Page 33 of Whispers and Warriors
If George understood how dangerous this could be, the man said nothing, only gave a nod.
“Good, then if you don’t mind, I’m going to go wash some blood off.” Standing, he let his eyes roam the deck and his stomach fell out from under him.
There were only supposed to be a handful of crew. There were ten people on the deck with him, and none of them were his unit.
We’ve been lied to.
While it was possible Carnie took on more passengers after they boarded, the way they hadn’t seen anyone else during the meal last night didn’t sit right with Alex. Something was wrong, beyond that they were trusting a criminal to help them.
The thought of hidden agendas and secrets lurking beneath the surface made Alex’s skin crawl. He had always relied on his instincts, and right now, they were screaming at him to be cautious. He quickened his pace, determination etched on his handsome features.
As he rounded a corner, Alex caught a glimpse of movement in his peripheral vision. He whirled around, his muscles tensed and ready for action. But the corridor behind him was empty, the only sound the distant hum of the ship’s engines.
“Get it together, Alex,” he chided himself, shaking his head. “You’re just on edge.”
But the unease refused to dissipate, clinging to him like a second skin. Alex kept walking, uncertain if he could find Chris first or Will and Bash where he’d left them in their cabin.
The cabin. Chris could be anywhere.
Alex didn’t notice the pitch of the ship as he raced back across the deck and down the stairs to the cabins.
Throwing the door open, Alex burst in, tugging the door quickly shut as his heart pounding in his chest. William and Bash looked up, startled by his sudden entrance. Their expressions shifted from surprise to concern as they took in Alex’s agitated state.
“We’ve got a problem,” Alex declared, his voice tight with tension. He ran a hand through his spiky hair, the gesture betraying his inner turmoil. “I don’t think we’re alone on this ship aside from the crew.”
William leaned forward, his blue eyes narrowing. “What do you mean? We haven’t seen anyone else besides the crew.”
“Exactly,” Alex said, beginning to pace the small confines of the cabin. “But while I was treating that injured man, I saw far too many people on board. And there are a lot of cabins down here. We’re not alone.”
Bash’s brows furrowed, his green eyes flashing with suspicion. “Why would they keep that from us? What are they hiding?”
“I don’t know,” Alex admitted, frustration evident in his tone. “But something doesn’t feel right. Even if we’re only a day away from our destination, I’m not sure this is the best place for us to be.”
William stood up, his face set with determination. “We need to find out what’s going on. We can’t risk staying put if this is a trap.”
Alex nodded. “We need to figure out how many people are on board.”
William placed a hand on Alex’s shoulder, his touch a silent show of support. “Be careful, Alex. We don’t know what we’re dealing with here.”
Alex met William’s gaze, the intensity in his hazel eyes unwavering. “I will. But let’s check with Chris. I don’t want to rush off half-cocked now that I’m calmer. Maybe they are transporting other people and the deal is no one knows about anyone else to avoid issues.” Even as he said the words, Alex knew he sounded ridiculous.
A smirk tugged at the corner of Alex’s lips, his confidence resurfacing. “I’ll do what I do best—charm some answers out ofpeople. Someone on this ship knows something, and I intend to find out what it is. After we find Chris, of course.”
“While I don’t mind bashing in some heads for no reason, after you,” Bash gestured toward the door. “Ladies first.”
Alex snorted, “I tell the jokes.”
“Opened yourself up for that one,” Bash tugged the door shut behind him and Alex turned to see William had walked out between them.
As he walked, the boom of his footsteps seemed even louder than when he’d run as his nerves continued to be on edge. William and Bash followed closely behind, their faces etched with a mixture of determination and apprehension. The three men moved in unison, their bond forged by the trials they had endured together.
They rounded a corner, their eyes scanning the surroundings for any sign of Chris. Alex’s heart pounded in his chest, a sense of urgency propelling him forward. They needed answers, and they needed them now.
The sound of hushed voices drifted through the air. Alex raised a hand, signaling for William and Bash to halt. They pressed themselves against the wall, straining to hear the conversation.
“... can’t let them find out,” a deep voice muttered, the words barely audible.
Alex’s brow furrowed, his suspicions growing with each passing second. He motioned for his companions to follow as he crept closer to the source of the voices.
