She gasped for breath until the horrid smells in the tight passageway choked her. Human waste and rotted food assailed her senses. A puddle of something foul made her retch. Her heart threatened to pound its way out of her body as a huge black rat rushed past her. She jumped back deeper into the shadows.
A steely arm snatched her about the waist as a hand clamped over her mouth to silence her shocked cry. Annalise was crushed against her attacker’s chest. The air squeezed from her lungs. She couldn’t breathe. She kicked and clawed, but his grip only tightened. Pure panic and lack of oxygen darkened the edges of her vision.
“Did you think I wouldn’t find you?” He snarled into her ear as he dragged her back out the far end of the alley before releasing her.
Annalise spun to face her attacker. “Jaxon,” she sobbed. A rush of pure relief made her head swim. Her legs failed her.
Catching her, Jaxon swung her onto the saddle of a waiting horse before mounting behind her and kicking the beast into action. She hung on the horse’s mane. Once they cleared the crowded streets, he gathered her close as he signaled the horse into a full gallop.
He didn’t speak. His fury was palpable. Tears stung her eyes. Guilt, humiliation, and anger warred with a sense of overwhelming relief. The power and strength of the animal racing beneath her was nothing compared to the man behind her.
They reached the manor with hooves pounding. The horse reared back on its hind legs as Jaxon jerked it to a stop. A groom rushed to their aid, holding the bridle while the horse danced away its residual energy. Jaxon was quick to dismount and lift her down. He grabbed her elbow and steered her up the stairs.
“Jaxon, I--”
“Do not speak.” He bit out each word.
Annalise had to run to keep up with his angry strides. He didn’t slow until they reached the study, where he slammed the door behind them before depositing her unceremoniously into a chair. Marching to the side buffet, Jaxon slamming down the stolen silver he’d taken away from her. He poured himself a large brandy, tossed the drink back, and poured another. His breath hissed from him. The muscle in his jaw tightened to the look of stone.
“Do you have any idea how lucky you are that it was me who found you?” He hadn’t looked at her. His words were low and forbiddingly calm. When she failed to answer, he turned to her. “Wolfsan is on the island.”
She shook her head. “That’s impossible. He couldn’t--”
“He came ashore two days ago.”
“But how--” She couldn’t form a sentence. Lights danced before her eyes and she gripped the arms of the chair to stop the room from tilting.
“Doesn’t matter how. He’s here, and all your foolish daring could have had you running straight into his clutches.” Jaxon flung open the door. “Cookie.” He shot a glance at her. “Don’t worry. I’ll find him, and I’ll keep my promise. You’ll never have to worry about him again. But then, Missus Steele, I am putting you on the first ship back to England.” He pried the ring from his finger and tossed it to her. “I want none of it. Not the title, not the lands.”
Not you. He didn’t say the words. He didn’t have to. “Jaxon--”
Cookie came in with Robbins close on his heel. “Well done, Capt’n. Ye found her.”
She met Robbins’ eye. “I’m sorry.”
Jaxon gave a bitter laugh. “He doesn’t need your apology. You’ve taught him a valuable lesson. He’ll think twice the next time he trusts the word of a woman.”
Robbins’ gaze dropped to his shoes. Cookie’s breath whistled through his lips as he scratched at his beard. The air in the room crackled. Annalise was stunned, her mind reeling. Any feelings Jaxon may have had for her lay in tatters at her feet. Wolfsan was here. This couldn’t be happening. She closed her eyes as a wave of nausea twisted her stomach.
“Do you recall those high caves on the north side?” Jaxon asked Cookie.
“Aye, I know ’em like the backs of me hands. Good lookout point. No one would be able to climb up after us without me seein’.”
“Get her up there and safeguard her while I track down Wolfsan.”
“Wait.”
Jaxon shot her a pointed look. “I’ve already wasted enough time scouring the docks for you. I don’t care to wait any longer. The sooner this is done, the sooner you can be on your way back to your life.”
I thought my life was with you. “I understand your anger toward me.” She held up a hand to stop him from what was sure to be another biting remark.
He crossed his arms and scowled beneath dark brows.
“And I appreciate your desire to be rid of me, but you don’t know Wolfsan as I do. He’s a cold, heartless killer. You’re…you’re still healing. I…I fear--”
Bates rushed into the study. “Captain.”
“What is it?”
“In the garden, sir. The maid, Nell…”
Robbins spun around, “Nell?”
Annalise leapt to her feet and pushed past Jaxon. Ahead of them all, she was running by the time she hit the back patio. Down the steps and across the lawn she raced with Jaxon and Robbins close on her heels.
The crumpled body of the young maid lay lifeless upon the ground. Blood soaked her clothing and into the grass. Annalise cried out and turned away from the horror. Jaxon caught her. She buried her face into his chest.
Robbins dragged the dead girl into his arms, curling his body over her. “No.” he keened. “Her throat’s been cut.” He choked, his voice strangled. “No,” he screamed at the sky.
CHAPTER 31
The scene was gruesome. Bright crimson blood stained Robbins’ chest. Nell’s eyes stared in wide, sightless surprise. Jaxon handed a weeping Annalise to Cookie and searched the thick foliage surrounding the garden. An area behind a bank of heavy shrubs had been disturbed. The grass and flowers crushed.
He met Cookie’s stare with a nod, confirming what they both feared. Wolfsan had been here. Ice slipped down his spine. This was a favorite spot of Anna’s most afternoons. Had she not been foolishly wandering the streets of Port Royal, she would have been here. He shook with the realization. It could have been her lying dead.
Jaxon moved back to Robbins, who still cradled the dead girl’s body. He closed her eyes. Wolfsan must have struck from the back. There was no sign of a struggle. Nell couldn’t have heard him approach. Her blood-spattered book lay open on the ground near where she’d been sitting.
Within the stained pages of the open book, something caught the light of the sun. Crouching, Jaxon picked up a gold locket. Dried dark blood caked the thin chain and stained the pearls ringing the piece. But the blood on the book was bright and fresh. Turning the locket over in his hand, he saw the carved ‘A’ upon its face. His blood ran cold.
Annalise turned with anguished eyes when he placed a hand upon her back. “It was him, Jaxon. He murdered that sweet child.”
“Aye.” He held out his hand to her and showed her the locket. Annalise gasped and snatched the piece from his hand. She looked at him with wild eyes. “How? Not possible--”An anguished scream rose from her as she slid to the ground, clutching the locket to her chest. She curled in upon herself and sobbed. “Alice. No, not Alice. Not my Alice.”
“Anna.” He dropped to his knees and gathered her into his arms.
“I gave this…I gave my locket to Alice. My father’s gift. I gave it to her. He’s killed her.” She drew a sharp breath. “That’s how he found me. Oh God, he killed her. He killed Alice.” She crumbled against him.
Over the shoulder of his sobbing wife, he meet Cookie’s stare with deadly determination. Cookie nodded and turned back toward the house.
“They’re dead because of me. Uncle Herbert, Nell, Alice. He killed them to get to me. Oh God, Jaxon.” She grabbed the front of his shirt in her fists. “This is my fault.”
“No. None of this is your fault.”
“He’ll kill you, too.”
“I can promise you, he’ll
not touch me. I’ll avenge this. I will stop him. He’s a weak coward who preys on helpless young women and old men. I have battled stronger, fiercer men than him. I’ll kill him with my bare hands.”
“Jaxon.” She drew a shuddered breath. “He’s evil. If, I lose you, too--”
“You won’t.” He kissed her teary face while she clung to him. “I swear it.”
Her body shook in his arms.
A deep, black rage descended upon him. There was no time to waste. He needed to track Wolfsan and end his miserable life before he laid a finger upon her. Jaxon pushed away the thought it could have been her lying lifeless in the grass. No, Wolfsan wasn’t going to kill Annalise. He wanted her too badly to kill her, but the vile things he was capable of would fall just short of death for her.
“Listen to me. You must leave here. Cookie is getting everything ready. He’ll see you’re safe and stay with you until it’s done. Then I’ll come for you.”
She shook her head, pure terror in her eyes. “No. I’m not leaving you.”
“You must if I’m to put an end to this.”
“I can’t--”
Jaxon cupped her face in his hands. All his anger and frustration from before fell from him. He loved her beyond everything. Beyond even himself. But, before he could shield Annalise from the brutalities of his rebellious life, he had to save her from the evil lurking in hers. “I need you to go where you’ll be protected so I can concentrate on finding him. I won’t be alone. Robbins and I will see him dead before another day passes.”
Robbins hadn’t moved. He still held Nell like a babe.
“Oh, that poor, poor boy. I cannot leave until we’ve seen to Nell. He loved her.”
“I’ll see the girl is properly buried. If you want to help Robbins, you’ll do as I ask and go with Cookie so we can find Wolfsan and make him pay for what he’s done.”
Her eyes filled again. “D-do you think someone saw to Alice?”
“I don’t know.” The raw pain etched in her eyes only made the dark fire in his belly burn hotter. He would make Wolfsan suffer.
Jaxon lifted Annalise to her feet and helped her back to the house. Her body trembled as shock took hold of her. Cookie was ready when they returned. He’d packed enough food and supplies for three days in the caves. Plenty of time for Jaxon to do what needed to be done.
Sitting in the carriage, Annalise clung to his arm. “Please. I can’t leave like this. Not with things so torn between us. If something should happen…to either of us…”
“The only thing that’s going to happen is Wolfsan breathing his last breath. As for what lies between us, we’ll resolve that later.”
“I’m sorry.” Her eyes beseeched. “For everything. I love you.”
The need to sweep her into his arms, hold her tight, and proclaim his love for her nearly overwhelmed him. “You have to go.” He stepped back, breaking their connection.
Hurt and fear swam in her golden eyes, but she clamped her lips against any more words and nodded.
“This will all be over soon.”
As the carriage disappeared around the corner at the gate, Robbins came to stand next to Jaxon. Nell’s murder hung like a heavy weight upon the lad. He wiped his nose on his sleeve.
Jaxon put his arm around his shoulders and spoke with a quiet resolve. “You have my word. I won’t sleep until the bastard is dead.”
* * * *
Abandoning the carriage, Annalise and Cookie made their way through thick underbrush and dense woods. The roar of the ocean got louder the farther in they traveled before reaching a thin line of thorny scrub that separated the forest from huge rocks holding back the ocean.
She followed Cookie up a steep, narrow pathway perched overlooking the sea to a small string of caves. Strong winds and waves had carved them out of the island over time. The first few were too low and damp to be of use, but the next three or four sat higher.
Cookie chose the one that gave them the best advantage. It was dry, and he had a clear vantage point to see the pathway leading up the ridge. Solid rock protected the back of the cave. A sheer drop protected them from anyone approaching from the sea.
Not anyone. Wolfsan. Annalise was numb. Fear, shock, and sorrow linked with a profound grief to create a chain that wrapped tight about her chest. She struggled to draw a deep breath.
Tall rocks stood at either side of the entrance. The walls were smooth, thanks to years of sea and wind. Soot covered the ceiling and remnants of an earlier fire told of the cave’s usefulness.
Sounds of waves crashing upon the rocks filled the space. Its rhythmic ebb and flow were somehow comforting. If she were to give thought to where she was and why, of Nell, Alice, dear Uncle Herbert, and Jaxon…the icy look in his eye as he sent her away, the thought of him facing Wolfsan… She was sure to lose the precious little grip she had upon her mind. She chose instead to breathe in cadence with the sea and try to find strength in its ceaselessness.
Cookie wrapped a blanket around her shoulders. “Wind’s blowin’ a chill off the water, but we can’t be lightin’ a fire. This’ll keep the cold from ye.”
Anna just nodded and pulled the wool close.
“Don’t you fear. I’m thinkin’ we won’t need half of these supplies. I caught the look on the capt’n’s face. Seen that dark look before. I’ve battled next to him fer years and would put him up against the best swordsmen on the sea. Mark me words, that duke won’t be harming another soul. He won’t get to ye. I give ye my word.”
Cookie stowed the rest of their gear, pulled the pistol from his waistband, and checked it. “Got me a good position right out there te keep watch. While the sun’s up, things will be easy, but come nightfall, well, good thing I be part bat. None will get by me, lass.”
“Thank you, Cookie. I’m sorry you need to be doing this. Staying up all night, sitting on a cold rock with a pistol in your lap.”
“I promised Capt’n I’d guard ye with me life, and that’s what I’m prepared te do.”
“You should be home with Sarah. She loves you. You’re lucky to have her.” She gave him a sad smile. “And she’s lucky to have you.”
“She’s mighty found of ye, too. Chatters away about ye being best friends an’ all.”
Best friends. “You’re friends with a servant?” “Alice Tupper has never been a servant in my mind. We’ve been to hell and back together. She’s my best friend, and I love her like a sister.” The horrifying image of her locket covered with blood flashed in her mind. She’d placed it around Alice’s neck before hugging her close the night she’d left. “It will be your good luck charm. You’ll return it when we’re reunited.”
“Are ye all right, lass?” He sat beside her.
Annalise swallowed the lump in her throat. “I feel like I’m trapped in a horrible dream sometimes. That any minute I’ll wake up and my parents will still be alive and Alice--” She shook her head.
“Lass, ye listen to me. Tell ye same I tell the capt’n. ’Tis no use lookin’ back on what used to be. ’Tis a waste of time. What ye need to be thinkin’ on is now. Even tryin’ to figure out what’s to come is o’ no use, unless ye’re my Sarah. She says she knows things before they happen, but I can’t be provin’ any of it. I tell her she just guesses lucky.” He sighed and dropped himself to sit alongside Anna.
“I know ye’ve been through a time, but ye’re safe. Capt’n’ll see to it.”
“And then he’ll send me away.” The words sounded wooden to her ear.
Cookie scrubbed at his chin. “I see the way ye make eyes at the capt’n. I can see ye’re happy with one another.” Cookie nodded. “I’ve known him a long time. He loves ye.”
“If he ever did love me, I’ve ruined that. I’ve ruined everything. I betrayed his trust, and brought more trouble down upon his head than he deserves.”
Cookie shrugged one shoulder. He moved to put his arm around her but pulled it away mid-reach. “Dammit, this woman busin
ess be tough. I wish Sarah was here. I’m no good at this giving comfort stuff. I be a stitch-it-up or cut-if-off kind of guy.” He roughly patted her knee. “I ain’t ne’re seen the capt’n so caught before. He loves ya. I’d hang me hat on that if I was you. Ye’ve given Jaxon somethin’ he’s never had, never expected to have. Never thought he was worth lovin.’ He be mighty lucky, if ye’re askin’ me. Don’t ye forget that.”
She placed her hand over Cookie’s and gave the gnarled fingers a squeeze. “I’ll try to remember.”
“Ye rest easy now. Get yerself some shuteye. Ole Cookie be on watch.”
* * * *
The night passed without incident. Cookie strained eye and ear against the dark surf. The lass finally got to sleep. Everything remained quiet. Nothing amiss. But he’d be honest, he was never happier to see the sky begin to lighten. He’d breathe a might easier now.
As the sun began to stretch long shadows on its morning rise, he lifted his stiffened body off his stony perch to stretch. He’d lost all the feeling in his arse. He yawned a great gaping yawn, stretched his arms over his head, and then pressed his fists into the small of his aching back to work the stiffness from his spine.
Images of his Sarah filled his mind. He’d missed the soft roundedness of her against him last night. She was mighty nice to sleep with, all cushioned and warm. It was odd when he left her yesterday. She had hugged him tight and said, “Ye run.” He supposed she meant for him to hurry back to her. He’d never understand that woman and her ways.
Within a Captain's Hold Page 20
