by Dawn Brower
“Why have you stopped working?” The overseer sneered at him. “No one said you could take a break.”
Damian bit back the curse that wanted to spill from his mouth. He needed to be patient for a little bit longer. This island he’d lived on for over a year had a stark beauty to it. It was too bad he couldn’t have found it under better circumstances. Paolo’s revenge was ultimate. He’d seen Damian as a threat. Instead of killing him, he’d arranged for him to become and indentured servant in Fiji. An archaic system that hadn’t seemed to have died yet on the island. They worked him from sunup until sundown. He had no choice and no way to escape. Although, under the laws of his indenture, he’d be free soon. They had to let him go.
He didn’t know if they actually would. Damian feared they would kill him before allowing him to return to his former life.
“Yes sir.” He nodded and returned to pulling weeds strangling the sugar cane growing on the island. It grated him he’d been subjected to becoming nothing more than a servant. This was not how his life was supposed to go. “It won’t happen again.”
He swallowed the lump in his throat. This whole situation sickened him.
“See that it doesn’t.”
Damian didn’t look up at the overseer again. Their workday was almost over, and he needed whatever strength he could muster to escape. He should be able to walk away free and clear. Paolo would have arranged something dire to happen to him. Deep in his gut he knew he wouldn’t make it alive if he tried to leave openly. It had taken him many months to organize a way off the island.
“Pss.”
Damian glanced beside him to the man working the field nearby him. His naturally dark skin a couple shades darker than normal from working under the hot sun. Hian had been brought from India to work as an indentured servant. He missed his home and longed to return to the freedom he’d once enjoyed. “What?”
“Is everything set?”
Damian forced a smile away. Hian had become a friend in a place he desperately needed one. They were going to leave Fiji together. A ship awaited them in the harbor. Once they had the cover of darkness, they would board it. His men were waiting for him. The message he’d smuggled off the island finally reached them. Someone had slipped him news of their arrival an hour ago. Relief flooded him with the information he’d be able to see the last of the cursed island he’d been forced to call home for months.
“It is. Now we just need this cursed sun to lower from the sky and allow us to make our own fate.”
Hian nodded. “Good. I will be ready.”
They worked tirelessly until dusk. It seemed like the minutes dragged on even more now that he knew he’d soon regain his freedom. Damian had started to believe he’d die on the island and never see Pearla again. He dreaded finding out what happened to her. What evil scheme had Paolo had in store for her? His plans for Damian had been horrible, but they could have been so much worse for her.
His wife.
Did she know he still lived? Had this been Paolo’s plan all along? Their forced marriage had made little sense to him. Did he want to ensure both Damian and Pearla suffered in a similar fashion as Noah and Rubina had? If so, he was succeeding. Being away from Pearla, and not knowing her fate, was agonizing. He couldn’t wait to locate her and ensure for himself she was all right. Would seeing him be a welcome sight? He had so many questions and none of them had any answers. Soon he would get them.
The bell sounded for the end of the day.
“Grazie al cielo.” Damian hoped someone up in heaven was listening to all his prayers. He had to thank someone for finally allowing him to escape. Heaven seemed like a good start. He nodded at Hian. “It’s time.”
Soon they would be enveloped in darkness and using it to escape the plantation. They pretended to follow the rest of the indentured servants toward their little huts to retire for the evening. Most of them would partake in a meager meal and fall asleep soon after. Their work schedule didn’t allow for any free time. It was eat, sleep, work, and then repeat each day.
Damian turned his head left and then right. No one was giving them any mind. He gestured toward Hian. They exited to the far left and hid behind some bushes as the rest of the workers walked past them. They used the foliage for cover as they left the plantation. So far no one seemed to have noticed they were gone.
“Where are you two going?” An irritated man called out to them.
Damian cursed. He’d gotten lax. He slowly turned to see the hateful gaze of the overseer. “We thought we could go to the beach and bathe in the ocean.”
“You know you’re not allowed without supervision.”
Of course not. If they were allowed freedom, they might escape. The plantation owners couldn’t have that now could they? Damian would not stay on this island another day. He had a life to get back to. A family that missed him, and more importantly a wife he had to retrieve from whatever hell his enemy had sent her to.
“My indenture is over. I am free to do as I please.”
“Are you now? I wasn’t informed of this.” He let his thumbs rest on the inseam of his pants and smirked. “Go back to your hut.”
The bloody fool believed because Damian had followed his orders without question he would continue to do so. He didn’t know Damian had a reason to fight back. No, that wasn’t true. He always had a reason. Now he had the means to travel to his reason for living. Pearla needed him, and he would be there for her.
Damian glanced over at Hian. The man gave a quick, jerky nod. He was ready to assist Damian if needed. With a slow, easy gait, he ambled toward the overseer, giving the appearance he was meekly doing his bidding. When he was beside him, he wrapped his arm around the overseer’s neck and squeezed with all his strength. The overseer struggled as Damian held on tight. Hian picked up a large rock and knocked their tormenter on the head. He slumped forward and Damian let him go. His body hit the ground with a soft thud, his breathing slow and even. Good. At least they hadn’t killed him.
“Let’s get off this damned island.” Damian stood and headed toward the harbor.
“You won’t hear me arguing with that.” Hian smiled. “I’ve been on this island far too long.
They kept a steady pace, and once the sun had set and the moon shone over head they made it to the harbor. His ship sat docked nearby. They had to board it and set sail.
“Conte Leone.”
Damian turned toward the sound of his name and smiled for the first time in days. “Arturo, it’s so good to see you. I thought you were dead.”
He’d seen Arturo fall before taking his own beating from Paulo’s men. They’d bragged about killing him, and Damian mourned his friend. He was relieved to see his Arturo alive and well.
The man grinned. “They tried, but I have a hard head. Makes it even more difficult to kill me.”
He pulled Arturo into a firm hug. Damian stepped back and placed a hand on Arturo’s shoulder. “I’ve never been so glad to see someone in my life. It seems you have found your calling. First you rescue my sister, and now me.”
“I’m only sorry it took us so long to find you. We had no idea where Paolo sent you or if he’d murdered you. We never stopped looking.”
Damian sighed. “Sometimes it might have been easier if he had. It’s been hell on this island. I am more than ready to leave. Hian here is coming with us.” He gestured toward his new friend.
“They are waiting for us. Let’s get you home, Conte.”
“No. I have something more important I need to do.”
He missed home, or more aptly the comforts it offered. He could do without those for a while longer. The desire to find Pearla was much stronger, and he wouldn’t be able to go home without checking on his sister.
Arturo studied him for a few seconds. “What could be more important than returning to Naples?”
“I have to retrieve my wife.”
That stopped Arturo short. He opened his mouth, but no sound came out, and then shook his head. “I wasn’
t aware you’d married.”
Damian laughed. “It’s a long story. Neither one of us planned on our impromptu ceremony. Come, let’s get aboard the ship and I will tell you my tale, and you can tell me yours. I’m curious how you managed to survive.”
They crossed the dock until they reached their destination. Damian told him about Pearla and Captain Blythe’s forced wedding. He believed the wedding was only one of the means they’d devised to torture him. His worry over Pearla’s welfare had nearly driven him insane.
“Pearla was going to let them kill her before marrying me.” Damian shook his head with disbelief still coursing through him. “I still don’t fully understand her.”
“It’s my experience that women are creatures men will never understand.” Hian stated. “It’s best you don’t try. It will only lead to a massive head pain.”
Damian chuckled. “You’re quite right my friend.”
“Conte!” The captain of the ship came beside them on deck. “We are ready to set sail. Give me the word.”
“Consider it given,” Damian replied. “Could you have someone see Hian to where he’ll be staying for our journey? I’m sure he would like to rest.” They’d worked hard all day, and Damian was surprised they were both still standing.
“The bosun can show him where to go.” The captain nodded at the man by his side.
“Come this way, sir.”
Hian nodded and followed the bosun below deck. “I will see you later, my friend.”
The captain spun on his heels and ordered the crew to set sail. Damian turned toward his Arturo giving him his full attention. “So, Arturo, how did you survive?”
“I was gravely injured.” His voice held a morose tone, as he stared into the dark sky. “In truth, I should not have survived. A woman took pity on me and nursed me to health. I’ve only been healthy enough to aid in the search for you this past month. I didn’t have much strength.” He lowered his head. “I’m sorry I failed you.”
“You did not fail me Arturo.” Damian shook his head. “I’m glad you are alive and well. Maybe later you can tell me a little about the woman who saved you.”
Damian did not fault him. Arturo had almost given his life in his service. How could he blame him? Still he needed answers. He couldn’t go blindly back into the world. When he found Pearla, he’d need to be able to protect her. When it was just him, he’d been careless. He couldn’t continue to carry on in that fashion. His wife would have to come first.
“She’s amazing. I think you’ll like her.” Arturo grinned sheepishly. “I plan on asking for her hand in marriage upon our return.”
“Good.” Damian smiled. “You deserve happiness.” They’d all been through a lot at the hands of the duca. It was time to set it all aside and live their lives unencumbered. “Do you have news of my sister or Paolo?”
“I have not seen the Duchessa, but I do know she is well.”
That was good at least. His sister was the only other woman who meant anything to him. His mother died shortly after Rubina was born. He barely knew her. He’d focused all his love and adoration on his baby sister.
“Did she and Noah work through their problems?”
Arturo nodded. “My informant tells me that they are very much in love. I thought it best not to approach her until I had news of what happened to you.”
“That’s probably best.” Damian nodded. He knew Rue would be worried about him. They were close, and he’d never come to see her. She would be relieved to see him, but first he must find his wife. If she wasn’t already in danger, she could be now that he was free. “And Paolo?”
“He is dead. Your sister shot him with his own pistol.”
Relief flooded him. Thank heaven for taking that evil out. He wished it had been him and not his sister, but at least he knew that was one person he wouldn’t have to worry about.
“I’m glad he’s dead.”
“He was an evil man,” Arturo agreed. “But just because he’s gone doesn’t mean that the evil is gone.”
Was it too much to ask to have some peace? What new evil had sprung up to ruin all the plans he had for his life? When would they catch a break? Damian was tired of all the drama life kept throwing at him. All he wanted was to find his wife and start a family.
“What do you know?”
“Someone has taken up where he left off.” Arturo sighed. “The only difference is they are not obsessed with your sister—they are fixated on you.”
Damian whipped his gaze toward him and asked, “Who is it?”
“Your former paramour, Camellia.”
He cursed. Damian should never have gotten involved with her. She was only supposed to be a means to an end. The Duca’s sister had become infatuated with him. Damian hadn’t seen any reason not to court her for information on her brother. It’d been a disaster, and the one mistake he regretted the most.
“What has she done?”
“Nothing as yet. She’s been trying to locate you.” Arturo looked out across the ocean. “I believe, if we had not rescued you today, she’d have found you within a fortnight. Her brother had made it impossible to find you. Captain Blythe is currently her guest. It won’t be long before he tells her all she wants to know.”
Captain Blythe was becoming a thorn in his side. He was almost as irritating as Paolo. Why was he suddenly keeping Camellia company? He rubbed his temples as pain shot through his head. Would any of it ever end?
Damian shook his head and sighed. “It might not be as bad as you think.”
“No, it is much much worse.” Arturo’s gaze filled with anxiety. “She wants you. I think the insanity gene has spread through that family. But she is a wicked woman in ways her brother never was. She has strange proclivities…”
He opened his mouth to start asking for details, but changed his mind. He didn’t really want to know what Camellia was planning. It was something that could wait until later. When he saw her again he’d deal with her. Maybe if he apologized for his misdeeds she’d let it go. Of course, that would only work if she wasn’t crazy like Paolo. He could hope Arturo was wrong in his assessment of her.
“I can’t be worried about her. She can obsess over me all she wants. I am taken and do not want her.” Damian frowned. “I have bigger concerns than what Camellia wants or desires.”
“Your wife?”
Damian nodded. “Yes. She comes first always.”
When he closed his eyes he could picture her. He wanted to reach out and stroke her beautiful golden curls and reassure himself she was all right. Once he found her, he’d pull her into his arms and never let go. At least until her stubborn streak found a way to make things difficult. It was one of the things he adored about her. He missed her.
“Then we will find her. Camellia can wait for now,” Arturo agreed. “But, Conte, don’t think she will forget about you. She will find you, and when she does I fear it won’t be a pleasant experience.”
Damian didn’t doubt Arturo was right. Camellia had always been an odd person. He didn’t know what she was fully capable of doing. When he saw her again, he’d discover what her plan was. For now, he wouldn’t worry about it. He must locate his wife. Wherever she was, he would find her, and then they would work through this marriage of theirs. They had so much they still didn’t know about each other.
“Pearla first, and then I will deal with Camellia.”
“I only pray you are not too late… For your wife or handling your former paramour.”
Damian stopped and turned his gaze toward Arturo. His words gave him an idea. “Maybe the fastest way to find Pearla is to seek out Camellia. Didn’t you say Captain Blythe was keeping her company?”
Arturo nodded. “He is.”
“Good. The Captain and I have some things to settle. He will tell me what he did with my wife.” Damian grinned. He couldn’t wait to see the good captain again and show him how much he’d enjoyed his stay on Fiji. Perhaps he should experience a similar excursion. “Where is Camellia
calling home these days?”
“She has been in London since you disappeared. I suspect she knows you will return there before Naples. You have ties there again with Rubina finally returning to her husband.” Arturo shook his head. “I don’t like any of this, Conte. I have a bad feeling.”
Damian shook it off. He couldn’t be worried about Arturo’s foreboding feelings. If he wavered every time something bad might happen he’d never find Pearla again. “Nevertheless, we will sail to London. Inform the captain of our new destination. I am going to retire to my cabin. It’s been a bloody long day.”
Arturo nodded. “I will do as you instructed, Conte. I only hope this goes how you want it to.” He turned on his heels and headed toward the captain, leaving Damian to his own musings. Going to London was the only lead he had to finding Pearla. Camellia would make things inherently more difficult. But it was worth every risk he would take. Nothing would stand in his way. Pearla would be with him again, and they would find out what was between them. Their time together had been too short. Arturo’s concerns be damned.
Damian sighed. “I’m coming for you, cara…”
Chapter Seven
Pearla stared across the horizon. The sun had begun its ascent, and glowed brightly as it rose in the sky. She’d be in London soon. The harbor glistened in the distance. She’d been gone from home for so long. A part of her was happy to finally be returning home, but the other part of her dreaded it. What would she find when she stepped back into society?
Hopefully the ton forgot about her botched wedding.
She didn’t want to look into the eyes of all her friends and still see pity raining out of them. Pearla had been through a lot in the past year and a half. All of the difficulties life had thrown at her had made her stronger. It was time to return home and face her biggest fear.
Seeing Noah with his wife.
She wanted him to be happy. Truly. But it would still hurt something deep inside to witness it. Pearla had given up on finding that kind of happiness for herself. For a brief moment, she’d thought she could maybe have it with Damian, but he too abandoned her. If Captain Blythe was to be believed, it had all been a ruse. To what end she still didn’t know.