She tapped her chin. “Maybe I should reconsider?”
Burke laughed heartily. “The deal is sealed, sweetheart, you’re all mine.”
“Really?” Storm said and moved to step away from him.
Her hand still in his, he yanked her back to him. “You’re mine—” He kissed her forehead. “Mine—” He kissed her nose. “Mine!” He kissed her lips slowly and easily until her arms wrapped around his neck and the kiss turned deep and intoxicating.
“Soldiers have been spotted.”
Tanin’s warning tore them apart.
“How far?” Storm asked.
“An hour or less. We need to get moving,” Tanin advised.
“We’ll move out in groups, dividing and meeting up just outside of St. Andrew,” Burke instructed.
Cullen and Alaina joined them.
“Once my father learns of the escape, he will send men to St. Andrew to make certain your ship doesn’t leave port,” Alaina said.
“The earl knows Burke’s ship is docked at St. Andrew?” Storm asked.
Alaina nodded. “He questioned me about the American and I answered.” She shook her head. “I am sorry. I shouldn’t have told him.”
“It isn’t your fault,” Cullen said, holding her close to him. “Your father has his ways of getting information.”
“Our best bet is to get moving and keep moving,” Burke advised. “We have to get to my ship. We’re going to go in groups.”
“Alaina and I will stay with you and Storm,” Cullen said.
“Wouldn’t have it any other way, brother,” Burke said and slapped him on the back. “Let’s get going.”
They left, spreading out, and kept a hectic pace. They had to make certain to keep the soldiers a good distance away from them. From what Tanin had told Burke there were more than a few soldiers, and that meant it would be more than a mere skirmish.
They would have a battle on their hands, and Burke wouldn’t take the chance of possibly losing Storm again. Now there were his brother and Alaina to worry about.
It wasn’t difficult for Burke to maneuver in the dark, but he knew the others weren’t finding it easy, especially Lady Alaina.
She had slowed them down considerably.
“Go ahead,” Cullen said at one point. “We’ll catch up.”
“No,” Burke and Storm had said in unison.
As far as they were both concerned, they all would remain together.
“I’ll do better when dawn breaks,” Alaina said. “I’ll be able to see where I walk then.”
Burke smiled. “You’re doing fine, don’t worry.”
His brother, however, sent him a look that he understood. Daybreak brought light, which meant the group would be more visible, making tracking them easier.
Several hours after sunlight, Cullen informed Burke that they needed to rest.
“Alaina cannot keep up this pace,” Cullen said.
“She doesn’t have a choice,” Storm said, sounding harsh.
