Page 45 of Convict’s Game (Skeleton Crew #1)

M ila

At around four in the afternoon, I showered the night from my skin, ignoring the flares of pleasure when I passed my fingers over sensitive areas, and replaced the bandages on my cuts. Then I dried my hair and returned to the bedroom to dress.

With his head resting on his biceps, Convict watched me, his arm outstretched where I’d chained it to the bedframe.

I had a gangster tied to my bed. I didn’t know myself anymore.

He took in my brisk movements around the bedroom, his relaxation dialling back to concern. “What are you doing?”

I straightened my dusky lilac blouse, the sleeves long enough to cover my injuries but loose enough to reveal my whole arm if needed. “I’m going to the doctors to talk contraceptives.”

Any vestige of sleep fled his face. “Without me?”

“Obviously. Considering it’s your fault I need to go at all.”

“Don’t. I’m begging you.”

I gave an easy shrug and left the room. “And have you intimidate the doctor into giving me sugar pills? Or to try to persuade me not to go at all? Hell, no. I’m not ready to be a mother. Don’t let me coming at your stabby action suggest otherwise.”

His voice chased me down the hall. “Shit. I didn’t. I don’t want to be a father either. It was heat of the moment. Mila, come back.”

I slipped my feet into the kitten heels I’d usually wear to the office. Donning my workwear was purposeful. I needed to get back into my professional mindset and not the lunatic version I’d fallen into.

“Damn it, Emilia. Don’t make me break your bed after we spent all night wrecking your sheets. You were attacked last night. You need protection.”

“I’ll look after myself. No one else is coming after me.”

“Yes, they could be. Fuck. I forgot to tell you about the explosion at the docks.”

I stilled my hand on the door lock and reversed my steps to the entrance to my room. “The what?”

“Last night, Arran and I were at the harbour in Leith. I saw one of your boats moored up. It had the name Eden on the side. Right as I got the notification that you were out of the warehouse, the fucking thing blew up.”

My jaw dropped. In my haste to get ready, I’d ignored the messages pinging into my phone, assuming they were more of the usual from relatives. I snatched the device from my handbag and scrolled. Multiple people had sent me the same news headlines. He was right. The Eden had been destroyed.

The lead photo showed a fireboat in the harbour, tackling the blaze. Orange flames scaled the black night. I knew the deck they devoured. I could picture my grandfather standing there, his smile broad over white bristles, his arms out ready for a hug.

Shock and pain pierced me. “I don’t believe it. I mean, I do, but… Shit.”

“Sweetheart, come here.”

I kicked off my shoes and padded over to the bed, sinking down next to Convict. He banded his arms around me, and I sank into the hug.

“ Eden was the pride of my grandfather’s fleet. One of the biggest we owned.”

“What does the news say?”

“An explosion of unknown origins tore through her then fire broke out. At two a.m., she sank.” I set down my phone and stared into space. “You probably think it’s ridiculous me being upset about a ship.”

“I don’t.”

“It’s just that my grandfather loved that vessel. Of all the inventory and routing work he gave me, he always reserved any task on the Eden for himself. It’s like the sea has stolen one more piece of him.”

I earned a squeeze for my explanation.

“It reminded you of how much you miss him. I get it.”

For a long moment, he just held me, lending me his strength until I regained my own.

“Will you need to talk to the cops?”

“No, though I’ll try. There’s a temporary management of all business assets in place by a caretaker function.

They’ll handle it. The relatives will still come to me, though.

I’ll have to draft a statement.” I checked the time.

“Later, though. I’ve got fifteen minutes until my appointment.

It’s only around the corner, but I hate being late. ”

He lifted his arm. Rattled the handcuffs.

With a sigh, I grabbed the key and unlocked him. “You’re lucky I didn’t tattoo that warning label on your dick while you slept.”

He leapt up and kissed me. “Like you need the reminder.”

Convict took a one-minute shower and was dressed more quickly than was reasonable. Men had it so easy.

At the door, he linked his fingers in mine. “Swear to God I won’t interfere with your appointment. I’ll sit in the waiting room like a good boy.”

I twisted my lips but didn’t have it in me to glower at him. Even if he deserved it. “You really think I’m in danger?”

“A woman tried to stab you last night, someone used explosives to make a point, your grandmother is being manipulated by criminals, and there’s a huge amount of money at stake. Yes, I do.”

I didn’t argue when he put me in his car for the two-street trip.

After my appointment, during which I informed the medic my implant had been removed and I wanted a new one immediately, and convincing them I wasn’t crazy, I exited the office to find Convict waiting in the hall, one booted foot up against the wall.

“They’ve got worse magazines than prison,” he grouched then raised his phone. “Esther’s mother is awake. Tyler said she was drunk out of her mind last night but is now ready to talk. Want to head to the warehouse?”

In no way was I surprised that they’d captured the poor woman, though I hadn’t been aware of it last night. I nodded, and we made tracks for the skeleton crew’s headquarters.

Once we were inside the warehouse, the crew member at the entrance opening the door with a nod of respect, I paused Convict. “Just so you know, I’m investigating Esther’s death with help from the women in your crew.”

He stroked his thumb over my knuckles. “Anything I can do, let me know.”

“You’re not going to tell me to stop?”

His lips twisted in a patient expression. “I love you. I won’t stop you doing anything. I’ll just make sure you’re protected while you do it.”

There was that love declaration again. So it wasn’t a heat-of-passion thing. I wasn’t touching that with a barge pole. I dropped his gaze and found my phone.

Last night, Cassie had added Lovelyn and me to a chat group titled ‘Skeleton Girls Detective Agency’. I messaged the group.

Mila: Esther’s mother is awake. Does anyone remember what she shouted at me in her attack last night?

Lovelyn: She said you were supposed to be a golden ticket. That has been bugging me all night.

Cassie: Me, too! My mind started pinging off with connections between Esther and Salter. Considering we can’t find the rat bastard, maybe she can help. Wait, are you here?

Mila: About to go into the management office.

Cassie: I’ll get out of bed and come down! Don’t let anyone else talk to her. We’ll do it ourselves.

We arrived at the office, and I smiled at the image of her still being tucked up under her blankets. Convict’s crew were night dwellers. Come to think of it, he’d seemed uncomfortable at being out in the daylight.

He nudged me. “What are you grinning at?”

“Are you a secret vampire?”

He rolled his eyes. “As much as I love your blood, baby, I’d rather feast on your pussy than your throat.”

The door swung open, Tyler in the frame. His expression told us that he’d heard the last words said, but he did a stand-up job of not reacting.

My cheeks flamed when we followed him into the room.

“Cassie’s on her way down,” I told them.

Tyler lifted his chin. “Figured she’d have an interest in this. I’m waiting on someone as well.”

He showed us the live feed on his tablet. Esther’s mother sat on the edge of the bed, her mouth open and her fists tangled in the blanket beneath her.

“She followed the cars from her flat. I was wrong to disregard her as an unlikely threat,” Tyler said.

He’d been the one to take her down, arriving out of nowhere only half a second behind her, though not fast enough to stop her from throwing the blade.

He tapped the sound icon, and wailing filled the room. He tapped it again to silence her. “She’s been like that ever since she woke. Screaming her head off.”

I traced my gaze over her features, recognising Esther’s rounded cheekbones and querulous mouth. “I hate what she did, but being locked up must be horrible for her.”

“She’s calling out for a drink more than freedom.”

“You didn’t give her water? Isn’t that a basic right for prisoners?”

“Not that kind of drink. She has bottled water and food in the room but trashed both. That alcohol dependency will be useful for getting her to talk.”

Convict tugged me against him, and I guessed his thoughts. Her attack could’ve ended so differently. I hugged his arm around me. All the drama of last night had brought us closer.

A minute later, and Cassie bounded into the room, her thick curls tied back in a barely contained ponytail and a skeleton crew bandanna around her throat. Then the door opened again and my brother entered.

His gaze flicked to me, lingering on Convict’s arm around my waist. “Mila.”

I smiled to see him. It faltered at what I had to say. “Did you hear about the Eden ?”

“That a boat?”

“A ship. Our grandfather’s favourite of the fleet.”

Kane’s gaze shuttered in a way it always did when I referenced the family. “What about it?”

“It was blown up last night. Convict saw it happen.”

He switched his focus to the man beside me. “Have a temper tantrum, did ye?”

Convict curled his lip. “Still sore that you failed to protect Mila?”

Kane’s knuckles tightened. “If protecting her is important, try doing it without treating her like property.”

Convict’s laugh was razor-edged. “Better than treating her like she’s disposable, hey, brother?”

Cassie perched on the huge black desk. “Boys, I swear to God. Whip them out and measure. It’ll be faster.”

Both glowered, and she snickered a laugh.

Then she picked up the tablet. “Mother Eavis has some explaining to do. Tyler, I assume there’s still nothing on Salter?”

He regarded Kane who gave a single and frustrated shake of his head.