He shoved a hand through his hair. “I know. I know, but I didn’t want to risk your shadow getting taken. I was going to complete the mission and keep you safe while doing it. Win win.”
I stepped forward. “No more secrets, Bastian.”
He cocked a brow. “Oh, you want to talk secrets?”
“This might not be the place to do this,” Mia said from behind Bastian, but he held my gaze, ignoring his sister.
“How about you planning on rescuing the whole lot of boys?”
I winced.
Bastian raised a finger. “But not just the boys. You were also planning on getting our shadows back. After I expressly told you no such thing was to happen.”
I shot an accusing look at Kara, but she looked as dumbfounded as I felt.
“I know you, love.” Bastian hooked a finger under my chin. “Why do you think I left you on that ship? I knew you were going to try something stupid, and I couldn’t let you take that risk. Not for me.”
“Well, you don’t get to make that decision,” I said. “You promised me in that cave...” I trailed off, thinking of all the things we did in that cave after he made that promise to me.
He smirked like he knew exactly what I was thinking about. “I suppose we call it even, then? You lied to me. I lied to you.” He spread his arms. “All our secrets are laid bare.”
“They really are perfect for each other,” Kara muttered.
“It’s romantic,” Bartholomew said.
“I hope so,” I said, “because I can’t take any more of this.”
I’d already fought with my best friend. I couldn’t handle a fight with my pirate as well. My heart ached as I thought of Leoni, back on that ship, not here to guard me. At least she was safe.
Kara stepped forward. “She’s a grown woman, Bastian. She can make her own decisions, and if you don’t let her do this for us, then it’s going to be your downfall.”
He glared over at his sister. “Oh, you’re on her side now? I thought you didn’t like her. Told me she was dangerous.”
Kara lifted her chin, sun glancing off her eyebrow ring. “I changed my mind. I’m allowed to do that, you know.”
He rubbed his temples and muttered, “women” under his breath.
I took his hands in mine. “Moving forward we work together.”
His thumb rubbed small circles around my hand. “I’m sorry.”
I leaned up and pressed a kiss to his mouth. “I forgive you.”
His mouth pushed firmly against mine in response, but suddenly I was being yanked back by a strong hand.
“Get off of my sister,” Lochlan growled at the pirate, who stepped back, hands raised. Lochlan ran a hand through his auburn curls. “What in the fuck, Gabby?”
I winced. “Can we please go somewhere and talk? You, me, and Mal?”
Lochlan glared at the pirate, then turned his piercing gaze on me. “You’re clearly not in your right mind.”
Bastian rolled his eyes. “You know, I am quite likable once you get to know me.”
Lochlan set his jaw, and I sighed. “Please take me to Mal,” I begged. “What I’m about to tell you will change everything, I promise.”
Lochlan stared at me for a long minute with those blue eyes, bright and searing like my father’s had been. He looked so much like him, except his hair wasn’t yet graying at the temples. Finally, he jerked his head toward the trees and stomped off.
“Well, that went well,” Bastian muttered from behind me.
