Page 84 of Ghost Walk
“This isimportant, Jamie. You have no idea what’s at stake.”
“Nothing is more important than your life.” He retorted stubbornly. “Gregory isn’t here, yet. When heishere, I’ll hold him down and you can cut off his whole hand if you like. Satisfied?”
She debated arguing with him, but Jamie didn’t look like he was going to budge and she didn’t have time to make him. “Fine. Let’s find someplace out of sight to keep watch until then. I don’t love the idea of being tried as a witch again today.”
They headed up a small hill, towards a secluded area at the edge of the park. The town munitions were stored there, in an octagonal stone building that was “guarded” by men who’d snuck off to the celebration. If they somehow survived into the twenty-first century, the guys would make wonderful additions to the Harrisonburg Historical Museum’s crack security team.
“Of course, if he doesn’t show up, Plan B is just to kidnap Clara ourselves.” Grace mused. “She can’t be murdered by a serial killer, if we have her tied up on your ship all night. We’ll just grab her and get the hell out of town.”
He chortled, delighted with both the idea and the swearing. “You’ve got a pirate’s soul, Grace Rivera.” He slung an arm around her shoulders. “T’is one of the many reasons I love you.”
It was the first timethisversion of Jamie had said those words and Grace beamed up at him. “I love you, too.”
“I know.” He winked at her.
She snorted at his Han Solo-y confidence. “You know, huh?”
“Aye. There’s no other explanation for why a lovely woman like you would want a jackass like me.”
“Well, I’m not exactly normal.”
His mouth curved in amusement, love shining from his eyes. “All versions of me are yours, Grace Rivera. Now and forever.”
“I know.” She leaned up to kiss his jawline. “You’re my whole future, Jamie. And I’m going to save you tonight. So, I’m serious about kidnapping Clara. Plan B won’t catch thekiller, but we’d at least save her life.” (And Jamie’s.) “If something goes wrong, she has to be our first priority.”
“Youare my first priority. Always.” He frowned a bit. “Wait, how are you saving me tonight? I accept that you’re my savior. I’ve always felt that. But what is going to happen that…?”
Grace winced and cut him off. “Just make sure Clara doesn’t die. Trust me. It would be bad for us.”
The armory was partially surrounded by a brick wall for security. Embrasures in the masonry had been built so guns could be fired from the square openings, but they also provided a clear vantage point of most of the park below.
“Okay.” Grace nodded, pleased with their hiding spot. “Now if we can just continue to avoid the guards who are supposed to be watching the munitions, we can…”
“Son of abitch!” Jamie suddenly clutched his head, dropping to one knee like he was in agonizing pain.
The air froze in Grace’s lungs. “Jamie?” She reached out to touch his shoulder, terrified that he was having a seizure. “Jamie, are you alright?” He didn’t look alright. Oh God. What could eighteenth-century medicine do to help him if he was really sick? It was all leeches and gangrene. They’d need magic. She’d go get him magic. “What’s wrong? Do you want me to…?
Her words ended in a squeak as his palm shot out and caught hold of her wrist. One second her fingers were resting on his sleeve, the next her hand was captured in his. Startled, Grace instinctively tried to pull free, but Jamie wasn’t letting go. He held onto her like the world had just tilted on its axis and she was the only thing keeping him steady.
“Fucking hell.” His free hand came up to cover his eyes as if he was trying to unsee something horrible. “They hanged me from that fucking tree. They fuckinghangedme. That’s why you’re here.”
He remembered.
Grace’s heart slammed into overdrive. The memory potion had finally worked. This Jamie had caught up with his ghost-self, two hundred years of experiences dumping into hishead like a tidal wave. Jesus, no wonder he was freaking out. It must have been like someone setting his brain on fire. She couldn’t even imagine how confusing it would be to have another whole existence downloaded into your skull.
“I know.” She said softly. “But it’s okay. You’re safe, now. I’m here. No one will hurt you this time.”
Her voice seemed to cut through his overwhelmed haze. His hand dropped from his face and he blinked. “Grace.” It was an awed breath. “Grace.” Blue eyes slashed up to meet hers, wild and hungry, and Grace’s throat went dry. Both Jamies were the same person, with all the same memories. …Which meant this man knew what she looked like totally naked.
And now he could touch her.
She gave her wrist another experimental tug and was perversely turned on when he still didn’t release her. Clearly, she had been spending waaaay too much time around a certain pirate, because there was something undeniably erotic about being captured. Still, it would be best forhimif he took a moment and processed all this.
“Jamie, let’s just stop, so you can get your bearings.” She tried breathlessly. “This has all got to be messing with your head.”
His response to that was to rise to his feet and pull her closer. With her body flattened up against his, she could hear the frantic pounding of his heart and feel the hard length of his growing arousal. He made a sound like a caged animal suddenly let loose on a meal.
“Oh God.” Her insides turned to liquid, already wanting more.
