Page 11 of Whispers and Warriors (After #2)

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 to avoid 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.

“Absolutely.”

He tossed him hands into the air in surrender. “Far be it from me to ignore a command from a lady. I’ll take first watch behind the wheel. The rest of you, grab some food.”

And I’ll pray we put enough distance between my card scan at the gas station and the military because three hours is a long ass delay.

The closer to four ‘o clock the truck’s clock read the more a palpable tension settled over the group. Chris’ eyes constantly scanned their surroundings, alert for any sign of trouble. His hand never strayed far from the gun concealed beneath his jacket, but thus far he hadn’t had to pull it out.

Emma sat beside him, tucked against his side. Despite her disguise as first means of protection, Chris couldn’t ignore the nervous energy radiating off her in waves. He gave her hand a reassuring squeeze, silently communicating his support and determination to see them through this.

Liam and Alex stood nearby, their postures and their eyes training across the docks. Liam’s usually carefree demeanor was replaced by a steely resolve, his bright blue eyes narrowed in concentration. Alex’s hand rested on the hilt of his knife, a habit Chris noticed he developed during their time transporting Emma.

William and Bash emerged from the back of the truck, their faces grim. The wind quickly tousled William’s blond hair, uncovering how his youthful features were set in a determined expression. Bash’s piercing green eyes darted around the docks, his muscular frame coiled like a spring, ready to act at a moment’s notice.

Alex, broke through the moment, his voice cutting through the tension with a well-timed quip. “Well, it’s been fun, old girl,” he said, patting the side of the truck with mock affection. “But it’s time for us to part ways. Try not to miss us too much.”

The group chuckled, the humor a welcome respite from the gravity of their situation. Chris shook his head, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. Leave it to Alex to find levity in the most unlikely of places.

As the laughter subsided, the atmosphere shifted back, leaving behind the charge of urgency on the air.

It was time to go, to take the next step in their journey. Chris turned to face his team knowing his expression a mix of determination and concern. He could mask it, but that wasn’t how they operated.

“Alright, everyone, gear check. Make sure you have everything you need. We don’t know what we’re walking into, so we need to be prepared for anything, but we obviously can’t take everything.”

He stood and watched as his unit moved with practiced efficiency, each member double-checking their equipment, securing straps and adjusting holsters. The sound of metal clinking against metal filled the air as they readied themselves for the unknown.

Emma stood tall, her disguise firmly in place, her eyes blazing with a fierce determination that made Chris love her even more. She was a force to be reckoned with, a survivor in every sense of the word. Even the heavy pack didn’t seem to bring her down, but Chris worried if she struggled to move with it, it would draw help to her side that could leave her exposed.

But if she doesn’t carry one, and has no injuries, it’ll draw even more attention.

Chris scanned their surroundings, his senses heightened, his body coiled like a spring ready to snap into action at the first sign of danger. They’d passed the hours with zero interference, which left him highly on edge their luck could, and would, change.

The rules and regulations of leadership sat heavily on his shoulders as he led the group forward, hyper-aware of Emma’s presence behind him. No matter what his men thought, every mission he’d lead them on saw him this on edge. It was his responsibility to ensure they all came back alive each time. Something that was only increased with Emma’s presence. Every damn choice he made could be the difference between life and death for one or all of them.

Including this choice.

With each step, they drew closer to the edge of the pier, to the ship that held the promise of a better future.

Surveying the docks, his eyes flicked from one potential threat to another. He calculated every possible outcome, analyzing strategies and contingencies in a matter of seconds. But the adrenaline pumping through his veins kept him focused and determined. He couldn’t let fear paralyze him, not when so much was at stake. With Emma by his side and his team counting on him, he found the strength to push forward, even ask he wondered if one day he wouldn’t need to take the lead. If one day they wouldn’t be safe enough not to need such preparations for their every move.

As they approached the area where they’d spotted the smuggler hours ago, Chris raised a fist, signaling the group to halt. His eyes scanned the surroundings, searching for any sign of danger, any hint of a threat lurking in the shadows.

The dilapidated buildings loomed over them, their broken windows and crumbling facades a stark reminder of the world they’d lost. Silence hung heavy in the air, broken only by the distant creaking of metal and the whisper of the wind through the empty alleys.

Chris’s heart pounded in his chest as he took a step forward, his boots crunching on the gravelly ground.

“Stay sharp,” he murmured, his voice low and steady. “We don’t know what we’re walking into except a very greedy man looking to further himself.”

He glanced back at Emma, his gaze locking with hers for a brief moment. In her eyes, he saw a reflection of his determination, a fierce resolve to see this through no matter the cost.

With a nod, he turned back to the task at hand. We stay cautious, be prepared for anything. The smuggler was their best chance at reaching the ship, but Chris knew all too well that trust was a rare commodity in this new world order.

He scanned the area once more, his trained eyes picking out potential hiding spots, possible ambush points. The alleys appeared empty, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that they were being watched, that unseen eyes were tracking their every move.

“Emma,” he said softly, his voice barely audible over the pounding of his own heart. “Stay close to me. If anything happens, if things go south...”

He let the words trail off, unable to give voice to the fear that gnawed at his gut. Losing Emma was not an option, not now, not ever. He would lay down his life to keep her safe, to ensure that she had a chance at a future beyond this hell on earth.

Emma’s hand brushed against his, a fleeting touch that sent a jolt of electricity through his veins. “I’m not going anywhere,” she whispered, her voice fierce with determination. “You might want me to, but I’m not.”

Chris nodded, drawing strength from her words even if he wanted to chastise her for them. Technically what she thought she would do wouldn’t matter. Liam would pull her wherever he needed to.

With a deep breath, he signaled to keep pressing forward, his senses heightened, his every nerve on high alert. Chris couldn’t shake the sense of foreboding that crept up his spine, the whisper of fate that warned of trials yet to come. In a world where love was the only thing worth fighting for, he knew that the greatest battles still lay ahead.

Chris turned to face his team, his gaze sweeping over each of their faces. He sucked at pep talks, but maybe they needed one. “Listen up,” he said, his voice low and urgent. “We stick to the plan, no matter what. Stay close, watch each other’s backs. We’re not leaving anyone behind.” The lie burned in his mouth but Liam didn’t call him out on it.

Bash and Liam nodded, their expressions grim with determination. Alex’s hand tightened on the hilt of his knife, his eyes glinting with a fierce protectiveness. William shifted his weight from foot to foot, a coiled spring ready to unleash his strength at a moment’s notice.

And Emma... Chris’s heart clenched as he looked at her, at the woman who had become his entire world. Even disguised as a boy, her beauty shone through, a light in the darkness that threatened to engulf them all.

“Remember,” he said, his eyes locking with hers, “we’re a team. We’re family. And we’re going to make it through this the same damn way we always have, even if there end up being scrapes and bruises.”

Emma’s lips curved in a small smile, a silent promise that she would fight with every fiber of her being to keep them all safe. Chris felt a surge of pride, of love so fierce it stole his breath. She was a warrior, his Emma, a force to be reckoned with.

With a final nod, Chris turned back to the path ahead, his senses on high alert. The smuggler’s hideout loomed before them, a ramshackle building that seemed to blend into the surrounding ruins. Chris’s heart pounded in his chest, adrenaline coursing through his veins.

“Let’s do this,” she whispered, her voice barely audible over the pounding of his heart.

Chris nodded, his jaw clenched with resolve.

“Ah, so you did come,” the familiar voice from before seemed to ooze around them as the smuggler stepped out from behind some boxes. “Then, allow me to introduce myself. I am Carnie. I’ll be your transport and my crew will help us get there.” He gestured to the rather unimpressive shift behind him. “She’s not let me down yet, so let’s board and get going.”

If this Carnie thought Emma’s appearance was off, he didn’t make a comment on it. His gaze didn’t even seem to linger on Emma.

“I’m sure you can appreciate we won’t be giving our names,” Chris said as he barely resisted the urge to grab Emma’s hand. That would give her away.

“Understood. Your info is good I don’t care who or what you are.” Carnie snickered. “All aboard.”