Her big brother didn’t look overly happy about that.
“It said his friend will die if he is not on board a ship called theRobbinwithin the hour.”
“Ash had thought Radcliff would come after his brother or one of us. We never considered it would be Baron,” James said.
“But we should have,” Dev said. “He has been closer to Ash than anyone.”
“We must hurry, Radcliff cannot be allowed to harm them.” Her mouth filled with acid as the desperation inside her rose.
“We will ensure they come home with the rest of their family this night,” Cam vowed.
She thought about what Ash had said to her.My brother asked me if I cared for you; I said yes.
She loved him and was suddenly very glad she’d told him. He would carry her love with him into whatever hell he was about to face.
“You will stay in the carriage once we get there,” Dev said to Dorrie. “I mean it.” He pointed at her. “I know you have feelings for Ash.”
“I do,” she acknowledged.”
Dev sighed. “Have you saved him yet?”
CHAPTERTWENTY-NINE
Ash jumped in the hackney outside the circus, and Gus, Warwick, Nicholas, and Harry followed him.
“I must do this alone!”
“And yet you will not,” his brother snapped. Gus then hauled in a deep breath. “You had a head start on me, so I had to sprint.”
“What did the note say?” Harry asked.
“He has Baron, and he will die if I do not come to theRobbinwithin the hour, and I must come alone.”
“I thought his ship was theVictory,” Harry said.
“Clearly he has another,” Ash said. “Now you all need to leave, as he said come alone.”
“They always say to come alone,” Nicholas said. “We are here because you need our sight, hearing, and vision.”
“We are handy to have in most situations,” Warwick said.
He had not protected Baron, because Radcliff had never shown any interest in him.
“I am a fool.”
“You left Baron on theFreedombecause you believed if Radcliff came after anyone, it would be me,” Gus said. “Recriminations will help no one now, Ash.”
“I will make him suffer if he has hurt Baron.”
“We will make him suffer,” Warwick added.
They stopped a good distance from the docks and then walked. It was dark, but light came from lamps dotted around the area. Ships creaked as they swayed in the sea, and masts and rigging clanged. The sounds were so familiar to Ash, but tonight he found no solace in them.
“It is the second from last ship,” Harry said. “I see the name. I can’t find Baron, but there are plenty of men on board.”
“What color is he?” Ash rasped, for some reason he needed to know.
“Red. A bright, bold red,” Harry whispered back. “Now what is the plan?”
