Page 15 of Whispers and Warriors (After #2)

FIFTEEN

Every muscle in Liam’s body was tensed ready to spring like a snake grabbing it’s prey. And Carnie was his prey.

The air crackled with thick, suffocating tension. Liam, Alex and Chris’s fury was a tangible presence, bearing down on them all.

Rage simmered beneath his skin, demanding release, demanding retribution. But he needed answers first. This man might not be where his revenge was aimed, but Liam could wait. He wasn’t like Chris and Bash. He didn’t fly off the handle even when he wanted to.

His jaw ticked as the clenched it tighter, trying to reign himself back from finishing what Christ started. That wasn’t why he’d grabbed Alex to follow him.

Chris’s voice cut through the heavy silence. “Tell us the truth, Carnie. What is this ship really for?” Despite the way his chest heaved from exertion, Chris’s words were sharp as a blade, leaving no room for evasion.

Carnie licked his lips nervously, his gaze skittering away from Chris’s piercing stare. “The ship... it’s not just for cargo. It’s absolutely all smuggling, make no mistake.” His voice wavered, the confession dragged out of him. “We transport women. To a larger vessel bound for London. I had a hunch you were looking for the ferry to take you to a very different ship, but you won’t be getting there. Even if you kill me, you’re bound for the United Kingdom. Don’t worry, they pay well, and I hear treat their women much better.”

Shock rippled through him. The ships floor may as well have shifted out from under his feet. This ship was nothing more than a floating prison, a conduit for the very evil they had sought to escape.

“You’re running a breeding trade,” Liam said, his voice low and dangerous. The words tasted like poison on his tongue. “Selling women to the highest bidder, not even your own fucking country!”

Carnie flinched as if struck. “It’s not like that. We’re just following orders.”

“Orders?” Chris scoffed, his face twisted with disgust. “You’re complicit in this.”

Liam’s mind raced, pieces clicking into place with sickening clarity. The secrecy, the ease with what they’d secured travel. It all made sense now. They’d thought the disguise worked, but it was just within the best interest of Carnie’s crew to keep their mouths shut.

“You’re wrong about who’s not making it where,” Chris snarled, stealing the worlds from Liam’s mouth.

Liam’s fists clenched at his sides, his knuckles turning white as he struggled to contain the rage that coursed through him. The thought of Emma, his Emma, being subjected to such a horrific fate made every fiber of his being scream for retribution. He wanted to tear this ship apart with his bare hands, to make every one of these men pay for their sins.

But even as the fury consumed him, a small, rational part of his mind whispered caution. They were outnumbered, outgunned, and on enemy territory. They needed to be smart about this, to find a way out that didn’t end with them all dead or worse.

Liam forced himself to take a deep breath, to push down the anger that threatened to overwhelm him. He needed to focus on what mattered most—getting Emma to safety. Everything else could wait.

Beside him, Alex’s expression had darkened, his hazel eyes glinting with a dangerous light. Liam knew that look all too well— it was the same one Alex got right before he did something reckless and impulsive.

“Alex,” Liam warned, his voice low and urgent. “Don’t do anything stupid.”

But even as the words left his lips, Liam knew it was too late. Alex’s hand was already moving, reaching for the weapon at his hip with a swift, decisive motion. There was no hesitation, no uncertainty in his actions, Only a grim determination to protect what was his.

Liam saw the future unfolding before him with terrible clarity. He saw the chaos that would erupt, the blood that would be spilled, the lives that could be lost. And he knew, with a sinking certainty, that there was no turning back now.

They were in this fight, for better or for worse. And God help anyone who stood in their way because they were getting off this damn ship.

The sharp crack of the gunshot echoed through the ship’s corridors, shattering the tense silence that had fallen over the room and reminding them the storm that wailed just outside that seemed all but forgotten for the four of them in this room.

Carnie stumbled backward, his eyes wide with shock and pain as he clutched at his leg, blood seeping through his fingers and staining the floor beneath him.

The air was thick with the acrid scent of gunpowder and the metallic tang of blood, a sickening reminder of the violence that had just unfolded. Liam looked to Alex, praying that he wasn’t going to take another shot after carefully choosing the leg and not the head a moment ago.

Alex knew Liam was staring at him, that he’d taken action without an order from Chris. He didn’t care.

His mind was singularly focused on one thing and one thing only—making this asshole pay for endangering Emma. As his heart pounded against his chest, he knew the familiar surge of adrenaline pulsing through his veins. He clenched his jaw and focused on the task at hand, blocking out all other distractions and doubts as he pushed forward with unwavering determination.

Alex’s eyes narrowed as he heard the footsteps just outside. The crew had heard the gunshot, and they were coming. The ship still tossed and turned from the storm, but perhaps he’d underestimated how loud the shout was.

He glanced at Chris and Liam, a silent understanding passing between them. They had to move quickly, had to neutralize the threat before it overwhelmed them. Alex’s grip tightened on his pistol as he positioned himself near the door, ready to strike at the first sign of trouble.

The door burst open and three crew members charged in, their faces contorted with anger and confusion. Alex didn’t hesitate. He lunged forward, his fist connecting with the first man’s jaw with a sickening crunch. The man staggered back, his eyes rolling back in his head as he crumpled to the floor.

Beside him, Chris and Liam sprang into action, their movements fluid and precise. Chris grappled with the second crew member, his muscular arms locked around the man’s neck in a chokehold. The man thrashed and clawed at Chris’s arms, his face turning a mottled shade of purple as he gasped for air.

Liam, meanwhile, engaged the last crew member in hand-to-hand combat. Alex didn’t have time to ask where the hell Liam’s gun was. The two men traded blows with lightning speed, their fists and feet a blur of motion. Liam ducked under a wild haymaker and countered with a swift uppercut, sending the man reeling backward.

He spun around just in time to see Captain Carnie struggling to his feet, his face twisted with pain and rage. The man’s hand scrabbled for his own weapon, but Alex was faster. He closed the distance between them in two long strides and brought the butt of his pistol down hard on Carnie’s temple.

The captain crumpled like a marionette with its strings cut, his body hitting the floor with a dull thud. Alex stood over him, his chest heaving with exertion, his knuckles throbbing from the impact.

Behind him, Chris and Liam had finished dispatching the other crew members. The three men lay unconscious on the floor, their bodies splayed out like broken dolls. The room was silent now, save for the harsh rasp of their breathing and the distant roar of the storm outside.

“Time to go,” Chris said with a grunt.

Outside, Alex could see that while the storm wasn’t done, it had calmed slightly. The howling wind far louder than it was gusty, far safer than just before…how long had it been since they’d realized Emma was missing after helping get things settled on deck?

“No rushing, no running. Nothing suspicious. We haven’t seen any other women, and it’s likely there aren’t any onboard. We don’t have time to look around and save any who might be, no matter how much distress it brings me to say that.”

“You do remember Emma made us go back that first time with Marcus, right?” Alex wasn’t trying to be smart, but the tone was there, anyway.

“Yeah, well, this time, we’re not telling her until after. Marcus paid us back in kind for that move and I’m sick of people getting past us to Emma. Walk.”

Alex nodded, understanding the fury Chris felt. Once again, they’d been too distracted to help Emma. Once again, they’d almost failed to protect the woman they loved.

The pain pelted his skin, but the chaos from before had died down. People still rushed about, but there were no more screamed orders and franticly waving arms. They could leave in this weather.

We have to leave. I shot the fucking captain.

“Just keep moving,” Chris stepped past Alex and sped up the pace.

With a nod, he trailed behind, trying to keep his face calm as they moved below deck.

Chris didn’t bother knocking, just pushed the cabin door open and stepped inside. His voice was low, almost hard to hear over the storm that did remain.

“Grab your gear! We’re leaving, now. Lifeboat on the…fuck I don’t know what side…the left side. We’re going to risk all getting in one so we can’t get separated. Grab everything and we’ll meet there.”

“Again?” Emma’s voice trembled, but she pushed up off the bed.

William and Bash sprang into action, their movements swift and purposeful as they snatched up their belongings. Alex’s heart pounded in his chest, his thoughts still consumed by Emma’s safety. They had to leave, but she didn’t need to carry the extra weight with the ship still in a storm.

“Will, Bash— get my stuff too, will you?” he called out, his voice strained. “I’ll help Emma and Ranger.” There was no point keeping her name a secret now.

Will nodded, and the pair took off down to get to the room they shared.

Alex turned, grabbing Ranger’s leash to help Emma, when Chris’s hand clamped down on his shoulder. “Alex, wait.”

He spun around, impatience flaring in his eyes. “What? We don’t have time?—”

“That stunt you pulled back there,” Chris interrupted, his gaze steady. “It was stupid.”

Alex opened his mouth to protest, but Chris held up a hand. “But it was better than what I would have done. I would’ve put a fucking bullet between his eyes.”

The words hung between them, a moment of understanding passing between the two men. They had both seen the horrors this world could inflict, had both lost and loved and fought with every fiber of their being.

Alex clenched his jaw, the truth of Chris’s words sinking in like a lead weight. He knew he couldn’t let his emotions cloud his judgment, couldn’t let his fury and fear consume him. But he had, at least a little and now they were paying for it.

Chris pulled his hand back and Alex clipped the leash to Ranger’s collar before passing Emma his leash.

“You focus on Ranger. Right now, he’s the best bodyguard and the less you carry, the easier it will be to walk on the shifting ship.”

“Is this even remotely safe?” Emma’s fingers brushed over his as she took the leash.

“Is anything we do?” Alex quipped, trying to lighten the mood. Possibly even trying to ease some of the fury in his chest that they wouldn’t get to end the man who’d tried to hurt Emma.

A small smile lifted at the corners of her lips.

“Never a dull moment,” she slipped by him, taking Chris’s hand. “I didn’t have fleeing during a storm on my bingo card for this trip.”

“Let’s go. The storm has only partially died down, we need to be prepared for the lifeboat to flip at any time. You get in and you put the vest on, you hear me?”

Emma nodded and Chris tugged her out the door, Alex following behind them after grabbing her pack off the floor.

“Liam, do a quick sweep?” Liam nodded as he latched the clasp across his chest from his bag.

“Be right behind you.”

The ship pitched and rolled beneath his feet even before he tried to climb the steps to the deck, the storm’s fury starting to build again. He set his hand on Emma’s back as Chris tugged her, letting her know he was there if god forbid she lost her footing.

The deck was empty now, the crew likely down below with things secured to avoid being thrown over from the storm. He glanced at Carnie’s quarters, glad to see no one had regained consciousness just yet.

Alex’s heart hammered in his chest as he gripped the railing, his knuckles going white. He could see the lifeboat up ahead, a fragile beacon of hope in the darkness. But even as they drew closer, a part of him hesitated, guilt twisting like a knife in his gut.

“Keep moving,” Chris shouted over the wind, his voice barely audible above the din. “We’re almost there.”

Alex forced himself to take another step, then another, his legs damn near heavy as lead. He could see Emma up ahead, her face pale and drawn as she clung to Ranger’s leash.

William and Bash were already at the boat, setting their packs in and working on the ropes.

“We’ll cut them,” Chris barked as they got closer.

Alex kept watch on the others, faces remained grim and focused as they began to climb into the boat, their movements swift and efficient. Emma and Ranger went first, followed by Bash and Chris. Alex and William were next, their hands slick with rain as they gripped the ropes.

Liam brought up the rear, his broad shoulders hunched against the wind. As he clambered into the boat, gratitude struck him. Any other unit might have devolved into fury, they had for a bit, but they were getting Emma out and that’s what mattered.

The lifeboat rocked and swayed as they settled in, the waves crashing over the sides. Alex’s heart was in his throat as he watched the ship recede into the distance, its lights flickering like dying stars.

He knew they were taking a desperate gamble, casting themselves adrift in the midst of the storm. But as he looked around at the faces of his companions, at the determination and resilience etched into every line, he knew they would find a way to survive. They had to.

Alex turned to the others, a strained grin tugging at his lips. “Well, at least we won’t have to worry about hanging out for the last few hours,” he quipped, his voice cracking slightly.

No one laughed.