Page 27 of Whispers and Warriors
Finally, the smuggler nodded, a slow, deliberate motion. “All right,” he said, his voice gruff. “I’ll take you up the coast. But after that, you’re on your own.”
Bash let out a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding, the tension draining from his body. They had a way out, a chance to escape the city and the horrors that lurked within.
“We appreciate the offer,” Chris stepped back up again, his voice steady and unwavering.
The smuggler’s eyes narrowed, a flicker of annoyance crossing his weathered face. “I’m not running a goddamn cruise ship here,” he growled. “I’ve got my own skin to worry about. We can leave in three hours. It’ll take two days.”
Fuck. Bash remembered the other man’s words. The ferry would’ve been there soon and they could miss it if the captain deemed it full enough to sail.
“I’ll give you intel while you take us. Half. The other half when we leave.”
“Deal, but anything false, and I will find you.”
As they turned to head back to the truck, Alex walked backward, his eyes never leaving the smuggler’s, his hand resting on the gun at his hip. It was a precaution, a silent warning that they were not to be trifled with.
They had won this battle, but the war was far from over.
ELEVEN
Chris approached the truck,still not completely convinced going with this smuggler was smart, but knowing it was better than waiting out in the open. He gave a curt nod to Liam behind the wheel, who returned it with a tight smile. Alex and Bash moved beside him with no delay in their stride and voiced no concern for what he’d just gotten them into.
He circled around to the back of the vehicle. “William, it’s us,” he called out, just in case Liam hadn’t already told him.
The door swung up a second later. If he hadn’t known better, he would’ve assumed there were two men in the back—albeit one was a fair bit scrawny.
Emma had already donned her disguise. It was the same one she’d used the last time they’d traveled, a nondescript, baggy uniform that concealed her curves, though it looked like she and William also bound her breasts down with spare bandages, completing a more secure look. Her long hair was tucked up under a cap, transforming her appearance just enough that if she didn’t talk and didn’t stand with someone for too long, no one would question her.
Chris couldn’t help but the swell of admiration for the woman he loved. Emma’s adaptability and resourcefulness never ceased to amaze him. She was always quick to assess a situation and take action, no matter the personal cost. It’s how she’d survived on her own for so long, and it’s likely how she took down Marcus. Sure, all their training helped, but she had to have the conviction to put it into play.
Despite that, the risks they were about to face weighed heavily on his mind.
Not only could this unnamed smuggler lead them into danger, it could danger they might not have the skills to survive. His unit weren’t seafaring men. In fact, Chris was certain that except for William, none of them had ever even been on a ship.
Then we have to get this right and hope this man won’t see past her disguise.
“You’re ready then?”
She nodded, her eyes not leaving his. “As I’ll ever be.”
Everything stopped then, even the gentle lapping of the waves against the dock. Only his unit moved about preparing to ditch the vehicle that got them into all this trouble after he jumped at the chance to sneak his way into the safe haven by pretending his unit was assigned the task of moving Emma cross country.
She never should have forgiven us.A smirk followed the thought, because had she not forgiven them, they wouldn’t be in this mess right now and Chris wouldn’t have it any other way.
Emma’s voice cut through the tense silence, steady despite the obvious danger of their situation. “Do we know the name of the ship we’re supposed to find? I hate that you all kept secrets, but I understand why.”
Chris met her gaze, a flicker of guilt rushing through him because they had kept everything a secret. Even from each other. He and Liam knew to navigate, but the rest were in the dark toavoid putting the new safe haven in jeopardy. Only, it seemed like there was no reason not to tell her now that they were so close. “It’s called the Horizon’s Edge. Fitting name for a vessel that’ll take us to a new beginning I suppose.”
Emma nodded before taking a step closer to Chris, seeking the comfort of his presence. “And you’re sure about this plan?”
Chris reached out, his hand finding hers, letting their fingers intertwine in an attempt to comfort her. “As sure as I can be,” he admitted, his thumb tracing gentle circles on her skin. “We’ll never know what’s ahead until we make the jump, but we’ve come this far. We’ll face whatever comes together.”
“Then let’s do it. I’m not the biggest fan of the docks. I’ve seen movies, I know the bad shit that used to go down here.” She offered a small laugh. “When do we leave?”
“In a few hours. Our captain wasn’t exactly prepared for a run today if I read him correctly.”
She nodded and sat back down, tugging him with her. “Then why don’t we all just relax. I know the truck can’t look abandoned, but take shifts just sitting down with a small snack.”
“Is that you stepping into giving orders?” Chris chuckled with a raised brow.
