Page 30 of Whispers and Warriors
“Almost there,” he murmured, again not sure who it was really for. “Just a few more steps, and we’ll be on board. You’re doing great, Em.”
The nickname slipped out before he could catch it, a familiar endearment that could’ve been deadly. Liam quickly glanced around, ensuring no one had overheard. The last thing they needed was a slip of the tongue to unravel everything they’d worked so hard to achieve.
As they stepped onto the deck of the ship, Liam allowed himself a momentary sigh of relief. They’d made it this far, but the journey was far from over. They had two days to essentially hide Emma from sight, without making it seem like they hid a member of their team. She was the most precious cargo, the most important life he’d sworn to protect, and the idea of hiding her away didn’t seem like enough.
“Ever been on a ship before?”
Emma shook her head. “Planes a dozen times, but never a boat.” She swayed on her feet. “I don’t know how many times I’m going to trip if this is how it sways when we’re not even moving.”
Liam couldn’t resist a chuckle.
He heard the footsteps of the rest of the unit behind him, but his attention was focused on the few people bustling about thedeck. Any one of them could let their gaze linger on Emma for too long and see she was a she.
Chris’s voice, though quieter than usual, cut through the bustling activity on the ship’s deck. “Listen up,” he commanded, drawing the attention of the group. “They’ve granted us two cabins, separate.” Chris’s annoyance was palpable but even if the ship had a room big enough for all of them, Carnie would’ve been a fool not to split them. “We need to assign cabin arrangements. Alex, Bash, and William, you three will share one cabin. Earl, Liam, and I will take the other.”
Liam sensed the undercurrent of tension that rippled through the group at Chris’s words. The strategic separation of the team members was a clear indication he wanted attention away from Emma, but wanted his eyes on her. Bash was the biggest threat, so if the crew got pissed, they’d go after that room and not where Emma slept.
As Alex, Bash, and William gathered their belongings and moved toward their assigned cabin, Liam caught the fleeting glance of uncertainty that passed between the trio. He knew they were loyal soldiers, trained to follow commands without question, but he couldn’t help but wonder if they harbored their own doubts and concerns.
Chris moved past Liam and Emma, leading the way to the other cabin, his broad shoulders squared with the weight of leadership. Emma followed close behind, his expression unreadable, while Liam brought up the rear, his mind racing with thoughts of Emma and the precarious nature of their mission.
Once inside the cabin, Chris shut the door firmly, the click of the latch echoing in the confined space. Liam turned to face Chris, a flicker of defiance sparking in his blue eyes.
“Earl needs to maintain her male disguise until we reach the safe ship. Even when we’re in here.” Liam stated, his voicesteady and resolute, but barely above a whisper for safety. “It’s the only way to ensure safety.”
Chris’s gaze locked with Liam’s, a silent battle of wills unfolding between them. Liam knew he was treading on dangerous ground, giving a command that Chris hadn’t asked for, but his loyalty to Emma overrode any sense of military protocol.
“I apologize for giving an order, Chris,” Liam continued, his tone respectful yet unyielding. “But I won’t back down on this. Earl’s life depends on it.” The name was strange on his tongue, and he couldn’t wait to call her something else.
The tension in the room was palpable, the air thick with unspoken emotions. Liam’s heart pounded in his chest as he waited to see if he over-stepped himself with Chris.
Chris’s stern expression softened, a glimmer of understanding flickering in his eyes. He nodded slowly, his voice steady as he spoke. “You’re right, Liam. Don’t doubt your ability to give orders. You’re my second-in-command for a reason. I was going to say the same thing, but assumed you’d all roll you eyes because it was the obvious choice.”
A wave of relief washed over him, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. Chris’s approval meant more to him than he’d ever admitted, a testament to the bond they shared as brothers-in-arms. Liam’s time in service was the only reason he’d been granted second-in-command three and a half years ago, but he’d earned the right each and every day since.
“I’m going to explore the ship,” Chris continued, his tone decisive. “Keep Earl safe. That’s our top priority as always. Anyone asks, make up some illness story or something.”
Chris turned and tugged the door open, his footsteps echoing even as he shut the door behind him. Liam watched him go, a newfound sense of purpose settling in his chest. He glanced overat Emma, who had remained silent throughout the exchange, and saw a flicker of understanding in her eyes.
“We’ll take shifts,” Liam said, his mind already formulating a plan. “One of us will stay with you at all times. We can’t let our guard down, not even for a moment. I’m sure Chris would’ve said that, but he’s distracted. Likely as worried as I am that the disguise is going to fail.”
He knew the risks they were taking, the dangers that lurked around every corner. But in that moment, the ship was all they had. If shit went sideways, it was going to be a lot harder to get away from than when they could put miles between them and their enemies.
“I’ll be okay,” Emma offered him a sad smile. “This is all just the road we have to take to get to a better place.”
With a deep breath, Liam steeled himself for the challenges ahead. It wouldn’t be too many days until they were at the next step. They just had to put one foot in front of the other as they’d been doing.
Bash rappedhis knuckles against the wooden door, the sound somehow loud despite the shouting from the ship’s deck.
“Who’s there?” Liam’s voice filtered through the door.
“It’s Bash,” he replied gruffly. “Left bicep.” He knew the drill—confirming his identity was crucial in their world of uncertainty. Sure, someone could kill them and know the star location, but not too many people who figure out that was their code.
The door creaked open, revealing Liam’s less-than-happy face. Ranger gave a small bark, but Bash couldn’t see where he was in the room with the door barely opened.
“Some of us are too wide to slip through this,” he snorted, wrapped his fingers around the edge of the door, and opened it just enough to get in before closing it behind him for their safety.
Emma sat in the farthest bed seeming so small even on the twin bed. Bash’s heart clenched at the sight of her, a mix of protectiveness and longing surging through his veins. She was still “Earl” as they’ve been calling her, but he’d know she was female anywhere.
