TanglingWithHisTiger

by VictoriaVallo

“You’ve probably had dozens of lovers. I don’t see what’s so special about me.” He walked over to Byron and straightened his waistcoat, which Byron recalled him doing up on deck a few days ago. Eric smoothed the material slowly and added, “Unless it’s the fact I resisted you. Handsome men like you are used to getting anything you desire right away. Maybe you liked the chase.”

  “Your resistance aroused and intrigued me. I won’t deny it. But it was that first taste of your lips. My blood ran hot, and my beast roared to life like never before. Everything changed that day.” Eric looked slightly stunned by his words, but Byron pulled him close and pressed on, not caring if Eric laughed at him or dismissed his concerns. “All jokes aside, please. Stay close to me today. I’ll give up this mission before I’ll risk losing you.”

  Eric stared at the buttons on Byron’s shirt. “Don’t be so serious. There’s no reason for it.”

  “Last night you said you were worried. Because I mean something to you. Is it harder to say in the light of day with our clothes on?” Byron asked.

  “I am worried, but you act if we’re in mortal danger.”

  “Someone could die. Someone may die.”

  “But we’ll be careful. You trust your men, don’t you?”

  “Of course. With my life.”

  Eric shifted his weight but kept staring at Byron’s buttons. “Then what are you worried about?”

  “I never had a reason to survive a battle before, save collecting a bounty.”

  Eric finally looked into his eyes. “But you have friends. You and Christian seem close.”

  “We are, but you’re different. I don’t think I need to explain it to you.”

  “I can take care of myself. I want you to watch your own back instead of focusing on mine.”

  “I can’t promise anything.”

  After a bit of hesitation, Eric said, “What if I told you how sad I’d be to lose you? Would that make you take more care?”

  Byron drew him even closer. “I didn’t plan on going out there and acting like an utter fool, but it would do me a lot of good to hear you say such things.” He leaned down and took Eric’s mouth, savoring the little gasp the man gave. Though he wanted the kiss to go on and on, he released Eric soon enough, wanting to hear his answer.

  “Big bully,” Eric whispered. He huffed out a deep breath and said, “I will be hurt and sad and lonely if you let yourself get killed. And I’ll be very cross if you get hurt because of me.” He ran his fingers into Byron’s hair and yanked him closer. “So do as I say and take care of yourself.”

  The hint of aggression aroused Byron, but they had no time for that now. “When you put it like that, I can’t deny you.” He kissed Eric again, quicker this time, and then reluctantly pulled away to open his trunk. “Take any weapon you like. Is the knife Christian gave you a good weight for you?”

  “Yes, it’s fine.” Eric moved forward and looked over the swords and other weapons. “Quite a collection.”

  “Spoils from captured vessels and raids on hideouts. When we manage to take an entire ship, the harbormaster lets us have first pick of ten percent of what’s seized. Sometimes we can take more, depending on the bounty and who set it. At times we’re simply paid for our efforts by the authorities. Stolen items that can be clearly identified go back to the original owner or get sold to compensate them. All depends on what it is. If it might spoil or would be a pain to transport.”

  Eric made his selection and strapped the sword to his waist before checking the knife in his boot. “Will some men have arrows? Pistols? Rifles?”

  “Yes, crossbows. We don’t have any rifles right now. The military tariff is a bit much, though Drake may have plenty if he’s taken any military ships recently. Some of our men will have loaded pistols, just in case. They’ll make too much noise if we’re trying to get the jump on anyone, but they’d be good if someone gets the jump on us.”

  “Mmmm, right. Takes time to reload, too. Good thinking to have a variety.”

  “Glad our plans meet with your approval.”

  Eric put one hand on the hilt of his sword and the other on his hip. “We said we’d talk about things. I’m not trying to interfere.”

  “I know. I was only teasing.” Byron gave Eric a once over, noting how nicely the leather breeches and dark shirt he’d borrowed from Christian fit him. “You look quite dashing, you know,” he said.

  “You read too many novels. You sound like Lady Arabella.”

  Byron laughed. “Sorry. Just getting it out of my system.”

  Eric raised one eyebrow. “Well, be sure to finish doing so. We have to focus.”

  “I know what I’m doing. I’ve been making a living at it for two decades.”

  As they made their way up onto the deck, Eric asked, “Has it been a happy life?”

  “It’s been my own since I was fifteen. That part’s been happy enough, even when times were hard.” He paused before whispering, “Though I think the coming years may eclipse the previous ones. As far as happiness is concerned.”

  Eric licked his lower lip and held Byron’s gaze a moment before nodding ahead of them. “I think our boat is ready.”

  Byron allowed him to change the subject. They had to get down to the task at hand. “Yes, seems it is.” They walked over to the side and took the rope ladder down to the boat waiting for them. “Give us an hour, Christian, and then begin coming around the other side of the island. We don’t want anyone on the ship alerted too soon. Try not to engage.” He paused. “But be ready to do so if you have to.”

  “Aye, sir,” Christian called back.

  Six other men joined them, and another eight followed in a second boat. They all remained quiet as they made their way to shore, and they landed on a tiny beach with only one ridge between them and Drake’s hideout. Byron thought about the first time he’d come here, and he wondered if Drake remembered that Byron knew about this place. Back then, the “hideout” had been nothing but a rundown shack, but the scouts had reported that three more buildings existed now, though all of them were small.

  Once the boats were secured up the shore and out of the reach of the tide, they began their silent trek through the trees and up the ridge. Byron led the way, and Eric followed right behind him. He wanted to hold his lover’s hand but doubted that would go over well. It took them about half an hour to get to their destination. Byron signaled for the men to all crouch behind the rocks while he moved forward to look down on their ultimate target. He saw three men milling about and two boats secured on the shore. The original building was still there, and Byron eyed the newer buildings in the crescent-shaped cove. The tree line had been cut back a bit, leaving most of the area exposed, which worked to their advantage from a distance yet left them few hiding spots close to the buildings. The doors of two of the buildings stood open, and they seemed to contain supplies. The other new building had smoke coming out of it, so it had to be a cookhouse of some kind. It seemed Harold’s information had been accurate—Drake had set up for long-term residence. Byron could remember the captain breaking many bones over the years, and he knew not all of them had set quite right. The man had to be over seventy by now, so with new breaks on already abused bones, he had to be in a sorry state.

  Probably drinking rum by the gallon.

  But Byron had no sympathy for the man. He’d seen Drake murder children, rape dozens of women, and torture probably more than a hundred men. He’d stolen from anyone and everyone, even priests and widows and orphans, and never had he hesitated to take a life. He’d never shown any loyalty or mercy to his own men. Getting sick or injured under Drake meant being killed outright or tossed overboard for macabre sport. Byron watched for about ten minutes, trying to see if the men were standing guard or working in any kind of pattern. They seemed to be at their leisure, which was odd for men under Drake’s command, making Byron think the old man had about had it.

  Byron considered his next move, but a cry caught his attention. A woman was pushed from the coo
khouse, and she tried to fight the man who pointed her to the main building. She spat in his face, and he slapped her. He grabbed her by the arm and dragged her to the building as she kicked at him and cursed. Her clothes were dirty and shabby, but he could tell the rags had once been a fine and expensive gown. Three noblewomen were missing from the Arun region alone, where the port of Dannis was, and Christian had fliers for about a dozen others missing from different regions. Kidnapped women rarely came home, and Byron had seen too many abused corpses in his day. He waved his men over but indicated they should all stay low.

  “We need to act quickly. They have a prisoner, it seems. I’ve already seen her being struck once, and she fought to keep from being taken into the main building. Their purpose can’t be good. I’ve only seen three men and two boats. I don’t see the ship anchored nearby, but we have a limited view from here. The two men still milling about and the one who just took the woman inside seem to be the only people around, aside from Drake, assuming he’s here. We need to take those men down and be ready to charge down the hill,” he pointed to the left, “this way. It’s a sandy path, but it’s not far. Just be careful not to end up flat on your face.”

  Two men with crossbows came forward, and Byron exchanged a look with Eric before looking back to them and saying, “Ready?”

  “Aye,” both men said.

  “Fire!”

  The bows went flying, and cries followed. Byron jumped up to his full height and saw both men down. “Now, quickly!”

  They all ran, a bit unsteady at first, yet no one actually fell down. Just as they came into sight of the little camp, the third man came flying out the door. He held only a sword, so Byron and his men had the advantage. The man ran across the open space and dove for something on a windowsill. A knife came hurtling from his hand a moment later, and one of Byron’s men leapt sideways just in time. Another man scooped the knife up and sent it flying back as their enemy tried to get inside the building he stood beside. It hit his leg and caused him to stumble. Three men came forward to secure their prisoner, while the others checked the perimeter.

  “There’s no ship in sight,” Eric said from behind Byron. “Even if they’re just around the bend there, they can’t see the fighting.”

  “That’s good for us. Might be bad for Christian if they saw any of our scouts and knew someone was coming for them.” Byron eyed the main building and beckoned four men to come with him and Eric. “In there. It’s gone quiet, but if Drake is armed, make no mistake he’ll kill the woman without hesitating. Be cautious.”

  They crept toward the building, moving with their backs to each other, even though it seemed they had taken down all of the men on hand. The two men who’d been shot with arrows were alive and being tied up, and no one else stirred from anywhere else. A handful of Byron’s men guarded the tree line, searching for anyone who might be hiding there. The door to the main building had been left open when the third man ran out, and Byron squinted to try to see inside.

  “Get in here, you traitorous bastard! I’ll slit this slut’s throat in ten seconds if you don’t!” a voice yelled.

  Byron felt chilled at the sound, yet he moved quickly. Drake had never been skilled at throwing knives or shooting straight, so Byron would risk it to save the prisoner. The man covered in splints and bandages and shabby clothes was only a ghost of the villain of Byron’s childhood, yet Byron still felt a shiver of fear at the sight of him. The woman knelt by the bed, and Drake had her by the hair. Drake’s flaccid cock hung out of his breeches, and Byron’s stomach churned in disgust, as he now had confirmation of what he’d feared was about to happen to her. Tears ran down her face, yet her expression was defiant. She didn’t make a sound and watched Byron’s every move. If he could do something to make Drake loosen his grip, she could run to safety.

  Drake laughed, the sound dry and bitter. “Damn it, you look even more like your whore mother now. Shame, shame. Her arse was prettier than her face.”

  Countless times, Drake had taunted him with comments about his mother, but Byron would not waver with an innocent victim in Drake’s clutches and Eric so close at hand. “Then she must’ve been blessed with quite a figure by Vena. I’ll have to make an extra offering next time I’m in a temple. I’ve had many compliments on the beauty of my own ass over the years.”

  Drake frowned. Byron had never dared to talk back to him all those years ago. He’d certainly never been sarcastic with him. “You won’t take me, boy. I didn’t come so far to see my own flesh betray me.”

  Byron was certain he’d noticed the woman’s mouth move, but he didn’t want to draw attention to her. “So I really am your son? You never would say before.”

  “I paid Lilianna to be my personal whore. Dropped her off when she got pregnant. Didn’t think she’d be stupid enough to ever bring herself or you within my sight, let alone send you to me. But she was only good for one thing.” Drake laughed, tightening his grip on the woman.

  Byron glanced at her and clearly saw her mouth the word “gun”. Byron glanced around the sparsely furnished room, but he didn’t see a gun of any kind. Hand-to-hand combat with blades and fists was preferred by most pirates, but that didn’t mean Drake might not have a small pistol stashed near his bed, loaded and at the ready. The woman had no reason to mouth that word unless she’d seen one.

  Byron slipped the knife at his wrist down a bit in case he’d have need of it, but he kept his sword raised high to draw attention to the other hand. Drake reached beneath his coat, but instead of aiming the pistol he withdrew at Byron, he leveled it at his own head.

  Everything was a blur, but Byron hurled the knife forward. He might kill Drake, but that was fine. Though he wanted Drake to be punished for all to see, Byron would rather kill the man himself than let the brute die by his own hand and on his own terms.

  Byron’s knife hit the wall, but another blade came flying past him. It hit true and pinned Drake’s hand to the battered headboard by his sleeve, and the gun went off, shooting upwards to the ceiling before Drake lost his grip and dropped it. Drake winced, and Byron saw a bit of blood at the sleeve. Byron turned to see Eric standing outside the open window behind him. The man came rushing into the building and was at his side in no time, the other men following right behind to secure Drake and detach him from the bed.

  “We need to work on your aim,” Eric whispered as he gave Byron a quick kiss and then immediately went to kneel by the woman. Drake had yanked out a chunk of her hair, and Byron blinked away his shock and helped Eric get her out of the building. She was composed enough but still trembled a bit.

  “I’m Eric, and this is Captain Byron Gregg. We’re going to get you home. Are there any other men here?” He handed her a handkerchief, which she then pressed to her head.

  She shook her head. “The ship left early this morning, before sunrise. A new tip on a big prize. Ship with quite a bit of gold, I heard them say. It was just those three and that devil in there left here.”

  Eric helped her to a stool outside the cookhouse and fetched some water for her. She watched him a moment before looking to Byron. “Thank you.” She sipped the offered water, nodding her thanks to Eric, and then said, “I’m sorry he’s your father but glad you’re nothing like him.”

  “Same here.” He felt very unheroic at the moment, yet proud of Eric at the same time. “Sorry I missed.”

  “Don’t be sorry. Drake moved to avoid your blow and put himself right in line for your comrade here. You’re all very brave. In three months, no one’s ever tried to get the better of this villain. He’s old and sick, but everyone’s still terrified of him.”

  “Three months?” Eric said. “I’m so sorry. Where can we take you? Where is your family?”

  “The Arun region. City of Castile. My uncle is Vane Godwin. He’s my only family.”

  “We’ll see you to him safely. Our home port is Dannis, and once we’ve turned these four in we’ll take you home,” Byron said.

  “Our ship, the Arabel
la, will come around the island soon. We’ll get you settled so you can rest,” Eric said.

  She nodded, looking weary, though she smiled for some reason. After taking another sip of water and clearing her throat, she said, “That’s my name, but everyone calls me Bella.”

  “Is there anything else you need? Are you … hurt in any way?” Eric asked.

  “Nothing that won’t heal.” She gazed off to where the prisoners were being led to the boats secured in the cove. “How soon do you think his trial will be?”

  “Soon. He’s been a wanted man for fifty years.”

  “I’ll return to Dannis for it with my uncle. A young girl and her brother were taken the same time as I was. They’re both dead. I didn’t know their names, but I remember details. The closure would be good for their families. And I’d like to testify. Show him I’m not scared. Show them all.” Her eyes glistened again, but no tears fell.

  “That would be good,” Byron said. “So many people are afraid to testify.”

  She took a deep breath and straightened a bit. “Yes, exactly.” She took the handkerchief away from her head and touched the spot, which had stopped bleeding. “They headed west. Could your men get a message into one of the ports here? Send hunters after them? They were going after the Sunbeam, though I don’t know where it was bound or where they planned to intercept it.”

  “We can arrange that easily. It’s not even nine o’clock yet. A boat can go while we’re getting ready to return to Dannis,” Byron said.

  He turned to eye the horizon for his ship, his gaze falling on the boat full of prisoners as Eric and Bella continued talking softly. Drake had slumped over, but he straightened when one of his own men bumped into him. Their gazes locked, and Byron tried not to let any emotion show as he walked toward the shore.

  “The day I left, I swore I’d bring you in one day,” Byron said.

  Drake, for once, said nothing.

  “Make sure those knots are tight,” Byron said, finally allowing himself to smile. “Can’t have that wrist bleeding out.” The cloth wrapped around Drake’s wrist was soaked with blood, but the flow seemed to have stopped. Byron turned his back to the man and walked over toward Eric, feeling triumphant yet knowing their mission was only half done.