Page 37 of Hidden Dane
“Yeah?” She swallowed and hoped he wouldn’t continue to argue with her.
He released her. “Just wait outside with Henry.”
“You don’t want me to come?” She took a step to go with him.
“Henry will get you out of France if we are separated.” He strode forward, his mind made up. “I’ll see the doctor alone.”
“I… okay.” She stared at him as he walked inside. Her body felt cold as ice as his broad shoulders disappeared from view. He didn’t even look back. If she was alone, she might cry, and she never cried.
Not being invited meant he didn’t want her with him and the thought stung worse than a bee.
Ultimately men left, right?
The thought creeped in and she shook it off as she joined Henry, who was just wrapping things up with the French authorities. Brady signed for the rental car Henry had ordered, and scrolled through his phone as they waited. What felt like an eternity later, Dane walked out of the hospital and headed right toward her.
Brady got behind the wheel and Henry sat in the front passenger side. Dane took her hand, directing her in the back. His strength reverberated in his tight grip. “Let’s go.”
“What did he say?” She stepped into the car.
Dane flashed the bandage and said, “Flesh wound. A couple stitches, that’s all. You pulled me out at the perfect time.”
“Good.” She let the thought he’d be fine wash through her and released a slow breath.
Brady drove them back onto the main road. Dane reached into his back pockets where he’d shoved the Irish Crown Jewels, once meant to highlight British power in Ireland, and showed the two jeweled pieces Henry and Brady, then to her. “Let’s get this to England.”
She held the badge in her palm. Over a hundred years ago, a group of thieves had studied meticulously to get these jewels. She’d always assumed whoever had them had ripped the jewels apart for all the small diamonds and other precious stones.
Emily stared at the symbols of royalty that the Irish had viewed as symbols of oppression as they sparkled in the setting sun. These needed to be in a museum for the world to remember, just as Dane wanted.
She gave them back and saw they’d entered a port. Brady parked.
Dane opened the rear passenger door, got out, pocketed the jewels and offered his hand to help her out of the car. “Emily, let’s go.”
She saw the steam engine ferry and heard the whistle warning the ship was going to leave any moment.
Passengers were on their phones and minding their own business—they had no idea the trouble Ted had caused.
Dane held her hand as they made their way onto the ship. Henry directed them downstairs to a private stateroom, away from the passengers who milled around during the short trip across the channel.
The room was small but the bed in the middle had white sheets and fluffy pillows. She tossed her bag on the small dresser with an old fashioned bowl and pitcher as Dane sat down and untied his sneakers, kicking off his shoes.
Henry and Brady left to scout for danger, and Dane fell onto the bed. She sucked in her breath and asked, “Are you okay?”
“It’s been a long day.” He closed his eyes. “I’m tired, Em.”
The fight, the accident, driving the motorcycle, and being shot in a day would be exhausting. She fixed the sheets, tempted to rest next to him when she heard a vibration from her pocketbook. She picked up her phone and read the screen. “My sister’s calling.”
Dane snored as his reply. Right. She walked over to a small porthole as the engine chugged them out of port and quickly answered, “Sophie.”
Her sister made a loud sigh and launched her questions. “Emily, where are you? Are you okay? Why didn’t you call me or answer before?”
She turned behind her and heard Dane’s soft snore. She licked her lips and her stomach had nervous butterflies as she said, “I… I’m with Dane.”
“Michael’s Dane?” Sophie asked.
Emily braced for impact as she said, “Yeah.”
Her sister then hummed and asked, “He was at the nightclub?”
