Page 116 of After 5
“You Aussie asshole,” Toches snarled, “We eliminated your friend.”
Brodie’s face dropped. “If you’re referring to the Scot, we aren’t friends.”
“Not yet,” Toches said.
“Ah, since you’ve finished my job for me, I’ll be taking my arse home.”
Mortas gave Toches a sideways glare. It was never good to inform about the future. They may not be friends yet, but Brodie would warn Caiyan about his impending doom.
“What Kishin means is young McGregor has used this doctor to locate the key and has chosen to take his prize into an area of imminent danger.” Mortas waved a hand over me.
Brodie dropped his gaze downward, took me in. “Who are you?”
“I’m General Lee’s private doctor, and I’d appreciate it if you’d untie me.”
Miss Maggie decided to chime in. “He’s the one used his medicines on me, knocked me plum out, then stole my girl.”
“I was ordered to do so by the man in question. He had a gun, and I didn’t know your slave girl was a spy.” My lie sounded like truth even to me.
“She ain’t no spy.” Miss Maggie stumbled over her words.
“This meeting has been well…ordinary,” Mortas said to Brodie.
“Thank you, Miss Maggie, you’ve been a tremendous help. He peeled off a few dollars and gave them to her, then turned toward Brodie.
“We shall confiscate the key shortly, and by the by, you didn’t age so well yourself.”
Brodie reached a hand up and ran it over his glorious hair.
Mortas chuckled, “See you in ten years.” Toches followed him accompanied by an overzealous Miss Maggie offering more of her tremendous services.
Brodie bent down and frisked me. Avoiding my crotch. When he didn’t come up with anything, he pulled out a bowie knife and cut my ropes.
I rubbed my wrists. “Thank you. These ropes were cutting into my flesh.”
“Don’t think about running,” Brodie waved his knife at me. “You’re going to take me to the Scot.”
My mind gathered the data and made a list of reasons for and against the request. I needed to find Sam. He was on the battlefield because of Victory. In order to find Sam, I needed to speak with Gertie for the location of Will’s regiment. I couldn’t take Brodie to Lee’s headquarters because he might see Gertie, and I wouldn’t risk screwing up Gertie’s happily ever after.
If I led Brodie where I thought Caiyan went, I’d at least put him on the right track to catch his brigand, but I’d leave Gertie alone for more time than I had intended.
Brodie placed his hand to his key and a soft glow lit under the bandanna he wore around his neck. “Let’s get going, Doc.” He held out his hand to me and I allowed him to pull me up. Confidence and determination shot up my arm. Same old Brodie. His passion gave me hope.
A few minutes later, Ace met us standing on the trail to hell.
“Who is this?” Ace wasn’t all glam and avant-garde like the man I had become accustomed to and loved like a brother. In fact, he seemed repressed.
“A doctor who’s seen our mark,” Brodie said.
Ace stared at me for a long moment. “Have you checked ’im?”
“Ya, I did. This ain’t my first rodeo.”
“Bloody ’ell. Just askin’, don’t get your knickers in a twist.”
Ah, there he is. I smiled. “Nice accent.”
Ace’s eyes widened. “Brilliant, we’re out of character, and you started it, hon.” He pointed a finger at Brodie.
