Page 12 of Whispers and Warriors (After #2)
TWELVE
Liam’s tried to keep his breathing steady as he watched Emma adjust her cap, tucking a stray curl beneath the worn brim. Panicking would get them nowhere, and would more likely than not get them into trouble.
The docks were empty, but he couldn’t help but worry about an imaginary passing glance becoming a potential threat to their fragile lie.
He clenched his jaw, working to ignore the weight of worry bearing down upon him like the oppressive heat of the midday sun.
“Keep your head down,” Liam murmured, his voice low and urgent. “We’re almost there.”
Emma nodded, her hazel eyes flickering with the same anxiety coursing through him. The practical attire hung loosely on her petite frame, a necessary disguise that Liam knew already failed once.
Every step across the weathered planks felt like an eternity, each creak of the boards beneath their feet a thunderous echo in his ears.
As they approached the gangplank, Liam retreated into the worries he couldn’t ignore. The exposure, the vulnerability, the chance that someone might see through the facade—it all built into a knot of worry that settled heavily in his gut. Yet, the urgency to get Emma safely aboard the ship propelled him forward, his hand hovering protectively at the small of her back.
“Just a little further,” he reassured her, his words as much for his own benefit as hers. “Once we’re on board, we’ll be one step closer to safety.”
Emma’s fingers curled around the strap of her pack, her knuckles white with the force of her grip. Liam could see the tension in her shoulders, the way her breath came in shallow, measured bursts. The disguise was a necessary evil, but he feared it wouldn’t be enough, not when they were out in the open for so long.
Please, let this work, Liam silently pleaded to whatever higher power might be listening. The thought of losing Emma, of seeing their carefully laid plans unravel, sent a chill down his spine. He had to get her on that ship in Maine, no matter the cost.
Ranger gave a small bark by his side, a nudge with his nose, and a brief lick on Liam’s hand before he trotted up the gangplank like nothing at all could possibly dangerous on the other side.
Stepping on first, Liam barely resisted the urge to use his hand to gently guide Emma. He couldn’t help her, not like that. Instead, his kept his head on a swivel, nodding to Chris and Bash down below.
Emma’s steps were measured, careful, as if she were trying to minimize her presence. Liam’s heart ached at the sight, knowing the weight of her pack wasn’t one she was used to. It was one she needed though. He longed to take her hand, to offer more than just a fleeting touch, but he knew he couldn’t risk drawing attention to their connection.
The heavy load on her back seemed to grow more cumbersome with each step. Liam watched as she adjusted her grip and saw the tense clench of her jaw. Her muscles strained beneath the shirt, a testament to her resilience and strength. Watching her struggle, seeing the toll it took on her, made every protective instinct in him roar to life.
Even in disguise, even under the weight of their supplies, Emma’s determination shone through. He’d never been more proud or more frustrated in his entire life.
“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 the deck. 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 voice steady 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 over at 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 rapped his 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.
Thankfully, the idiots on the boat crew didn’t seem to.
She looks so vulnerable, yet there’s a strength in her eyes , Bash mused. After all she’s been through, she still has fight left in her. I’ll make damn sure she keeps that fire burning even once we’re safe on the island.
“Glad you could join us,” Liam said, his tone light but tinged with relief. He moved to sit on one of the beds, the mattress dipping under his weight. “Chris’s orders while he’s off scouting the ship?”
Bash nodded, his gaze still fixed on Emma. “Wouldn’t miss it.” His voice was rough, the salty sea air seeming to not agree completely with him. “This doesn’t look as comfy as we can make it, now does it?” He set his hands on his hips and tried to sound playful. “Don’t mind if I fix this, do you?”
He didn’t ask Emma to get up, and she didn’t try to, only nodded her head and tucked her legs underneath her where she sat on the end bed. Looks like Liam set her up against the wall so if anyone entered, they’d have to see past him and Chris first.
With deliberate movements, he crossed the space to where the three beds were lined up on the wall but separate, and pushed the far bed closer to the other, the metal frame scraping against the wood floor. Then he did the same with the third, effectively creating the world’s largest king size bed. The gap between the beds vanished, creating a space just large enough for Emma to lay comfortably between him and Liam.
Right where she belongs, Bash thought. Protected, cherished, surrounded by those who would give their lives for her.
“Much better. Middle bed for you, can’t have you rolling into the wall.”
While Emma switched beds, he gestured for Liam to come and take the other bed. He climbed onto the bed closest the wall as Emma shifted slightly to let him on. His body damn near sighed at finally taking a weight off after helping with ship duties all morning the instant he laid down beside Emma.
Nestled between the two men, a perfect fit in the sanctuary they’d created. Bash’s heart clenched at the sight of her, so vulnerable yet so determined. The world had thrown its worst at her, but she refused to break.
Emma met his eyes, a flicker of uncertainty in their depths. “Bash, I...” she began, her voice barely above a whisper. “Do you really think I can do this? Protect myself, if I need to, I mean.”
Bash’s expression softened. He reached out, his calloused hand engulfing her smaller one. “Emma, you’ve already proven yourself a survivor. You’ve faced horrors most people can’t even imagine, and you’re still standing. Still fighting.” He leaned closer, his breath ghosting over her cheek. “I have no doubt you can protect yourself. But you don’t have to do it alone. Liam and I, we’re here. We’ll always be here. Same for Chris, William, and Alex.”
Emma’s lips curved into a small smile, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly. “I know. And I’m grateful, more than you can ever know. But it just feels like if I had to do it again, I wouldn’t be able to.”
Bash wasn’t certain how they’d ended up having this conversation again.
We need to make sure it stops haunting her. This will cripple her if we don’t help.
“What you did,” Liam chimed in, patting the bed for Ranger to jump up. “It’s the stuff of legends. It may not have been part of your toolkit before you met us, but because you met us, you were prepared when that scum took you. You saved us all. Including yourself.” Liam took her hand in his and intertwined. “I gotta say, I don’t think I can offer anything better than Bash just did.” He scrubbed his free hand over his chin. “And that’s saying something.”
Bash snickered. “Let’s not forget you survived essentially on your own for three years. You kept livestock alive. You grew plants in a fucking basement. You hid in a radio tower to determine if we were friend or foe.”
“I did do all that, didn’t I?” She smiled.
“Don’t let anyone ever tell you that you’re not a bad ass. Got it?” Liam grinned. “Yeah, doesn’t sound right coming from me and not Bash.”
“How about we relax? It’s been longer than I can remember since we had a bed. Let’s not waste it.”
“I like the sound of that,” Emma released Liam’s hand and laid down, taking each of their hands.
Bash’s eyes remained open, his senses attuned to the slightest sound or movement. Despite the relative safety of the cabin, he couldn’t shake the instinct to remain vigilant. His gaze drifted to Emma’s sleeping form, her features softened by the dim light.
So much strength in such a small package.
Liam rolled on the other side of Emma, his hand reaching out to rest on her arm, a subconscious gesture of comfort and protection. Bash’s lips twitched into a faint smile, the bond between Emma and the five of them wasn’t breakable, even when they slept.
As the boredom stretched on, Bash’s thoughts wandered to the challenges that lay ahead. The world outside was a treacherous place, filled with those who sought to exploit the weak and vulnerable.
The soft rustling of sheets drew his attention back to the present. Emma shifted, her brow furrowing as if in the throes of a dream. Bash’s hand hovered over her, hesitating for a moment before gently brushing a stray curl from her face.
“You’re safe, Emma. We’ve got you.”
“You want to test your escape skills?” She needed a distraction and if they couldn’t go for a walk outside, this was a skill she did need.
Emma’s brow furrowed, her hazel eyes meeting his with a mix of curiosity and apprehension. “What do you mean?”
Bash’s lips curved into a roguish grin. “I could tie you up, see if you can break free. It’s a valuable skill to have in this world. One we haven’t tested before. There’s plenty of time before dinner according to the schedule I overheard.”
Bash’s offer hung in the air, a playful challenge laced with a serious undertone. Bash knew the importance of being able to escape captivity, having seen firsthand the cruelty of those who sought to exploit the weak.
Emma’s gaze drifted to the side, her teeth chewing her lower lip as she considered his offer. Bash could see the gears turning in her mind, the determination to prove herself warring with the fear of failure.
Her heart raced as she considered Bash’s proposal, the weight of his words settling over her like a heavy cloak. The idea of being tied up, even in the safety of the cabin, sent a shiver down her spine. It was a test, she knew, of her strength and resilience. A chance to prove to herself, and to the men who had become her family, that she could face any challenge head-on.
But even as the determination surged through her veins, Emma didn’t think breaking free from being tied up by Bash was the same as breaking free if someone else tied her up. Not to mention what if she panicked, the memories of her past captivity overwhelming her senses? The thought of disappointing Bash, of seeing the concern and pity in his eyes, made her stomach twist into knots.
She trusted him implicitly, knew that he would never push her beyond her limits. But the fear of failure, of exposing her weaknesses, was a powerful force. Emma’s gaze drifted around the small room, taking in the weathered walls and the flickering candlelight that cast dancing shadows across the floor. The gentle rocking of the ship beneath them was a reminder of the journey they had embarked upon, the unknown dangers that lay ahead.
Emma drew in a deep breath, the salty tang of the sea air filling her lungs. She met Bash’s gaze, her vision already cloudy as more tears began to grow. “Maybe... maybe another night,” she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. “I’m worried I might make noise, draw attention to us. We can’t risk it, not now.”
The words felt heavy on her tongue, a part of her longing to seize the opportunity to test her mettle. But the rational part of her brain, the part that had kept her alive for so long, knew that discretion was the better part of valor. They were on a ship full of strangers, their true identities and purpose carefully guarded. Any undue attention could jeopardize their mission, their very lives.
Bash’s expression softened, understanding dawning in his piercing green eyes. He nodded slowly, his hand reaching out to give hers a reassuring squeeze. “Another night then,” he agreed, his voice a low rumble that sent a shiver down her spine. “When the time is right, when we’re somewhere safer. I’ll hold you to that, Emma.”
The use of her real name, spoken with such tenderness and conviction, sent Emma’s heart fluttering. It had only been a few hours, but she was acutely aware of how much she liked hearing her name on their lips.
Emma allowed herself to relax back into the bed, the warmth of Bash and Liam’s bodies bracketing hers again.
In the stillness, she could feel the rise and fall of their chests, a soothing rhythm that lulled her into a sense of peace. Even the pitching of the boat on the waves was enchanting. The room was quiet, save for the gentle whisper of their breaths, and for a moment, Emma could almost forget the horrors that lurked beyond the walls.