“Agree, and they are preparing to sail,” Gus said, his face tight with worry. “I need to get to my brother.”
“A few more minutes,” Dev whispered from beside him. His eyes were a fierce green now and focused on the bow of the boat. “They have Baron out of the water. His color is weak, but he is alive.”
The fight erupted suddenly. The crew from theTheastarted yelling, and the noise was almost deafening. They watched as the crew of theRobbinappeared above them at the railings.
“Cam and I will go with Gus and get Ash. You stay here, Dorrie. The gangway is out of sight from the deck they are standing on, but still, someone may see us. We may need to fight our way off and I cannot worry about you also,” Dev said.
Dorrie bit back the protest. She wanted to go but knew her brothers had a better chance of getting Ash off that ship without her. They would be focused on protecting her and that would detract from rescuing the man she loved.
“Stay safe,” she whispered.
Dev touched her cheek and Cam patted her head.
Crouching, they ran to the gangway, and began to climb. Dorrie kept her eyes on them until they’d disappeared. She then switched to the men on board theRobbinshouting down at the crew of theThea.The fight still raged on.
Please let him be all right.
A figure appeared before her, and she swallowed a shriek as James crouched beside her.
“Warwick, Harry, and Nicholas are taking Baron to a hackney. Nicholas will take him to Essie, the others will return to us.”
“Is he going to be all right?”
“It’s my hope he is, Dorrie, but he is in a bad way.”
“The others have gone to get Ash,” Dorrie whispered.
“They better hurry, the fight is slowing,” James said.
She noted the men from theTheawere straggling back to their ship now.
How long had they been on board? It felt hours but Dorrie knew it was only a matter of minutes.
“They are coming,” James said.
Dorrie watched Dev and Gus carry Ash to where they waited. Cam followed, gun raised.
“He is unconscious,” Dev said as they lowered Ash down beside her.
Dorrie bit back a cry as Gus eased his brother’s head up and removed the hood. Dorrie pulled off the gag while the others worked on freeing his hands and feet.
“Ash.” She bent to whisper his name in his ear. “Wake up, my love.”
“Come on now, brother.” Gus patted his cheek, but he still did not move.
Dorrie pinched it, and he twitched. She did it again, and his eyes opened.
“Quiet now.” She leaned over him to whisper.
His eyes locked on hers. “Dorrie?”
“You are safe now.”
“Leave now,” he whispered. “Get off this ship!” He grabbed her, his fingers biting into her shoulder.
“We are off the ship now, Ash,” Gus said softly. “Can you stand?”
“Get her away from here! You all need to leave now.” His voice was a furious whisper.
