Read Online Even In Darkness (Between) by Cyndi Tefft - Free Book Online Page B

I’d pass some nasty sailor and make him rabid with lust from the sight of my bare ankle or something.
    Emerging from the dark depths of the ship, I blinked in the brightness of daylight. Sweet, fresh air filled my lungs like a cup of cold water after wandering through the desert. Sunlight warmed my cheeks, giving me strength for what I needed to do.
    The captain stood talking with the man he’d called Stanton, who towered over Willie. While I watched, Red Beard patted Willie’s shoulder in a friendly gesture. Then he pointed up to the sail with his other arm and poked Willie in the chest. Willie stared straight ahead, not meeting anyone’s eyes. My heart twisted at the sight of him. He looked so young, but his back was ramrod stiff. He was a Scot through and through, and was not going to let them know how scared he really was. Pride swelled within me along with a fierce determination to save them both, no matter what it took.
    After a few words, t he captain nodded and sent them on their way. Then he turned and saw me standing there. He did not look pleased.
    “I told Callison to fetch me when you were finished.” He started toward the stairs like he was going to give the rat a piece of his mind, but I stopped him, my hand held out in front of me.
    “He needs medical attention.”
    “Callison? Why, what happened?” Masterson looked taken aback.
    “No, Aiden! I can’t believe you tossed him in that filthy hole to bleed to death. He’s got a gunshot wound in his shoulder and he’s been stabbed in the leg. You have a doctor on board, right ? Someone who can stop the bleeding and bandage him up?”
    He paused before answering. “We have a physician, yes.”
    “Well, don’t just stand there! Take me to him!” I reached out to pull on his sleeve, but the captain didn’t move an inch.
    “And why , pray tell, would I do that?”
    Blood boiled in my veins as I stared at him, incredulous. “What part of ‘bleeding to death’ don’t you understand? Or are you really that cold and heartless?”
    “And what part of ‘traitor’ seems to be causing you difficulty?” he replied. His mouth curled like he was enjoying this. Bastard. “Might I remind you that we are sailing to England where your husband is to be publicly hanged? Some might call me a humanitarian for allowing him to die in private.”
    “Among the chickens and the rats, with bugs the size of a can of pop!”
    Confusion wrinkled his brow. “A can of what?”
    With a deep, shuddering breath, I closed my eyes and attempted to reign in my temper. I’m in Between. We’re already dead. This is just some kind of sick cosmic joke. Clenching my fists at my sides, I tried for a calm tone and failed.
    “What do you want?” I demanded. He tried to look like he didn’t understand, so I spelled it out for him. “What is this really about, huh? I’ve had it. I don’t want to play this game anymore. Aiden, bleeding in that cesspool, not knowing who the hell I am, and you looking so damn much like him that it makes my head hurt... Just cut the crap! What do I have to do to get us out of this twisted freak show?” My finger poked him hard in the chest to emphasize my words. His hand wrapped around my wrist and he yanked me forward until I fell against him.
    “Ah, you wish to barter, do you?” His breath fell soft against my cheek.
    “What?” I tried to pull away, but his grip was too tight.
    “ Quid pro quo. I have the physician tend to your lover’s wounds and you give me something I want.” His voice had dropped to a warm, dangerous whisper that only I could hear.
    Just then, Stanton came running across the boat toward us, his long legs quickly eating up the span of the deck. Captain Masterson gave me a look that said ‘This isn’t finished’ and released me. In two strides, he met Stanton, his face all business. They spoke in low tones so I couldn’t hear what they were saying, but the captain gestured toward Willie, received a short nod from