?”

  Mercy swallowed hard as she followed him over to the entrance to the tower. She tried the rusted handle but it didn’t budge.

  “It’s locked,” she said with a small sigh of relief.

  James didn’t take his eyes off hers as he wrapped his fingers around the knob. One sudden turn, and she heard something snap. The door swung open with ease.

  “Not anymore,” he said with another playful grin.

  The inside of the tower was dark and dusty. A few cans of paint sat on the floor, and an old broom was leaned against the corner. Clearly the towers had no official purpose beyond architectural flourish. The zig-zagging metal stairs groaned under their weight. It wasn’t the most encouraging sound Mercy had ever heard. She breathed a sigh of relief when they finally reached the top and emerged onto a small concrete platform surrounded by stone crenellations.

  Mercy immediately walked over to the edge, her jaw dropping as she took in the view. It was nothing short of amazing. From up here, the city rolled out before her. Towering office buildings stood at her back, but out in front, the hill gently sloped all the way down to the bay. Lights flickered and danced on the cables of the bridge, their reflection shimmering in the unsteady waves below. A cool breeze flitted across the top of the tower, ruffling her hair.

  She thought she’d seen the city from every possible vantage, but Mercy had never seen a view like this before. She wasn’t the only one who appreciated it, because tucked in the opposite corner was a metal folding chair. Apparently, a museum employee enjoyed spending his lunch break overlooking the best view the city had to offer. Mercy couldn’t blame him.