Chapter 14

Three blissful days passed as they moved up the west coast of England. Boyd and Annie retired early every evening, stayed in their room late each morning and managed to use every surface in their tiny bunkroom to make love.

Just this morning, he'd had her pushed up against the wall, her legs wrapped about his waist as he pumped in and out of her, his hands wrapped about the generous swell of both her ass cheeks.

She'd broken apart on his cock, her cries sending his own orgasm crashing over him.

Now, an hour later, he stood on the deck, watching the land slide by. "We're nearly there?" he asked Fulton, his gaze on his wife as she stood near Sophie and Fulton's cabin, softly speaking with Sophie.

He could hardly look away, his gaze following her everywhere she went. He was bordering on obsessed.

"Yes. Thank the fucking saints."

He looked at his friend then. "Tired of my company?"

Fulton scowled. "You know I'm not. But having two married couples on the ship has made the men restless. I need to get them to shore for a bit of time with some willing women. Either that, or they need a good fight. We can barely make it an hour without two men trying to tear each other apart."

Boyd winced. He and Annie hadn't exactly been quiet or subtle. But their lovemaking was just so…transformative.

He'd never known anything like it, their physical bond as strong as the emotional one that have been growing between them.

He couldn't keep his hands off her.

He itched to see the business behind them so that he could take her to their home. The more time passed, the more he knew. He'd defeat Makem himself if he had to so that he and Annie could live in peace in Scotland—his home and soon, it would also be hers.

This powerful longing grew with each passing day.

To see Scotland, to introduce her to the place where they'd build a life. A home. A family. There would be no running to the Americas.

"How long until we reach Allerdale?"

"Nightfall at the latest. And the tide should be in our favor to dock as soon as we arrive."

He nodded. "Good. With any luck, Upton will be waiting for us."

Fulton nodded. "We haven't seen a hint of Makem since we changed course. I don't think he knows our change of plans. How does that affect yours?"

Boyd knew what Fulton asked. "I'll stay with Upton either way, much as it pains me to do so. He's got the resources to end this once and for all and to keep Annie safe until we do."

"Angus could be trusted as well. No one is a stronger fighter than your cousin."

It was true. "He's far enough inland that Englishmen would have a devil of a time even getting to him, at least in any number. Not without us knowing they're coming." It was so tempting to go to Scotland where he had his own advantages.

"Upton first," Fulton said. "We'll give him the journals and make a plan to end Makem once and for all. Then you can decide where best to hide Annie safely away."

Boyd watched the land slide by. "We both know I'm the best shot in our ranks."

"You were the only man who could stop Gyla."

"If I needed ye to, would you sail Annie far away while I killed her uncle?" He knew it was a giant favor to ask. But he also knew if Annie were safe, he could go on the attack with Makem rather than this cat-and-mouse game they were currently playing.

Silence cast over them as Fulton gazed at the at the shore "You know I would."

"Thank ye, Fulton." And then he clapped his friend on the shoulder, no more words needed.

As the afternoon gave way to evening, the harbor came into view, the tide pushing them right toward the docks.

The wind had truly been in their favor and Boyd had never felt in better command of the situation. He had help, he had several possible plans, and soon, he'd have the backing of a duke, a man with far more resources than Makem or even Makem's boss.

But as the boat slid toward the open slot in the docks another boat caught his gaze, its course set directly toward them.

"Fuck," Fulton said through gritted teeth. "That's one of Makem's."

"Where's Annie?" Boyd barked out, his head pivoting to search the deck.

It was James who answered. "She's in the captain's cabin with Sophie."

"Tell her not to come out no matter what. Tell them both." Boyd turned to James and Fulton. "They've beaten us here. How."

"Different boat," Fulton answered. "Makem must have planted one in the harbor, thinking we'd come."

"So, they might have one in the harbor outside my home too?"

"We could sail north, stop just south or north of?—"

But Fulton stopped as a white flag rose up the ship's mast.

"Be ready to fight," Boyd growled out low and deep as he loaded both his pistols. Just because they waved a sign of peace didn't mean it wasn't a dirty trick. With men like these, Boyd had to be prepared for anything.

The ship pulled starboard a hundred feet away, a man standing at the rail, twenty others behind him.

"Captain Smith," he called. "Good to see you this far north."

"To whom do I owe the pleasure of speaking?" Fulton yelled back.

"Name is Winters."

"And why are we having this conversation, Winters?" Fulton stood tall with his legs spread wide.

"Because." Winters didn't look intimidated. "Makem wants his niece back."

"Niece?" Fulton scratched his chin. "Does this niece have a name?"

Winters leaned over the rail. "We know you have her so don't pretend. And just in case you think Upton is coming to your aid, he isn't."

Cold fear washed down Boyd's spine. "I know ye weren't stupid enough to hurt a duke."

"Lockton. Pleasure." Winters leaned back then, looking pleased. "And I simply meant that your message to him never arrived because we have men everywhere. So, keep running…we'll get you." And then Winters stepped back from the rail, the white flag lowering as the boat circled back toward the harbor.

"They're blocking the harbor and they stopped our message," Fulton rumbled. "They trying to force us to engage or run."

"And with a shipping company at his disposal, Makem really could have a boat in all the major harbors."

Boyd's teeth ground together. "We could pull into a small harbor, restock. Annie and I could slip off the boat, disappear on land." But he hated that plan.

They'd be without allies again. He scrubbed his hand down his face.

It was James who stared off toward the shore. "I'll swim in. Get Upton. Then we can do a two-front attack that allows you and Annie to be under Upton's protection."

"No." Fulton stepped forward. "You're not that strong a swimmer. I should?—"

Boyd rumbled out a protest. "Ye are the captain. Ye stay with the ship." His gut clenched at the idea of leaving Annie, but he knew what he had to do. "I'll do it." Then he looked at James. "If anything happens to me, ye'll take care of Annie. Understood?"

"I understand though your trust in me may not be well placed." James swiped his hands down his face. "Don't die."

"I'll try not to," Boyd answered, slapping James's back. Knowing that his friends would care for Annie, he could focus on the task at hand. "Fulton, swoop toward the shore, like ye're turning, and I'll jump as close to land as I can."

"It's still going to be far," Fulton winced. "I can only get so close."

"I know." He pulled off his boots. "Tell Annie not to worry." He shrugged off his coat. "I'll be back as soon as I can."

"I'll swoop out of the harbor and do a very large circle. It'll give you a day."

"A day should be enough." And with that, Boyd jumped over the side.

* * *

"Gone? What do you mean, he's gone?" Cold fear gripped at Annie's heart as she clutched her chest. Seated on the edge of Sophie and Fulton's bed, she looked up at Fulton Smith, praying she'd misheard.

"He's gone for help," Fulton said, looking at Sophie. "Your uncle has a ship in the harbor and?—"

"He just jumped over the side?" Oh no. Her worst fear came true. Boyd had left her. She tried to stand but her legs wouldn't hold her, so she sat back down, her hand coming to her forehead. What would she do?

She wore the red gown, the one he liked so much, the fabric taut around her narrow rib cage. Absently, she touched the fabric, thinking that it hadn't been enough. Not nearly enough to make him stay…

"He's gone for help, Annie."

"He left me," she answered, her voice breaking in the middle. "I'm his wife but he still…"

Sophie reached for her hand. "He did not leave you. Not like that."

"She thinks he's gone for good?" Fulton snorted. "The man is as smitten as a man can be."

Annie wanted to believe those words. She really did. But life had taught her a very different lesson.

"Hush, Fulton," Sophie took Annie's hand. "Annie is like me."

Fulton was silent even as Annie looked at Sophie. "How am I like you?"

"Strong," Sophie said, squeezing her fingers. "A fighter. But alone."

All of that was true.

Fulton sat on her other side. "It only just occurred to me. You were your uncle's ward. Where are you parents?"

"My father died five years ago…my mother just last year. But even before his death…" She didn't need to finish. Didn't want to tell them that no man in her life had ever found her worth caring for.

If Boyd left her now…her heart would break into a thousand tiny pieces.

Sophie wrapped her arms about Annie. "My mother died when I was young and my father remarried," Sophie hugged her tighter. "My stepmother didn't care for me, and my father let her do as she pleased."

Annie gasped in a breath. At least she'd had her mother. "Oh, Sophie."

Fulton patted her back as Sophie continued to hold her. "It only takes one person to really love you to put you back together."

Her breath stuttered out of her lungs. Boyd could put her back together. She knew it was true. But only if he stayed.

"What if, even if he does love me, he doesn't come back? Or he doesn't wish to settle…or he's bored when life becomes mundane, and duty bound?"

Fulton gave a low laugh that wasn't condescending. In fact, it was appreciative. "Men like me and Boyd, we've done all the great adventures, Annie. We've sailed, we've fought, we've even killed. We started businesses, legal and illegal, we've been brothers, friends, enemies, and allies. We've even been lovers."

Annie didn't know quite where Fulton was going with all of this, but her pulse slowed as she drew in a deep breath. "And?"

"And there is little to regret when you've lived that life."

His words rang with truth. "I see your point, but something drove you to be that man in the first place. What if it still drives you or him?"

"I can't speak for Boyd, but I can only tell you this. Men are supposed to go out and face the darkness, even revel in it. Because when they meet the right woman, they've learned all the ways in which to protect her from it."

Her throat closed as she stared at Fulton. "I don't…"

"Trust me, Annie. Boyd jumped over that side to protect you from the darkness, not to allow it to swallow you whole. Have faith. He's not only coming back for you, but he's also going to save you."

Annie gave a tentative nod, words failing her. She knew what Fulton had said to be true. More than anything, she wished for him to be exactly right. "I should go down to my room, wait?—"

"No." Fulton shook his head. "You'll remain here, out of sight. In the cover of darkness, we'll slip you down to the bunkroom. All portholes will be covered as we wait the dawn and the next high tide."

She drew in a trembling breath. She didn't want to doubt Boyd. She trusted him too. He was her husband.

But that voice still niggled in the back of her brain as Fulton left the room. It continued to chirp in through her thoughts as she listened to the men preparing the cannon, loading pistols, sharpening swords.

He might not return and she'd be alone once again.

Finally, at near midnight, Fulton helped her down to her little bunkroom where she crawled into Boyd's bunk alone.

The night had never been longer or darker and that was the moment she realized how much she'd changed already.

Because at her uncle's, she'd known how to sleep alone. But here…

She just prayed that Boyd would come back to her.