Page 87 of Another Damned Pirate

Her attention snapped to me. “You wouldn’t have.”

Leo and I shared a look, eyebrows raised. “He definitely would have. Luckily, my tiger came to his senses before it went that far.”

“How long have you two been friends?” When we both remained silent, she continued. “Longer than I’ve been alive, right? I don’t even...” She rolled her eyes and uttered what sounded like several curses strung together into a single colorful word. “You know what? Whatever. Can you get to Petra and flash her to your ship or not?”

Even when she was huffy and difficult, I adored this woman’s fire.

“I can.” It would, admittedly, go much smoother if Anya was out of the way. That didn’t mean I was willing to let Never be that distraction.

“Nuh uh.” She pointed an accusing finger at me. “I saw that look. Even if Petra and the glitter bitch figure out we’re up to something, do you really think she’ll be able to resist coming after me?”

“Anya? Unlikely.” I’d seen the way she looked at Never the first time they met, with enough jealousy to put a feuding harem to shame. If we dangled Never in front of her, the pixie was certainly petty enough to take the bait.

“That’s what I thought. And if she’s having her fun with me, she can’t get in your way,” she said confidently.

“She can also kill you,” I said flatly.

She pushed up out of the soft leather chair. “I took her on once.”

“When Petra still wanted you alive. Things have changed.” I cast a pleading look at Leo.

“Sorry, bud. I’m on her side.”

Traitor. Even as I thought the word, a note of affection bled through it. He wasn’t wrong. Neither of them was, technically. I just didn’t like the options or the odds. I didn’t like the idea of the three of us separating, or of Never facing Anya on her own. And for as strong as Leo was, if Petra sent enough of the Lost to deal with him, they could kill him too. The Nassa’s magic didn’t protect shifters the same way it did humans.

“I did not heal you to lose you in a fight less than a day later,” I said firmly, shifting my gaze between them. “That goes for both of you.”

She closed the distance between us, her boots thumping softly against the wood floor as she moved. When she pressed her palm to my chest, I sucked in a sharp inhale. Her touch had always had an effect on me, but now it was so much more.

“If this is the way to ensure my brother stays safe in our world—his world—then I need to do it. And I can’t do it without your help.” Her voice was calm, and reassuring, and threaded with just the right amount of persuasion. “Hook, please?”

Just like that, I lost the argument.

I hated the plan. Putting either of them in danger rankled. Putting them both in harm’s way? It was far too great of a risk.

Looking into her deep blue eyes, I offered a middle ground. “I will only agree to this if you take a contingent of my men.”

The first hint of a smile graced her lips before she shook her head. “They can go with Leo.”

“Do I get a say in this?” he asked from where he was sprawled in the low leather chair.

I ignored his question, keeping my attention squarely on Never. “They’ll go withyou.”

“So that winged wretch can spot them as she flies by? I don’t think so.”

“She has a point,” Leo added.

I ground my teeth, unsure whether I wanted to pull her into my arms and kiss her to shut her up, or admit she was right. A powerful craving pulsed through our connection, and my eyes dropped to her lips, now twisted in a knowing smirk.

Yes, kissing sounded like a much better option.

“Don’t even think about it, pirate,” she said, her voice taking on a husky note that made my blood sing.

Leaning down, I whispered, “If you want me to keep my hands to myself, then I suggest you work a little harder to keep your emotions to yourself.”

The flush that rose from her neck to her cheeks was uniquely satisfying, even after she put up a mental wall between us. Once the connection was muffled, my thoughts cleared.

“Fine,” I said, tearing my gaze away from her. “Leo, I’ll send a few of the others to scout ahead of you. If you truly wish to arrive injured, I would feel better about you having backup.”

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